Understanding the freelander

Hi im new on here and am not very up on cars. Im looking at buying a 1.8 GS petrol freelander 2002 reg, it has 74,000 on the clock and i have bin offered it for £1000. What shall i do? i have read alot on websites and a few posts on here about the k series engine is that the same engine thats in the freelander im looking at? The owner said that she has just had the head gasket it done costing around £600 and front brake pads put on it. Im so undecided as i really want one but havent got £££ to spend on a newer dieseal engine. I only drive short trips to and from work so would it cost me alot to run being a petrol? Hope you can help me

Rachael

dont buy it buy a disco instead. and have a look at the freelander faults thread... im sure you will change your mind then.

I have endlessly looked through the freelander faults page and just wondering can they all be like that? I have heard some bad things about discos aswell is land rover not a good brand?

If yer wants a Freelander then buy a diesel version. The 1.8 can suffer hgf several times. Having had it done once, it's possible it could happen again. Theres also the problem of garages not doing the other mods at the same time. Short cuts like not skimming the head if needed, not upgrading the oil rail etc. Although there are many petrols out there that happily work ok (hopes my v6 will stay like that) theres a greater risk of failure on the petrols. Hence diesels fetch a higher price. £1k for a 2002 Freelander is cheap, unless it's in poor condition, or high mileage. Makes me wonder why the owner wants to sell, if it's such a good motor, with the hgf repaired. Priced to ensure a sale me thinks.

I agree with Hippo, £1k for an 02 Freelander even with the dreaded K-Series engine is suspiciously cheap. If you've got a good friendly local garage then it might be worth asking the owner if they'll let you take it down to them, & let them do a sniff test & quickly check out the drivetrain as best they can. If it lasts you a year, then it's worth it as you'll still be able to sell it for spares after that & it could go on for a few years.

Only thing is fuel economy won't be in the small hatchback category but many people on here easily seem to get 25mpg out of the petrols on average.

I think the Freelander gets a bad rap generally, but they are also frustrating to own as things do go wrong and are badly designed.

If you do buy it, be under no illusions that some things will go wrong with it, these could possibly be expensive but will certainly be annoying. However, a grand for a nice little car that lasts you a few years is incredibly good value and lots of owners do love them even though they also hate them. If you can accept this, buy it as long as it's been checked. If you want a reliable car, spend £3000 and get a CR-V or an x-trail.