Freelader 2 any alternatives worth a look

[carbore]

We ate thinking of a Freelander 2 for the wife as the Golf is too small with the baby and the bottom got ripped off on the farm track (wierd as the Hond S200 is ok, its just the golf is so bouncy)

The F2 is way out in front so far on space and you can turn the front air bag off for child seats. Also styling is good

Ford Kougar is nice stuylign nd space but not auto (love autos., total convert)
Honda HRV is palsticy
Dont like the Forrester and she does not like Legacy
Diddnt like the Kia when I bought my Freelander

Maybe a Second hand Volvo XC90 but economy is an issue

Considering a second hand Disco TDV6 as the space would be ideal (buy antiques/holiday in france etc), but the economy is not nice (still have a test drive booked though)

So seeing as we need an off road baby waggon any ideas  and it MUST HAVE ISOFIX sprog seats.

[flash42]

one of the mitsis maybe, short wheel based shogun?

[thermidorthelobster]

If space is important, make sure you're happy with the boot size in the Freebie - the boot floor is very high because of the spare tyre.  I was surprised how small they are inside.

Economy apart, a D3 has far more space inside for a similar footprint on the ground.

[graham]

Have a look at a Nissan some good deals about.

[Silvery Thing]

How about a RAV4.... plenty of them about and very reliable :)

[carbore]

Yes maybe I need to do the rounds again, I did 2 years ago and got the freelander on brand, pose (its a very nice black one) and rear load area. Its funny they all have thier quirks so its hard to justify any decision other than preference. Engine choice is the main thing, I like TD autos.

Allegedlky the new Freebe has 33% more rear load space, just not as high but wider and longer, well see I may take a picky next to mine when I get one for a few hours

The Mitsubishi outlander is looking good on paper, but need to go and drive one.

Still im trying to persuade her on a Disco, she even said why not by  the freelander for her and me get the disco and PX out Golf,Honda and Freelander but I think that would bankrupt me!

[adafish]

The place i instruct at had FIFTH GEAR and Tom Ford round the other week in the new FORD KOUGAR....we have some gentle stuff , so people get used to the feel of the motors, so, they used that part for filming.........the Ford went back on a low loader, with half its under carriage been ripped off........on screen the 18 August

[schuee]

Have had a few Freelander 2's as courtesy cars, nice motor though would definetly go for the Disco3 lot more room, and more capable off-road, think the F2 is overpriced against the D3

[carbore]

The F2 is still out in front as far as the wife is concerned, but agree that the Disco is better value for money (filling it up is not however)

As she only wants something that wont fall to bits down out lane then a "soft roader" is ok, we may get an F2 and then replace my F1 with a Disco when we/if we have more kids or when we need to toll around with friends/family etc.  However if we stick the pram in the Freelander and there si no room for shopping then it may be Disco time early. A forrester would be ideal, its just she cant stand the looks.

[cotefarmboy]

I have currently got a FL2 HSE Auto as a loaner while they sort my Defender out, it is very nice indeed. Took it up a couple of gentle lanes and it coped amazingly well, all the gizmos really do help when you have no low box. The Terrain response combined with HDC and the Auto make it a really capable off-roader. MPG isn't that great though, averaging 27.8 at the mo with a mix of driving. Not much better than a D3.

Had to laugh at one point when half way up a very easy lane I came across white-van-man in a Nissan panel van stuck on a ridge, was going to help him when I spotted the fly-tipped pile of builders rubble nearby  Needless to say I left him there and made a discreet call to the local plods.

[ChrisV8]

Go look at the JEEP Patriot, VW engine same sort of fwd system and a heap of money in your bank compared with F2. Running costs are also in a different league, mine is retruning 43mpg in all useage, may not have the kudos in some views but mine does exactly what it says on the box.

Have tried the F2 and found it over complicated with all it's electronics etc, also a much bigger heavier beast than the F1 but you take your choice, me I am well pleased.

[LiftedDisco]

We went through the process a while ago and herself now has a Freelander 2...

Heaps better than the RAV4 (different league) and she describes it as the best car she's ever had - I'm a little disappointed on fuel but then she has two speeds being stationary and as fast as it will jolly well go...

D3 competes on price and offers more space - I think that I would have steered her towards one but the F2 has the Wife Acceptance Factor (like home cinema) that it is seen as being smaller, easier and generally more ladylike and therefore the car of choice.

Go get one...

[carbore]

The patriot looks very good on paper but im not sure about the styling, shame coz that MPG is very attractive.

Also thinking of an X3, but that may have "boxter syndrone" in that you know everyone in a boxter really wants a 911 but cant afford it, hence everyone in a X3 would rather have an X5 but hasnt the ££'s

[ChrisV8]

Yep the Patriot is a pig ugly thing and the trim on the cheaper one is a bit tacky, but mine is used on the road mainly so the mpg is absolutely a seller to me, and it does return the figures, I have averaged 43mpg from new. The Freebie impressed until I tried one at LR Experience when all its shortfalls became very apparent the D3 was far better and very little more but a much bigger vehicle so more thirsty.

[carbore]

Had a look round a Outlander today, very good package in terms of space and kit. MPG not bad either. Wife likes X3 due to isofix in FRONT seat and nice looks, but its very expensive by the time you put any extras on it (most of which are not extras on anything else).

Test drive in X3, Freelander2 and Disco3 on Friday and possibly Outrlander over the weekend. I think the Jeep and Rav4 are not on the list.

[carbore]

Hmmm.

Turned up to drive the BMW X3 expecting not to like it,...but its very very very nice 173bhp and loads of torque, lovley inside and roomy with front ISO fix. Obviously no good off road, but its only for our 100m of farm track and ill have the freelander (or replaced with a disco) and Series 3 so off roading is not required in the X3

Also 43mpg ! and 172 C02 means ownership costs low.  Its definitely in front at the moment pending a test drive of an Outlander (which is huge inside)

The Freelander 2 is good, lots of toys int he SE we drive, but not good on economy in comparison.

Or I could get get the drive tarmaced!