I'll be in the market for a new 4wd. I'm stuck with the dilema of either buying a ~300,000 km, just about 30 year old toyota or a near new freelander with very little k's.
My question is, if purchasing, i do understand that the offroad ability wont be anywhere close to par but would you recommend one based on the following criteria: [*]reliability [*]economy [*]ability to tow a small medium sized boat (4 meter inflatable) [*]spares [*]moding parts, lifts - i know; coild only :(, bull bars, etc [*]servicing
What do you think, yes and why, or if not, why not and what would you recommend!
Last question, is there any reason why these would be cheaper to the Japanese equivalent!
My budget will be about 10k so pretty decent.
Thanks heaps George
mm12345,
May 30, 5:28am
Neither is a good idea. Any 1600cc car will tow a 4m inflatable. If you must have a small 4WD, then a RAV4 or 1600cc Vitara of something like that might be the trick, but a 1600cc car will probably be more comfortable, nicer to drive, more reliable and cheaper to maintain, and more economical.
doctor_evil99,
May 30, 5:37am
Back in 2003 we had a 1yr old Freelander done 17,0000km. during the 18 mths we owned it; we had these items replaced under warranty: broken indicator stalk, faulty speed sensor, ASB control unit, jammed sunroof and a crack flywheel.Personally I wouldn't touch another one.but it's your call!
adrianae,
May 30, 5:46am
mm - funny you should say that, I own a 1600 4wd but that is not cutting the cake especially if the requirements are unreasonable such as keeping up with the traffic or hills, I figured that a diesel being a diesel would have a little more torque, especially economy.
What recommendations would fit around the same price range! diesel, and "decent" offroad assuming some decent tires
mileyfan73,
May 30, 5:59am
Yes don't even consider a Freelander.Atrociously unreliable even with very low k's.
carclan,
May 30, 6:01am
If is a pommie car then keep away from it.
adrianae,
May 30, 6:03am
haha got it - if british; dont even accept as a give-away!
mm12345,
May 30, 6:04am
Really! Towing only a little 4m inflatable!The speed limit is only 90km/h on the open road anyway, and for the occasional time when you might find it a bit slower than you like going up hills, it's probably better than sitting broken down on the side of the road - which is where you'll be spending time if you buy a $10k Freelander.
adrianae,
May 30, 6:57am
mm - the idea is that i *would* take it further (west coast and such) if i could tow propely. May look for a Terrano instead
mm12345,
May 30, 4:11pm
The terrano that you're going to get for <$10k is going to either slow, or it's going to suck gas, or (probably) both. I still don't get it - perhaps your 4m inflatable isn't what I expect. Perhaps it's some fancy RIB with a 50+HP donk, centre console etc,If it's just a standard 4m inflatable on a light trailer, then I've towed boats that size all over the SI with 1600cc cars, no problem.Jeesh, I had a boat about that size when I lived in Akl decades ago, that I towed over much of the NI using a 1300cc corolla dx wagon and a Mk 1 ford escort.
jenny188,
May 30, 6:34pm
You got off lightly. Bet it wasn't put together on either a Friday or Monday.if you go with the Landy, buy shares in a petrol station first.
sunny_jim,
May 31, 2:25am
I would go for a CRV Freelander and CRV were meant to be a joint venture between Honda and Land Rover. One is more reliable than the other
johnf_456,
May 31, 2:42am
Avoid the land rover, nothing but trouble. Unless you want to spend more time having it in the shop and sucking your wallet dry then don't bother. A 1.6 or 2 Litre car will be fine for that sort of boat. I've towed boats and jetskis all over the show with even a 1.3 manual at times.
andy61,
May 31, 3:03am
sunny_jim wrote: I would go for a CRV Freelander and CRV were meant to be a joint venture between Honda and Land Rover. One is more reliable than the other[/quote There never was a joint venture between Honda and Rover and the CRV and Freelander. You only need to see how badly built every was on a Freelander .Where did your info come from!
robell,
Jun 1, 5:36am
I wouldnt touch a freelander but i would look at the discovery diesel, few minor issues, but if properly serviced they have a very long life, and are awesome off road. my current discovery has 340000km+ on the clock and starts first time every time.
sunny_jim,
Jun 1, 5:47am
I said "meant to be"- The venture never took place, Honda pulled out after the concept phase.Google it.
franc123,
Jun 1, 6:02am
What! Yes they did, they were both originally going to be badge engineered partners with body mods to make them look like they belonged to their respective brands, in much the same way as the Ford Laser and Mazda 323 for example, it was only when BMW bought out Rover when the Freelander was still in the concept stage that the two vehicles took separate development paths. Sunnyjim is correct.
sunny_jim,
Jun 1, 6:33am
Thank you. Did some research before we bought that Freelander - thought it was a good SUV. Interestingly, Honda and Rover on their last joint venture with the Civic/400 series.The K series engine meant to be the engine for both Honda and Rover.
franc123,
Jun 1, 6:53am
Hmm yes. I will probably get walloped for saying this but one does wonder what Hondas senior engineers thought of the K series engine and its obvious designflaws, and the prospect of using it in their product.Would have turned their underwear a different colour I'd have thought.
socram,
Jun 1, 9:07am
Am I therefore the only one who has owned 3 Freelanders (1 x secondhand petrol K series, 1 x new TD4 Diesel - old shape and now a new series 2 TD4) and who has had no mechanical issues whatever other than a minor steering rack fault on the first ex-demo petrol! They all had to tow a car transporter with race car, with no problem at all. Comparing notes with close friends with Honda CRVs, they are the ones who have had issues, not us.One needed a new gearbox and the other hada persistant air bag fault that no one seemed to be able to cure, so he sold it For my money, they drive so much better than any of the opposition, they are comfortanble and economical. As with all vehicles, previous history, service history and the way it was treated earlier are the key points.As for off road ability, just read the test reports, but it is not an area that concerns us at all.
sunny_jim,
Jun 1, 7:34pm
yours must be a Tuesday or Wednesday Freelander.Mine definitely was a Friday one.
kazbanz,
Jun 1, 10:34pm
Socram--I NEED you to come here and drive each and every one of my cars. Clearly from your many posts saying how you never have mechanical failures with even the normally most unreliable cars I need whatever good karma it is that you carry with you.
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