6 speed question

[hoadie72]

I took a Puma 110 for a test drive at Alto Artarmon on Saturday and despite being told by the dealer I would be too tall and struggle to even fit (I'm 6'3" and carrying a couple of extra kilos in the middle) and that they'd happily do me a deal on a petrol D3 when I got back from the drive, I found it a surprisingly easy car to drive. The dealer literally refused to come on the drive because "I really dislike them" (ie it's not a Vogue) and sent his lackey out instead, and he told me the clutch is quite heavy. At the end of the drive I asked him what he meant because while it's not Japanese light, it couldn't be described as heavy. He simply pointed out that he's 5 foot nothing then pointed to my legs lol.

Anyway, that leads me to my question - with 1st gear being very low, is 2nd gear low enough to start in (on level or downhill ground of course), or would you destroy. I'm assuming premature clutch replacement wouldn't be covered by warranty

As a footnote I told the dealer if Alto were more enthusiastic they'd sell more Defenders but he just said "we sell all the stock we get in", so I guess they sell themselves, or they'd be just as happy if they didn't have to sell them. I'm guessing a bit of both. If I were to buy one I'd go to Trivett as while they did try to steer me towards the D3 - they have stock they're trying to get rid of - they weren't blatantly negative about the Defender.

As a further footnote, there's an SVX at Alto, I sat in it and was amazed with how good the Recaro seats are. Shame they're not fitted standard, then perhaps journos wouldn't whinge so much about the seating position.

[mudmouse]

Whilst I haven't driven one, if there's no need to slip the clutch when starting off in 2nd (ie.sufficient torque) then I couldn't see a reason for causing damage - within reason. I guess it would depend on your driving style. I've driven pleanty of (little) trucks and tractors and 2nd is 1st unless you've got a load on.

I've never been impressed with Alto's 'customer service'. Maybe they can see I'd never buy a car from a dealer.... or I just look like a peasant

As for motoring journalists - Phooey, what the hell do they know! It's rarely more than some snobby opinion and the best judge of a vehicle is you. It's going to be your bum in it, your cash and your requirements. I like a few journo's I've met but many just write utter BS.

Matt.

[muddymech]

personally i find second too low to set off on you need to slip the clutch too much, but if you gt it chipped then i belive it makes a huge difference so its more realistic option.

i found trivetts at paramatta eager enough to sell defenders.

yup svx seats are great but ohh the price

ian

[spudboy]

If you are facing downhill, then second is OK, but otherwise it does not sound happy. I always use 1st even though it is only a "2 second" effort before heading up to 2nd.

Do a search on here for Mud Rails (or maybe Mudd Rails) to extend the seats back further. Like you I am 6'3" and the standard setup is too close to the steering wheel.

[eksjay]

I have been unimpressed by the level of enthusiasm in the product from some of these deelarships.

They will find the going very tough as this GFC continues.... They ought to look into stocking more Deefers because it may be the only car in the lot that is moving.....

[hoadie72]

If you are facing downhill, then second is OK, but otherwise it does not sound happy. I always use 1st even though it is only a "2 second" effort before heading up to 2nd.

Do a search on here for Mud Rails (or maybe Mudd Rails) to extend the seats back further. Like you I am 6'3" and the standard setup is too close to the steering wheel.

Thanks, I had seen them previously. To be honest, I didn't have too much of an issue with legroom, I tend to sit pretty upright and don't like having to stretch to reach the top of the steering wheel. My only real gripe in the seating stakes is your proximity to the B-pillar, so if I was going to muck around with seats I'd

1) buy some Recaros
2) relocate inwards roughly an inch

[spudboy]

...., so if I was going to muck around with seats I'd

1) buy some Recaros
2) relocate inwards roughly an inch

Strangely.... I have a pair of Recaros sitting in my hallway and am planning to fit them to the 110, set in about 25mm I've got the passenger seat out at the moment to measure up the metal work I need to fabricate.

[one_iota]

Leg length has no strict relationship to one's height and in my case being just over the 6 feet mark my legs are stork like. So I bought some Mud rails that attach to the seat box and allow some more room.

I've come out of a Disco and into a Defender and have found that change quite easy. The seats are firmer than the Disco but probably for me more comfortable for that reason. The clutch is no heavier. Being on the slim side the B Pillar proximity doesn't worry me apart from having to lean forward to see what is coming from the right.

The low first is a feature that requires some getting used to...I rarely use second to start off preferring to either short shift to second or rev it out and do the change. But crawling in traffic it has its benefits.

The salesman who sold me mine was open to the reality that some wierd types actually want a Defender...in fact I still get an occasional email from him asking how it is going.

Who feels quite as special as someone driving a Defender....

[as0l0]

Who feels quite as special as someone driving a Defender....

Having come from a Jeep to a Defender this rings so true with me. When driving the Jeep (grand cherokee) I was always able to find some feature of a passing 4wd that was preferable. The opposite is true with Defender...all other 4wd's have some noticeable shortcoming.

Defenders are a very special car. They come from a world that no longer exists and when you drive you feel as if your in that special world that lives on in the Defender.

[JohnR]

That saleman needs to find a new job!

My wife drives the car more than I do and has never complained about reaching the clutch ans she's a short ass.

As for the Second gear thing. We only ever take off in 2nd if it is real steep down hill or if the vehicle is still rolling. Otherwise it make a funny noise and really doesn't feel right unless you rev the buggery out of it (and then it takes off like a rocket ).

Cheers,