SUV : Used Freelander 2 or new Subaru Forester ( or else ?) ?

[Jola]

I am in the process of acquiring a SUV, budget around R400k, maybe a bit more. I am prepared to pay more for a new vehicle.

I am looking for something to travel around Southern Africa, so must be economical, but also have reasonable off-road capabilities. Will probably have to be an auto diesel.

I have looked at Fortuner (theft risk too high, poor suspension), Ford Kuga (limited off-road, expensive, no rear-view camera), Mazda CX-5 (poor off-road), Volvo XC60 (too expensive, poor used value). Not interested in RAV4 and Honda CRV for various reasons including limited off-road abilities.

At the moment I am not really interested in the Korean SUV's, and also not in the larger vehicles.

Important features are AWD (with reasonable off-road), reverse camera and PDC, Diesel (for economy and performance), automatic (preferably at least six-speed box), decent radio with Bluetooth, reasonable space.

So now I am left with used FL2 and maybe new Forester ?

FL2:
1) Good off-road
2) Mostly no reverse camera (only HSE, rare and overpriced)
3) Used vehicles very overpriced, dealers playing games because of delayed replacement Discovery Sport.
4) Many models come with unusable 19" rims. Replacement tyres + rims (R6000 each) will cost R40k.
5) Full spare wheel

Subaru Forester :
1) Good off-road
2) Has reverse camera
3) Fair pricing
4) No diesel ? But diesel has been introduced in Australia ?
5) Regional support a problem ? What if it breaks in Botswana ?
6) Full spare wheel.

BTW, sun-roofs are a negative for me, just pushes up the cost and is a useless feature. Only has value if you can stand on the seat with your body through the sun-roof for photography purposes, but few sun-roofs allow you to do that.

The new Discovery Sport, which replaces the FL2, would probably be ideal, but I believe that it will be too expensive and will also only be generally available at the end of the year. There is also a new diesel coming, but it will only be available in 2016, and for the cost of this vehicle one would rather have it with the new engine. The dealers say that the entry-level cost will be R670k, but the prices have not been announced as yet. Expect a DS SE to cost about R725k, or more.

Note : I'm coming from a Landrover Discovery Series 1, which I bought when it was one year old, and which I have now owned for 19 years. Obviously this will beat any of the above in terms of off-road ability, but it is a bit old now, and as I have the 3.9 litre V8, the fuel consumption is a problem.

One option, of course, is to just refurbish the LD1, and to put in new coils & shocks, and to just live with the poor fuel consumption.

 

[Sinbad]

There are more Subarus in Botswana than in SA

I'd take the forester over a freelander any day of the week. And yes there is a diesel.

 

[Jola]

There are more Subarus in Botswana than in SA

I'd take the forester over a freelander any day of the week. And yes there is a diesel.

Ok, good to know. Will phone this morning re the diesel, no diesel Forester on the website.

Do you know what Subaru support is like in Namibia ?

 

[Kix]

Freelander 2 is very capable, comfortable and reliable vehicle.

Head over to 4x4community.co.za and do a bit of reading on the FL2.

My dad has a 2007 FL2 TD4 SE Auto. Now has 150 000km on the clock and no issues to report. Put some other more hairy chested 4x4's to shame in the Kalahari dunes. My dad paid the princely sum of R150k for it about 2 years ago.

 

[Jola]

FL2 was discontinued in 2014, but some dealers are trying to sell those as new for well over R500k. Saw one for R580k, not even an HSE.

Dealers have lost their marbles, but IMO they are doing this because the Discovery Sport will come in at well over R700k.

Problem is that Discovery Sport has much better spec than FL2, which is now a bit dated.

May be time to bid Landrover farewell.

 

[Musiclover08]

Ever considered a Jeep Cherokee (2014) or perhaps Wrangler

 

[Jola]

Ever considered a Jeep Cherokee (2014) or perhaps Wrangler

To be honest, not really interested in US vehicles, but will have a look.

 

[Musiclover08]

To be honest, not really interested in US vehicles, but will have a look.

Cherokee I think comes with the majoriry of things you are looking for so may be worth the look.

 

[Jola]

Cherokee I think comes with the majoriry of things you are looking for so may be worth the look.

Have had a look, very expensive, in Discovery Sport price class.

Also no diesel.

Isn't the used value of the Jeeps very poor ?

 

[Fazda]

Forester is an excellent choice - great coverage in Botswana, plus a dealer in Windhoek if you need it. The chances of a new Forester letting you down, however, are almost zero.

 

[Jola]

Forester is an excellent choice - great coverage in Botswana, plus a dealer in Windhoek if you need it. The chances of a new Forester letting you down, however, are almost zero.

Will go and see a Subaru dealer as soon as the cricket is finished.

 

[HBee]

Try the Sante Fe, mid spec (executive). Has everything you want and more (except the rear camera, which is only on the top spec).
The 2.2 diesel on this SUV is very powerful and coupled to a six speed auto, a real pleasure to drive anywhere - especially on the open road.

 

[Jola]

Try the Sante Fe, mid spec (executive). Has everything you want and more (except the rear camera, which is only on the top spec).
The 2.2 diesel on this SUV is very powerful and coupled to a six speed auto, a real pleasure to drive anywhere - especially on the open road.

Looks nice but also pretty expensive, close to R600k. Also not sure about real off-road ability, FL2 will probably beat it.

 

[tcofran]

I drive a Forester... Rock solid

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Looks nice but also pretty expensive, close to R600k. Also not sure about real off-road ability, FL2 will probably beat it.

Look 2nd hand...?

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

Call a couple of LR service places in your area and get prices on services, maintenance etc. on FL2. You will probably run a mile. These vehicles are very expensive to maintain outside a motor plan.

Do same with Subaru. The key with buying a second hand SUV in this price class is to find out what will it cost to maintain and to repair.

I drive a Discovery II V8 Auto and tested drove the FL2. Found it cramped and uncomfortable.

 

[Jola]

If I buy a used FL2 it should have 3 years left on the service plan (looking for late 2013 model).

A new Subaru has a 3 year service plan.

But I hear what you say.

May still be better to refurbish my Disco 1.

What I waste on petrol I will save on insurance and finance charges.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

If I buy a used FL2 it should have 3 years left on the service plan (looking for late 2013 model).

A new Subaru has a 3 year service plan.

But I hear what you say.


May still be better to refurbish my Disco 1.

What I waste on petrol I will save on insurance and finance charges.

My plan also with my Disco II...to refurbish. Only issue I have is with old vehicles it is all the peripherals that break and cost money, while the engines just keep going.

 

[Jola]

My plan also with my Disco II...to refurbish. Only issue I have is with old vehicles it is all the peripherals that break and cost money, while the engines just keep going.

Yes, maybe I will get a quote on this before I decide.

 

[Jola]

I'd take the forester over a freelander any day of the week. And yes there is a diesel.

Just got off the phone with Subaru, no diesel engine for the Forester, not in 2015 anyway.

I have heard that a diesel Forester is being / has been launched in Australia. But it seems not here.

Looks as if I am just going to have to refurbish my Discover S1.