Buying Advice Please

Hi all. Am currently looking for a freelander for the wife. All this snow and slippy roads have caused her to loose faith in our vectra that she currently drives. We need something that can be used everyday but also that can occasionally shift out caravan so a freelander fits the bill nicely. I'm currently looking at spending around £7000 on a facelift TD4 5 door. Manual or Auto is undecided.

Any advice is welcome. Anything to look for or any specific model to avoid etc. what are the autos like in bad weather?

Thanks for your help.

Phill.

7k you can get a nice disco for that

g15ost said:

Hi all. Am currently looking for a freelander for the wife. All this snow and slippy roads have caused her to loose faith in our vectra that she currently drives. We need something that can be used everyday but also that can occasionally shift out caravan so a freelander fits the bill nicely. I'm currently looking at spending around £7000 on a facelift TD4 5 door. Manual or Auto is undecided.

Any advice is welcome. Anything to look for or any specific model to avoid etc. what are the autos like in bad weather?

Thanks for your help.

Phill.

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Auto is better in the slippery stuff than a manual and doesn't have a clutch to maintain, but the auto can come with it's own problems
The Freelander is better in the snow despite what the Disco boy's say!!
You should find a full spec HSE for that money

Gaylanders are **** in snow compared. Good HD bumper on the disco and you can slide through most things

Dr_evil said:

Gaylanders are **** in snow compared. Good HD bumper on the disco and you can slide through most things

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Freelaner said:

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It's true your plastic boxes just crack when they hit stuff

im not saying a word

With 7K to spend depending on spec you should be looking at the last of the Freelander 1 models 06 plate, and the begining of the Freelander 2 models 07 plate. My Freelander TD4 manual is 06 plate, pull's my Challenger 570 with an MTPLM of 1600kg great, it's right on the limit at 96% but have never had any problems at all.

Things to look for, make sure there is a prop attached to the rear axle, and it has matching tyres all around to avoid droning noise and vibration. Check service history, check the boot floor locker these sometimes fill with water.

Apart from the obvious things to look for water and oil leaks on engine. When you get it put 250ml of the cheapest minerial 2 stroke oil in with every full tank of diesel and away to go and enjoy.

Avoid the petrol models.

Ps Absolutely great in the snow.

basher79 said:

7k you can get a nice disco for that

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A very nice Disco 2.... and not far off FL2 money or even early D3 for that matter. Nice choice to have!!

Dr_evil said:

It's true your plastic boxes just crack when they hit stuff

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ours have crumple zones, whereas you rely on other peeps having crumple zones

Freelaner said:

ours have crumple zones, whereas you rely on other peeps having crumple zones

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we have crumple zones too just need to be above 5 tonne

Freelaner said:

ours have crumple zones, whereas you rely on other peeps having crumple zones

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Brilliant system really

robint said:

we have crumple zones too just need to be above 5 tonne

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Dr_evil said:

Brilliant system really

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was discussing this with my mate about his defender

bit of a bugger if another fender hits his though, no crumple no likey

Freelaner said:

was discussing this with my mate about his defender

bit of a bugger if another fender hits his though, no crumple no likey

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It's like playing conkers then

g15ost said:

Hi all. Am currently looking for a freelander for the wife. All this snow and slippy roads have caused her to loose faith in our vectra that she currently drives. We need something that can be used everyday but also that can occasionally shift out caravan so a freelander fits the bill nicely. I'm currently looking at spending around £7000 on a facelift TD4 5 door. Manual or Auto is undecided.

Any advice is welcome. Anything to look for or any specific model to avoid etc. what are the autos like in bad weather?

Thanks for your help.

Phill.

Click to expand...

Hoping we have been helpful?? If you can run to an FL2 its a no brainer!

g15ost said:

Hi all. Am currently looking for a freelander for the wife. All this snow and slippy roads have caused her to loose faith in our vectra that she currently drives. We need something that can be used everyday but also that can occasionally shift out caravan so a freelander fits the bill nicely. I'm currently looking at spending around £7000 on a facelift TD4 5 door. Manual or Auto is undecided.

Any advice is welcome. Anything to look for or any specific model to avoid etc. what are the autos like in bad weather?

Thanks for your help.

Phill.

Click to expand...

i wouldnt advise buying a freelander unless you are prepared to do the repairs yourself , or have very deep pockets

they are good in all weather, and fun to drive,

if you really must, then a td4 is the one to get ,,

you have been warned

DD3 said:

Hoping we have been helpful?? If you can run to an FL2 its a no brainer!

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I think for that money you will get a dog of a FL2 or D3 but you should find a very nice FL1

Nodge68 said:

I think for that money you will get a dog of a FL2 or D3 but you should find a very nice FL1

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That might be the case but don't assume an early FL2 or D3 is a bad thing - may be a high mileage but they both have fine doozal engines. And if you have 7k to spend, why not stretch to the newer model i.e. spend a bit more for a vehicle that will always be worth more - Would you really spend this amount on the old model?

Thanks guys. Have seen a very nice FL1 TD4 for £6k. It's a one owner, low mileage car in Epsom green so ticks all the boxes. I'm not afraid of repair work as I actually am a qualified vehicle technician although I left the industry about 6 years ago for greener pastures.

It comes with an auto gard warranty which I'm told is a good one but has anyone ever had any dealings with them.