USED Land Rover Freelander 4x4 (03 - 07)

My car

Always been a Land Rover fan so may be a bit bias. I have an '05 TD4 and do around 500 miles per week on a mix of motorway and A road. I find it very comfortable. The only niggle for the interior was a little rattle that came from the central consol. It's not a bad spec with leather heated seats, heated screens, parking sensors and the hardtop comes off for sunny days.

You have to be realistic with costs. It's not the most aerodynamic but still returns better MPG than I thought it would if you don't rush it too much on the M-ways. TAX this year is £260 for the year.

There are lots of Landy enthusiasts who maintain web pasges dedicated to problem discussion and solutions which can keep costs down as with any main dealer they aren't cheap.

As far as I'm concerned - look good, drives well and looking forward to this years snowfall.

My car

2004 Automatic td4, comfortable & relaxing to drive.Fuel consumption not quite as good as i would have liked but no worse than previous VW Passat 1.8t sport estate (petrol). Lots of goodies inc heated front screen, part leather seats & 6cd etc. Tow's both my my sons laser dinghies & sailing gear with ease & hauls my 18ft sailing cruiser out of the water without hardly touching the throttle (Passat clutch smelt rather warm doing the same). No reliability problems yet! and BMW derived td4 is a sweet little engine. Do most of my own servicing and fairly straightforward. Wouldn't say parts are much dearer than other vehicles especially if bought online (genuine LR parts).(was a mechanic 20+ years ago so used to modern Landrover technology!!!!!) Overall i am pleased with it and if you want a small capable diesel automatic 4X4 you haven't got much choice.Small Hyundai ones only 2wd in auto & Rav4 no auto version.Think most of the others are too ugly especially the Kia.

My car

Recently strayed away from the Land Rover Badge to an L200 - what a mistake. The Freelander I have now is one of the best vehicles I have driven (and I have had a few). Has to be the TD4, the BMW engine is brilliant in all ways. It is brilliant on the road and so clever off. I work in the Quarry/Mining industry so plenty of testing. Economy is very good for a 4x4. Ride superb and the seats are excellent. I sometimes do North Scotland back to Midlands in one go and get out feeling fine, with my last vehicle I could hardly walk afterwards! Servicing can be expensive, so be careful. I service my own so not too bad and once you get to know it fairly easy. I have had not trouble with this vehicle whatsoever 30k and not screw loose so I am very pleased.

My car

03 1.8 Kalahari 50,000mls. These cars have serious design flaws. Mine had a new headgasket, water pump, and it kept on failing to start. The dealer replaced the cam sensor but the problem would reappear. I was told that the Engine management unit was failing. This could cost £1500. Soon after and strange knocking noise was evident from the back also. In the end I had to invoke my rights under the sale of goods act to get my money back. The vehicle showed alarming signs of corrosion to underside at the rear of the vehicle also. Under powered and thirsty also I would never contemplate owning this car again.