AndyRVTR Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Hello all.. I thought I would join this site prior to buying a Freelander... I currently own an MGF convertible, and I am in the market for a Freebie. I have been thinking about buying one for the past couple of years but thats as far as it went, however, things have now changed and I need a more 'practical' vehicle. There are currently 3 vehicles in my household, mine, a Ford Ka (my partner's), and a Clio (my daughter's), but my partner and I are to be married in July, so my MGF is no longer suitable as a 'family' car. We have 3 kids and a Dog, and for all of us to go out for the day is a nightmare at the moment, hence the decision to change vehicles. I love the look of the Freelander, and would probably only use it for commuting and for weekend outings with the family, I know nothing at all about Landrovers so any advice on buying one, model, spec, engine etc would be more than welcome. I have heard many a rumour that they are unreliable, but with me owning an MGF (Rover) for the past 5 years, i am used to breakdowns, HGF etc ;-). I look forward to getting to know people on the site, and learning a great deal about what can only be described as a fantastic looking piece of automotive design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanaron Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Hello all.. I thought I would join this site prior to buying a Freelander... I currently own an MGF convertible, and I am in the market for a Freebie.I have been thinking about buying one for the past couple of years but thats as far as it went, however, things have now changed and I need a more 'practical' vehicle. There are currently 3 vehicles in my household, mine, a Ford Ka (my partner's), and a Clio (my daughter's), but my partner and I are to be married in July, so my MGF is no longer suitable as a 'family' car. We have 3 kids and a Dog, and for all of us to go out for the day is a nightmare at the moment, hence the decision to change vehicles. I love the look of the Freelander, and would probably only use it for commuting and for weekend outings with the family, I know nothing at all about Landrovers so any advice on buying one, model, spec, engine etc would be more than welcome. I have heard many a rumour that they are unreliable, but with me owning an MGF (Rover) for the past 5 years, i am used to breakdowns, HGF etc ;-). I look forward to getting to know people on the site, and learning a great deal about what can only be described as a fantastic looking piece of automotive design. Hi Andy, i am also a new member to the forum. so welcome to us both. Am suprised that you havent been inundated with oodles of advice about your intended purchase, but you aint been registerd very long so theres time yet. I run a freelander 2000 w 1.8 petrol. I to was drawn to the free by its styling and good looks, its ruggedness and practicality. I Picked up mine for the right money in Sept 07. On the whole Iam pleased with the vehicle, however ther are a number of issues with the petrol model that forum members will no doubt soon be screaming at you. As i said i paid the right money for mine, so wasnt to unduly concerned when after 3 months of owning I had to replace the headgasket. This I have since found out is due ta design fault with the 1.8 petrol and is a very common thing to happen. Having said that a new multi layer gasket (which i fitted) is said to cure the problem, and so far so good. There are other issues with the vehicle, and fuel economy is not one of the 1.8 strong points(around 27 mpg). I havent really owned mine long enough to endorse or put down th 1.8, but the general consensus of opinion is not to buy a petrol model. What i will say is that i tow a horse trailer and mine deals with the wet and all the horse muck thrown at it so far. I suppose its a question of available funds. But YOU WILL be advised to buy a diesel model by forum members. One more thing- the wife loves the Freelander. Hope this helps Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1987 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Go for it i got a v reg freelander and i love it, so what if they have they faults so does every other car im sure you will be very happy if you decide to buy one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blippie Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hi there and welcome and good luck! One thought, with three kids, will there be enough room in the back? The middle seat isn't the most comfortable in the world (though a darn sign more comfortable than the Subaru Legacy Outback. I still can't feel my buttocks.) If you think is a problem, you may look towards the Discovery instead. I imagine that a 1.8 K-series in a Freelander soesn;t give quite the same performace as a MGF! Cheers Blippie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Welcome - I'm sure people will start screaming about how buying a 1.8 makes your legs fall off but in reality if you expect the expected (the head gasket to go) and fit the uprated gasket, dowels and stiffener it should be fine. Because of the abject terror with which people regard them you get a 1.8 much cheaper than other models of similar spec. Mine cost me nothing, can't beat that really I like mine, it's nippy, quite frugal (25-8mpg isn't that bad for the size of vehicle) and it's good fun (rag top). I had the inlet