Anybody about? Blimey, its awfully echoey in here...

This is a bit like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting; 'Hello, I'm Derik and I'm an alcoholic'. Except I'm not an alky but I have become addicted to a Mk1 Freelander that I bought recently. I thought it would tide me over until I could afford something better, but after only a couple of weeks I don't want 'something better' - I love it to bits.

So I'm finding out about all things Landy. I haven't driven one since I left the army in 1983 and the rotten bastards made me give the big green one back. That was a bit, um, basic to say the least compared to the one I've got now (2004 facelift Td4 HSE model with 96k on the clock) but I still remember it fondly...

I'll be 69 in a couple of months time and should probably be going to collect my pension in a Nissan Micra or something, but I've recently moved to live in Brighton where if the land isn't going up its going down, and something tells me that with just a bit of ice or snow on the road a four-wheel drive is going to turn out a very good idea indeed. So I'll watch this forum with interest and no doubt ask all sorts of stupid questions, but thats one of the things I'm fully qualified to do...

Welcome, good intro!

Hello Coffeemonster.
If you are qualified to ask stupid questions, shall I take it you are a retired solicitor then?
Welcome to the forum. You will find it easier to get out of a Freelander but easier to get into a Nissan Micra. It's something to do with gravity and hip joints. You will find lots of good advice on here and many people willing and more than able to assist.

Welcome aboard Liked the intro too.

Colonial said:

Hello Coffeemonster.
If you are qualified to ask stupid questions, shall I take it you are a retired solicitor then?
Welcome to the forum. You will find it easier to get out of a Freelander but easier to get into a Nissan Micra. It's something to do with gravity and hip joints. You will find lots of good advice on here and many people willing and more than able to assist.

Click to expand...

No, I'm not a retired solicitor! I'm a retired academic, a physicist concerned with the mechanics of the universe. Believe me, there are lot of questions there, and at first glance some of them appear very stupid indeed!

Hello and welcome

Coffeemonster said:

No, I'm not a retired solicitor! I'm a retired academic, a physicist concerned with the mechanics of the universe. Believe me, there are lot of questions there, and at first glance some of them appear very stupid indeed!

Click to expand...

Like you, I bought a slightly newer '55' plate FL1 more or less by accident. I've had it a couple of years and find it the most laziest and comfortable drive. I've replaced the fuel tank cradle, which are prone to rot (but not cheap) and the brake-light switch, which, when faulty, lights up the dashboard with a variety of warning lights (research the 'three amigos') not expensive to fix and easily done.
I've done about 20,000 miles in mine since I got it and have to say it is perfectly reliable.
Tomorrow it's going to get new brake fluid, engine oil and filter, gear box oil, final drive oil, brake fluid and radiator flush and renewed coolant.

Hello Derik; have a drink, I'm paying.

Colonial said:

Like you, I bought a slightly newer '55' plate FL1 more or less by accident. I've had it a couple of years and find it the most laziest and comfortable drive. I've replaced the fuel tank cradle, which are prone to rot (but not cheap) and the brake-light switch, which, when faulty, lights up the dashboard with a variety of warning lights (research the 'three amigos') not expensive to fix and easily done.
I've done about 20,000 miles in mine since I got it and have to say it is perfectly reliable.
Tomorrow it's going to get new brake fluid, engine oil and filter, gear box oil, final drive oil, brake fluid and radiator flush and renewed coolant.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip about the fuel tank cradle - I'll get underneath and check it tomorrow!

Cabbie said:

Hello Derik; have a drink, I'm paying.

Click to expand...

Oh I like you already! But I warn you - my taste in single malt is very much at the conossieur end of the price range...

Glen Fiddich: Glen Morange? or are these too mundane or you? I've probably spelled them wrongly too.