Nissan Qashqai or Freelander 2 - thoughts please
Discussion
Evening All
My wife is after a new car and likes the idea of a high driving position having rented a Jeep in the US recently. We've narrowed it down to either the Qashqai or the Freelander, and I'm after people's experiences, thoughts, opinions etc.
We've got about 11k, 12 at a push which would get us a 2007/2008 maybe a 2009 Freelander Td4 GS or XS with anything from 50-80,000 miles. Or it could get us a 2010/2011 Qashqai Acenta with c25-30,000 miles, either the petrol or diesel both 1.6.
Freelander
Pros
4x4 - useful for snow and she has a horse so is sometimes on dusty tracks etc
More of a premium product out of the 2
She likes them
Cons
Older and higher miles
Running costs 37 vs 45 mpg, higher road tax
Qashqai
Pros
Newer
Cheaper to run
Possibly more reliable
Cons
Not 4wd (but I'm not overly convinced we need the capability tbh)
Its not a Land Rover (her words exactly)
So that's what we're thinking, opinions please.
My wife is after a new car and likes the idea of a high driving position having rented a Jeep in the US recently. We've narrowed it down to either the Qashqai or the Freelander, and I'm after people's experiences, thoughts, opinions etc.
We've got about 11k, 12 at a push which would get us a 2007/2008 maybe a 2009 Freelander Td4 GS or XS with anything from 50-80,000 miles. Or it could get us a 2010/2011 Qashqai Acenta with c25-30,000 miles, either the petrol or diesel both 1.6.
Freelander
Pros
4x4 - useful for snow and she has a horse so is sometimes on dusty tracks etc
More of a premium product out of the 2
She likes them
Cons
Older and higher miles
Running costs 37 vs 45 mpg, higher road tax
Qashqai
Pros
Newer
Cheaper to run
Possibly more reliable
Cons
Not 4wd (but I'm not overly convinced we need the capability tbh)
Its not a Land Rover (her words exactly)
So that's what we're thinking, opinions please.
We have a Qashqai, 10k miles in 6 months or around that, its a 1.5 turbo derv, it pulls very well for what it is, effortless 5/6th gear overtakes, and can cruise around town in 5th at 1000rpm no problem. But with it being a Qashqai, PH hates it.
I can't compare it to a Freelander, but if you do want to know any more about the Qashqai, send me a PM and I'll try and see what info I can get out of my stepdad about it.
I can't compare it to a Freelander, but if you do want to know any more about the Qashqai, send me a PM and I'll try and see what info I can get out of my stepdad about it.
TomN94 said:
We have a Qashqai, 10k miles in 6 months or around that, its a 1.5 turbo derv, it pulls very well for what it is, effortless 5/6th gear overtakes, and can cruise around town in 5th at 1000rpm no problem. But with it being a Qashqai, PH hates it.
I can't compare it to a Freelander, but if you do want to know any more about the Qashqai, send me a PM and I'll try and see what info I can get out of my stepdad about it.
I really like the Qashqai. Was looking at one at a main dealer the other day. Just out of interest whats the MPG like?I can't compare it to a Freelander, but if you do want to know any more about the Qashqai, send me a PM and I'll try and see what info I can get out of my stepdad about it.
My wife has a 1.6 petrol Qashqai, which i get to drive reguarly
Has lots of toys, sat nav, reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, electric folding mirrors, usb connectivity, built in hands free kit.
Sounds great, but it's just soul destroying to drive.
Wouldn't pull a spanish waiter of yer sister, and urban driving will see 30mpg, no where near the claimed 40.
It's cheap, reliable and if bought by choice indicates you no longer have a set of testes.
Has lots of toys, sat nav, reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, electric folding mirrors, usb connectivity, built in hands free kit.
Sounds great, but it's just soul destroying to drive.
Wouldn't pull a spanish waiter of yer sister, and urban driving will see 30mpg, no where near the claimed 40.
