Howling Mad Murdock

Got the car back this morning and it's starting perfectly now. £30 (inc P&P) for the starter solenoid and less than an hour's labour so a cheap fix. The mechanic said no need to change the starter motor as it looks fine so it's saved a few quid.

Does your model have a limp mode on it? I've seen it happen on other cars (a mate had it happen on his bike too) where the limp mode kicks in and sometimes doesn't show a warning light. If it's something in the fuel system I would try some fuel treatment and run it on something like V-Power for a while. I used to work at a petrol station and it's true any of the premium fuels do help but they don't start really cleaning out your system til the 2nd or 3rd tankful and you also need a good quality fuel treatment to kickstart the process too. I'm assuming you don't run it on supermarket fuel. That stuff is a nightmare for modern engines. It'll clog filters etc faster than putting glue in the tank lol. I'm also assuming you keep your fuel at a reasonable level so to avoid any carp getting into the engine. I'm no mechanic but no warning lights etc would suggest to me filters or a bit of gunk in the tank (which may break down with fuel treatment and some patience but the guys here will enlighten you more). If you're lucky and it's nothing more than a £5 fuel treatment and run on premium fuel for a while you'll notice better mpg once your engine is clean. Independent tests showed that premium fuel costs 8% more but you get 10% more mpg in the long term so it does pay for itself and you don't mess up fuel filters or get bad emissions results at MoT time. Incidently I don't work for petrol companies anymore but from what I learned you indeed get what you pay for.

In your experience folks how resistant is the Freelander to corrosion? I live very close to the sea and often travel on coastal routes so there's a lot of salt on the roads at times. My last two cars (both Peugeots) suffered corrosion to the areas behind the front wheels and I assume the salt around here was a factor in that. The winters here in Northumberland can be pretty harsh at times too, particularly when the weather comes in suddenly off the North Sea. The car originally came from Kent and has somehow worked it's way north and been mostly kept miles from the sea so the only salt etc it's seen will be from gritting wagons and chip butties. I'll probably fit some decent mudflaps to try and keep the wheels from spraying stuff directly onto the underneath of the car but it's still going to get salt etc in the spray off the road. I may sound a little paranoid but after the last two cars faced issues to varying degrees (and they were cheap to fix on those cars) I don't want to get caught out so prevention is my aim.

Thanks Bowie and I pray you're right. To be honest after everything it's had done in recent years and a lot of receipts for servicing as long as I have it serviced regularly there's no reason why it shouldn't last a good few years. I'll chalk this little mishap up as just a bit of bad luck and be thankful it happened close to home when I was on my own and not 200 miles away with the Mrs and her mother with me. As soon as the solenoid arrives it's straight in for fitting and back on the road again. Whilst it's up on the ramps I'll get the mechanic to have a good nosey around but after it passed the MoT at a local garage who are pretty strict this month there shouldn't be any nasty surprises.

Yeah Reb it's a whole solenoid unit and my mechanic agrees with him about that being the problem. Mr Freezer thankfully it's an easy fix as you said and once it's done that's one less thing to worry about. In a moment of paranoia last night I went through the huge stack of receipts that came with the car (dating back to 2007) and most of the issues mentioned on the forum have been done between 2013 and 2015 (including head gasket) and it's had a lot of money spent on it so fingers crossed this is purely one of those unlucky isolated issues that was bound to happen sooner or later. The main one for me was the head gasket and that was 15k miles ago so I'm quite relieved about that.

Just talked to the guy selling the solenoids (thankfully he's available til 9pm) and he said to check it out with the mechanic but he said from the sound of it the solenoid has failed. In fairness he could have sold me a full starter motor unit for £50 more so he seems genuine in that respect. He said if the car fires up instantly then the issue is with the solenoid and/or connections. He said a bad starter motor would have similar symptoms to a dying battery most likely but as she's fired up instantly on all occasions prior to this suddenly happening it's unlikely that there would be a starter motor issue without any warning signs at all. When the mechanic responds to my email I'll know for sure what I'm looking at but I've come across reconditioned starter motors with 12 months guarantee at very reasonable prices so I'll get one as a matter of course when the rest of my insurance money comes through. I actually feel quite reassured on the reliability now

