Should I buy it?

I have just tested a 1998 freelander di hardtop with 71000 miles on the clock. It is priced at £4995. It is at a 4x4 dealers. It had to be jump started to get it going as it had a dead battery (to be replaced on purchase), but seemed to start easy enough. The dealer said that there would be aloud thud when I set off as the vehicle had been stood for some time and the brakes would be stuck. This did happen when I set off but it did not occur again when driving. Is this supposed to happen or should I be more concerned about something more serious? Also, there was what seemed to be considerable road noise coming fom the rear of the vehicle, could this be the tyre problem ive been reading about or something more sinister? The vehicle is in lovely condition and I really want it but am I letting my heart rule my head. It is being sold without warranty at this price.

if it is without warranty i would leave it be to be honest - for that price you can get hold of the much better and more reliable TD4 engine variant! keep a look out for one as they are by far better! ebay maybe a good place to start! Hope that helps, matt

I have to agree, make sure there a GOOD warranty they are very good cars and I didnt need my warranty at all, the clonk could certainly be brakes.... if ya really like the car ask them to get an AA inspection on it

Brakes thing sounds a little dodgey but more to the point why has it be sitting around for so long and not even been test driven by others. What have other buyers spotted and left it alone for? Having bought a 99 1.8 6 months ago make sure you get garage to put in writing that they will cover HGasket failure. Ours went soon after we picked it up (probably previous owner knew it was on way out and reason he traded it in) but got it covered by garage after some negotiation. Additional noise at back means could be worth looking around a bit more.

Bought an X 1.8 petrol 2yrs back if you went over 30mph you heard this rd noise. Run your hand over the back tyres and see if you can feel Blocking, as your hand goes over the tread you may feel hard sholders instead of smooth rubber. This is caused by the IRD and is expensive,(some thing sinister) Pay for a years warranty or leave it alone.
Degs

PikeyRange said:

if it is without warranty i would leave it be to be honest - for that price you can get hold of the much better and more reliable TD4 engine variant! keep a look out for one as they are by far better! ebay maybe a good place to start! Hope that helps, matt

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£5k for a TD4....! that seems cheap...,,, I bloomin hope not !

in my area I cant find one for less than £8K

TD4 in **** condition will fetch £7K easy.

if its been sat for ages how did the dude know it was gonna go 'clunk'..that says to me he's driven it and knows something is wrong ,therefore knew it would clunk.if he ain't drove it he wouldn't have known it would clunk.
run away fast and don't look back

Buy one the tractor type l/r they go clunk all the time and it dont seem to matter and you never have to wash it and you can drive in the outy back land . . .Ming

buy one the tractor type??? are you that dude from starwars??

Shorry Shrob , a shmelling mishake . . . Sming

I Wish clunk was all it did. Especialy after a good washing.

maybe you should just gently go over it with baby wipes instead of a full wash and put some talc on its little switches

here we go again.... because we are real men with freelanders uggg we use scowring pads and dichloromethane to wash our cars.

I tried the talc today [went all over my tan heated themo controlled leather seats] but the baby wipes work ok, and a bit of Vaseline on the exhaust rim [you tractor boys are as bad as me] but i love it. . .Ming

i wash mine with best ****ty old mud and polish it off with a lump hammer

surely you mean sand and seaweed mr freelander dave lol! thought ya wifey put it in the sea didnt she? to your delight!