Freelander 1 Sold my manual 2004.. should I buy a 2001 auto?

Hi all.

I've sold my lovely manual 2004 td4. Got a good offer for it...
Wanted to buy another facelift FL1, I really like the brilliant lights.

But I've seen nearly a very tidy 2001 ES Automatic td4. Nice colour, good condition, had it's VCU replaced, etc. And it's half the price of a facelift model.

I just don't know if I'd like a non facelift model as much! I really like the lights (and the look) of the facelift model, and the nice interior of the facelift model. I've not been in a pre facelift freelander for 10 years. Is it worth the extra money, would I be silly to walk away from a very good but cheap pre facelift car?

Erm - why did you sell your 'lovely' motor just to buy another one with all the risks?

Wanted an automatic. Should have bought an automatic in the 1st place...
My lovely manual also needed a few £ spending, as I'm sure the next one will too!

ive an auto its awesome

I really like the facelift model. Theres so few autos about in my budget. This is a tidy pre facelift. Hoping theres no pitfalls with the pre facelift!

It's not an impossible task to change a manual into an auto. I'm on the lookout for another Freelander, of which I'd like an auto. I simply don't have the time to start change boxes and the other parafinalia that goes with it.

Sold my 2001 es auto td4 two years ago, i had it 3 years and only done the front pads and outer cv joints because the abs rings cracked.
The guy that had it off me has not spent a penny on it apart from servicing, its now done 180,000 miles and runs like a dream.
Spent well over a grand in the last month on my 2006 auto sport. injectors, vcu, both callipers and both front drive shafts, pads and discs.
Its done 101,000 miles,
The sport looks a better motor but its a donkey compared to the old one i had.

Got it. Between the pre and post facelift here's my main issues:
1) Can see the speedometer in the pre facelift one! Even with the steering wheel at it's highest, I couldn't see the top of the speedo easily in my facelift one.
2) Lights on the pre facelift are disappointing after the excellent lights in the facelift model.

The seats are different. Probably can change those.

Less worry if it gets scratched than an expensive facelift.

I like the facelift personally.