manifold gasket done (cost about £75 including parts with the local mechanic) as it was weeping so that's hopefully caught that problem, if you keep an eye on things you should be fine. Yes it's a Land Rover so it probably will break but there's a forum full of helpful types here who can offer support, and as freebies are dropping in price spares are getting cheaper and more readily available. All the service bits are dirt cheap from Paddocks and the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRVTR Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks everyone for the replies so far... TBH i have heard the diesel versions are great on mpg, which is what i'm looking for as I do quite a lot of commuting day in day out. But y'know what i'm looking forward to the most?......... not getting stuck in the winter. My MGF lets me down even if i'm on the flat and a fine covering of snow, they are just so light and RWD does not help one bit... as for mpg, i,m probably getting between 20-26 average. I need a 5 door version for practicalty, but I know there are many models around, and to be frank quite baffling too, I have around 5k to spend, so what do you think I could expect, or better still, what model should I go for that would give me the most bells and whistles for my moolahs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRVTR Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 On the subject of spec.. is there anywhere on this site, or even other sites, that would be able to tell me the differences between Freelander models, or handling reports, spec, trim etc?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blippie Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 On the subject of spec.. is there anywhere on this site, or even other sites, that would be able to tell me the differences between Freelander models, or handling reports, spec, trim etc?? There's a bit on this thread 'ere: http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopi...st&p=228110 S - steel wheels, no roof bars GS - roof bars, alloy wheels (the more I think about it I think the aircon on our GS was an extra) ES - aircon, cruise control, heated front seats, powerfold mirrors, a little lamp above the vanity mirror ... HSE - added later on, all the whistles and bells Kalahari - special edition based on S 50th - special LR 50th anniversary edition in 1998 that was a horrid colour. Sport - early on there was just a "sport" special edition, but later on the Freelander Sport was a great version with lowered stiffened suspension and keener handling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRVTR Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Thanks once again.... it is so good to find help on this... I am sorry to be a pain by asking all the questions, but I want to learn as much as I can..... The more I think about this and the more I get to speak with people on the forim and friends who currently own a Freelander, I think I will try to find a nice 2.0 TD4 ES Station Wagon. It seems to have everyting I am looking for...... economy, handling, luxury (compared to standard), the write ups say it is one of the better models, no doubt members may have different views. The thing that has really swung it is the light above the vanity mirror, my missus just has to have one Does anyone on the forum own one and could you tell me plus and minus points (if any), TBH I would like to find out as much as possible before I part with my money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 The minus points are it's a Land Rover, it *will* go wrong. They're not like japanese stuff that will do a million miles without so much as an oil change. The plus points are it's a Land Rover Logic is over-rated I say! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Logic is over-rated I say! [whisper mode on] So are V8's [whisper mode off] My hat, coat and flak jacket, why thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 The minus points are it's a Land Rover, it *will* go wrong. They're not like japanese stuff that will do a million miles without so much as an oil change.The plus points are it's a Land Rover Logic is over-rated I say! The other plus point is Land Rover will never leave you with nothing to do as something always needs doing They also have something the Japs can't work out character. I was working at Epsom General Hospital fitting out a new wing some years ago and I used to park in the main car park at 7am each morning for some time and I noticed a D2 which had been sat there untouched for a week or so. Anyway one morning I turned up to see a young mum loading what looked new baby into said discovery. While I was locking up my Disco I and putting my boots on etc I noticed she was struggling to get it to start so I offered some help being the good samaritan, She said she couldn't understand it's never let her down before and of all the morning for it to start play up so I jumped in and said come on old girl your mums had a hard week (the woman laughed) but I turned the key and left the ignition on longer than normal then turned it again disco started. The woman looked at me in total shock and I just laughed and left her to it. It was probably just the 30 sec's we were chatting that it needed to sort its self out but I still laugh about that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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