au$70k HSV Clubsport 340kW 570Nm if you could get one!

http://www.caradvice.com.au/492553/2016-hs...on-review/

Or compromise, 304kW au$45k manual au$47k auto. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Really!!!
Think I will try both the Ewok and the DS and see what best suits my ongoing needs.
Might even look for a demonstrator and get a better spec for the money.
watch this space.
Thanks  Hit it he said, Hit it!--So I hit it, then he hit me---Doh!

Tigger wrote:

Would the flashy appeal of the Evoque grate after a while? Would the DS be easier to live with long term?

Lol. We went from a Freelander 2 HSE to a Dynamic Lux Evoque and it is an absolute cracking drive and well equipped too but Mrs D has felt, for the want of a better word, embarrassed when driving it as she feels it's just too flashy 'for the likes of us'!

Its definately a ladies car and she jokes that to get the full benefit of it in Essex she should be sporting an orange perma-tan, blonde hair and matching shocking pink lipstick and fingernails!

We had a DS on loan when ours was in for some warranty work. I hated it, she loved it (so understated!) so as it is our dog wagon and she is the main driver, I strongly suspect we will be getting one when we next change cars.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I went from 2010 FL2 HSE Auto to a 2012 Ewok Pure manual (wish it was pure tech spec but hey ho!)

the Ewok is smaller, smaller boot, smaller rear seating and you sit lower in it than the FL2 (I do miss the command driving position a little bit)

Underneath its the same as the FL2 basically with pretty much the same ground clearance.

Its more economical in every day terms than the FL2 (ive had 2 manual FL2 as well but never SD4 engine), its more fun to drive. It suits my every day needs better than the FL2 in many respects.

Do I miss the FL2 ?? sometimes..... Would I go back to a FL2?? only if I had to.... great car.

Since buying the Ewok Ive had a DS HSE manual for a week on courtesy.... nice car, grew on me over the week, nice to drive, comfy, spacious (not a ''proper'' land rover'' though but then neither is the Ewok) felt heavy though so not totally sold and not that economical either.

Im currently driving a courtesy car again due to the dreaded diff failure on my Ewok. They have given me a 4 month old Jaguar XE 2.0D AWD R Sport..... very very nice car, but......! Im 6'2'' and my head brushes the roof, the rear seat space is appalling, the boot access is shocking, the engine sounds a little rough through the footwells. It is economical though, well specced, 8 speed paddle shift auto, and very quick!.. but not worth 40k IMO.

Im missing my Ewok now

If you really want to stick the Land Rover/Range Rover, Personally, unless you need the space, I would go for the Evoque (in the right manly colour!)

Have you looked at the BMW X3. A new one is due later this year so there are good discounts out there at the mo. My current X3 is the best vehicle I have ever owned and in a couple of months time is being replaced with another with a higher spec (adaptive dampers, adaptive LED headlights, head-up display, harmon kardon hifi) for less that I am paying for my current one. Carbuyer have a very good comparison video on youtube comparing the X3, F-Pace, DS Sport and GLC and whilst the X3 is the oldest of the bunch they couldn't fault the ride comfort, gearbox and quietness of the engine, infact only the slightly dated looks inside and out dragged it down (and we all know looks can be a matter of opinion) . You might be able to get the 3.0d which gives absolutely storming pace. Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

Dont get these Mercs

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellan...g-problem/  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Never going back to Merc, customer service locally was pretty grim- unless you were buying an S class, anyone else are treated as plebs!!!!

been and sat in both the Ewok and the DS, unless my pennies wont stretch the DS is not a pretty option to me.
Fell in love with a Ewok HSE Dynamic with a couple of bolt ons (Pan roof, Heated steering wheel, mats etc), within my budget.
Am going arrange test drive of each model before making final choice to put in front of my boss.
DS seems cheap and not well finished to my eye, whereas the Ewok, whilst seen as a girly hairdresser type motor ticks my boxes in every way.
I am Bald, 55 Years old and certainly not a crimper!!!!!

will report back when done.

Thanks Once more for all the input.  Hit it he said, Hit it!--So I hit it, then he hit me---Doh!

It all used to be so simple with a company car - Cortina, Marina or a Cavalier and if you were really lucky a sunshine roof  MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

My missus takes a car allowance and her car is to keep or change as she then wishes. Bit of a ask to get into a expensive car so choices have to be made elsewhere but you can run and buy a average motor on it.

Gets a little bit back on fuel but not a problem as she is doing few miles these days. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

My problem is I will not do an A-B, B-C Daily mileage report, whilst I understand that it is required for claiming mileage if you supply your own vehicle.
I find it Time consuming, annoying (to say the least) and intrusive and does not instil an ethic of trust.
I am contractually able to have a car and fuel so will not change- as a courtesy I give a weekly mileage total-even though legally I am not required to do this.
The amount of tax I pay via BIK more than covers any private mileage I do.
Call me stubborn if you will!!!  Hit it he said, Hit it!--So I hit it, then he hit me---Doh!

Having driven both, I opted for the Evoque, for my situation.

It is, I suspect, down to the use you will have for the car. For families with children and clobber to cart around, I would choose the DS, if carrying luggage is not an option, then I would have the Evoque.

I have recently changed and will be doing 50% more miles than before. The FL2 gave me 32 mpg average but so far with the Evoque, I am averaging 45 mpg, so my fuel costs have hardly changed.

The other thing to consider is manual or auto. I have driven mostly manuals over the years but the latest autos are incredible and are more economical than the manuals, so I wouldn't change back. For that manual experience, I still have my Land Rover Series 2A, with a "crashbox" (without syncromesh in 1st or 2nd).

Ultimately, it's up to what your heart says, if the head gives you the option, which is a nice situation to be in.

Good luck with your search.

tenet wrote:

It all used to be so simple with a company car - Cortina, Marina or a Cavalier and if you were really lucky a sunshine roof

I'll take the Cavalier!

shilen wrote:

Have you looked at the BMW X3. A new one is due later this year so there are good discounts out there at the mo. My current X3 is the best vehicle I have ever owned and in a couple of months time is being replaced with another with a higher spec (adaptive dampers, adaptive LED headlights, head-up display, harmon kardon hifi) for less that I am paying for my current one. Carbuyer have a very good comparison video on youtube comparing the X3, F-Pace, DS Sport and GLC and whilst the X3 is the oldest of the bunch they couldn't fault the ride comfort, gearbox and quietness of the engine, infact only the slightly dated looks inside and out dragged it down (and we all know looks can be a matter of opinion) . You might be able to get the 3.0d which gives absolutely storming pace.

I'll still take the Cavalier!!

Cortina all the way for me in the old days!!
Wouldn't knowingly touch anything with the "F" Badge nowadays
yes I know half the Freelander is "F" but most cars are corrupted by inter company links nowadays
At one time if it said "F" or was a Vixen" all the parts came from each company.
whilst we have all the tech and advancements, something has been lost.
See, you got me moaning without trying foe the good old days.
My very first company car was a ford Escort 1.3L "FCL 601Y" what a car-even came with a radio! then up through the range to Cortina- never made the Granada level at the time-shame really, could have re-enacted scenes from the Sweeney!!!  Hit it he said, Hit it!--So I hit it, then he hit me---Doh!

OOPs!!! I meant a car with the Griffon not Vixen!!!!! DOH!
I am an old numbnut!!!! Hit it he said, Hit it!--So I hit it, then he hit me---Doh!