Tradewind 35 wrote:

The Itchypussy Shogun Sport is due on the UK market soon in 2018 - they are already taking orders. It has done very well in other markets where a proper off road capable 4 x 4 is required. Unfortunately the models they are bringing in first will be upmarket models loaded with junk that I would not want including (of course) keyless entry, stop start, electric handbrake - engineering abominations beloved by some - but even so, the list prices start at only £36K. Built on the highly successful L200 pickup platform, odd looking styling but not of course in the same league of pig ugliness as the D5. You have to pay a lot more to get that ugly........

Seen in the flesh or just pictures ? As I understand its currently on pre order in UK. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Saw an advert for the Mitsubishi Eclipse the other night. http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/new-cars/eclipse-cross/prices/ anyone seen one? 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Yorky Bob wrote:

Seen in the flesh or just pictures ? As I understand its currently on pre order in UK.

Each to his own regards the styling, but I don't think you can criticise the Off -Road credentials of the new Itchypussy . Have a look at this you tube clip -
(Its called the Pajero Sport in other markets). A proper off road 4 x 4 car, the sort of thing Land Rover used to make.

Good grief, that looks like it was built upside down at the back!

Nice rear, compared to a D5

Last edited by Tradewind 35 on 15th Jan 2018 10:56 pm. Edited 1 time in total

You need to go to Spec Savers Tigger, she is a beauty....

Premium seems to be a totally overused word at JLR, its repeated over and over again in every article they put out.

It reminds me of Margaret Thatcher when she said ‘if you have to tell someone you are a lady, you aint'!

There is nothing middle class aspirational about me, but I did my apprenticeship with Mulliner Park Ward - the Rolls Royce Coachbuilders - and I do know real premium when I see it.

So it was very refreshing when I realised that Toyota has taken the opposite approach. They have picked up the baton and introduced a new “utility” spec for the Land Cruiser which has also been facelifted and has a new interior.

Utility spec comes with steel wheels, 5 seats, and a full size spare wheel. Just what I can’t get on a Discovery Sport!

The auto version comes in around £36,000 with a 5 year warranty, and I suspect fewer reliability issues than average?

Land Cruiser
4840 mm L x 1885 mm W x 1845 mm H

Discovery Sport
4,599 mm L x 1,894 mm W x 1,724 mm H

Click image to enlarge

Thanks, DennisV, well spotted. My Freely2 is going better than ever and I love it but am looking at the 10 year service bills ahead this year and thinking about jumping ship. Nothing of use to me in the Land Rover stable (after 15 years in the JLR fan club I loathe all that "Premium brand" ballix they spout nowadays), so have been looking at the Landcruiser and awaiting soon to arrive Shogun Sport. That utility version of the Land cruiser is exactly what I am after. The 'cruiser has been neglected so this mild update is welcome. The Invincible has a bit more by way of kit but costs are in Land Rover territory. Some customers no doubt dream of diamond turned wheels and gadgets - they are welcome to them. A bit of decent build quality and reliability will do nicely for me thank you.

I second that, Tradewind.

The Freely just touched that sweet spot no other car manufacturer could touch. The Land Cruiser is a great option. 2013 SE TD4 in Mauritius Blue [Written off]

After 20,000 miles in our Subaru Outback I can honestly say I have found the perfect vehicles for my needs . I also don’t buy into all the premium ++++ nonsense . That doesn’t mean the Outback isn’t competiivy specced , just that it’s a case of that’s what 35 grand buys you , there is no upselling to Cinerama surrounds sound and glass safari roofs etc . For the moment the FL2 continues to plod on and even the 10 year service won’t put us off as it palls into insignificance against the depreciation on a new car I can see me using the Outback for another 3.5 years at which point the warranty runs out , then it will go to my Mrs as the replacement for the Freelander . By that time hopefully there will be a bigger selection of hybrid AWD vehicles available , 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 .

Land Rover have nothing to tempt me at all in the £20k to £30K market - the Suzuki Vitara and SX Cross for example are fantastic value - and they are selling by the ship load- they were everywhere in Germany when I was over there a few months ago and German customers know the difference between premium quality and premium marketing blether. At the £35K to £40k price band I could get a proper 4 x 4 Scooby- Do Forester or Outback , the Landcruiser Utility or (soon) a Shogun Sport. For me a Disco Sport is a very mediocre offering in comparison and an inferior vehicle to the Freely2 for my useage.

To answer the original question, yes, I would have something other than a Freelander. However, I do like to support British industry when they make a viable product. e.g. I have two Triumph motorcycles as well as my FL2.
It's a pity we don't get the Toyota 4runner over here. It's Freelander size and has all the Landcruiser dirt ability. https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/4runner/?ut...42e7fd9f18 MY13 Santorini Black SD4 HSE

Tradewind 35 wrote:

You need to go to Spec Savers Tigger, she is a beauty....

As it turns out, I’ve just had my eyes tested at specsavers and given a clean bill of health! It still looks odd from the back, like a odd variation on a Mk 1 Citroen C5 Estate It’s striking from the front though