Thanks Pat. I saw this online but I'm not going to buy it until I check it out with my mechanic http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FREELANDER-1-8-16v-PETROL-NEW-SOLENOID-FOR-STARTER-MOTOR-NAD101420-228000-6120-/292047519591?epid=1542383560&hash=item43ff637f67:m:mX9mWuYxF0HSfTZ1-Vv--tw It does seem likely that when the guy tapped it and explained that it releases the contacts in the solenoid that it's potentially the problem. If the mechanic says that solenoid will do the trick along with cleaning up the electrical connectors then I'm not going to complain at £25 plus a bit of labour charge. If it's going to mean a whole start motor I'll go to Fleabay for a temporary unit and shop around for a refurbished one to go on when I get a good deal. As said, the starter motor itself does seem fine, there was no sign of "tiredness" after he gave it a tap, it fired up right away. To be honest I think the booster pack he hooked up wasn't really needed either, just a precaution. From what I've been able to Google it seems a common problem that the carbon bushes suddenly give up without warning due to wear and tear and I'm hoping that's the case. If it is then I'll find out from Tony exactly what he did to sort it and pass it on in case it may help others in future

In the few days I've had the Freelander she's run like a dream. Went to get fuel today, filled up, backed her up the the jet wash, went to start her up again and nothing. Just a click from the ignition but not turning over at all. Phoned the breakdown folks, the guy comes out, hooks up a booster pack, still nothing. Then he starts tapping the back of the starter motor and she fires up right away. He explained it's the solenoid that was probably frozen and the contacts in it have packed up working properly, a cheap fix he said and not surprising it's gone considering it's probably been on the car since new. Drove her home and she was fine. Parked up and tried to start her again and nothing. Is it a big job to fit a new solenoid and is it worth getting a used starter motor while I'm at it or just replace said solenoid? The starter motor itself seems fine and fires her up no problem but obviously I'm a little wary now as I don't relish finding myself stranded or caught out at the last minute.

To be honest I'll only be changing the wheels twice a year when the horrible weather comes in. Unless I decide to go party a little lol. Mr Freezer it seems ok on petrol so far and as for doing 90+ the insurance is enough as it is without me getting points lol. And to be honest the other half loves how quiet that petrol engine is. The road tax isn't too bad, only a tenner more a month than the 206. Under advisement from several sources I'm going to have the oil changed religiously and watch the water levels closely. Just been for a quote for a few scratches sorting out and it'll be £150 to make the paintwork perfect (mates rates as he's a good pal of my boss). Can't grumble at that. The guy at the bodyshop also said Bodyline texture spray is brilliant on the faded plastics, he said that's not cheap but it's a simple spray it on with excellent results. Anyone used it? Engine bay is to be cleaned up and the bulkhead painted so it'll look mint. To be honest once on top of the cosmetics it'll be a mint car. My boss has a mobile valet do his BMW X5 for £20 each month and I don't mind that, he does a cracking job inside and out. I was advised to avoid using the sunroof excessively but when the boot window opens and put the front windows down a touch there's no need for the sunroof to be open. It's like a wind tunnel ha ha ha. I'll only ever use the air con if the dog looks a bit warm. I'll have to check out the legality of a metal A-bar on the front. Some sources say they can be used on vehicles up to 09 reg, some say 02 reg. There's a Vitara on my street with a an A-bar on it and that's a 53 plate and with her being a school teacher I can't see it being a problem but I'm going to check it out properly. I'm aiming for the rugged but tasteful look. Nothing too OTT, it'll just have that X-factor that makes people look twice. To be fair to the Mrs she didn't want a 4x4 originally but she loves it so the least I can do it make it look special for her since she gave in to me

