changes ahead !

[gov]

For several years now we have had 3 vehicles -2004 Zed Roadster , Fiesta ( DD ) and 1989 VW Campervan ( used as back up to DD and fun ) My wife has never liked the zed and has always wanted the comfort of a 4x4 - we have had the VW for 10 years but last week it's gone horribly wrong - oil/water contamination ( probably head gasket - repair bill £800 - £1000 with possibility of needing a new engine ( £2k ) - exhaust has been welded before so possibility that this will have to be renewed when they try to take it off to repair HG ( engine has to come out ) - another £400 - £500 and clutch is a bit suspect - £450 - all in all we decided that we've enjoyed the last ten years so may be it's time to move on - have advertised on the camper forum as is needing this work and sold the same day - buyer collecting Saturday

Wife wants to keep the fiesta as it suits her - we've had it from new (2004 ) and like all my cars is well looked after and still looks virtually new - worth bugger all so we might as well keep it - thinking now it's time for a change and get a 4x4 - thinking of an almost new Freelander 2 - can't really justify keeping the zed so it looks like it will finally go and I'll enjoy space and comfort for a change.

 

[Ducklakeview]

Freelander - Woefully unreliable.. Be prepared for it to spend more time in the Dealers than with you behind the wheel. They are known for automatic transmission and steering rack failures as well as camshaft failures on the 2.2 diesel. Also lots of rear diff failures.

Mike

 

[gov]

Freelander - Woefully unreliable.. Be prepared for it to spend more time in the Dealers than with you behind the wheel.

Mike

Okay - what is your choice ?

 

[Paulr]

Depends on budget. Hyundia Santa Fe or Kia Sorento are great cars. My SF has been a cracking workhorse for the last 5 years with just maintenance and wear items being replaced. 105,000 miles now, still tows my heavy caravan and transports my boats and fridges and tip runs, etc.

 

[Ducklakeview]

Freelander - Woefully unreliable.. Be prepared for it to spend more time in the Dealers than with you behind the wheel.

Mike

Okay - what is your choice ?

Depends what you want to spend. I've had two XC90's, and both have covered HUGE mileages, and been 100% reliable. I'm just looking at X5's, the 40d models with the twin turbos, but struggling to find the exact spec I want in a 7 seater. Q7's are too small in the front for my liking (longitudinal V6 drivetrain) and I find the likes of Shogun's too "wallowy" and less car like to drive.

Mike

 

[Highlander]

I think that bad reputation is for Freelander 1.......2nd variant gets great feedback in Landrover mags and no corrosion issues either.
Mrs Highlander has had hers for 6 months now with no issues.......her previous Defender was another matter however.......like an old classic vehicle,always needing something looked at.

 

[Ducklakeview]

I think that bad reputation is for Freelander 1.......2nd variant gets great feedback in Landrover mags and no corrosion issues either.
Mrs Highlander has had hers for 6 months now with no issues.......her previous Defender was another matter however.......like an old classic vehicle,always needing something looked at.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/land-rover/freelander-2-2006/?section=good

Mike

 

[Pastry]

I think that's a little harsh on the freelander as it isn't that bad (I've a friend who specialises in selling second hand freelanders) although still wouldn't be my choice.
I'm running a 2007 3.0d X3 which my wife loves as it's big enough to be comfy but not too large. I enjoy if too as I handles pretty well and pulls like a steam train!
We are changing it next year and were going for an Evoque but will probably get a 3yr old X3 now as you get more for your money.

 

[Anonymous]

I tested a freelander, Q5 and a 520 touring today and surprisingly the BMW was the nicest to drive and the biggest internally buy quite some way!

 

[Highlander]

Volvo diesel engine is renowned for longevity.
We have a Landrover specialist near to us and 2 of the mechs are mates so during research for the defender the only issue highlighted to us was rear diff which they have all the specialist tools to repair now.....previously it was a total replacement.
Touch wood we don't get any of the problems reported in Honest John

 

[MJJamieson]

I'm on my second Freelander 2, first was a td4 Manual, this one an SD4 Auto, both ran faultlessly and been the most reliable car I've ever owned. You get your good and bad as with all cars, couldn't recommend one highly enough.

 

[Ducklakeview]

Volvo diesel engine is renowned for longevity.

Couldn't agree more - The D5 2.4 will go on for ever if looked after, slightly OT, but this is a courtesy car my sister was loaned a few weeks ago by the local Volvo independent, a 2003 V70 - Still on it's original engine and auto box...



Drove well too, I took it for a spin..

Mike

 

[Grumpyowl]

Volvo diesel engine is renowned for longevity.

Couldn't agree more - The D5 2.4 will go on for ever if looked after, slightly OT, but this is a courtesy car my sister was loaned a few weeks ago by the local Volvo independent, a 2003 V70 - Still on it's original engine and auto box...



Drove well too, I took it for a spin..



Mike

Blimey that's quite an achievement

 

[Highlander]

That's mighty impressive,and on a loan car too.It's a great rolling recommendation for their business....hope it goes well over the half million.

 

[DMC63]

For several years now we have had 3 vehicles -2004 Zed Roadster , Fiesta ( DD ) and 1989 VW Campervan ( used as back up to DD and fun ) My wife has never liked the zed and has always wanted the comfort of a 4x4 - we have had the VW for 10 years but last week it's gone horribly wrong - oil/water contamination ( probably head gasket - repair bill £800 - £1000 with possibility of needing a new engine ( £2k ) - exhaust has been welded before so possibility that this will have to be renewed when they try to take it off to repair HG ( engine has to come out ) - another £400 - £500 and clutch is a bit suspect - £450 - all in all we decided that we've enjoyed the last ten years so may be it's time to move on - have advertised on the camper forum as is needing this work and sold the same day - buyer collecting Saturday

Wife wants to keep the fiesta as it suits her - we've had it from new (2004 ) and like all my cars is well looked after and still looks virtually new - worth bugger all so we might as well keep it - thinking now it's time for a change and get a 4x4 - thinking of an almost new Freelander 2 - can't really justify keeping the zed so it looks like it will finally go and I'll enjoy space and comfort for a change.

Eeewww...That's the problem with having a wife...

 

[Marlon]

 

[Machine monkey]

You have a ford so you know the new ones are really well engineerd cars.

We had a ford Kuga and loved it. Make sure you get one that is 4x4. Great ride and hadled well for a tall car.

 

[Fox889]

X5 takes some beating!
3.0d straight six, auto & will pull the side of a house down!
Looks nice as well, but everyone to their own as they say.

 

[RickRob]

We have a Discovery 3 on a 58 plate we've had from new. Now on 107k miles after faultless performance. The only out of service plan cost was a new wheel bearing on one wheel. For me it passes with flying colours that it does very well what it is supposed to do.

We're so pleased with it we plan to get a Discovery 4 in the next couple of months.

 

[Pastry]

We have a Discovery 3 on a 58 plate we've had from new. Now on 107k miles after faultless performance. The only out of service plan cost was a new wheel bearing on one wheel. For me it passes with flying colours that it does very well what it is supposed to do.

We're so pleased with it we plan to get a Discovery 4 in the next couple of months.

That's really interesting as Disco 3's have a bad reputation for reliability. I fancied buying a 2007/2008 last year but was put off by this