Now on our 3rd Freelander and both TD4's with a total of 10 years ownership have been trouble free and a total of four tyres has been the only none service items. (Just had to pay $398+GST for a new remote today, which is a bummer though. )
My query is that as the Freelander range is being dropped in favour of the new Discovery Sport, I fear that it might be out of our price range especially if we wait for the new engine. The Freelander was only just affordable as it was, but after 5 years, time to replace it, though we might just keep it another year.
I'm stumped as to a sensible Euro replacement that performs as well, tows as well and handles as well, that is not Japanese, Korean or Chinese. Euro haters, please don't try and persuade me into one of them as I am just not interested!
It may be our last new purchase so might have to last a fair few years this time. I'm not totally ruling out the Discovery Sport, as it is a tax claimable business purchase.
brapbrap8,
Mar 25, 7:19am
How heavy do you need to tow?
socram,
Mar 25, 7:31am
1050kg car on a two wheel transporter/trailer with brakes.
stevo2,
Mar 25, 7:35am
Skoda Yeti?
tamarillo,
Mar 25, 7:39am
The new one sounds terrific, have a Car mag review here, but yes it has gone pricy. What money Is the evoque ? Is that too small or too pricey? Same deal X3 I guees.
Does Skoda scout tow enough? The octavia based one.
Or either of the VW SUVs?
The newest ford kuga gets glowing report in new Aussie wheels (way better than the vw Tiguan) is that euro enough though? Same petrol engine as landie and arguably better diesel donk.
My brothers lease on his 3 yr old disco diesel is running out and he can buy it at 18 grand sterling. Tempting as worth more here but no use to me at all. But maybe you can get a nr new evoque or disco from UK? Or must it be really new?
tamarillo,
Mar 25, 8:29am
What about new Cherokee? That's based on an Alfa chassis! Prices are nice. Reports are good. But diesel is most expensive option. Volvo XC60 a $70 car. A merc gl is $65.
socram,
Mar 25, 8:41am
Our first Freelander was an ex-demo 1.8 K series petrol manual. Whilst we had a great run, just a steering rack issue, set of disc pads and tyres, the guy who had it after us had all sorts of problems. I decided then that an ex demo was a risk as there was no way of telling what people had tried to do with it.
The 2 TD4s bought brand new have been an absolute joy to drive and no expenses. The new one does sound terrific, but the Evoque is just a prettied up Freelander and is over priced for the same underpinnings.
The new Discovery Sport may well score well when the new engine comes out as I suspect that the fuel savings may well justify the higher price as running costs will be lower, but the indications so far, based on the UK price, is that NZ will over-price them.
Bearing in mind we get stuck so much at traffic lights on a daily basis, this stop/start system if switched on, may save on fuel, but surely will hammer the battery and starter motors? I normally get good life out of batteries. (The Cooper S 2002 is still on the original!)
So to answer your query, no, it must be new. I have always believed that being kind to the mechanicals pays off in the long run and as I put earlier, this may have to last a bit longer than usual.
unideck,
Mar 25, 10:18am
Why not buy one straight out of the UK Ray, or even Europe, far cheaper than here. I looked at the Evoque last year when I was in England, looked at the Range Rovers too - such a price difference between what the main steelers want here. Freights not a big deal and the compliance is clean as its new and compliant so again not such a costly deal. The new base Evoque was back then 28 thousand!
tamarillo,
Mar 25, 10:25am
Does it really stack up? Spec for spec our spec is usually a higher one with options already inc as they want to sell stock. Then gst. Then warranty, been some arguements over the world wide warranty thing, didn't one of the japs refuse to honour warranties of some new cars being bought in Japan and shipped here? Dunno.
tamarillo,
Mar 25, 10:26am
Volvo gets another mention, Volvo towing Volvo engine.
socram,
Mar 25, 8:56pm
Good point Unideck.
Our spec is usually higher Tamarillo, but that also means we get stuff we don't really want or need. They only bring in Auto's to NZ and I would prefer a manual. Hadn't thought about bringing one in. Makes sense. I get mine serviced by a dealer's former head mechanic anyway (half the price of the dealer) and to be honest, I don't expect warranty claims.
