I've owned 2 Freelander TD4 manuals and found the gearbox to be smooth and exactly what I want on road. At work I also have access to an SD4 auto which is used predominantly offroad and agree that the auto box is great both on and off road.
At the end of the day both boxes are very good and it comes down to personal preference and what your predominant use of the Freelander is.

If I'm paying my hard earned cash then I'll probably go for another manual, if it's a work car then it'll be an auto.

Big + for that reply Taz, all this business about being in control is for 99% of Joe public driving on the road (including me), even in most motorsport at the highest level you will not find manual clutches and shifts for the simple reason that they are going too bloody fast for foot arm co-rdination, and a flick of the DSG tip-tronic with an auto blipper box on downshifts is going to be much faster. It stands to reason to me that if you want to be in control you need two hands on the wheel. As you can see from the list below I have a choice of machinery including nice rear wheel drive car with a manual box, and the reason I and many other fleet car drivers ( who form I think the largest group of new purchasers) keep buying them is the crazy way that BIK tax is calculated. The reason many private purchasers buy them is the £1500 premium simple as.... 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Sorry Taz, fell asleep in my cosy chair and the coffees gone cold,

Joking aside, I have a manual and and have no problems with it, but have always liked auto's. So, be honest, those of you who have the auto, is it as good as you say? Would I be wise to invest in one on my next FL2?
Anything (other than the poorer mpg) that you just don't like?

Thanks.

My FL1 was a manual which I loved - my FL2 is an auto and I am amazed how smooth and NON JERKY the auto feels - I would NEVER go back to a manual now. In fact I would challenge any manual to feel as smooth on normal acceleration. Granted, there can be a little hesitation on kickdown when 'giving it the beans' but surely if you are really picky you can just use Command Shift and choose your own gears - the best of both worlds. Cheers,
Raz
FL1 TD4 GS Auto 2001 Silver
FL2 TD4 Auto 2007 Black
FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2012 Fuji White

Mrs G wasnt keen on that auto when we got it but now loves it and want to know why that last car was a manual - because she insisted at the time  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

RazMan wrote:

My FL1 was a manual which I loved - my FL2 is an auto and I am amazed how smooth and NON JERKY the auto feels - I would NEVER go back to a manual now. In fact I would challenge any manual to feel as smooth on normal acceleration. Granted, there can be a little hesitation on kickdown when 'giving it the beans' but surely if you are really picky you can just use Command Shift and choose your own gears - the best of both worlds.

Ok we get the mesage, you can't drive an auto and you don't like them.

I have selected a new avatar you may wish to use.

Ooooo thats pretty sharp for a lanc

Actually that avatar is suited to you and the pile of sh auto. I can drive them as I am an excellent driver full stop frankly but they are terrible. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Supposition!

move this thread to the delete section  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I guess it's been doctored.

If only the Daleks were better shots

Tandemman wrote:

I guess it's been doctored.

Not for the first time and it won't be the last. I've got plenty more 'hefty' 'patented' 'serrated' 'groovy' comments to make  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey