Hi, I've not been on for while, probably down to having had no grief from my car
Four years ago, I bought myself a 52 plate Freelander 1 auto TD4 and I have been pretty well pleased with it but hubby says I should now be thinking of replacing it.
Things I have loved - comfy, reliable, good high driving position, the rear window drops down - brilliant for the dog to get fresh air, the side opening rear door.
Things I have not liked - the spare tyre restricting my view (I'm not very tall), only having 3 doors, no integral windscreen defroster (my old Mondeo had one) which is a right pain in cold weather as car sits outside.
I would like another Freelander but I've noticed that newer models seem a lot bigger and bulkier and have an odd shaped rear window that doesn't drop down. When did that gizmo disappear from Freelanders? Do newer Freelanders have windscreen defrosters?
Is it possible for me to get a newer year 5 door model in the older style that has the gizmos that I want? If not does anyone know of another car manufacturer/model that would do as a substitute?

Look for a late (2006) HSE spec model. It will probably have what you want.

Our lass loves her XC 90.
Odd statement on a LR forum from a bloke who own 3 rangies but the XC is solid, never let her down always does as it's told so In my book that's an easy life.
She actuallty thinks it's not a big car?

Keep the Freelander or get another Freelander 1. The latter Freelander 2 is a fine vehicle. But it's bigger and moved more up class. More intended as a mini Range Rover and will not have the nice touches of the original model.

Actually nothing really has the drop down rear window and other niceties of the original Freelander. It's in a class of its own.

Heated front screens are probably more common these days. Often found on Fords as they introduced it and must have had some right to it. Although classic Range Rovers could be had with it. The FL2 probably does have it as it's based on a Ford platform and was designed when Land Rover was owned by Ford.

Not sure if the Freelander 1 can be had with a heated screen or not.

You could remove the spare wheel. If you have AA or similar then you may not need a spare. And lots of cars don't have spares anyway. And there are 5 door Freelander 1's.

You could buy the tidiest nicest Freelander 1 as an upgrade and not worry about the age of the reg plate.

As said, buy the latest FL1 HSE you can find. Nothing out there like it. Or just spend the money having yours done up.
Mike

The heated front screen become an option in about 2001 on the Freelander and most other LR vehicles too. I specifically looked for a heated front screen, rejecting any FL1 that didn't have one.
I'd get a 05 or 55 (cheaper road tax) Freelander 1 in SE or HSE as they are the best equipped. Bear in mind that the heated front screen was an option on all models.
If you choose to move away from the Freelander altogether but still want a quick clear type heated front screen, you'll need to get a vehicle from Ford or it's affiliated brands as Ford own the Patent for them.
Good luck.

Thanks folks, that's all been very helpful. I never knew about Ford having the monopoly on heated windscreens. Hubby's 1993 Discovery 1 has got one, it must have been an upgrade when the first owner bought it.

you can get one retro fitted just a extra 300£ if you break you wind screen I have a 2006 HSE auto Freelander 1 and that does not have a heated windscreen I might get one fitted before next winter.