Freelander II - thoughts advice please.

Cool. I guess the value is going to drop over 4 years anyway. We are not big off roaders, but with the kids getting older I would like to start going away more often.

The new Rav4 also looks nice, but seems hellish expensive for what you get.
 
The Rav4 petrol gets 7,4L/100km. How much does the freelander get? I'm guessing > 10L/100km.
This is going to cost you a lot in the long run. I did a calculation a while back (can't find the post now), but it's way more than you think. Probably in the region of R30K a year that you'll spend extra on fuel. Think about it, R30K for nothing in return really.

If you aren't going to use the 4x4 features, go for a 4x2 and use that extra cash and buy her a diamond ring every year!
 
Brenden_E said:
The Rav4 petrol gets 7,4L/100km. How much does the freelander get? I'm guessing > 10L/100km.
This is going to cost you a lot in the long run. I did a calculation a while back (can't find the post now), but it's way more than you think. Probably in the region of R30K a year that you'll spend extra on fuel. Think about it, R30K for nothing in return really.

If you aren't going to use the 4x4 features, go for a 4x2 and use that extra cash and buy her a diamond ring every year!
Click to expand...

I highly, highly doubt the true figures are 7,4l on the Rav4. Probably more like 10l in the real world.
 
The Freelander 2 is very light on fuel on the highway. I've seen a few guys get a pretty decent 8.5-9.5 combined cycle.
 
I am a LR owner and took my current Disco in for a repair a month ago. Managed to organise the FL II for the day. Lots of nice bells-and-whistles, but:

LR is expensive to maintain an do not think that you buddy mechanic will be able to work on more serious issues.
Lot's of issues need the use of a diagnostics machine and only top LR shops own those.
Parts are expensive, but you can buy and use AllMakes 4x4 parts as they specialise in most LR parts.
The way LR engines are fitted into chassis, small jobs become big ones and rates per hour are high.
The interior of the FL II felt very plastic to me...even the cubbyhole lid doesn't seem to line up.
The diesel still feels very laggy to me. I own a V8 so am used to quicker response.

But all in all my LR mechanic call sthe FL II boring...'cos it never breaks. And women do look hot in one...so, buy one!
 
FL2 is the most reliable modern LR - my indie never sees any of them except for regular services.

I had one as a courtesy car for a month - 8.2l/100km average in mixed conditions (10km town + 15km open road), not bad at all.

And it can run rings around 'real' 4x4s ;)
 
Grimspoon said:
I highly, highly doubt the true figures are 7,4l on the Rav4. Probably more like 10l in the real world.
Click to expand...
They smack hefty fines if you can't achieve the figures the manufacturer claims these days. These are obviously ideal, so yes you wont get 7,4 combined cycle, but around 8,5 should be attainable. The bottom line is you're going to do a lot more in the Freelander without using the 4x4 capability.

In the Tiguan 2x4 TDI you have a combined cycle of 5,4l/100km. If city driving is your thing, this car will save you hundreds of thousands over the course of it's lifetime. Not that great off road though.

It's in the 300K price range:
http://www.vw.co.za/en/models/new-t...mt.html#/tab=fd418b36ce1e3cbf2ea595b1794f94a4
 
Naks said:
FL2 is the most reliable modern LR - my indie never sees any of them except for regular services.

I had one as a courtesy car for a month - 8.2l/100km average in mixed conditions (10km town + 15km open road), not bad at all.

And it can run rings around 'real' 4x4s ;)
Click to expand...
It's the best off-road capable SUV according to a lot of feedback on the 4x4 forum. But by the sounds of it Grimspoon won't be going hard core off-road, so you have to keep it in mind. In my opinion it's not the best value SUV if you take 4x4ing out of the equation.
 
Brenden_E said:
It's the best off-road capable SUV according to a lot of feedback on the 4x4 forum. But by the sounds of it Grimspoon won't be going hard core off-road, so you have to keep it in mind. In my opinion it's not the best value SUV if you take 4x4ing out of the equation.
Click to expand...

I would not use the FL2 for hardcore 4x4 anyway.
 
MightyQuin said:
I would not use the FL2 for hardcore 4x4 anyway.
Click to expand...

Maybe should have defined that. Hard core as in not just gravel roads and some sand tracks. Most sedans can handle these anyway. FL2 is a proper 4x4 and can do far more than the average SUV.

Edit: go check out some of JJJ's post on the 4x4community site if you want to get an idea.
 
MightyQuin said:
I am a LR owner and took my current Disco in for a repair a month ago. Managed to organise the FL II for the day. Lots of nice bells-and-whistles, but:

LR is expensive to maintain an do not think that you buddy mechanic will be able to work on more serious issues.
Lot's of issues need the use of a diagnostics machine and only top LR shops own those.
Parts are expensive, but you can buy and use AllMakes 4x4 parts as they specialise in most LR parts.
The way LR engines are fitted into chassis, small jobs become big ones and rates per hour are high.
The interior of the FL II felt very plastic to me...even the cubbyhole lid doesn't seem to line up.
The diesel still feels very laggy to me. I own a V8 so am used to quicker response.

But all in all my LR mechanic call sthe FL II boring...'cos it never breaks. And women do look hot in one...so, buy one!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the sound advice. I didn't find the interior that exciting, but I did like the clean look and feel. Wife loved it.

If the FL2 is not plagued with problems like the FL1, then I am willing to buy one, see how it goes and after 4 years make a educated decision.

By that time I will be able to afford a Disco 4 hopefully :D

Naks said:
FL2 is the most reliable modern LR - my indie never sees any of them except for regular services.

I had one as a courtesy car for a month - 8.2l/100km average in mixed conditions (10km town + 15km open road), not bad at all.

And it can run rings around 'real' 4x4s ;)
Click to expand...

Good to hear. I also believe that services on the FL2 is only every 25 000 km's. wow.

Brenden_E said:
They smack hefty fines if you can't achieve the figures the manufacturer claims these days. These are obviously ideal, so yes you wont get 7,4 combined cycle, but around 8,5 should be attainable. The bottom line is you're going to do a lot more in the Freelander without using the 4x4 capability.

In the Tiguan 2x4 TDI you have a combined cycle of 5,4l/100km. If city driving is your thing, this car will save you hundreds of thousands over the course of it's lifetime. Not that great off road though.

It's in the 300K price range:
http://www.vw.co.za/en/models/new-t...mt.html#/tab=fd418b36ce1e3cbf2ea595b1794f94a4
Click to expand...

Family friend bought the Tiguan new and has had endless problems. Very unusual for a VW to give so many issues, but i think she got unlucky.
 
Grimspoon said:
Thanks for the sound advice. I didn't find the interior that exciting, but I did like the clean look and feel. Wife loved it.

If the FL2 is not plagued with problems like the FL1, then I am willing to buy one, see how it goes and after 4 years make a educated decision.
Click to expand...
The FL2 was completely redesigned. None of the FL1 was used, except the name.

I've also not heard any bad things about the FL2.
Also ask if you can do the Land Rover drivers training @ Gerotek.
 
spiderz said:
The FL2 was completely redesigned. None of the FL1 was used, except the name.
Click to expand...

...and thank goodness for that! The FL1 was a disaster and gave LR a terrible name in the 4x4 community. The FL 2 cuurently rated as one of the best 4x4 vehicles in the world. Wonder how it would have done at Matroosberg yesterday...went up there yesterday and shat myself at Landy Hill...
 
Just test drove the new crv 2l petrol. Wow that car is pap! Such a beautiful car with **** all power. What a shame.
 
My brother drives a freelander 2. Great car. Good value for money as a used car option.
 
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