Newby to Freelander.. need your advice

Hi I am keen to buy a Freelander, I just love them.. even though my local garage mechanic says stay far away from them!! He says, when they come into the garage, we all run a mile... worrying... or is it? Can you help on this?

My budget is £13-£14,000 - diesel preferred - any suggestions. I am liking the new shape Freelander and was tempted to buy new...but there are some good deals out there for the £13-£15 price range. Although not at this time of year, when we keep getting the snow falls...

The stories of mechanical problems are a worry to me...I'm keen to hear what you think, or shall I stick with buying the RAV4...??

do a search on here theres loads of advice, oh yes and don't even think about buying a petrol FL1

Asking about RAV4 on this forum is likely to get a few wise cracks. :welcome2: - especially about Toyota brakes
Stay clear of the 1.8 petrol.

Get a Warranty - like all modern cars they are complicated, and expensive to fix.
Mechanically, the FL1 diesel is a BMW 3 series - enough said, gearboxes are very good (clutches - check for tow bar). They have the addition of an extra diff, viscous couplig and splitter (IRD) box - these gave a lot of trouble on earlier vehicles, but were better on later 03---06 models.

FL2 - most are still under warranty, some have had faulty steering racks.

For £14k you can get the last of the FL1 td4 (with change) - be careful, if it was registerd after March? 06 and is an auto the road tax may be £415 a year - check on the winscreen or ask the dealer and get it in writing.
The FL2 is a very different car (IMHO far more reliable) and drives very differently, drive both before you make up your mind.
For £14k you will get either less toys or an older car - if you would like to go offroad the "S" doesn't have the electronic aids.

Whichever you choose both have a committed following (or should that be a following that needs committing?), Both will put a smile on your face, especially when everybody else is skating around in bad weather.

Spend a few hours seaching this forum - and freel2.com for FL2, but bear in mind that most people on here are asking for advice on broken vehicles, you are unlikely to here form the vast majority who's cars are running.

snoopycat said:

Hi I am keen to buy a Freelander, I just love them.. even though my local garage mechanic says stay far away from them!! He says, when they come into the garage, we all run a mile... worrying... or is it? Can you help on this?

My budget is £13-£14,000 - diesel preferred - any suggestions. I am liking the new shape Freelander and was tempted to buy new...but there are some good deals out there for the £13-£15 price range. Although not at this time of year, when we keep getting the snow falls...

The stories of mechanical problems are a worry to me...I'm keen to hear what you think, or shall I stick with buying the RAV4...??

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Buy a nice Kia. You get a 7 year warranty and this is what most forum members expect for about 1500 quid. But seriously, up your budget a few and go for Freelander 2.

Andy131 said:

Asking about RAV4 on this forum is likely to get a few wise cracks. :welcome2: - especially about Toyota brakes
Stay clear of the 1.8 petrol.

Get a Warranty - like all modern cars they are complicated, and expensive to fix.
Mechanically, the FL1 diesel is a BMW 3 series - enough said, gearboxes are very good (clutches - check for tow bar). They have the addition of an extra diff, viscous couplig and splitter (IRD) box - these gave a lot of trouble on earlier vehicles, but were better on later 03---06 models.

FL2 - most are still under warranty, some have had faulty steering racks.

For £14k you can get the last of the FL1 td4 (with change) - be careful, if it was registerd after March? 06 and is an auto the road tax may be £415 a year - check on the winscreen or ask the dealer and get it in writing.
The FL2 is a very different car (IMHO far more reliable) and drives very differently, drive both before you make up your mind.
For £14k you will get either less toys or an older car - if you would like to go offroad the "S" doesn't have the electronic aids.

Whichever you choose both have a committed following (or should that be a following that needs committing?), Both will put a smile on your face, especially when everybody else is skating around in bad weather.

Spend a few hours seaching this forum - and freel2.com for FL2, but bear in mind that most people on here are asking for advice on broken vehicles, you are unlikely to here form the vast majority who's cars are running.

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Mis-leading that.
The td4 shares the BMW engine, the older (and better) Rover L-series has been likened to a Perkins Prima.

just read your budget, £13-£14k. Get a FL2.
or buy an L-series diesel for £2k spend the rest on premium bonds.

howardo said:

do a search on here theres loads of advice, oh yes and don't even think about buying a petrol FL1

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Thanks vmuch... I shall heed the great advice.. )

Andy131 - thanks so much...it all seems less daunting now.. thanks... I shall listen to the advice.. I may up my budget a few thousand... and just go for it...I think......

I shouldn't have never mentioned Toyota on here...... upping the budget is probably best...thanks

howardo said:

Mis-leading that.
The td4 shares the BMW engine, the older (and better) Rover L-series has been likened to a Perkins Prima.

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Don't disagree, my old L-series managed 90k in my not so gentle hands and never missed a beat.
But if I had £14k I would still buy as new as possible.

fl 2 is good and should still be in warranty at your budget

Andy131 said:

Don't disagree, my old L-series managed 90k in my not so gentle hands and never missed a beat.
But if I had £14k I would still buy as new as possible.

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Understand where your coming from but I'd spend half of it on buying a good Td4 & keep the rest for a nice classic second car.