Gan i get opinions on this freelander please?

[Redcoat]

Looking for a 4x4 as my first project.  Dont have much money and have been offered this, which seems on the face of things to be a good deal.  If i can get some ideas of how good this offer really is and what i have to look out for, that would be awesome.

Thanks

ok full details:

N reg (1995)
2 Liter petrol- manual
Freelander sport s, Apache- Short wheel base
hard removable top
Towing gear
Bull bars
Wrangler Goodyear tyres
Copper orange (if of course the colour will make a difference when i intend to turn it mud brown)

11 months MOT
Tax to end of august

2 previous owners
50k miles

Only wants £700 for it, although not sure if he will lower this price?

I trust the guy selling that it isn't a nail, i bought my 306 from him, and he wouldnt sell a piece of crap to family...i hope.

But what else do i need to look out for on this car? My friend has informed me that the head gaskets are liable to wave the white flag and give in the second I turn the key on the petrol (which this is). Is this an expensive replacement or would it be possible to look into its current quality and replace the head gasket as a preventative measure.

I don't know how much the above comment of seeing if i can replace the head gasket before it breaks signifies my 'newbie' status but am i being realistic?

Can i get good and bad points about this purchase, as dont have a massive amount of money to play with.

My other option was a Vitara, but not sure if i will get so much car for my money with this Freelander offer.

Thanks a lot.

Ryan

[G30RGE]

1st: Freelander was never available as 2.0l petrol

2nd: Freelander came into production in 1997

I am not aware of an 'Apache' Sports version and wheelbase is same on 3 and 5 door models

after that if it is petrol it will be 1.8 which was prone to head failure - check if this has been done
other than that 50K for 13yr old car is not bad (under 4k per year) - I would certainly check documentation to justify that

Freelanders do perform off-road but are not a Defender or Discovery so don't expect extreme off road operation

[Redcoat]

it seems that my cousin has been a bit of a muppet, he texted me a picture and it looks to me like a Vauxhall Frontera, NOT a Freelander.

Sorry for the balls up there.....sooooo....i know its the wrong board, but any opinions on this FRONTERA?  :lol:

[andyhubbard]

Beat me to it Redcoat-the APACHE is a 2.0l  frontera sport model and available at that age. What i would say having owned two of these is firstly check the propshaft donought is not worn as for an example:- FRONTERA is £80 to replace and a LANDY one is £16-£18,plus unless you have a good source for parts you will be hit by the dealer prices but having said this they are ok offroad as we have one at work as a 4x4 ambulance.Cheers Andy.

[V8MoneyPit]

The price sounds a little on the high side, but it is low mileage. There are plenty of reasonable Fronteras on AutoTrader for £500-£600 with reasonable mileage.