Thread: Please HELP! Should I buy a Freelander V6 2001-02????

Originally Posted by RockyRover

Heya All!
I'm new here, I'm on the search for a new car I currently have a Nissan Silvia turbo (bit of a rev head! lol) I get too much probs with the cops even just driving the car around my area is a headache! I love the car soooooo much cause i've had it for 8 years and its been so reliable Amazingly Built CAR!!!
So I'm thinking of trading it in for something cool and fun like a soft top Freelander, but before I fall in love I really need to know if its reliable and great to drive, because i've been reading the dog & lemon guide which is pretty tough on all cars and doesnt recommend most it has opened my eyes up and said some pretty nasty things bout the freelander mostly the 1.8 which had soooo many probs! To cut the story short I am now really worried in what car I want and I dont want to fall in love with the freelander just yet so i'm holding back for the momment till I get some good feedback . Hope someone can help me as I'm in Urgent Need!!!!

Thanks for all your help and time guys, much appreciated!

Carol

if i were you i wouldn't bother ive just been offered a 1997 freelander for given the exchange rate about $1200 the earlt ones have eletrical problems, later ones have coolant problems, and they are prone to the viscous units packing up completely, but then again its your money if you want a landrover go for a discovery, a lot cheaper than a defender and has a lot more off road capability plus tried and tested engines, so in short i wouldn't touch one with a barge pole good luck

The V6 one is by far the best of the petrol engined ones. Dont suffer from engine issues at all really.

The latest the car the better they got. Think the 03/04 ones are pretty good, but I am not sure the V6 was still aavilable then.

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by wingingpommybstard

if i were you i wouldn't bother ive just been offered a 1997 freelander for given the exchange rate about $1200 the earlt ones have eletrical problems, later ones have coolant problems, and they are prone to the viscous units packing up completely, but then again its your money if you want a landrover go for a discovery, a lot cheaper than a defender and has a lot more off road capability plus tried and tested engines, so in short i wouldn't touch one with a barge pole good luck

I would not quite agree - now V6s are all post 2000/01 so any reference to a 97 model is not relevant - you might buy a dead 97 freelander for $1200 but one that is in averge nick will still pull $7-8K. Freelander electrical problems are no worse that any other landy, coolant problems relate to the 1.8 though some V6s have had problems - the VC problem exists with pre 2000 models no later models so the issue does not relate to v6 model.

I have a had 2 discos and have an early freelander at the moment - a freelander is more capable and comfortable than an un-modded disco offroad where low range is NOT REQUIRED and load capacity is not required - on the bitumin a freelander is far nicer to drive.

My Freelander has been much more reliable than both of my Discos ever were - noting I bought my discos new and sold both with 100,000k and I bought my freelander with 170,000km and it has now done over 240,000.

Carol - if you want a V6 go for it but get it checked out first - the V6 goes well, drinks fuel and the engine which is the same basic engine as a Kia V6 can have soem issues if it has not been looked after.

Go for it but do the checks.

Garry

Thanks for all your help!! You guys are great!

Wingingpommybstard, i'd never get anything under 2000 mod cause i've heard some nasty things bout early mods 1.8K's etc so im sure to steer clear from any 1997 ones!

Psimpson7 (Pete), yea the 03-04 models are sweet just need the extra $$$ they still go for quite abit!

Garrycol (Garry), wow thanks for all that info sounds to me the free is the way to go and I'll be very sure to get it tested by RACV before I hand any car/money over thats 4 sure!!!

Also do you guys think man or auto in the 01-02 models???
And do you know exactly how much the V6 drinks? (I'm sure it's alot less than my little turbo anyways!)

All the Best,
Carol

I'd be going for the auto because when your offroad its a lot harder to stall the engine. On one trip we did with BeforeTheVision and his FL 1.8L he stalled going up a steep hill and naturally rolled backwards at a great rate of knots.

Becuase the engine had stopped he lost the power assisted braking which made bring the car to a stop all that more interesting.

Once you get the Freebie get a lift kit for it and make up some underbody protection and you'll go out and have some fun!

I would say either gearbox, but neither have many issues. The auto is perhaps slightly more prone to repair, but only marginally, and a good gearbox/land rover mechanic will change the solenoids instead of a complete gearbox swap. (therefore = cheap).

The v6 can use up to 15-16L/100km, but the 4cyl uses 12-13 so not bad.

the simply answer is the later cars are good, but get it well checked first, as problems can be expensive.

Perhaps also try muddyoval.com for a more detailed answer, as its a freelander specific forum and freelander owners are rare on here.

Cheers!