Buying a Freelander 2 (what a minefield)
Discussion
Hi all,
Ive come to pick your brains! the only landrover Ive ever had was an old 1959 swb great fun but had to sell it due to lack of space. Anyway Ive decided to retire my golf 150 tdi and get a freelander 2. As always when you pick a budget moving up a small amount brings small improvements and new gadgets/toys and before you know where you are your looking at vehicles twice the price you started at. My budget started at £7k and has risen if need be to £10kish.
Now then my list of obvious likes, low mileage (circa 50k to 70k) full service history, only one or two owners
Now come the next level of desires, Parking sensors rear, and front? heated front screen, bluetooth, auto lights, auto wipers, dab would be nice but not important, not bothered about sat nav. So it seems i know what i want, but now comes the problems, there seems to be loads of cross overs on spec on trim levels. I think i can discount the S version but GS (loads of them) and XS? so interior wise cloth, half leather or leather?, forget pretty colours, 3 dogs, kids kite buggy so there will be dirt!. I have always thought a sunroof will leak eventually so try to avoid them. Im keen on the manual gearbox and the diesel obviously but when you get to the facelift model there is the newer engine with less power and more torque. also from 2009 there is start stop available ( is it reliable or just something else to go wrong?)
so my questions are realy what engine? old diesel, old diesel with start stop, new diesel? I think i can discount the 2wd as it only gains a few mpg but does lose some bits that can go wrong
what trim level works best
My purchase channel can be trade, private (at a push) or auction.
Have i missed anything out i should be considering about?
Many thanks
Nick
Ive come to pick your brains! the only landrover Ive ever had was an old 1959 swb great fun but had to sell it due to lack of space. Anyway Ive decided to retire my golf 150 tdi and get a freelander 2. As always when you pick a budget moving up a small amount brings small improvements and new gadgets/toys and before you know where you are your looking at vehicles twice the price you started at. My budget started at £7k and has risen if need be to £10kish.
Now then my list of obvious likes, low mileage (circa 50k to 70k) full service history, only one or two owners
Now come the next level of desires, Parking sensors rear, and front? heated front screen, bluetooth, auto lights, auto wipers, dab would be nice but not important, not bothered about sat nav. So it seems i know what i want, but now comes the problems, there seems to be loads of cross overs on spec on trim levels. I think i can discount the S version but GS (loads of them) and XS? so interior wise cloth, half leather or leather?, forget pretty colours, 3 dogs, kids kite buggy so there will be dirt!. I have always thought a sunroof will leak eventually so try to avoid them. Im keen on the manual gearbox and the diesel obviously but when you get to the facelift model there is the newer engine with less power and more torque. also from 2009 there is start stop available ( is it reliable or just something else to go wrong?)
so my questions are realy what engine? old diesel, old diesel with start stop, new diesel? I think i can discount the 2wd as it only gains a few mpg but does lose some bits that can go wrong
what trim level works best
My purchase channel can be trade, private (at a push) or auction.
Have i missed anything out i should be considering about?
Many thanks
Nick
We've had two FL2s. The first was a 2007 SE manual, the current one a 190bhp Metropolis automatic.
Both have been admirable family cars (3 boys/ 2 dogs) and have provided thousands of pretty much trouble-free motoring.
The SE struck me as a good spec car with half-leather, sat nav heated seats, panoramic roof etc. It had the 2.2 163bhp 6-speed drivetrain and would easily get to 40mpg on a run.
Having spoken to Land Rover mechanics (technicians?) it would seem the Freelander is significantly less complex than other models in the range, and consequently much cheaper as the cars get older. Spares are super plentiful, with upgrades readily available.
There is a pretty active forum too, so still some enthusiasts out there.
In addition, they seem to hold their values quite well. My local dealer has offered strong money on our Metropolis, but I think we'll hang onto it for now.
Both have been admirable family cars (3 boys/ 2 dogs) and have provided thousands of pretty much trouble-free motoring.
The SE struck me as a good spec car with half-leather, sat nav heated seats, panoramic roof etc. It had the 2.2 163bhp 6-speed drivetrain and would easily get to 40mpg on a run.
Having spoken to Land Rover mechanics (technicians?) it would seem the Freelander is significantly less complex than other models in the range, and consequently much cheaper as the cars get older. Spares are super plentiful, with upgrades readily available.
There is a pretty active forum too, so still some enthusiasts out there.
In addition, they seem to hold their values quite well. My local dealer has offered strong money on our Metropolis, but I think we'll hang onto it for now.
They are holding silly money at the moment.
I very nearly bought a nearly new Metropolis back in 2013, I went in to look at the new DS, but really liked it, it was being offered for £24k, as much as I liked it, I liked the X3 just as much and was worried with the FL2 being replaced it could drop like a stone value wise. The cheapest one on autotrader on a 13 plate is still £24k now!
Would have been very cheap motoring.
I very nearly bought a nearly new Metropolis back in 2013, I went in to look at the new DS, but really liked it, it was being offered for £24k, as much as I liked it, I liked the X3 just as much and was worried with the FL2 being replaced it could drop like a stone value wise. The cheapest one on autotrader on a 13 plate is still £24k now!
Would have been very cheap motoring.
I've got a freelander 2 manual gs spec with black leather dome 140k and it's been very reliable, never got stuck and towed the dobbin box ok. Mate of mine who I shoot with also has one and it's been pretty good and his gets some serious use deer stalking and out lampung foxes etc. Had mine up for sale for a wk and only one sniff who was a waster guess the mileage puts people off.
gizlaroc said:
They are holding silly money at the moment.
