Freelanders - are they really that bad?!

T

Twiglet

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In the next couple of weeks, I really have to swap my non-yard-suitable Focus in for a baby 4x4 - my sensible car is not so sensible anymore (including breaking down Xmas day - nice!).

As much as I'd love a brand new Rav-4 (despite my OH's sniggering protests), I'm on a rather limited budget, due to total house renovation and seemingly endless vets bills atm!

So am looking at 2nd hand - either Rav 4 (bit pricey), Suzuki Grand Vitara (which lots of HHO's seemed to hate!), and the made-for-the-job Landrover Freelander..........which sounds about as reliable as a chocolate teapot judging from lots of comments I've heard!!

Are they really that bad??

How about the Mitsubishi Shogun Pinins?

I can't have anything with too huge an engine for insurance and tax reasons......

Sorry for the long post.
 
The thing is, I legally can't tow anything, plus I don't have a trailer, or a horse that's particularly keen on them anyway!!

So towing definitely doesn't come into it for me - I just want something with a decent bit of carry room - feed, woodchips etc - poss with back seats down, plus capability for minor/occassional off road driving, and room for passengers.
 
I wouldnt have a Freelander personally I have heard they have too many issues
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Hb
 
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Shoguns are cracking wee 4x4's. If going down the Land Rover route..get a Discovery.

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See previous comments about wanting a baby 4x4!! I want something with a smaller engine - tax and insurance - my quote for being insured on one of the 3.5l SWB Shoguns was £3,000 from my normally reasonable insurer!
 
I'd probably go for a RAV4 over a Freelander....just can't beat Jap reliability i'm afraid, and as it's only a 'pretend' 4x4 you want it should do the job just fine
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If you are not fussed about towing the Grand Vitara is ok. My mate has one which I did use to tow with and it was absolutely fine (one large horse). I thought it was ok to drive had enough poke and plenty of room in the back (for doggies and tack). Freelanders are much bigger than Vitaras/Rav 4s anyway. What about Honda CRV?
Everyone I know who has had a Freelander has been unhappy with it and they are not great for towing (and overpriced)
 
You can get smaller engines on a shogun my friend has a 2.8 turbo diesel (obviously used for towing) although I'm not entirely sure how low they go...*goes off to check*
 
If you won't be towing then why bother with a 4x4? They are expensive to insure, they drink fuel, servicing is extremely expensive & to be honest a small estate can carry more than my LWB Mitsubishi Pajero.
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I have had a Rav for 6 years and I love it, but loathe the new design. When it comes to time to change it will probably be a Freeloader or Jeep Cherokee. At least they are both proper 4x4s even if they can't tow...
 
My Rav certainly doesn't cost much to insure or run, and the servicing costs are no more than any other Toyota. The advantage is four wheel drive, greater ground clearance and they are fun!
 
OH will be using the car occassionally, and possibly for work, which may include some off road driving - also, he may tow small work trailer with it (so nothing like horse towing - will be little trailer, v lightweight and low).

Looking at fuel consumption etc - a 1.6 Grand Vitara eg, isn't going to be much less economical than a lot of estates, and is going to cope a hell of a lot better with getting to the yard in winter - has one hell of a steep drive!
 
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Smallest Shogun available was 2.5 diesel. I would agree with Toby_Zaphod. If not towing why bother with a 4x4?

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Looking at the Shogun Pinins - they start much smaller than this.
 
I've got a freelander which I've had for 2 years. It's never let me down & has been 100% reliable. Plus for a 4x4 is fairly economical.
However there are a few issues-
1) it is v under powered. I have the 2.0 TD4 and it has to have a think before it accelerates!!
2) it has quite a few blind spots that you need to be aware of.
3) If you're tall you WILL bang you head as you get in the first few time until you learn to duck!!
4) The back window can decide to wind down after you've locked it. Not good if it rains or their are thiefs about. Always double check before you leave it!

Apart from that, it had loads of room for all your horsey stuff & is great in the wet/ snow or if it's slippery.

You should be able to get a good deal on the old shape now the new one has come out.
As I said earlier, I'm generally very happy with mine.
 
My husband and I (gosh that sounds very regal!) both have Freelanders and are happpy with them. His is new and replaced his previous new one and mine is older but both have been totally reliable unlike my previous car - an Alfa Romeo 156. They are not pretend 4x4s - they have perfectly good off-road capability. We have both driven them under supervision on day long 4x4 off road courses and they performed very well. Obviously they are not as powerful as bigger cars like the Range Rover ,which we had at one point but these are much more expensive. As you don't want it for towing anway I think that for the money Freelanders are good cars and I have no idea why people slate them. Mind you "my other car" is a Dutch Warmblood and he is terribly unpopular on here as well so what do I know?!!
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I wouldn't change my freelander. I've had it for 3 years and its never let me down.

[ QUOTE ]

4) The back window can decide to wind down after you've locked it. Not good if it rains or their are thiefs about. Always double check before you leave it!

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought it was just mine
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They tend to drive like cars, have enough space but not loads and are ok for towing as long as you think about your route and watch your weight. I can tow my 15.3 and 12.2 legally in it, but I don't tend to go that far.
 
I can get more bags of shavings and feed in my w reg fiesta than in the boss's freelander, not sure how but i can. It always makes the feed merchant laugh tho!
 
Love any green oval (Land Rover we have about 8 different ones from Range Rover, Disco & 110's, 90's, crew cab ect..!)

Though how about Subaru's either Legacy or Outback??

All above very reliable cars.
 
I too want a Rav-4 as I find them a nice size for the country lanes but I ended up buying a Freelander yesterday and have already noticed a brake fluid leak which has ruined the brake shoes and could have been very dangerous
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Expensive day tomorrow when we buy some new parts
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Will start saving again for the Rav-4 I think!!
 
i agree about the fourtrack, or even better the sportrack which is the swb version, had one for just about a year, they are great , only thing i would say is that they are a bit chuggy! limited to 55 ish on the main roads and they lose speed going up any sort of hill. depends what you want it for. if you're just running around for the yard then i would think a sportrack would be ideal. what sort of budget have you got? i upgraded my sportrack for the rav4, all the good bits plus much more power and comfort. mine cost me 2.5k at 120k miles and it's an absolute workhorse.
 
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