Land rover Freelander

maka_2

we are looking at getting a new ( used) car and both like the freelander not to big not to small.
we just wanted to know if anyone as one or as had one and what they thought of it any problems that seemed to keep happening. are they any good? are they reliable? we have decided to go for something like the freelnder because we go to wales camping a fair bit. over the years are cars have done us proud just would be easier in a 4x4.
all comments very welcome
thanks
maka

TheRoadster

I would suggest a Honda CRV in preference to the Freelander. Too many reliability problems especially with the earlier models. Go to the following site for more information:-

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index.htm

rrockettman

Hi Maka.
If you've got a couple of hours to spare and want to know why not to buy a Freelender, try reading through this!

http://forums.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-forums.listthreads/sec-Motoring/category-4x4/d1b3b4ee.html

On the other hand, as The Roadster suggests, the Honda CRV is a good buy.
There are a lot of factors to consider when buying a 4x4 and it all depends on what it is being used for when not camping in Wales.
You do not mention your budget.
We've had several 4x4s in our time, large ones for towing horse boxes and currently Subaru Legacy estates for daily living, lugging animal feed and getting up snow bound hills in the winter. The 2 year old 2.5 se averages 35mpg. Not bad for a big engine.
Do your research, check reliability and running costs, a Range Rover can do 2 miles per litre round town!
Good luck.

BenL

The diesel freelander is the model you want if this is the car for you.

The 1.8 engine gives up the ghost as per the threads above will advise.

The V6 petrol mode is one of the UK's top 5 quickly depreciating cars.

Toyota Rav4 is also a good option.

Ben

Chris_VRS

personally i'd give the Freelander a wide berth, as has been mentioned they are soooo unreliable...if you must have one make sures its a TD4 diesel!

better options are the CRV, RAV4 and X-Trail...and theres always the car derived ones like a Subaru Legacy, Skoda Octavia 4x4 and Volvo XC70.

Mikeyorks

I had a Freelander diesel for 5 years. Some initial problems (all under warranty) with newly designed bits (master cylinder etc) - but no problems after that. But make sure its a diesel if you go for one. The newer TD4 is very good.

Have a CRV now - and very pleased with it. It's as comfortable as the Freelander, slightly better mileage (the 2.2 diesel) and pace. But certainly doesn't hold the road / corners as well as the Freelander - which was excellent in that respect. And the Freelander coped with high side winds much better,

BobToo

I agree that a proper car-shaped 4x4 would be better than a Freelander. Subaru have more experience than anybody at making 4x4 saloon/ estate cars, although that may or may not make them the best. I imagine the Skoda will benefit from AUDI's 4x4 experience, which is also extensive.

Quinny_2

Friend of mine had a diesel Freelander van as a company car,and he did 100,000miles in it in 3 years,with some of it off road,as he was a construction site manager.He paid to have the rear seat conversion put in,as he has 2 kids,but was still paying van tax.

On the whole,it was fairly reliable,but liked to eat tyres.Maybe this was due to some of his off roading,and it was fairly sparse inside insofar as equipment was concerned.

Ken.

gingerdad

my 2 p's worth, we owned a 1.8 freelander for four years, the car was great, the local delaer excellent, but if i was buying another one would go for the 2.0TD4. we had very few problems with are petrol but the head gasket did go.

there should be some good offers on them soon as the new one is due

GD

nej

I had one for a year (a TD4) and loved it. Couple of points:

1 - Do NOT get a 1.8, as everyone else has mentioned, the head gaskets are VERY prone to failure. My FIL had this happen, although LandRover did cough up for some of the cost of a new engine in the end.

2 - The boot with the seats up is not that big.

Despite loving it to pieces (it made every journey fun), I can't help thinking a Honda CRV is better.

Also the new Freelander is coming out in a couple of months. If you are buying new this is worth bearing in mind. If not, might still be worth waiting as it might hit older-model resale values in your favour.