I've just been donated a genuine Landrover dog guard tailored for the FL1 and some newish AT tyres for free. A mate contacted me and said they're just sat in his garage gathering dust so can take them away this week. The dog guards are 2 parts I'm told, fit just behind the rear seats, full height, and a grille for the rear window so Riggs can have fresh air. Remains to be seen what I actually get lol but no complaints at all on a freebie. We were up at my other half's aunt's today in was used to be a heavy mining area (stunning now) so the roads are very uneven due to subsidence and where my beloved old 206 would have rattled your teeth out at 20mph the Freelander flew through that mile at twice the speed and barely felt a thing. A friend who sold me my puppy 8 years ago is the owner of the area's biggest scrappy (his pack of guard dogs are where my Riggs came from) so I'll be able to get a set of rims for the AT's at some point this summer. Question on AT's.... How much bigger are they than normal road tyres? To the naked eye they look huge but is that just an illusion? Car crime is rare here but I have to love the little security feature on the boot window which means it can't be opened without the key (apparently). I love the little lockable compartment for the toolbox in the boot too, space for anything valuable to be hidden away. My one and only gripe so far has been when changing to 2nd or 4th gear I sometimes hit the box behind my elbow but I'll get used to that. But it's a handy box to have, handy for drinks and stuff. Now this might seem a very minor thing but one of the things I love is that tiny little recess on the dash beside the driver's door pillar, the little triangular one with the rubber mat in it. We use the Tyne Tunnel a lot when driving down to my native Yorkshire to see family and it's perfect for tunnel money, very handy indeed. I love the little pockets all over the dash area too. Brilliant for hiding a phone as the stereo does it all, just pop the phone out of view and forget it. Not that I ever use it whilst driving, as a former truck driver it's my pet hate. Milky is yours a FL2? Your dash looks very different to mine. And yeah I have loads of places like that around here, it's gotta be done mate And Garry I love that big A-bar on the front of yours. I think they're still legal on the age of my car in the UK. Where can I get one? I don't mind paying shipping costs

Hi Sally It sounds to me like you've got them bang to rights. I would use the threat of court action and if they try wriggle off the hook I'd start court proceedings (about £100 I believe) and watch them have a nasty accident in their pants. Worst case scenario is it would get to court and on the day their solicitor decides to settle out of court a few minutes before the hearing (very common) but again that gives you even more ammunition for compensation. Let us know how you get on. Idiots like that need to be stopped from ripping people off. Good on you for standing your ground

Murdock (Matt)..... Northumberland (03 1.8 Kalahari 5dr)

I'm now the proud owner of my first Freelander (and my first 4x4). What can I say, she exceeds expectations by a mile. Took her out for a quick spin and ended up doing 65 miles lol. What a lovely car to drive. So comfortable and the engine is so quiet I can't hear it even stood beside the bonnet. I'm very surprised at the performance too. I was pootling about getting used to it but got it on the local bypass and gave it a good boot, it sure can shift a bit when it wants to. Being a petrol I won't make a habit of that though, it'd cost me a fortune but having said that 65 miles and the fuel gauge didn't move that much so it's not bad at all going steady. I found out by chance whilst buying it the guy selling it is the partner of my best mate's cousin. He said the seller is a genuine Landrover enthusiast and really looks after his cars. I've got stacks of receipts, all the official Landrover paperwork etc. 5 new tyres on it, propshaft bearings done in May, expensive Pioneer head unit and professionally fitted hands free kit with the mic in the ceiling etc. Inside is spotless. Outside the paint is good, a few minor scratches that can be sorted easily, the plastics are faded but that can be sorted easy enough, The only visible rust I can find is on the rear brake drums and the front towing hook, a bit of rust treatment will sort that out. Bit of flaky paint on the front alloys but that's no big issue either at that age. Once the cosmetics are done and it's nicely polished up she'll get some side bars, spot lamps, a discreet lightbar put in the recess below the bumper, Already got a proper dog guard lined up as well as a folding ramp for my huge Akita. Speaking of which, that electric window in the boot will be a Godsend for him in summer. Overall I have to say I'm very impressed with the Freelander. It does what it says on the tin only better. In this condition I'm happy to throw a few quid at her and keep her for a long time. Here's the ultimate praise for the car. My girlfriend hates big cars and 4x4's. She was grumbling "Look at the size of that thing" as the seller arrived. She asked me to give her a lift to the local shopping centre as soon as the insurance was done and in literally 1.5 miles she was saying "I love this car!". If it can impress her it can impress anyone. I've also just been offered a set of brand new off road tyres ridiculously cheap ( a garage clearance) so I'll have those and buy a spare set of rims to put them on. Could come in handy for the treacherous snowy roads I'll be using in winter and for when I save up to get my alloys refurbed. Guys if you're not bored of reading by now may I ask what is the best way to properly blacken up the plastics? I don't want to paint them if I can avoid it. Suggestions please. Once again, thanks for all the previous feedback. I'm a very happy boy tonight

Cheers guys. I've taken the advice given previously on here and for £550 it's a bargain. It looks the part, I know it's been looked after as the guy likes his Freelanders and my mechanic is going to check it over properly for me. It's got a year's test on it so if all else fails I'll keep it a year and get rid, if I like it as much as I think I will it'll be done up very nicely. It gets delivered in the morning and one quick spin around the block will tell me how much I like it. Fair dues, £550 for a 4x4 with a year's MoT is not to be sniffed at. I'll see how it goes at first before I throw my money at it but in reality I can't see any real problems with it after the advice I have been given. Once I've had it cleaned and valeted I'll post some pics. And I'll post some before and after pics when I get it done up. Thanks again guys

First of all thanks to everyone who helped with pointing me in the right direction in my other post. I have a Freelander 1 lined up, 53 plate, 120k on the clock, 1.8 petrol, 5 door, priced at £550 for quick sale. He's local and my boss knows him well so he's not a rip off merchant. I know the "propshaft bearings" have been done recently and it says in the add "4wd is now as it should be along with hill descent" (he says he has receipts). New tyres fitted 5k ago. Not sure of the exact model (waiting to hear from him and haven't viewed it closely yet). From the pics the engine bay is pretty clean apart from some flaky paint on the bulkhead. Interior looks ok but some wear to the leather. If the Mrs gets really fussy I'll just buy seats for £150 on eBay. He says I can test drive it as I please, he says nothing to hide. He's selling as he has bought a FL2. It has some minor scratches on the passenger side but I can have them sorted with the money I will save on trade price, otherwise the paintwork is a very deep gleaming black and you can see your face in it. I will have around £1k to play with after purchase so some questions... Paintwork gets priority due to much salt in the sea air here but am I looking for specific corrosion spots on the FL1? (My 206 has 2 notorious ones). Do FL2 alloys go straight on the FL1? I have seen a set cheap that are very nice and will store the other set. Regarding the flaky paint on the bulkhead (just being fussy), would you say sand it off and replace with heat resistant paint? Faded plastic trim going grey. Would you try something like bottled plastic treatment of have it painted? Where do I find a bar that goes between the factory fitted roof bars that I can mount lights on? Side steps, I've seen them starting at around £130. This is a must as my Mrs and her mother are midgets and without them I will have to carry step ladders for them.Do they cost much to fit? Light guards front and rear, any ideas on where to shop for them? Chunky mudflaps. Good or bad idea? The Peugeots suffer bad from salt sprayed up from the front wheels so I'm looking at avoiding corrosion. Factory fitted speakers. Can they cope with a 200w stereo at full chat? I am a Motorhead fan and guitarist so pretty deaf hence play it very loud. HID headlights. Good or bad idea bearing in mind I will be using a lot of unlit roads in the middle of nowhere? I've seen the rubber nudge bars. Are they worth fitting? The switches on the driver console, where can I get some to trigger auxiliary lights? At the end of the day £550 seems a good deal. I have also been offered a TD4 that's a year older and same mileage for £995 from a local garage but the MoT length etc is the same so why pay £445 more for an older car just for a valet that I can done myself? Unless you guys can justify the extra money on the TD4 I'll go with the £550

