Finally got to test drive a TD4 GS 5 door manual................
Landrover Droitwich let me have it for the day and although I loved the driving position, to me, the gear box felt agricultural.
Which when you think about it, coming from a Defender driver is saying something...lol
The "eco" change up gear light annoyed me hugely as did the very light power steering also on this car very sensitive brakes. Thank god for ABS
I decided to wait untill I'd taken the Landrover all terrain experience half day before coming on here to slag the freelander off and well read on.....
08:30 Saturday morning on my way to Eastnor Castle, I was thinking to myself. " I must be off my feckin trolley"
The instructor (Derek, was absolutely brilliant, top banana) told us the car we would be driving was the HSE auto.
Out on the road it was very good put in to "sports mode" made the 6 speed auto box hang on to the gears longer but I felt it was hardly necessary, it was pretty swift off the mark in normal mode. Then again trattor driver lol
The mrs then had a go and she's used to TDCI mondeo and trust me she doesn't hang about, she certainly thought it was swift enough in sports mode to keep her smiling.
Then to the off roading.
OK lets be honest ground clearance was always going to be an issue.
However remember this is a road biased off road vehicle, with road tyres I might add.
Yes I did have to read the terrain and choose my path very carefully, but I have to say and I bloody hate to say it.....It was very impressive
Even though the power steering was light there was plenty of feel. Also there's a brilliant "which way are my wheels pointing" display.
The hill decent control and terrain response electrickery almost made it too easy. The Mrs, who has never driven off road before drove round effortlessly the only consession being to dropping into deep pot holes slowly.
Those of you who know anything about off roading will know how tricky cross axle obsticals can be.....
The Freelander just ate em up..... I **** you not, my Defender could not have done what that Freelander did without a locker.
Now Deb has decided the car to replace her Mondeo will be a Freelander 2 and I've got to say it works for me.
To sum up
If you get the chance go to the Landrover experience go and see for yourself.
Like I said Derek at Eastnor was fantastic, he knows his stuff. He is not a salesman and there is absolutely no pressure just pure driving pleasure.
If you plan on towing or driving off road in the Freelander 2 the auto is the one to go for, not because it's so forgiving which it is but because the manual will wear it's clutch out pretty damn fast.
Don't believe me? Go try it and prepare to be amazed
In fact go like me and expect/want to hate it. I gaurantee you wont
