Good evening all,

New here and currently considering the purchase of a TD4 Sport (Premium), currently selling my Impreza due to the impending birth of our first child which is very exciting!!

I wanted to retain the safety and security of a four wheel drive vehicle and having been an admirer if the facelifted Freelander it seemed like an ideal family car in all respects. Enough room, high up, safe, economical, smart looks, nice interior etc etc

I am trying to find out if the Freelander is fitted with ISOFIX seat mounting points? I would imagine that Land Rover would fit these however reading the equipment lists on Parkers it makes no mention?

Does anyone have this vehicle who uses it as a family car and could give me an insight into it's suitability for the purpose, and also any handy tips and pointers in relation to the purchase and running of one.

Any information and experiences would be most welcome.

Cheers

Si

Hi, I have a small family and have had a td4 for many years now while they have been growing up, baby and child seats have always fitted well and it feels very safe to drive.
The storage is also good and never had a problem when we needed to fit a pram in the back as well as a few suit cases.
With freelanders you need to be able to do and enjoy simple mechanics to keep them going well, I service mine every 6 months, so if you cannot do this yourself you will need deep pockets to pay the garage.
Parts are also quite cheep if you look around.
The kids love to ride in the car as they can see all around them rather just the seat in front.
Hope to keep mine for many years to come.

Hi mate,

Firstly congrats! I found myself in the very same exciting situation a year ago and being a bit of a Landy head I was chuffed when the missus said she liked the Freelander when I suggested it to her. I started looking at HSE's but soon decided on the Sport. Another good result was the missuss said I want that one because I like the aloys. (things never go this smoothly normaly) Anyway after hunting a good one down I got a very tidy one on a 04 plate. Anyway back to your question. I found it perfect for the baby seat and easy to get him in out. I had a ISOFIX but it fitted well enough with the seat belt fitting. That said he was out of that seat after 6 months and into a forward facing seat (when the time comes I recommend the Recaro youngsport seat) He is now 9 months and loves being in it especialy becasue he can watch Micky Mouse Club House on headrest monitors in DD 5.1 theatre sorround sound. I could not recommend it enough. I love it!
The previous comment on being able to carry out maintanance is totaly spot on. She isn't a problem car but it helps I can look after her myself. I have done loads of work on her in the year I've had her. And as you had a scooby you are used to having some meat under your right foot. You will be disapointed with the power initialy but you can get lots more from it with some tweeks. I have found lots more hourses and plenty more torchs in that TD4 and she is now fun to drive(when little man isn't in the car ofcouse)

Do it, get a good one and you will not regret it!

Thanks for the replies guys, that's exactly what I was hoping for experiences fro others who use it in the same way.

Sounds like a good family vehicle, lots of positive points and advantages of going for the Freelander. I had previously been considering and X5 but the wife is really unhappy about being branded a WAG and Ti be fair they ate quite in your face and probably overkill for one child!

In relatio to being handy with a spanner I am certainly not afraid to get stuck in (only with a trusty Haynes mind!!!) but I am interested to hear what sort of things you have found yourself tending to during the year??

Having looked at the 'official' stats the MPG figures look good, can I expect to acheive around 30mpg about town in it do you think?? Also the stats show a vast difference in MPG between the auto and manual - is it really that different?

Keeping my eye on Auto Trader at the minute, prices do seem to vary I have noticed.

Having spoken to some family members about changing the car, as soon as I mention Freelander they all say 'stay away!' and paint gloomy pictures of a car that is always going wrong and will be very expensive to maintain. Correct me if I am wrong but these reviews which mention of poor build quality and never ending problems seem to relate to the early models prior to BMW sticking their oar in??

Si

I have a y reg TD4 and although i like the car i would never buy another one. I bought it so i could carry all my fishing gear with ease and hopefully reach some of the stretches of river near me that my other car just could not get too. I guess i just bought a bad one. But the car hasn't really been 4x4 in the last year i have had it. even though i have spent a few hundrer quid on it trying to get the problem sorted.

There are other cars out there that will do you just as well.

rippedoff said:

I have a y reg TD4 and ... the car hasn't really been 4x4 in the last year i have had it.

Click to expand...

I don't really know what that means, but what I do know is that the 2002 TD4 with just under 100,000miles on the clock that we have had from new has been the most reliable car we have ever had.

The early models of Freelander have a bad reputation and the 1.8petrol is best left alone for all nutvyjd keen amateur mechanic.

That said, if you like the Suburu, why get rid of it? The great news of expecting doesn't mean you need to get rid of other parts of your life automatically. Though I am sure you have made you mind up for good reason!

Cheers

Blippie

It means i bought the car becuase of the 4x4 capabilitys but it hasnt been 4x4 in the past year i have owned it. Its been 2wd only as i have had to remove props so i dont mangle the gear box up.

Ah, dodgy VCU on the Suburu?

Shouldn't be a problem on the Freelander. Gulp.

Cheers

Blippie