First of all thanks to everyone who helped with pointing me in the right direction in my other post. I have a Freelander 1 lined up, 53 plate, 120k on the clock, 1.8 petrol, 5 door, priced at £550 for quick sale. He's local and my boss knows him well so he's not a rip off merchant. I know the "propshaft bearings" have been done recently and it says in the add "4wd is now as it should be along with hill descent" (he says he has receipts). New tyres fitted 5k ago. Not sure of the exact model (waiting to hear from him and haven't viewed it closely yet). From the pics the engine bay is pretty clean apart from some flaky paint on the bulkhead. Interior looks ok but some wear to the leather. If the Mrs gets really fussy I'll just buy seats for £150 on eBay. He says I can test drive it as I please, he says nothing to hide. He's selling as he has bought a FL2. It has some minor scratches on the passenger side but I can have them sorted with the money I will save on trade price, otherwise the paintwork is a very deep gleaming black and you can see your face in it. I will have around £1k to play with after purchase so some questions... Paintwork gets priority due to much salt in the sea air here but am I looking for specific corrosion spots on the FL1? (My 206 has 2 notorious ones). Do FL2 alloys go straight on the FL1? I have seen a set cheap that are very nice and will store the other set. Regarding the flaky paint on the bulkhead (just being fussy), would you say sand it off and replace with heat resistant paint? Faded plastic trim going grey. Would you try something like bottled plastic treatment of have it painted? Where do I find a bar that goes between the factory fitted roof bars that I can mount lights on? Side steps, I've seen them starting at around £130. This is a must as my Mrs and her mother are midgets and without them I will have to carry step ladders for them.Do they cost much to fit? Light guards front and rear, any ideas on where to shop for them? Chunky mudflaps. Good or bad idea? The Peugeots suffer bad from salt sprayed up from the front wheels so I'm looking at avoiding corrosion. Factory fitted speakers. Can they cope with a 200w stereo at full chat? I am a Motorhead fan and guitarist so pretty deaf hence play it very loud. HID headlights. Good or bad idea bearing in mind I will be using a lot of unlit roads in the middle of nowhere? I've seen the rubber nudge bars. Are they worth fitting? The switches on the driver console, where can I get some to trigger auxiliary lights? At the end of the day £550 seems a good deal. I have also been offered a TD4 that's a year older and same mileage for £995 from a local garage but the MoT length etc is the same so why pay £445 more for an older car just for a valet that I can done myself? Unless you guys can justify the extra money on the TD4 I'll go with the £550

Thanks again guys If the VCU and support bearings are an easy enough job how long would that take a good mechanic? AT2 tyres lasting over 30k with loads of tread left is pretty much a good deal when you think about it. You obviously get what you pay for with them. As for the disconnected propshaft I wouldn't be impressed if I found that. If a garage doesn't have a lift to check the drive to all 4 wheels is there a sure way to check on a test drive? FridgeFreezer, if water is more than hub deep on my way home from work at the new job I'm going the long way around lmao. I'm not getting stuck in the middle of nowhere in winter for nobody Many of the old K-series 1.8 blocks were made at VAW Motorcast in Leeds, the newer foundry they set up. The V8's and Storm blocks were made in central Leeds at their original foundry. I didn't realise it was the old K-series in the 1.8. Kind of gives me a wry smile. When it comes to wiring I'm wary having been with Peugeot for several years. I've not had any electrical issues but when it comes to the Haynes manual vs reality on wire colours it's a lottery. FridgeFreezer did you use standard rims with AT2s? And being all terrain tyres do they alter the height of the vehicle? A fuel burning heater reminds me of the old trucks and tanks. I haven't heard that in a long time but Webasto had a good name back in my youth when I first bought cars. Not that I bought many, I usually ended up with a company van for many years hence little mechanical knowledge, just give it to the garage and the company pays. The idea of the 1.8 being a proper "screamer" does appeal to me as I used to the work the local petrol station and have a real hatred of the "clapped out Corsa with loud exhaust and black wheels" brigade. I may be 49 but hey crank up the Motorhead and slaughter them from the lights and it is very funny FridgeFreezer thank you for explaining what the VCU actually does. It clarifies to me how the drivetrain kind of works, seems pretty much like day to day it feels like a normal car but when it hits the fan it gets you out of trouble. Thanks to you guys I'm now sold on getting a Freelander and spoilt for choice on models

