Thread: Thinking about a Freelander - help?

The Freelander is an excellent bit of kit and nothing like those Jap softroaders... Don't be fooled by its looks, the Freelander is actually a VERY capable off-roader.

IMO - Avoid the petrol versions (prone to hotspots and then destroying themselves!!) and stick with the auto box if you can... TD4 Auto is the best of the bunch for the original Freelander As the Freelander doesn't have a lo-range box, the auto makes life a lot easier if you do venture off-road... Or even down onto the beach.

Freelander2 is awesome... Handles really well on the black stuff and off-road it's amazing!!!

HTH

Mark.

if i bought a Freelander my mechanic would never speak to me again

biggest crap box ever made


go buy something else


now best i run and hide somewhere

Don't know anything about the Freelanders but the Escape...

I have an '05 Ford Escape XLT Auto V6. I have only had it 8 months but absolutely love it. I have taken it through Toolangi (Vic) and was really surprised by it's capabilities. Good ground clearance and articulation wasn't to bad; never lifted a wheel off the dirt. Comprimised by Bridgestone Desert Duelers & no low range. One steep down hill, i used first, put the aircon & lights on and she did well.

It is front wheel drive with all wheel drive on demand i.e. when slip is detected. It also has a diff lock button to lock it into permanent all wheel drive.
Note: Using AWD rather than 4WD, don't want to offend the purists

The V6 has ample power however could benefit from more torque as she likes to kick down when more is required. Towing capacity is class leading I believe. It's very comfortable, rear seats fold flat and has a decent cargo area. The height of the cargo area isn't as good as say a RAV or CRV but I suggest you don't go there.

Hiline is right to an extent but there are good ones and bad ones. As Camel Landy said dont touch a petrol, espcecially the 1.8L 4cyl ones, they are a ticking time bomb.

I was looking at one nopt long back and asked the same questions, here is what i found out;

1) Dont buy a petrol model, the 6cyl versions are good but are a bit thirsty, especailly when compared to the diesel.
2) Dont buy one pre-dating 2000, there was a problem with the drive train where by the front wheels had to scrabble to keep up with the rear wheels, as a result things used to wind up and the viscous coupling would eventually lock and fail, some may have already had the problem and been fitted with a newer viscous coupling but check before you buy.
3) The TD4 is by far the best and most reliable engine, coupled to the triptronic auto is the most sensible way to go.

Do be scared off by the horror stories, god there are enough about land rovers in general and that doesnt seem to bother you. Just look hard, find a well cared for vehicle with a full service history and you should be fine. Matt

Originally Posted by akelly

are there any good Freelanders

The best are found through Pickles or Fowles .


Any of the diesels would be a good choice. The early cars had an IRD issue as mentioned but that would have been sorted (I hope) by now if it was a problem.

Originally Posted by hiline

if i bought a Freelander my mechanic would never speak to me again

biggest crap box ever made


go buy something else


now best i run and hide somewhere

Such statements do not ad much to the discussion - you sound like a typical toyota driver - your not a closet toyota driver by any chance.

Be critical by all means but lets have a little information to back up the statements so that these can be discussed on their merits or otherwise.

Cheers

Gazzz

As coveredabove there are good and bad cars - there were some horrendous problems with the 1.8 petrols and the drive train design in early versions. Landrover as usual handled the issue poorly and as a consequence these issues have tainted the reputation of the entire model.

The freelander is not designed as a full on 4wd but it is far more capable than the opposition softroaders. The V6 petrol is ok just a bit hard on fuel but does has a high level of on road performance - the pick is the TD4 autos - no design issues, no more or no less reliable than any other car (and I suspect more reliable than D2s). For offroad the auto covers to some extend the lack of lowrange - remember none of the opposition has lowrange except Suzukis.

If you like freelanders - buy one if it is a TD4 or even a v6 - you will be happy with it and it will be as reliable as any other car.

Gazzz

Thanks for all the swift replies. I have done a bit of research on this and I think the post 00 models are the ones to go for (will aim for 04 and see how far the money goes!) and I wont ever have a petrol car again (maybe a hybrid though, when they get sorted) so the TD4 is a must. I've had some bad reports about the auto though - can anyone shed some light on it? I've heard its cable operated and a nightmare if it goes bung...

Cheers,

Kels