TDCi Defender Appreciation Thread

[solmanic]

Now I know you only ever read bad stuff on these forums, and I know that we all come here to air our problems in the hope that we find a solution or at least some company in our misery.....

....but I thought it might be worth starting a Puma Appreciation thread! (I've noticed these type of threads pop up on some geeky - sci-fi forums, not that I frequent them mind you...) So here are the rules - no mention of issues or problems other than endearing idiosynchracies and the like. I want this to be a thread where we can simply say what we love about our new Defenders in the hope that we can restore the balance of good vs bad representation on the forum.
so here goes...

I BLOODY LOVE MY PUMA TDCi DEFENDER!!!!

Even with the ridiculous price of diesel I find I am still making excuses to get in it and drive across town or wherever just so I can be in it. The other day I did THREE trips to the SAME SUBURB just because it was a nice day for a drive in the Defender. And one of those trips was to another owner's place just to look at his all dirty from an epic trip around Australia.

Now, having seen his all covered in red dust, I just look at mine in the car port and have fantasies about where it can take me. But even just driving into town is fun enough.

The seats are comfortable, and I love the driving position. Yes, it's true, I get a warm feeling of superiority sitting up there looking over the roofs of most of the other "soft" SUVs in traffic. And not just because I'm higher up, it's because the very manual nature of the controls makes me feel that I'm somehow a more worthy, more capable driver than those people with automatic everything and air-bags all around.

I love the low down torque and the way I can leave it in third around most corners. I also love the way I can pootle around in sixth gear at 60kph with the engine just idling. Then I love the way I can slowly wind it all the way up to 110kph on the motorway (again in sixth gear) and cruise along without my ears bleeding.

I love the way the dog can ride in the back and stick his head out the windows so all I see are his ears flapping in the rear vision mirrors. And I love the way I don't have to care how dirty he is when he gets in because the rubber mats just wipe clean.

Off-road I love the fact that over just about any terrain it makes me feel so totally in control. I love that when I see ruts of any size I don't immediately feel nervous that I am going to rip the transmission out if I fall in one. I love that on steep pinches up the track to our property I can just let the gearing and engine do their thing while I enjoy the smells and the scenery. And I love just seeing it sitting out somewhere in the bush all covered in dirt and mud.

I love the way it still feels like every other Defender I've owned, but just a little bit better in every way. And most of all, I love the way that each time I get in I don't care where I'm going, just the fact that I get to spend some more time in my new Defender.

[PAT303]

I put a new A frame ball joint in my fender today,I like driving it now. Pat

[Narangga]

Love it - yes


Wash it - NEVER!

[dullbird]

I put a new A frame ball joint in my fender today,I like driving it now. Pat

i thought you drove a tdi.......

or is what your saying is now you have put a new ball joint in it drives great but i still wish i could have a TDCI

[spudboy]

I love the way I can talk to Ms Spudboy without yelling at 110km/h

She loves not having an airconditioner cramping her feet like the TD5 too.

[Iwannadiscomatt]

i love ur defender too

[Rugrat]

Love it - yes

With exclamations and bells X 2

Wash it - NEVER!

Only when the Lady owner tells me to..... .
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I dont mind that though as I get to dirty it

[dmdigital]

The Puma just Purrrrrrrrrrrrs


Boy do I miss it when I drive the other one. I do this most of the time as BM gets the Puma as here daily drive ... as if I have a say in it

[cripesamighty]

I know the feeling dm_td5. I am collecting our Puma Defender in the next day or so from the aftermarket guys and will be driving it every chance I get. The TD5 is my partner's daily drive too so she is currently in the 'I miss the old one already' stage - while we still have both at home of course. I am sure that will change when we sell the TD5 and she gets used to the new Defender. Then the shoe will be on the other foot! I have to say that although I love our TD5, I LOVE our new Puma Defender!

cripesamighty

[one_iota]

It's also that pleasure you get when you see the reflection in the shopfront windows when stopped at the lights.