Opinions on the pitfalls of buying a 3/4 year old Freelander2?

[derwendolly]

The FL2 has a well established fan base. Prices hold fairly well when compared to none LR models. Yes they had issues but most of this was sorted out in early years. A "LR approved used" is always a good option. Bit higher on price but yer get 2 years fairly good warranty with it with options to extend. They stopped making them int UK in October 2014. A fully loaded last edition my15 metropolis on reasonable miles is at the top of yer budget.

It's difficult to compare the FL2 to the disco sport. LR aimed the DS to a different market. They also loaded and priced the spec differently. FL2 always gives you better value for money when new or used, when comparing spec. Some DS models seem to have quirky specs which cost a lot to add popular features which most would expect as standard on such a vehicle when considering its price.

The FL2 and DS give different driving feedback. Yer would need to ask someone who's driven both for a comparison. It's hard to describe but the DS front end feels heavier than the FL2, at speed or when slow. It also pitches on corners differently. It also doesn't give the same driver feedback of being connected. If you had only driven a big vehicle like a DS then yer wouldn't notice it. If you then drove a FL2 you would realise the difference. Visibility is betterer int FL2 but the DS has newer technology like the ingemium engine later on. Faults on the FL2 are well known with most having fixes. DS repair knowledge is getting betterer but sadly the DS fourm is over run with peeps who love to hate it which spoils the forum.

Power and diesel... Pick the sport diesel SD4 on the FL2 if yer want more power than the TD4. SD4 is auto as standard but TD4 has option of auto or msnusl. Autos are much betteter. SD4 has power across all rev ranges with effortless delivery. Diesels have come aong way over the years. Most have enough torque they don't need to drop a gear to accelerate hard when cruising. Be careful of buying power yer dun't need. Higher power models cost more to buy and collect tickets easier.

Thank you for a post full of relevant and informative information, it is the type of helpful info I was looking for.

 

[Hippo]

Interesting write up @Hippo. "Autos are much betteter" may be true, but why?

Auto's are becoming more popular across earthlings in general. When buying a large vheicle there's often the money available to buy the auto option which costs more initially but needs a bit more fool to run it. Compare this to the cost of a clutch on a manual requiring changes ocasionally and it kind of balances out some of the running cost difference. Couple that to the FL being a premium vehicle made by a premium brand... yer can see why the percentage of auto's are much higher in FL's when compared to smaller cars. FL2 higher percentage auto than FL1 anorl.

Auto's are far more intelligent these days when compared to the 3 or 4 speed versions when you were a nipper int 80's. 3 or 4 geared auto's had to rev hard to develop power across wide rev ranges. The more modern 5 speeds later on could control run away down hill by not changing up a gear when going down hill when it sensed, for eggsample. This all improved the driving eggsperience. Same for uphill - it would drop a gear to maintain speed if needed. Not having to rev the nut's oft the engine to perform (not including hell for leffer accelleration at the traffic light grand prix) in normal driving gave a more relaxed feel. Larger vehciels can sometimes feel laboured when it's a manual due to the heavier weight and the need to select gears more precisly if yer up and down the speed range, turning, breaking, accellerating etc and trying to get a smooth ride as possible. When yer have an auto yer dun't need to do this. It gives a much more pleasuable ride. Easier to drive anorl. Select D and drive like it's a go kart.

The FL2 TD4 auto is ok on power but LR had to compeat with other brands so upped the power with a number of mods like a bigger turbo which created the SD4 option. More power oft the mark, during gears on "crusing in gear" accelleration and kick down. The FL2 manuals are ok but it was always considered by some the max stress the gearbox/clutch could take was just over that of the engine output. Hence why some felt manuals wern't as good at towing as auto's. Especially if clutches needed changed a bit earlier than normal if towing. Some of this down to driver style anorl I would think. Think tratterboys and heals... The manual option is ok but it can't take the increased power of the SD4 engine in FL2 set-up. It could on the evoque as the manual gearbox/clutch was uprated in the evoque. Later on the evoque moved to the ingenium engine with different gearboxes.

