The new Freelanders - any good?

[Rotaree]

Having had various Land Rover products over the years and feeling the 'need' again I've recently been thinking about getting a Discovery 3, the main dowside being that I'll be doing a fair few miles and the consumption isn't terrific, but having had Range Rovers in the past I think the driving position makes up for it (for me anyway - I'm sure there'll be many that would disagree).
However a friend stayed with us over the weekend bringing his new Freelander, he let me have a drive and I was very impressed. I thought the old Freelanders were apalling - like something cheap and Japanese with a Land Rover badge stuck on. The new one seems totally diffeent - obviously from the same fold as the Range Rover and Disco but a bit smaller, cheaper and (slightly!) more economical. I'm now quite seroiusly thinking of investigating an HSE; does anyone have any opinions (good or bad) that might influence this decision. I won't be changing for a few months yet so I'd be keen to know if there any changes in the pipeline as well.

Thanks in advance.
Rotaree

[ruaricoles]

Great to drive (but you already know that) - I think it's like what you'd get if a Focus and a Disco 3 got together and had a baby. Not anywhere near as much space inside as the Disco of course, but if you're considering the Freelander then I assume that's not a problem. The SI6 petrol is lovely and smooth if rather (very!) thirsty, so the diesel is normally the car of choice, but don't dismiss the auto as it's a great 'box and suits the car brilliantly. Very capable off road too, albeit without the ground clearance or low range. Enjoy it if you get one!

Ruari

[Rotaree]

Thanks for that - pretty much what I'd been thinking. I'll be off to the dealers at the weekend to have a proper look.

[schmalex]

I had a Diesel HSE as a loan car whilst my Rangie was getting the front diff replaced. It was a fantastic car, smooth, quiet, loads of mid range punch & also returned reasonable mpg figures.

The only thing that put me off getting one for my wife was the screen price - something like £34k new. That puts it in BMW 330d territory & I would much prefer the BMW over the Freelander.

[5 wh]

As a lifelong Land Rover fan I made a lot of allowances for the Freelander 1(I guess thats a polite way of saying they were not much good!).Freelander 2 is a different animal altogether and having had a few recently Im really impressed-its properly put together and drives very well indeed,even by any other 4x4's standards.
Early depreciation is savage with cars losing around 50% in the first year/18 months,so if you must buy brand new then bargain hard.
One thing I found suprising-the boot is smaller than I thought it would be.

Edited by 5 wh on Thursday 6th November 19:50

[A57 HSV]

The fact that D3's have lost so much value in comparison to the FL, might persuade you to look at one closer.

My TDV6 HSE which was new in April 06, has done just under 60k miles & now has a trade price of c.£16k. Full list price with the extras that I had fitted would have been c.£46k.

There are some great bargains about on D3's.

[Nice But Dim]

I'm having the same dilema - after moving out of the Defender TD5 early this year - now in the market for either a FR2 Se or HSE for around 17.5k - or move to a Disco 3

Love the Disco3 size and erogonomics - not so keen on the mpg - and some stories of issues post 3yr warranty.

I'm local to a BCA and am tempted to do for a Disco3 from the auction - would have to be within LR warranty.... and advice appreciated.