I traded in a 1996 Rav4 for my FL2.

The Rav 4 had a light clutch and light steering and was a pleasure to drive. However, it was very tinny and was the most unreliable car that I have ever owned - it always started but had many major problems, too many to list. In parts, it was dangerously under-engineered (I'm a Chartered Mechanical Engineer) resulting in worrying structural cracks!

It could be that the later ones are better and that you will be happy with your decision - good luck. FL2 HSE Auto Galway Green
Evoque SD4 Auto Blue.
FL1 HSE TD4 Manual Black - Gone.
RR Classic V8 EFI - Gone

I had a 1996 Rav4 too, ( 2 litre petrol ) and you can't compare this with the latest models.

the latest model is a totally different vehicle, well engineered, comfortable and reliable.

very popular in my area with a good local Toyota dealer.

you won't go wrong with the latest Rav4.

Iain

RogB wrote:

1200kg ??? wow that's a pretty major drop from the FL towing 2000kg (is that right?)

For every Fl2 I see with a tow ball I see 10 without . Around here most 4x4s are bought as a winter necessity if you don’t need the ability to tow then you are not limited in your choice of vehicles. With the current anti diesel trend over the last 12 months ,plus the silly system of road tax ( I think we paid £300 to renew the FL2 ) , getting into a lighter petrol hybrid which will do the job is probably a very sensible thing to do. I reckon in a couple of years you won’t be able to give a diesel 4x4 away .

The Rav 4 is a very nicely “specced “ vehicle and like most “ soft-readers “ sells by the bucketfull because it delivers. On Saturday last week I was invited to a Beagle day by the Master of the local hunt . The meet up point was high in the dales with parking off the road on moorside. There was not one single LR product . Toyota , Volvo , Hyundai ,more than a fair few Kia’s and a brace of Subarus , also Dacia’s Duster. The larger vehicles were Toyota, Isuzu , and Ford pickups,.JLR obviously operate within a marketing niche, but their current range of cars does not tick all the boxes for many people. The Beagle followers vehicles ( who will be be up in the Dales twice per week in all weathers over winter) gave an interesting insight into what real “ country folk “ drive .

There is life after LandRover  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 .

Sydney northern beaches you have to fight off the FF RR with a stick. They are trying hard to keep up with the Joneses! I'm at the other end of the spectrum! But out in the bush these days dual cab is what people are using! 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

So, there’s a total of 3 FL2 owners on this forum then.....  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

MartynB wrote:

...... The meet up point was high in the dales with parking off the road on moorside. ...........

With their Japs they won't be able to get to the Junction Pub then ............

Went up Mount Kenya just off the equator in my son's Toyota Hilux, at 3220 meters (10,500 ft) it was starting to struggle. Screenshot from my iPhone

 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

I would be interested to hear how you get on with the RAV4. I think as a head purchase most of the modern candidates i.e. Rav, CX5, Tucson, CRV, etc all make a lot of sense, certainly in running and purchase costs probably reliability.

However, having driven some of the above they are fine to drive but I just did not like *how* they drove that much. Getting back into my FL2 afterwards, and comfortably cruising down the road with a muted quiet ride, arm on the rests etc is what I like, but I found it was hard to get that sort of laid back character in a modern SUV. They are totally competent just seem a bit anodyne in some ways and similar to drive if that makes sense.

Maybe I have not driven the right models to get a comparable comfy ride, quiet cabin, who knows but I'm keeping my FL2 for now

Dave

MartynB wrote:

On Saturday last week I was invited to a Beagle day by the Master of the local hunt...gave an interesting insight into what real “ country folk “ drive :

I have a real problem with huntspeople presenting themselves as “real country folk”, they are just a group of people who share a nasty hobby.

However, turn up at a farming event and most are now in other manufacturer’s products, but there is still a hardcore minority of drivers with a smattering of Defenders of all ages, well used Disco’s and the occasional elderly Rangie

Over at the Liskeard Show this year, the local LR dealer needed shooting for the quality of their their (unmanned) “stand” (two used Land Rovers parked up and abandoned, with a single sign), while the imports had put some proper effort in.

You are of course entitled to your opinion on a legal pursuit and the people who follow it. I went as I was invited as a thank you for a days fly fishing I provided I’ve never been before , I might go again , I saw nothing untoward and certainly nothing was killed .
I have an open mind on most things that are legal . As I ( unapologetically) have stuck hooks into everything from minnow to blue marlin would never comment on anyone’s field sport being “nasty “ . Without starting an arguement Could I ask if you have ever actually participated in any form of field sport that leads to your views on hunt followers ? 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 .

DonkUK wrote:

I would be interested to hear how you get on with the RAV4. I think as a head purchase most of the modern candidates i.e. Rav, CX5, Tucson, CRV, etc all make a lot of sense, certainly in running and purchase costs probably reliability.....

dorsetfreelander wrote:

Went up Mount Kenya just off the equator in my son's Toyota Hilux, at 3220 meters (10,500 ft) it was starting to struggle. Screenshot from my iPhone

Did that too in the early 80's in a Peugeot 504 saloon - Africa spec with solid rear axle, no wipers & no hubcaps (those you kept in the locked boot to prevent armed theft ... it was just after some sort of revolution) Sorry, I digress, the 504 trundled up from Nairobi & down to Mombasa with no ill affect at all, apart from being a bit dusty inside. Lunch at the Mt Kenya Safari Club was quite something I recall but walking around the grounds was quite exhausting ! FL2 Ex D2, D3, RRS, etc. now all gone.

I had a 504 for 17 years, a very comfortable car. It was 25 years old when the rust got a bit too much living by the sea! But the engine was still perfectly ok after 250,000 km. Head gasket was replaced at 160,000 km. The engines dust filter was steel wool oil coated!

Rear suspension was semi-trailing arms, it had great ground clearance. I could increase the rear with air shocks & onboard compressor! It had air conditioning & a very expensive KEF hi-fi & one of the very first CD players, & small fridge cooled by the air conditioner which had the volume of 6 tinnies! 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

Last edited by Lightwater on 3rd Nov 2017 2:42 am. Edited 1 time in total

& small fridge cooled by the air conditioner which had the volume of 6 tinnies!
 FL2 Ex D2, D3, RRS, etc. now all gone.