In every way the FL2 auto is betterer than the FL1 auto. The FL1 never had adaptions it could learn. LR advertised it as adaptive (the new phrase at the time) but this referred to sensing uphill, down hill, engine breaking etc. The later FL2 senses and learns some of the driving style as well as monitoring gear changes for better control and precision timing. The FL2 is propper adaptive unlike the FL1. It also does things like not changing up a gear when cornering hard which may knock it oft course if. All round a betterer set-up with smoother gear changes and less noticeable gear changes ont FL2 when compared to the FL1. This gives a more premium feel and ride. It's the ride/quality/feel which makes it betterer. Not everyone likes autos so there's some personal choice involved but the FL2 (6 speed on both manual and auto) both give a more relaxed drive than the FL1. I prefer the auto. I would also advise it if towing a snail shell. The FL2 SD4 makes the FL1 v6 feel slow.

 

[Hippo]

Thank you for a post full of relevant and informative information, it is the type of helpful info I was looking for.

I always give an unbiased response. Dun't matter if yer got a rusty tratter, disco or rr.

 

[GrumpyGel]

I always give an unbiased response. Dun't matter if yer got a rusty tratter, disco or rr.

Which one's best outta then and ya Hippo?

 

[Hippo]

Which one's best outta then and ya Hippo?

The FL2 is the bestist vehicle ever built with the FL1 following closly behind int second place.

 

[GrumpyGel]

The FL2 is the bestist vehicle ever built with the FL1 following closly behind int second place.

I do like honest unbiased comment

 

[Nodge68]

I still stay it's makes better financial sense to spend a bit more on the newer Discovery Sport who's depreciation isn't hastened by the (incorrectly) tarnished "Freelander" name.

While there's nothing actually wrong with the FL2, especially the later versions. The name has been unfairly given bad publicity which has ment they don't hold there money as well as other Land Rovers.

This is why the DS will hold it's money longer than an equivalent FL2, even though they share a similar platform .

 

[derwendolly]

I still stay it's makes better financial sense to spend a bit more on the newer Discovery Sport who's depreciation isn't hastened by the (incorrectly) tarnished "Freelander" name.

While there's nothing actually wrong with the FL2, especially the later versions. The name has been unfairly given bad publicity which has ment they don't hold there money as well as other Land Rovers.

This is why the DS will hold it's money longer than an equivalent FL2, even though they share a similar platform .

After the advice I have been given here, the budget is increased to the £30,000 area.

 

[Nodge68]

£30,000

Wow.
That's a very healthy budget.
You'll need to visit some LR dealers to see what they have in and drive some of them. Get the highest spec you can afford and get the automatic. The manual boxes aren't so desirable and so are cheaper and don't hold there value as well as a similar spec autos.

What model were you thinking?

 

[derwendolly]

What model were you thinking?

Still doing my research so don't know. I do like high spec though! My present D2 is/was then, the high spec one so am used to a few 'old' toys! I do not want 7 seats as the rear is the Dogs Kennel - even my present one had the 2 rear folding seats removed, at my request, and the side boxes put in instead. The air supply is one of my chief concerns because of the canines! Not being from the modern era, a high spec audio system is a waste on me. I have never experienced some of the things which are now on offer so I can't comment on them. I do like my electric controlled seat adjustment though. Since I am the only driver my husband is totally disinterested in what I buy - as long as it gets him SAFELY where we want to go he is happy - oh! and it has to have a cup holder for his liquid refreshment on long trips.
I like to have enough power to be able to accelerate safely to overtake when on single carriageways - I live very rurally so most driving is just jogging along on narrow roads but I like to be confident of having the power when I do escape the little roads! I like to drive fast but do not break the speed limits - I hope! I am not doddery, yet!! I need a comfortable driving position as I frequently drive long distances and I like leather. The auto box is essential.
As you can see, I have a lot of research to do! Also to think about the best time to buy - i.e. a time when there is a greater choice of used cars about.
!

 

[freelance]

30k, consider ex demo, 3 year warranty etc, they are out there !

 

[Nodge68]

Sounds like you have a lot to think about and consider. You will definitely need to visit some dealerships too see what suits you best.