It's cheap, reliable and if bought by choice indicates you no longer have a set of testes.
: 
Qashqai's are OK. You won't have any problems in the snow or on duty tracks even with a 2WD one, if you do you need to learn how to drive, frankly. But I doubt you'll struggle. FL2s are brilliant in even the grottiest conditions, and on a set of AT tyres they're a force to be reckoned with despite not being a 'proper' 4x4.
In the Nissan you get a lot more gadgets, everything feels much newer and more modern, and it's better equipped. In the FL2 you'll be getting a car that's much nicer to drive (though more crashy over the bumps and not as smooth, but it doesn't feel like the bit between the steering wheel and tyres is made of custard). FL2's are really quite chuckable, but things like the Sat Nav, centre console controls etc all feel pretty dated now. Mine did when I had it and I got rid of it nearly 2 years ago. The Nissans by contrast is brilliant, and they're nicely laden with gadgets etc.
To drive though, I'd take the FL2 any day. The Nissan really is pure unapologetic white goods on wheels. It's a neff fridge with comfy seats and lots of gadgets. The Qashqai engine couldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding but once you've got it going it's not bad - it's a decent enough motor to plod around in and have no fun whatsoever. They're good at what they do, it's just they're even more bland than my X-trail. If you're doing any towing, the FL2 will knock it into a cocked hat - they're consumate shed / horse / trailer pullers.
I'd take the FL2 personally, but it really boils down on what you want from the car - better equipment or better machine. I'd have another FL2 despite the dated gadgetry and less comfy ride - lots of fun and a fine car, very chuckable, drags stuff along nicely and proved to be tough as old boots under my abusive tenure.
I'm also sick of seeing Qashqais but that's probably because everyone who works at Nissan in Sunderland seems to buy them. I wouldn't swap my X-trail for one though, so it might be worth you checking out a slightly older current gen X-trail if they're in budget - AIUI they've held their value really well though.
In the Nissan you get a lot more gadgets, everything feels much newer and more modern, and it's better equipped. In the FL2 you'll be getting a car that's much nicer to drive (though more crashy over the bumps and not as smooth, but it doesn't feel like the bit between the steering wheel and tyres is made of custard). FL2's are really quite chuckable, but things like the Sat Nav, centre console controls etc all feel pretty dated now. Mine did when I had it and I got rid of it nearly 2 years ago. The Nissans by contrast is brilliant, and they're nicely laden with gadgets etc.
To drive though, I'd take the FL2 any day. The Nissan really is pure unapologetic white goods on wheels. It's a neff fridge with comfy seats and lots of gadgets. The Qashqai engine couldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding but once you've got it going it's not bad - it's a decent enough motor to plod around in and have no fun whatsoever. They're good at what they do, it's just they're even more bland than my X-trail. If you're doing any towing, the FL2 will knock it into a cocked hat - they're consumate shed / horse / trailer pullers.
I'd take the FL2 personally, but it really boils down on what you want from the car - better equipment or better machine. I'd have another FL2 despite the dated gadgetry and less comfy ride - lots of fun and a fine car, very chuckable, drags stuff along nicely and proved to be tough as old boots under my abusive tenure.
I'm also sick of seeing Qashqais but that's probably because everyone who works at Nissan in Sunderland seems to buy them. I wouldn't swap my X-trail for one though, so it might be worth you checking out a slightly older current gen X-trail if they're in budget - AIUI they've held their value really well though.
Edited by Stu R on Tuesday 14th August 02:35
My wife bought a brand new 1.6 petrol version, top of the range so lots of toys, leather seats etc; decent enough car for someone who sees a car as means of transport and nothing else. As a drivers car it bored me stupid, wafty, slow, and no sense of ever driving it for the sake of it...
Ours broke down trying to leave the ferry on the way to France within 6 months of ownership, an awful
experience!!
Sold it within a year an lost a fortune...
Ours broke down trying to leave the ferry on the way to France within 6 months of ownership, an awful
experience!!
