Freelander 2 or ???

[Turn7]

Considering my options for next Spring and cant decide....

Budget to £8k.

Id like :
Raised seat position
Comfort
Easy access
RELIABILTY
Economical on fuel/tax


Id love another Defender, but prices are insane these days. Freelander appeals, but I fear the potential for major borkage during ownership.
Like the 3 door Rav etc but Tax is quite lumpy.

Duster is probaly the 2nd on the list, and hard to not like - but Ive not sat in one or driven one yet.

Yeti another consideration.

What have not considered ?

[sparkythecat]

I wouldn't worry too much about things going wrong on the Freelander 2. They are probably the most reliable thing that has ever sported a green oval badge.
I bought about one about 4 months ago and I like it very much, but it doesn't meet your criteria, as the fuel economy is only mid 30s and the VED is towards £300.

Edited by sparkythecat on Tuesday 28th December 16:02

[Diderot]

We’ve had 3 Freelander 2s over the years. Very good cars, and mine were all very reliable (though had them all at a year old). A mate has a 61 plate which he’s had for 3 years, and again, not a single issue.

As above, mid 30s mpg easily achieved.

[PositronicRay]

1 and 2 are very different.

Freelander 2 is a serious bit of kit, think mini rangerover
Duster is smaller and lighter, think jacked up hatchback.

[Turn7]

sparkythecat said:

I wouldn't worry too much about things going wrong on the Freelander 2. They are probably the most reliable thing that has ever sported sport a green oval badge.
I bought about one about 4 months ago and I like it very much, but it doesn't meet your criteria, as the fuel economy is only mid 30s and the VED is towards £300.

I could almost forgive the running costs as, on paper, it fits the bill perfectly.
Coming from Toyota though, the myths I hear about them to concern me. Mainly electrical issues, which Defenders never really had.

Have owned numerous 90/D90 over the years.

[georgeyboy12345]

Does it have to be 4WD? That tends to push up the fuel consumption and tax.

I think the Duster and the Yeti are good shouts. Here are a couple

Duster 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111159...

Yeti 2.0 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112180...


Other ideas

Hyundai ix35 1.6 GDi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112230...


Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...


Nissan Qashqai 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...


Mitsubishi ASX 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112050...


Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...


Jeep Compass 2.0 Limited
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...


Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...

[Turn7]

4x4 not critical at all tbh.....

Your list contains the usual suspects, some or most of which Id describe as being a little Mumsy....

Not that Im wanting a Hummer type penis extension, but id like something that didnt depress me as I walked towards to it......

Duster appeals on many levels, but unitl Ive tried one, I cant say.....


And if I went with a Duster, I think Id always be aware its not a LR.......

Edited by Turn7 on Tuesday 28th December 16:16

[PositronicRay]

Turn7 said:

4x4 not critical at all tbh.....

Your list contains the usual suspects, some or most of which Id describe as being a little Mumsy....

Not that Im wanting a Hummer type penis extension, but id like something that didnt depress me as I walked towards to it......

Duster appeals on many levels, but unitl Ive tried one, I cant say.....


And if I went with a Duster, I think Id always be aware its not a LR.......

Edited by Turn7 on Tuesday 28th December 16:16

I think in your shoes I'd be looking at a Freelander and swallow the extra running costs.

Around here the world and his wife have them.

We have a Duster but largely because it's Mrs Ray's car, she doesn't like used, so the smaller lighter £10.5k prereg, in a colour she liked suited very well.

I like driving it too, looks chunky and purposeful, drives well but it's not a land rover.

[ZX10R NIN]

Freelander2's are generally reliable, the 2.2d is a well proven unit although they're not the greatest on fuel.but they're nice inside too & will be a clear step ahead of a Duster:

Prices for these are strong as a result of the above but you'll still get a nice one.

2.2d HSE 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112280...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112140...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118...

Road Tax will be £30 a month.

The 2.0d Ford Kuga 160 preferably in Titanium X spec, you get a more modern SUV with proven mechanicals & slightly better economy with a real world 31mpg Town 49 Motorway with tax £18 per month:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112070...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...

Or Titanium 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

2.4d XC60 SE 175 good cars with near identical economy & tax to the Kuga but with higher maintenance costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112070...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118...

The other pick is the Infiniti EX but they're hard to find being a 3.0d they're a bit more juicy real world 23mpg Town 40mpg Motorway Tax is £30 per month, these really do benefit from a remap but inside they're a clear step above everything listed here. The other bonus is that these can be updated by spending £500 which then gives you Android Auto/Apple Carplay & they're ULEZ/CAZ compliant.

3.0d EX GT Premium 235:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108246...

Base EX

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...

[georgeyboy12345]

Turn7 said:

4x4 not critical at all tbh.....

Your list contains the usual suspects, some or most of which Id describe as being a little Mumsy....

Not that Im wanting a Hummer type penis extension, but id like something that didnt depress me as I walked towards to it......

Duster appeals on many levels, but unitl Ive tried one, I cant say.....


And if I went with a Duster, I think Id always be aware its not a LR.......

Edited by Turn7 on Tuesday 28th December 16:16

That’s the problem with SUVs in general though, they are mumsy! It’s normally women with low confidence on the roads that appreciate a high driving position. Real men drive low cars such as MX-5s.