First used Freelander - HSE or Sport? Which one?

Hi everyone,
Just wondering which model you think would be best for my first used Freelander (04-06 Td4).

I kind of had my heart set on the HSE Auto, but today I found a low mileage Auto Sport for a similar price.

Apart from the lowered suspension, does the sport differ very much to the HSE model? Will I be missing anything (or gaining anything) by choosing to own a Sport model instead of an HSE?

Which spec would you choose and why?

Many thanks.

Chris

I've got an HSE but I'm not sure what the spec difference is....

Very happy with mine too

Not sure on the spec changes but I like the alloys on the sport model better although the HSE ones are still good , I think the HSE gets full leather and a heated front screen - not certain if the sport has these fitted.

Oh bugger. Heated front screen is kind of a necessity for me as I live on top of a high hill...all the cars get iced up inside from Dec-Feb.
Anyone confirm?

My sport has full leather and heated screen! The suspension is lower and slightly stiffer

Glenbo said:

My sport has full leather and heated screen! The suspension is lower and slightly stiffer

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Thanks Glenbo. Is yours the standard Sport, or the Sport Premium? I'm wondering if the heated screen was standard or an option?

You say the suspension is lightly lower and stiffer...do you feel every speed hump you drive over? I'm looking for a comfortable drive. Cheers.

You wouldnt want lower and stiffer suspension if you take it more off road than a grassy field. Depends what you want to do with it

Skynet said:

You wouldnt want lower and stiffer suspension if you take it more off road than a grassy field. Depends what you want to do with it

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Hmmnn...see, that's where I'll have to be honest. The car is very unlikey to be going 'off-road'. I've seen those fabulous Youtube videos with cars driving through streams and up muddy banks, but where I live it's all pretty much built up. I wouldn't mind a spot of greenlaning, but again, wouldn't travel for hours specifically for it.

The Freelander will be replacing an outgoing Citroen Berlingo that has served me well in terms of room and utility but let me down terribly each winter when it comes to climbing a hill with a little bit of slush on it.

I need a vehicle that will get me all the way home when it snows, and get me down a snow covered hill at my own pace and not that of gravity.

HDC is good for controlled descent definintely. However remember that grip depends on your tyres. Most 4x4's are fitted with All Terrain tyres as opposed to the wet weather general tyre most cars are fitted with. This is why the continent insist on 'winter tyres' for their residents.... by law!

The sport is better on cornering. . . . .but my view the hse is best buy

ming said:

The sport is better on cornering. . . . .but my view the hse is best buy

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Thanks Ming.

Can I ask you why the HSE is the best buy in your opinion? What does the HSE have that the Sport doesn't? Thanks.

classiuk said:

Thanks Ming.

Can I ask you why the HSE is the best buy in your opinion? What does the HSE have that the Sport doesn't? Thanks.

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well just my opinion but the word sport says it all really, its a bit of bling , some like that, but for me the hse is a more comfort type motor. . . .

classiuk said:

Thanks Glenbo. Is yours the standard Sport, or the Sport Premium? I'm wondering if the heated screen was standard or an option?

You say the suspension is lightly lower and stiffer...do you feel every speed hump you drive over? I'm looking for a comfortable drive. Cheers.

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I will let you know on Friday when I pick it up, I prefer the sport on looks and holds it price better

Heated front screen depends on age, later HSEs didn't have it as standard.

Davec said:

Heated front screen depends on age, later HSEs didn't have it as standard.

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Quite right. Later -55 on- have a very poor spec. Not even a rear ash tray, cigar socket, no cruise etc. They do of course have sun roofs ( Which only last a couple of years).

Ours is a Sport and has full leather and heated windscreen. I would look at them both and decide which you prefer. I hear the 17" tyres are more expensive than the Sports. (No idea if its true!)

Suspension is not hard at all it's wicked to drive

I had a HSE and now a Sport, same 55 plate so can offer some insight.

The HSE I didn't like, didn't like the way the suspension wasn't settled and seemed soft. The sport is better in that respect
We don't go off-roading so aren't interested in that aspect but both have coped with the weather over the last coupke of winters.
Our sport hasn't got the heated screen, which I miss, also the heater isn't brill in winter (Sport) and air-con not brill in summer (Both).
Just shopping for tyres for the sport at the moment :faint2:
I prefer the sport but maybe our HSE wasn't the best.