Help and advice for my first freelander?

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T

Tigertom

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Hi,

Thanks a lot firstly for reading this post and potentially helping me!

My names Tom, I'm 24 and considering buying a freelander. I'm very tall around 6ft 5 and have recently had back surgery. I've been told by my surgeon I need to seriously consider upgrading my car to one where I'm not bending down to get into and one which is big enough head height for me inside - so I'm not slouching to look at the traffic lights :(

Having looked at similar types of cars the freelander has really stood out for me. Saying that, being a single young male living with family earning 25k pa I'm wondering if it is for me?

I'm looking for some guidance and advice really - anything will be greatly appreciated!

1. I have been reading people recommending a td4 style but being naive I can't see a particular reason why?
2. I have read about problems on pre 2004 (vaguely) freelanders. What are these and are they fixed for newer models?
3. How much would is it roughly to fill up a 2 litre td4 and how many miles would you get out of a full tank?
4. How much is a service and how often are these done?
5. How much is UK annual road tax?
6. How much are tyres?
7. I'm looking to get an automatic is this better / worst or not much difference between a manual?
8. What mileage would people say on a used car I should look at avoiding and age?

Again thanks a lot I'm not clued up greatly on cars in general and any help would be great.

Tom
 
Tigertom said:
I'm looking for some guidance and advice really - anything will be greatly appreciated!

1. I have been reading people recommending a td4 style but being naive I can't see a particular reason why? Because Petrols are too risky - HGF
2. I have read about problems on pre 2004 (vaguely) freelanders. What are these and are they fixed for newer models? Petrol ones suffer from HGF - all suffer from Drive related probs (VCU)
3. How much would is it roughly to fill up a 2 litre td4 and how many miles would you get out of a full tank? look up the specs - 30MPG
4. How much is a service and how often are these done? depends who does it
5. How much is UK annual road tax? £210 or so - depends on year
6. How much are tyres? depends on what make and where yu buy them
7. I'm looking to get an automatic is this better / worst or not much difference between a manual? swings and roundabouts.
8. What mileage would people say on a used car I should look at avoiding and age? mileage isnt so important as condition. ensure yu get someone that knows them to look at it

Again thanks a lot I'm not clued up greatly on cars in general and any help would be great. we can tell - maybe it isnt for you.

Tom
Click to expand...


:search: on here - look at the faults guide.
 
Hi Tom avoid the petrol ones, the TD4 is the one to go for. I used to get 35mpg from my 03 plate TD4 automatic.



The problem you may have is your height as the seats do not adjust up and down, that was the only thing I did not like about mine.

Tax is one of the higher groups on the auto, tyres expect to pay £100 each or more. Service history is more important to me than mileage as you can have a low mileage car that’s been neglected.

Find one at a dealers and have a nice long test drive to see how you like it.

Find a good one and it can be a very nice car to own, pick a bad one and you will regret it big time!!
 
I'm 6'2" and fit just fine, but I think anyone at 6'5" with back problems will not fit. Try something else with more headroom.
 
To be honest Tom you may be better looking at the Verso or Cmax models on the market. If you need it because of a back problem you wont want to be bouncing around off-road and thats one of the main reasons people buy 4x4's. During snow and Ice, winter tyres are recommended as in Europe and one reason 4x4's get where they aim for is down to the grip of All Terrain tyres.

Dave
 
Tigertom said:
I'm looking for some guidance and advice really - anything will be greatly appreciated!

1. I have been reading people recommending a td4 style but being naive I can't see a particular reason why?
2. I have read about problems on pre 2004 (vaguely) freelanders. What are these and are they fixed for newer models?
3. How much would is it roughly to fill up a 2 litre td4 and how many miles would you get out of a full tank?
4. How much is a service and how often are these done?
5. How much is UK annual road tax?
6. How much are tyres?
7. I'm looking to get an automatic is this better / worst or not much difference between a manual?
8. What mileage would people say on a used car I should look at avoiding and age?

Again thanks a lot I'm not clued up greatly on cars in general and any help would be great.

Tom
Click to expand...


Automatic is good & you don't have the dual mass flywheel & clutch/slave cylinder issues to worry about.
Kumho tyres 215/65/16 are a little under £75 each fitted & balanced.
Road tax is more complicated for the auto. If it's a 2001 X-plate only then it's £205/year. If it's 2001 - 2006 Y-plate on then it's £245/year. If it's one of the final run from the middle of 2006 onwards then it jumps to around £435/year.
Fuel consumption for the auto average is around 30mpg, a little more in summer, a little less in winter. 40mpg is possible on a run with a light right foot.
Biggest problem for you is your height. I'm 6'2" tall but have a slightly longer body/ shorter legs syndrome & find that it is just on the limit for me. It has plenty of headroom, that isn't the issue - it's that the top of the windscreen is fairly low down. Best to sit in one & test drive it, checking especially how easy you can see the traffic lights when your theone who's at the white line.
Buy a good low mileage one & consider an aa or rac inspection if you're not confident. Only go for a Td4 & buy on condition/service history etc. rather than age or even mileage though obviously a lower mileage car is preferable.
Can't answer the service costs as I service my own.
I've had my 03 auto for three years now & it's been great though it has needed one or two things like front wishbones etc. but they're not expensive or difficult for the home mechanic to do.
 
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