Sold it within a year an lost a fortune...
I've been a little ignorant and not read this thread start to finish, but instinctively I'd say; "Don't go near a Freelander". With my experience of Freelanders and Discoverys ranging from 51 to 07 plates, my opinion of Land Rovers ranks pretty low. They are horrendously unreliable, I wouldn't touch one out of warranty, electronically they're a nightmare and everything that can and will fail is dear to put right.
Bought and sold one Qashqai recently, had it only briefly; bizarrely a petrol auto - but I thought it was superb. It would be easy to recommend this over the Freelander purely by virtue of its reliability, but I also found the Qashqai very engaging to drive with surprisingly sharp and entertaining steering. I was amazed, I've never driven a mainstream Nissan that felt so good.
Bought and sold one Qashqai recently, had it only briefly; bizarrely a petrol auto - but I thought it was superb. It would be easy to recommend this over the Freelander purely by virtue of its reliability, but I also found the Qashqai very engaging to drive with surprisingly sharp and entertaining steering. I was amazed, I've never driven a mainstream Nissan that felt so good.
You'll have to test drive them both to decide which you prefer driving, although as far as I'm concerned neither are drivers cars. It looks like you're looking at facelift Qashqais which had retuned steering and dampers which made them a lot better to drive.
To me they are both 'white goods' so you might as well get the newest/cheapest to run one.
To me they are both 'white goods' so you might as well get the newest/cheapest to run one.
£13k gets you a brand new top spec Dacia Duster if you want cheap running costs in a new car with warranty too. I'll put money on residuals being decent on them as well.
http://www.dacia.co.uk/
http://www.dacia.co.uk/
jamiebae said:
£13k gets you a brand new top spec Dacia Duster if you want cheap running costs in a new car with warranty too. I'll put money on residuals being decent on them as well.
http://www.dacia.co.uk/
That seems like an excellent deal honestly, you could get a 2wd one if you arent convinced about needing awd and save some money.http://www.dacia.co.uk/
I would suppose it has the same or similar engines as the cumquat (given the renault connection), but should be a bit lighter given the fact that is has less gizmos, also less to go wrong.
IF she is in the horse scene then that is why she is after a FL2, my folks have one and its a nice car is HSE spec.
Its manual and doesn't average above 30mpg in general mixed driving.
Personally and not bias as I have a Cherokee and a Grand Cherokee but have you thought as previously mentioned one of these.
Jeep Patriot - More reliable than FL2, and still cuts the mustard at the stables.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
or
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Its manual and doesn't average above 30mpg in general mixed driving.
Personally and not bias as I have a Cherokee and a Grand Cherokee but have you thought as previously mentioned one of these.
Jeep Patriot - More reliable than FL2, and still cuts the mustard at the stables.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
or
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Have now run a 1.6 petrol Qashqai for two years,only gets used in town and
returns 40 mpg each and every time, although i am light footed.They are dire in the snow,i invested in snow socks,worked both times i tried.I have been on the lookout for a new car lately but nothing stands out so am happy to hold onto this for a while longer.
Original Bridgestones front tyres wore out at 11,000mls,probably previous driver because i am now on 21,000mls and there is still 5mm of tread on both front tyres.
returns 40 mpg each and every time, although i am light footed.They are dire in the snow,i invested in snow socks,worked both times i tried.I have been on the lookout for a new car lately but nothing stands out so am happy to hold onto this for a while longer.
Original Bridgestones front tyres wore out at 11,000mls,probably previous driver because i am now on 21,000mls and there is still 5mm of tread on both front tyres.
mike13 said:
They are dire in the snow
That's a really good point, don't know if it's just that all these kind of cars are like that but I rented one in Ireland a couple of winters back when it really snowed quite a bit and was amazed at how it just couldn't deal with it.Having come from a Prelude which behaved very well in snow (surprisingly!) I was amazed at how the thing just wouldn't stop, or turn, or go. Suspect it's probably the case with anything tall and heavy?
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