 

[GrumpyGel]

I still stay it's makes better financial sense to spend a bit more on the newer Discovery Sport who's depreciation isn't hastened by the (incorrectly) tarnished "Freelander" name.

While there's nothing actually wrong with the FL2, especially the later versions. The name has been unfairly given bad publicity which has ment they don't hold there money as well as other Land Rovers.

This is why the DS will hold it's money longer than an equivalent FL2, even though they share a similar platform .

Not sure I follow your logic here.

The DS replaced F2 so are newer and more expensive.

When DS replaced F2 there was a price increase so were more expensive.

The previous generations depreciate faster than current, so now after 3 years (or what ever it is) the F2 will have depreciated more than a DS.

If you buy current model, then at some point, it will be superseded, so will become faster depreciating soon.

If the F2 has 'bad publicity' and therefore is faster depreciating than DS, it will have already depreciated a lot more.

So, and I'm assuming the F2 is about as reliable and economical as a DS, I'd have thought financially the F2 makes much more sense than a DS.

@derwendolly s budget has already jumped £10K - so even if I'm wrong, if the car is owned for 10+ years they'd both be about the same sort of age and worth not much at all, so the extra £10K will all have been eaten by depreciation.

If a warranty is wanted, and I can see the advantage on a high value 'complex' vehicle, buy one! If you buy a car that has a 3 year warranty "free" - then the value of that warranty will be in the car's sticker price so you'll be paying for it anyway.

I'm not saying that spending the extra money to get a DS rather than F2 is the wrong thing to do, but only if you really prefer and want a DS over the F2, otherwise I'd have thought it doesn't make financial sense.

 

[Nodge68]

Not sure I follow your logic here.

The DS replaced F2 so are newer and more expensive.

When DS replaced F2 there was a price increase so were more expensive.

If spending around £20K on a 2014 FL2 or around £23K on a 2015 DS, then the DS will be worth more in 5 years time. The DS is also cheaper to run as it's better on fuel and due to its lower emissions, it's quite a lot cheaper to tax. These all help maintain the DS value, above that of the FL2. So by the time depression, fuel and tax are added, the DS will make better financial sense.

 

[Hippo]

Yer but no but of the two the FL2 is more fun to drive and looks better. Depreciation on FL2's has settled. To spec metropolis (£36k new in my15) is about £20k to £24k from a main dealer at 4 years old and reasonable miles, with 2 year warranty, mot warranty. Tried and tested technology. Sadly the DS is just behind the FL2 on reliability.

It all depends if our friend is buying on a company lease hire (need to buy new then) or looking to pick up second hand shorry, LR approved used... And how long they want to keep it. Doesnt sound like they want a high spec vehicle if only looking for electric seats so an XS would probably do.

 

[derwendolly]

It all depends if our friend is buying on a company lease hire (need to buy new then) or looking to pick up second hand shorry, LR approved used... And how long they want to keep it. Doesnt sound like they want a high spec vehicle if only looking for electric seats so an XS would probably do.

It will be a cash sale and is intended to last me for the remainder of my driving years - I'm 75 now!

 

[Hippo]

It will be a cash sale and is intended to last me for the remainder of my driving years - I'm 75 now!

Jesus once said unto his followers:

"Buy a Freelander 2...















and die happy."

DSCN7548 6JZhJB1

 

[derwendolly]

Jesus once said unto his followers:

"Buy a Freelander 2...


and die happy."

But did he say it would last that long? And guarantee that those years would be trouble free?

 

[Turboman]

Interesting write up @Hippo. "Autos are much betteter" may be true, but why?

They just are, the modern autoboxes are superb, ideal for UK traffic conditions, which is mostly stop start, and much gentler on the engine and final drive than manual.
Once you drive a really good auto, you will never want to go back to manual.

 

[Turboman]

But did he say it would last that long? And guarantee that those years would be trouble free?

I would go for it if you can find a good one. They are an excellent car, one of the best landrover have ever made.

Some big farming friends had a Td5 defender, and a Freelander 2. The def was so much trouble they sold it after a few years, and got a Land Cruiser.
But they still have the Freelander 2.