I very nearly bought a nearly new Metropolis back in 2013, I went in to look at the new DS, but really liked it, it was being offered for £24k, as much as I liked it, I liked the X3 just as much and was worried with the FL2 being replaced it could drop like a stone value wise. The cheapest one on autotrader on a 13 plate is still £24k now!
Would have been very cheap motoring.
Yes, potentially very cheap. I very nearly bought a nearly new Metropolis back in 2013, I went in to look at the new DS, but really liked it, it was being offered for £24k, as much as I liked it, I liked the X3 just as much and was worried with the FL2 being replaced it could drop like a stone value wise. The cheapest one on autotrader on a 13 plate is still £24k now!
Would have been very cheap motoring.
the metropolis has a great spec. Heated wheel, Windsor leather and everything he HSE plus had on it, and a price drop. Ours has the Barolo paint (red/gold fleck) which looks great too. The kids love the low rear window line, over the DS and Evoque.
The Sat nav ( shared with the Jaguar range) is a little old now, and the fuel economy hovers around 32-35, but a great car.
mickyveloce said:
Yes, potentially very cheap.
the metropolis has a great spec. Heated wheel, Windsor leather and everything he HSE plus had on it, and a price drop. Ours has the Barolo paint (red/gold fleck) which looks great too. The kids love the low rear window line, over the DS and Evoque.
The Sat nav ( shared with the Jaguar range) is a little old now, and the fuel economy hovers around 32-35, but a great car.
It was the nav and the 4cyl engine that couldn't seem to break 34mpg that made me get the X3, but I sometimes wish I had gone for it. the metropolis has a great spec. Heated wheel, Windsor leather and everything he HSE plus had on it, and a price drop. Ours has the Barolo paint (red/gold fleck) which looks great too. The kids love the low rear window line, over the DS and Evoque.
The Sat nav ( shared with the Jaguar range) is a little old now, and the fuel economy hovers around 32-35, but a great car.
nicke20 said:
Hi all,
Ive come to pick your brains! the only landrover Ive ever had was an old 1959 swb great fun but had to sell it due to lack of space. Anyway Ive decided to retire my golf 150 tdi and get a freelander 2. As always when you pick a budget moving up a small amount brings small improvements and new gadgets/toys and before you know where you are your looking at vehicles twice the price you started at. My budget started at £7k and has risen if need be to £10kish.
Now then my list of obvious likes, low mileage (circa 50k to 70k) full service history, only one or two owners
Now come the next level of desires, Parking sensors rear, and front? heated front screen, bluetooth, auto lights, auto wipers, dab would be nice but not important, not bothered about sat nav. So it seems i know what i want, but now comes the problems, there seems to be loads of cross overs on spec on trim levels. I think i can discount the S version but GS (loads of them) and XS? so interior wise cloth, half leather or leather?, forget pretty colours, 3 dogs, kids kite buggy so there will be dirt!. I have always thought a sunroof will leak eventually so try to avoid them. Im keen on the manual gearbox and the diesel obviously but when you get to the facelift model there is the newer engine with less power and more torque. also from 2009 there is start stop available ( is it reliable or just something else to go wrong?)
so my questions are realy what engine? old diesel, old diesel with start stop, new diesel? I think i can discount the 2wd as it only gains a few mpg but does lose some bits that can go wrong
what trim level works best
My purchase channel can be trade, private (at a push) or auction.
Have i missed anything out i should be considering about?
Many thanks
Nick
I have a 2010 HSE diesel auto with just about every conceivable extra including beige leather interior. Do not be put off by light interior colours they clean very easily. It has been reliable and apart from a new battery it has cost nothing extra over the normal servicing. Economy is in the 30's if not pushed too hard, and as the gearbox is steptronic (which gives a manual shift and hold)that really makes a manual fairly pointless when the auto is a delight to drive in normal running.Ive come to pick your brains! the only landrover Ive ever had was an old 1959 swb great fun but had to sell it due to lack of space. Anyway Ive decided to retire my golf 150 tdi and get a freelander 2. As always when you pick a budget moving up a small amount brings small improvements and new gadgets/toys and before you know where you are your looking at vehicles twice the price you started at. My budget started at £7k and has risen if need be to £10kish.
Now then my list of obvious likes, low mileage (circa 50k to 70k) full service history, only one or two owners
Now come the next level of desires, Parking sensors rear, and front? heated front screen, bluetooth, auto lights, auto wipers, dab would be nice but not important, not bothered about sat nav. So it seems i know what i want, but now comes the problems, there seems to be loads of cross overs on spec on trim levels. I think i can discount the S version but GS (loads of them) and XS? so interior wise cloth, half leather or leather?, forget pretty colours, 3 dogs, kids kite buggy so there will be dirt!. I have always thought a sunroof will leak eventually so try to avoid them. Im keen on the manual gearbox and the diesel obviously but when you get to the facelift model there is the newer engine with less power and more torque. also from 2009 there is start stop available ( is it reliable or just something else to go wrong?)
so my questions are realy what engine? old diesel, old diesel with start stop, new diesel? I think i can discount the 2wd as it only gains a few mpg but does lose some bits that can go wrong
what trim level works best
My purchase channel can be trade, private (at a push) or auction.
Have i missed anything out i should be considering about?
Many thanks
Nick
I will have this up for sale soon and am encouraged by other posters who say the values are remaining stable, I suspect LR made an error when they dropped this from the range as the alternative LR offerings are not very attractive to the not so wealthy enthusiast; although I do not intend to be greedy. I doubt you will get that low mileage you are quoting for your budget unless it is a bit tatty, but hey go for it they are a good motor if you need a reasonable sized 4 x 4.
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