S

Slinky321

New Member
Hello, I’ve currently got a Freelander 2 SE. It’s been a nice little run around but now our son is bigger I’ve got my eye on a 2014 MY14 90. It’s had one owner who owns a classic car shop and a mere 15k mileage. I test drove it and loved it EXCEPT I struggled with the manual as Ozzies are lazy and we all drive autos ;) It will be used for business use doing around 20 - 120km per day. Commuter traffic is bad in Sydney. I expected it to be noisy and uncomfortable but found it ok for my height and the chairs not too bad at all as I like to sit upright. My husband drove it today and just didn’t enjoy it. He’s 6.2 and will drive it 5% of the time. I was loving the idea of this as our next car but after his test run feel a little deflated. So I wanted to ask a group of fans for their thoughts ;)
1) how is the back seats for fitting a child’s car seat? Pretty standard?
2) Will I get used to the clutch ie is it I’m out of practice since I haven’t driven a manual since I left the UK 15 years ago or is it a tricky car to drive?
3) what will my fuel consumption be like using this as a runaround some days. I saw on here a lot of people use it for that exact reason.
4) How many services per year will keep this in good nick for a lifetime? I’m seeing this as a forever car
Thank you I appreciate any comments or feedback people have the time to leave
 
Welcome to the forum
I7pha4t.jpg
 
Nobody answered this so I will have a go. I have driven tratters but not owned one myself. Me dad had a Series 2.

Yes, they're noisy and rattle a lot. Expect that to continue more as the vehicle ages and bits shake lose. The comfort levels won't be anywhere near that of yer Freelander 2.

Probably not ideal seating in the rear for child seats although it's possible. Later tratters had fold down forward facing seats. Don't know if they have 3 point seat belts or lap belts or nothing. The seats take up a lot of space. Peeps with children often prefer the 110 over the 90.

The clutch will be the same other than the pedal moving closer to the floor as the clutch wears over time. You can add more assistance to the clutch with mods. They're not tricky to drive. Just different. No acceleration. Noisy. Notchy gearbox. Vague steering. Engine that rattles like a tin of marbles. You have to slow down for corners or you'll miss them. Some would say they're the best bits. Others go as far as considering them as attractive features. @Turktowner @doriz

Diesel mpg probably around 20 to the gallon (4.54L to 1 gallon in the uk). It's a heavy vehicle with a big diesel.

Servicing on the 2.4L puma diesel as fitted to later tratters requires a service every 20k miles or 12 months, whatever comes sooner. Servicing isn't complex. It''s effectively a biscuit tin on wheels with a roof that leaks. The one thing to look out for is rust, rust and hidden rust. Rust protection like dinitrol is a must have in the uk. Possibly not a problem in Oz unless you drive through water a lot.
 
Hippo said:
Nobody answered this so I will have a go. I have driven tratters but not owned one myself. Me dad had a Series 2.

Yes, they're noisy and rattle a lot. Expect that to continue more as the vehicle ages and bits shake lose. The comfort levels won't be anywhere near that of yer Freelander 2.

Probably not ideal seating in the rear for child seats although it's possible. Later tratters had fold down forward facing seats. Don't know if they have 3 point seat belts or lap belts or nothing. The seats take up a lot of space. Peeps with children often prefer the 110 over the 90.

The clutch will be the same other than the pedal moving closer to the floor as the clutch wears over time. You can add more assistance to the clutch with mods. They're not tricky to drive. Just different. No acceleration. Noisy. Notchy gearbox. Vague steering. Engine that rattles like a tin of marbles. You have to slow down for corners or you'll miss them. Some would say they're the best bits. Others go as far as considering them as attractive features. @Turktowner @doriz

Diesel mpg probably around 20 to the gallon (4.54L to 1 gallon in the uk). It's a heavy vehicle with a big diesel.

Servicing on the 2.4L puma diesel as fitted to later tratters requires a service every 20k miles or 12 months, whatever comes sooner. Servicing isn't complex. It''s effectively a biscuit tin on wheels with a roof that leaks. The one thing to look out for is rust, rust and hidden rust. Rust protection like dinitrol is a must have in the uk. Possibly not a problem in Oz unless you drive through water a lot.
Click to expand...
^^^jeez, you are an expert^^^
 
@Slinky321 .
My friend @Hippo has been up to his usual mischief. Bad boy.
Mines a 1998 300tdi, County, 90 so I won't bother with the techs.

However, end of the day, it is what it is. Not sophisticated, not very:
Fast
Comfortable
Quiet
Nimble
Warm ( though you wont need that)
Good on the brakes.
(The 2014 is no doubt better, a bit)

But what it is, is a Defender. Either you get it, or you don't.
If you get it, every drive will be a joy.
If you don't get it, buy a Freelander or a Nissan or a Toyota or a Ford or whatever, who cares, it doesn't matter. :p




..
 
Turktowner said:
@Slinky321 .
My friend @Hippo has been up to his usual mischief. Bad boy.
Mines a 1998 300tdi, County, 90 so I won't bother with the techs.

However, end of the day, it is what it is. Not sophisticated, not very:
Fast
Comfortable
Quiet
Nimble
Warm ( though you wont need that)
Good on the brakes.
(The 2014 is no doubt better, a bit)

But what it is, is a Defender. Either you get it, or you don't.
If you get it, every drive will be a joy.
If you don't get it, buy a Freelander or a Nissan or a Toyota or a Ford or whatever, who cares, it doesn't matter. :p..
Click to expand...

I’ve driven Defenderers all over the world and they never fail to put a smile on your face, especially when you are trying to peek through a gap in the frozen screen made by the pathetic wipers, or sweating your gonads off in Malawi :D
 
I feel there are only two reasons to buy a Defender:
1. You want to look like a backcountry explorer
2. You are a backcountry explorer

If you just need a vehicle for transportation there are many better choices, even the P38
 
Gord Wedman said:
I feel there are only two reasons to buy a Defender:
1. You want to look like a backcountry explorer
2. You are a backcountry explorer

If you just need a vehicle for transportation there are many better choices, even the P38
Click to expand...

I get you. There are lots of (probably more suitable) choices to be had.
However, I fall into neither of your categories.
I'm just the grinning idiot driving the Tratter, that's enough for me.
 
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