Hi all, seems like a friendly forum and a great place to get information. Hopefully I can get some opinions. I am looking for a good tow vehicle but I’m on a limited budget. I’ve seen a 2012 facelift freelander 2 but with 180k miles that’s in budget. At first glance it looks in good nick. It’s an ED4 XS so I know this is 2 wheel drive but that’s fine for my needs. Just wondering how reliable these are? I hear differing opinions but on the forums people seem to thing they last! Thanks all
Looking to buy advice
- Thread starter Mikey HO
- Start date
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Arctic2
Well-Known Member
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I would have thought the four wheel drive would be better for towing than the 2 wheel front drive model, hopefully someone whom has the TWD can post in the mean time have a read of the link below.
Used car buying guide: Land Rover Freelander 2 | Autocar
There are many reasons for wanting a Freelander 2: its comfort, off-road prowess, compactness, reliability and value. Here's how to grab a good one
Hi Mikey - welcome to the forum.
Surely if you are having a landie, you want 4 wheel drive?!?
There are lots about that would be cheaper than a 2012 model, or perhaps for a slightly older one for similar money but with less miles? The diesel engines are good for high miles if they have been looked after - oils / belts etc. Personally, I’d go for service history and maintenance over a younger age.
My FL1 TD4 is now 20 years old and still going strong, with full 4x4 and very little rust indeed, although it’s not a daily driver. The key to them is getting one that hasn’t been ignored mechanically over the years.
And I’m with Arctics logic - 4x4 MUST be better for towing, right?
Surely if you are having a landie, you want 4 wheel drive?!?
There are lots about that would be cheaper than a 2012 model, or perhaps for a slightly older one for similar money but with less miles? The diesel engines are good for high miles if they have been looked after - oils / belts etc. Personally, I’d go for service history and maintenance over a younger age.
My FL1 TD4 is now 20 years old and still going strong, with full 4x4 and very little rust indeed, although it’s not a daily driver. The key to them is getting one that hasn’t been ignored mechanically over the years.
And I’m with Arctics logic - 4x4 MUST be better for towing, right?
I know people think 4x4s are better for towing but I’ve had both 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive and in every day towing a caravan there is no real difference. Only once when I got stuck in a boggy field did I wish I had a 4x4 but the caravan had a motor mover which got itself out fine. The ED4 has much cheaper tax and slightly better fuel economy. Coming from a T5 who’s tax was high was hoping to reduce that a bit anf I do prefer the facelift look. Really it’s the reliability of these on high mileage is the real question as my budget isn’t great unfortunately as we are in the middle of a house move. So mpg and tax has a bearing on outgoing costs. And because the caravan is a big old beast I don’t have the luxury of buying something small and economical, typical! I’ve had a RAV4 previously which towed very well and was really reliable
