I'm looking to replace my Honda CRV (2006) and need a slightly heavier towcar for my 1500kgs van.

I've narrowed the choice down to XC60 and Freelander - but the final choice is difficult.

XC60 has a more powerful engine but is clearly not a true offroader (not really important to me). It also has a lower noseweight and (manual versions - want to keep emissions and fuel consumption down!) lower overall towing weight. So it looks like F2 in the lead and it's cheaper too - looking for a top spec like HSE but Volvo make you pay extra for things like the sunroof!

I've heard rumours of some improvements (minor facelift but also a power upgrade to the engine) for Freelander due this autumn(?) but can't find any firm details. Anyone in the know with stuff they can share?

So that's it. Is it worth waiting until the autumn? I'm not in a great hurry and price deals on wither car don't seem great at the moment!

wait untill autumn as buyers still remember the snowy winter and are choosing 4x4's , rumours are indeed that stronger engines will be available.

speak to our friendly sponsor, (he will kick my arse if i dont mention him) he may do you a great deal? At work
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chicken george wrote:

speak to our friendly sponsor, (he will kick my arse if i dont mention him) he may do you a great deal?

Thank you CG, you are friendliest chicken farmer, named George that I know!

There will be an 11my around September/October, and there is talk of more power for Auto, but less for Manual to assist with emissions. None of this has been substantiated, however I will be at a meeting in mid-May where the dealer network will be told more. There is a lot of speculation on the forum and in the press, and it's difficult to establish what/if it's correct. Rest assured that as soon as something official is releases from LR then I will let you know the genuine details.

In the meantime there are a couple of great finance offers, and if we have something suitable for you coming through then we would certainly do our best to look after you as a forum member.

James

I am not sure if waiting for an MY11 is the right move or not to be honest . I think lrmaker suggested that any 'facelifts' to the F2 would be some time next year and I don't think there was any mention of a power increase at all!What I do know is that being in an area where a lot of horseboxes are on tow, the F2 is very common place along with the Disco. So, both appear to be useful in this regard. Also, I would be surprised if there is not a price hike around the time of the new plates and, consequently, it may be more prudent to find out what type of deals are available now!As CG suggests it might be worth a chat with LOOKERS

Hope this helps!!

I understand that the XC 60 comes with one of those "bicycle wheel" type spare wheels and I seem to remember reading somewhere that some versions just have the sealant kit.
At least a full size spare is a option on the FL2

I took the plunge last week and ordered mine. At the time I had the same questions as you, but decided the current car is very nice and a facelift is usually cosmetic. I'm planning to keep mine several years, so in the scheme of things for me it was time to put my hand in my pocket and get on with it.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I was totally undecided what to do as in the summer we will have had ours for 3 years. As it has been so relaible (Touch Wood) we have decided to keep it for at least another year, then review it then.

So it is in the bodyshop now having the 2010 updates (All colour coded door panels and bumpers etc). I have bought all new panels (Doos and rear bumper) and it should keep it fresh for another year or so. £950 is alot of money to spend on it but it's still cheaper than £14/£15000 on a few car!

I had a look at a 2010 model, and as ours has a private plate, if I bought a new one you would not be able to tell the difference. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

James at LPR could sort you out whichever way you decide

Last edited by Natwest on 10th Apr 2010 11:06 am. Edited 1 time in total

Lookers Park Royal wrote:

There will be an 11my around September/October, and there is talk of more power for Auto, but less for Manual to assist with emissions.

James

Why would they want to lessen the power for the manual? Volvo managed to keep the power on the D5 the same (205bhp) whilst lowering the emissions to 174 - taking the car down a level on the car tax.

Definitely don't want less power.....

Anyway, thanks all - perhaps I'll wait and see what they announce before deciding - can't get the F2 HSE down below 30k otr (with towbar etc) and Volvo are only selling to rich people at the moment!

My brother has the XC60 ecoDrive

my honest opinion is the car looks From certain angles, during the snow it got stuck on a flat car park due to it's low resistance tyres not been able to get over a little mound of snow another car had made

He's (sort of) admitted he has made the wrong choice of car as he needs to get round in all weather. Forbthe time been he's buying new tyres Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I drove an XC60 about 2000 miles in the UK and Europe in August.

It was a good car, but I have a Freelander 2 here at home and it's miles better.

Especially since y'all get bad winters, (must be all that global warming) I'd say get the Land Rover.

Here in Texas an XC60 would be good since we rarely get snow or ice. In the UK or colder climates I'd say go Land Rover. I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun.

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npinks wrote:

My brother has the XC60 ecoDrive

my honest opinion is the car looks From certain angles, during the snow it got stuck on a flat car park due to it's low resistance tyres not been able to get over a little mound of snow another car had made

He's (sort of) admitted he has made the wrong choice of car as he needs to get round in all weather. Forbthe time been he's buying new tyres

I went on a test drive today in an XC60 D5. Nice car, sort of.

OK, if I look at the facts.

It is quicker than the FL2 TD4, handles better than the FL2 TD4, build quality is not any better and I think the interior is very tacky compared to the FL2.

However, it did just not drive like a Land Rover, the FL2 is the nicer car to drive. The Volvo is too much like a car, like the X3 and Kuga etc.

I'll stick with Land Rover, as it drives like what it supposed to be, a 4x4.  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Nightblogger wrote:

To be fair the ecoDrive is only fwd and anyway it's not up to towing my van - the 2011MY is even worse as they've gone for a 2.0 D3 engine. As for looks, well they are always a matter of taste - and I happen like both.

I still reckon I will get a better deal on a Freelander once I know what they are doing with the spec this year.

fair point it is FWD but not been able to drive in 2" of snow where fiestas and other have is ridiculous i know its the tyres sold with them in a country that does actually get snow, and his Volvo garage tried to play it down.

Don't take my views on the looks the wrong way, its not my cup o tea  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I'm confused

Why give the auto more power and the manual less when

1) To me, the auto seems to be quicker and more responsive than the manual. I have just bought a manual but the courtesty auto seems to go substantially better than my manual
2) The auto already has emissions that are just too high for the engine/vehicle size. More power may mean even more emissions.

I understand the general principal of auto generally needs more power than a manual because the auto box sucks power but it just doesn't seem to fit in this particular scenario UNLESS the additional power comes in the form of a much newer motor with lower emissions with extra power. In which case why not put it in the manual as well....?

But getting back to the original point of this post....... it's a tough one. If you wait for the MY011 - will volvo/audi/vw be on the cusp of releasing the next great thing and then you end up just as undecided when the time comes? Get a MY010 on a finance deal so you can return it in 2 - 3 years time without penalty in the event of larger than expected depreciation. Thats what I have just done!