Buying my 1st Freelander - Any tips?

Hi guys

My first post so be gentle, im having a change in my motoring life, im swapping from a Shogun to a Freelander, its a car i will be using for my work (im a photographer) so i guess being used as a second car like, so im not spending loads.

Im looking to buy a 3 door model with the removable hardtop between 2001 - 2004 i have 2 to look at later today.

Can anyone give me a basic shortlist of what to look out for when looking over one?

Also i dont really want a thirsty car, so i was looking for a 1.8 good or bad idea? if bad why?

I have seen some nice 1.8 models with around 50 - 60k on the clock priced between £1,400 - £2,200 on the net

Looking forward to the change in motor and being part of the landyzone.

Stu

'What to look for on Freelanders' .. :

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/1620217-post9.html

Get a TD4

Hi, and welcome to LandyZone.

Get a TD4 - there are some nicely turned out, well maintained, 1.8s around, but ........ they are generally cheap for a reason.

Have a search and a read on here before buying anything.

Good luck.

Singvogel. :cool2:

TD4 all the way

yeah top tip dont buy one

Budget? I would go for the 04 facelift models and a SE spec for decent toys.
Check autotrader for the spec's of the different models.

Buy a td4, manual/auto is down to you. Auto's do less MPG but are easier to live with.
Then read through the threads to find out the best mods to get good mpg, improve response and general maintenance.

look in the FAQ section - search for "freelander". Set aside a couple of days to read it all.

Thanks guys

Stu

From what I've read here (not had my Freebie long either) it would seem that like others have said the TD4 will give you less hassle if you can afford it.

If you do look at any 1.8's ask if the Head Gasket has been replaced - avoid ones with absent or gappy service history. Also check to see if the tyres are the same make and size, the newer the better. Couldn't hurt to ask about the VCU aswell but at 60k you should still be ok with that by most accounts. Check for signs of coolant leak, like rust streams around pipe joints and antifreeze corrosion of metal surfaces. Have a look under the car and make sure the rear prop shaft is present!! Lots sold as 2wd to unwary buyers apparently.

That guide HD3 gave is pretty comprehensive, will have to read it myself. 1.8's can be made to tick nicely if cared for properly - again based on my own budding experience and the mass of info here. But if you don't have much money to spend on garage repairs and don't want to get stuck in and learn to DIY then I'd avoid the 1.8. Bear in mind that the TD4 is likely to have non-engine related faults just as frequently as the 1.8 - it's still a Freelander.

Personally, I've really enjoyed learning how to repair and upgarde my 04 1.8 SE and it's now a hobby for me. There are a few people here who have no problems with their 1.8's because they really tend to them. Take all the bashing with a pinch of salt and some humour, and read lots . When you find something, post it up so we can have a look - good luck!

Welcome to Landyzone - put on your banter face and give as good as you get !

Will.

I have to admit after reading up on Freelanders im almost put off of them completly, to the point that i have cancelled the 2 viewing i had arranged for tonight and im thinking about sticking with my Shogun or just buying another lower mileage shogun, my shogun has given me 70k of trouble free miles since owning it with just general servicing.

Im really really given Freelanders a big rethink.

Thanks again for the info guys

Big Tall Stu said:

my shogun has given me 70k of trouble free miles since owning it with just general servicing.

Click to expand...

I should mention, I have a mate who lives in the Falklands and everyone there as can afford to run a Shogun or Hilux does so. The coppers and farmers use Landies but everyone else with money goes Japanese - all cars take a daily thrashing down there.

Will.

WLJayne said:

I should mention, I have a mate who lives in the Falklands and everyone there as can afford to run a Shogun or Hilux does so. The coppers and farmers use Landies but everyone else with money goes Japanese - all cars take a daily thrashing down there.

Will.

Click to expand...

After owning Shoguns for the last 15 years i did fancy a change as i was getting a bit bored of the shogun, and i did fancy the look of the freelander, but when you stack up what does / can go wrong and the seemingly endless tinkering with the freelander compaired to my last 4 shoguns (wiper blades, a wheel bearing, dropped rear door due to one hinge failing) over all 4 motors it really does make me think stick to what i know best and thats served me good over the years.

I did buy a Mercedes ML320 once for my wife, nice car, well trimmed, fully loaded, fantastic engine, loved it for 2 months, then endless problems, failing switches, key fob, sticky window motors, wipers stopped working, sensors started giving false warnings etc, so got rid of it and bought her a mk2 swb shogun same as mine and hers has just gone on and on like mine, basicly trouble free.

I somehow think i could be sticking with Jap :scratching_chin:

Stu

Time to join the Slitty forum then!

Unless owning a Landy is what you reall want then I'd aggree. My Freelander chose me, not the other way round - by which I mean I was offered it for ten bob and a pickled egg as a good for nethin scrap heap which I'm nursing back to awesomeness.

I've heard nothing but good things about Shoguns, I'd consider one myself if I was actually looking for a 4x4. Had a '96 Honda Civic before and it didn't miss a beat in 50k, would still be driving it if it hadn't been reduced to a crumpled biscuit tin last boxing day .

Still, very much enjoying Landy ownership thus far .

Freelaner said:

Time to join the Slitty forum then!

Click to expand...

LOL, already a member, but see what wanting to defect back does lol

Ahem,

The Station-Master of Kleine Sheidegg cog-wheel railway (altitude 6762ft in the Swiss Alps) which goes up the inside of the Eiger mountain (remember the film) has a Freelander TD4 to get to the station first thing in the morning to open up for the tourists and the mountaineers.

Been there, seen it, got the T-shirt.

During the Kosovo 'war' the good old Defenders and Discos (plus my TD4) were often the only vehicles to get going after overnight temperatures of -25C.

Our Toyotas were pretty reliable too - but all the other Japanese motors including 2 Shoguns landed up with broken chassis and/or transmission as the crazy guys drove them so bloody fast over the rubbish roads.

Not a problem with the LandRover products - they couldn't go that fast.
We drove over 'roads' that your average British farmer wouldn't take his tractor.

Been there too, seen it, got the T-shirt.

I'm sticking with my TD4, nothing good enough to replace it, especially where I am at the moment.

Singvogel.

They are a very good vehicle, but I won't any further out of my way to convince you otherwise.

In case you do get one (a bad un) and blame me

Singvogel said:

Ahem,

The Station-Master of Kleine Sheidegg cog-wheel railway (altitude 6762ft in the Swiss Alps) which goes up the inside of the Eiger mountain (remember the film) has a Freelander TD4 to get to the station first thing in the morning to open up for the tourists and the mountaineers.

Been there, seen it, got the T-shirt.

During the Kosovo 'war' the good old Defenders and Discos (plus my TD4) were often the only vehicles to get going after overnight temperatures of -25C.

Our Toyotas were pretty reliable too - but all the other Japanese motors including 2 Shoguns landed up with broken chassis and/or transmission as the crazy guys drove them so bloody fast over the rubbish roads.

Not a problem with the LandRover products - they couldn't go that fast.
We drove over 'roads' that your average British farmer wouldn't take his tractor.

Been there too, seen it, got the T-shirt.

I'm sticking with my TD4, nothing good enough to replace it, especially where I am at the moment.

Singvogel.

Click to expand...

See, I aspire to be as happy with my Freebie as this man LOL.

Im certainly not afraid to get the spanners out and play with oily bits, but i have to admit from what i have read, it does sound like the freelander and i would be up close and personal more often than i would have the time / want to be.