Current UK price is just under 33,000GBP ($66000NZ). Expected price here will be about $78,000 plus.
I presume if I bought new from a UK dealer, it would be VAT exempt and the GST here I'd be paying anyway - but can also claim back.
I may have to have a really good look at this. Maybe I could pick up in the UK, drive it and also save the cost of a hire car - though second thoughts, insurance would be a major issue.
Compliance here as you say, would be a breeze.
socram,
Mar 25, 9:05pm
As I already have a Cooper S, that may well be a very good suggestion. I had excellent after sales service and contact from Team McMillen Mini - far better than the dealers who sold us the Freelanders. Starting a single seater race career at my age? I don't think so!
The project car, now it is road legal - and doesn't need trailering backwards and forwards anymore - can tow if required. Maybe it is getting close to the time to hang up my helmet anyway, other than track days and club events?
taurus61,
Mar 25, 9:35pm
I traded my Freelander2 I6 some4 years ago on a Tiguan diesel. I really enjoyed the Freelander it was great vehicle. Tiguan has been a great, but is noticeably smaller but is alot more refined and car like to drive. Tow pretty well and was cheaper than the Freelander to buy but easy to get carried away adding options, but the Freelander was abit like that to. The Discovery Sports look and sounds good but would want to drive one before passing Judgement. They are bigger that the Freelander but still with the same engine line up. Hardly sporting with that 2.2 diesel. There needs to be a 3l option there.
socram,
Mar 26, 3:26am
We don't need anything bigger in the engine department or faster in anyway! Freelander tows the loaded trailer up the Bombays at the legal limit (and beyond, but I haven't tried that of course. Cough, cough).
Checking out the Countryman at the moment but depends on whether Mrs Socram likes it. She has got used to sitting up fairly high and there are a few good deals on at the moment, so that could be a sooner rather than a later. May have to advertise the Freelander to see what offers.
Some doubt as to whether or not Cooper S Countryman can be fitted with a factory towbar, though the Cooper can.
tamarillo,
Mar 26, 5:46am
what about this when it gets here, can be had with a 2.4 and 9 speed auto!
Based on my next door neighbours experience of Jeep, definitely haven't considered it.
bwg11,
Mar 26, 6:17am
Sorry for being a bit OT, but very interested as I made enquiries about towing capacity of the 4WD Countryman S and wanted a demo of one with a towbar and got a most unsatisfactory response.
tamarillo,
Mar 26, 6:57am
this ones shared platform with fiat - supposed to be more euro flavour. personally think it look sbloddy awful.
there is a fiat version called 500X but only get 1.4 engines I think.
socram,
Mar 26, 7:26am
I gather that the body kit means that "their towbar" can't be fitted to the 'S' but the sales guy today had to seek advice. No doubt that doesn't mean that a specialist couldn't fit one though, as they can certainly be fitted to the Cooper.
bwg11,
Mar 26, 8:03am
Thanks for that. Certainly more understandable than the response I got.
socram,
Mar 27, 9:33am
I bought my Cooper S from Team McMillen Mini/BMW 2002 and their after sales service was fantastic. Regular phone calls to see if all was well.
Then a courier delivered large salad bowl and servers as a gift. Two movie premieres complete with drinks, nibbles and a small box of lollies. (The Italian Job and an Austin Powers film.) Courtesy contact regularly for years.
Despite spending the same amount of money (twice) on new Freelanders, zero after sales contact and no goodies of any sort. That is probably why I am keen to have a look at the Countryman as I believe they'll be good to deal with. Service costs on the "S" were lower than I expected too.
unideck,
Mar 28, 9:33am
Old school customer service, shame most companies have lost that nower days! What you received in that wee package probably cost a hundy or so, and now your looking at buying a second car from them - recon they must have at least one switched on smart person working for them, love it :)
budgel,
Mar 28, 9:54am
Would the new Ford Ranger based SUV, the Everest, be in the same price range as the Landy?
taurus61,
Mar 28, 5:48pm
So where is the Everest to be assembled - Thailand ? OP request european alternatives for the Freelander, maybe a Ford Kuga they appear to be assembled in Europe, I dont know alot about them but have heard alot of positives from those that have them.
tamarillo,
Apr 2, 8:23am
Socram, any further thoughts?
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