Thanks FridgeFreezer (and everyone else) From what I'm reading most of the common problems seem to be minor and simply age related which I would assume can be avoided by spending a few quid having said areas checked over before they become an issue at the worst time (ie windows in winter springs to mind) and simple things replaced early. I'm curious about people disconnecting the prop. I'm sure 99% of garages wouldn't sell a vehicle with that done to it (and being two wheel drive but listed as a 4x4 would be highly illegal to say the least) but nothing would surprise me in life. I'm assuming that in daily use the Freelander has an even spread of power across the wheels (as opposed to say the old XR4x4 that had a 60/40 split between front and back axles)? As a complete newbie I would expect if the prop has been disconnected at some point for any length of time there would be a marked difference in tyre wear between front and rear axles? Speaking of tyres what are the average costs of them? I'm looking at tyres that will be good on snow and ice on public roads (the road to the new job is very remote and rarely treated at all), if it's going to get off road use it will be on beaches and green lanes en route to secluded beaches in our area. Nothing too rugged but you wouldn't want to go there in my 206 lol. And another issue is one point on my future daily trip does flood quite a bit. How deep can water be before it becomes an issue to the Freelander? Bearing in mind it will be standing water. If I like it as much as think I will it will probably become a kind of project and I'm wondering what kind of mods are realistic and which ruin the vehicle. A high lift kit would look nice along with side steps etc but what does that do to handling? Power upgrades, are they a recipe for unreliability? I've seen the fascias etc for aftermarket stereos (my JVC will be going in) but are there any which are pretty cool/different? And it may sound a strange question but are there any hooks etc in the boot to attach a ramp to? My neighbour had a two piece dog ramp that just hooks on and the dog walks up it easily. My boy isn't getting any younger and I don't fancy having to lift a dog over 60kg into the back of a 4x4. Rear seats. How flat do they fold? Flush to the floor at boot level? That would be a bonus if I need to transfer stock between the two shops (ie crates of beer etc). Wiring seems to be an issue from what I've read. For extra lights (bearing in mind the roads I'll be using are totally unlit) would LED low power drain lights be better in terms of putting less strain on the systems or can the Freelander cope with anything like that? Sorry if I seem a bit of a pain asking so many questions guys but when you get a golden opportunity at life-changing money but need to work on a budget in the early days it's not an easy place to be and you want to get things right from all angles

Thanks guys. So if it's a petrol model I'd be looking for receipts for head gasket work and then no further issues with that? If there's a receipt for a VCU how long do they generally last? If no receipt then I'd have to budget for one like the usual cam belt thing etc. £250 for peace of mind isn't unreasonable. As for the fuel consumption I will be doing around 240 miles a week commuting to work but it's mostly rural A-roads with 60mph limits with the exception of the notorious B-road into the village which is a nightmare in winter (hence the need for a 4x4). And as for the improved version I'm looking at window control buttons between the seats and then it's a far better option? That makes it easier to spot looking online and saves me travelling to look at something that may not be right for me. Brilliant feedback, thanks guys

Thanks guys. I'll most likely go for something that has a service history with it (I don't mind paying the few quid extra for peace of mind) and be mindful of mileage etc. The FL2 is an option but it would depend on price and how long it would take to raise the extra cash so it will most likely mean getting the FL1 as a first 4x4. The 1.8 petrol is also an option as they seem cheaper to buy than diesels but is the difference in unleaded vs diesel price really going to make much difference in running costs when it comes to mpg? It goes without saying I'll be insisting on 12 months MoT on whatever I buy and if it proves reliable then it'll probably get some money spent on upgrades for it next year or exchange it for a newer model then. My trusty old 206 is X-reg and just kept going through MoTs cheaply so the age of a car doesn't worry me as long as it's been looked after and I'm fortunate in having a local garage that's exceptionally good on prices. As for central locking and windows etc failing are they a reasonably cheap fix using parts from the likes of eBay? If I decide to keep the vehicle long term I will probably replace any known troublesome parts before they fail badly (better safe than sorry). From what I'm hearing so far the Freelander is a pretty solid car that does what it says on the tin. That's exactly what I need.

Hi guys In the next few months I will be starting a new job in a beautiful rural village but in winter it's a tough place to get to when the weather comes in hence my trusty old 206 will be making way for a 4x4. Trust me, a 4x4 is needed up there late at night and early mornings. Having talked to a few friends who are mechanics they say the Freelander diesel is a good buy (bearing in mind I'll be doing about 50 miles a day round trip to work). I also have a very large dog so the 4 door version seems to have ample space for him with a dog grille installed. Any views on that? Fuel economy is reasonably important as I travel from Northumberland to Yorkshire at least once a month to visit family. Any info on real world mpg as opposed to online stats? I appreciate every vehicle has it's weak points. Anything specifically to look for on the Freelander diesel models? I will be looking for something around the 2004 year to start with then upgrade a year or so later. My other half is more bothered about comfort and being only 4ft 10in she worries about getting in and out of the vehicle (her mother is even smaller and often travels with us). Are side steps really needed? My main issues are reliability and safety in atrocious conditions. I'm told the Freelander can cope with most things thrown at it. I would like to know experiences of that. One of the reasons I want to go with this vehicle is many years ago I was a die-caster in a foundry where we made engine blocks and heads for Land Rover. The quality standards were sky high with rigid checks so that kind of sells the brand name to me. Basically it's got to be a vehicle that is a great all-rounder. All feedback will be greatly appreciated