V90 is sublime as an estate, that looks 'gawky', go for the XC90

Price wise just as well with the XC90 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

I found a good candidate for Free2 replacement:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jeep/compass/...-announced

I don't like at all the actual and past model of Compass, but the new model's desing seems to be better. I don't expect that it will be a luxury car like the LR latest product, but I think that the price will be lower than the LR entry level (DS) with good offroad performance. It is very close to the size of the Free2 and the "Trailhawk" model could be better in the offroad: it has also the low range and diff lock.
The interior quality seems worse than DS, but I expect a substantial lower price with convenient contents. I'm not looking for luxury to exhibit, I need a good offroad veihicle, confortable also on the road at a right price like my Free2 and the DS doesn't mach these requirements.
The new Disco seems to be a rescaled Range Sport, anyway the price is out of my purpose. MY11 SD4 S

www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/676513.html

and another to consider possibly. In 2017 arrives a 4WD E Class Merc SUV.
http://futurecars.mercedes-benz.co.uk/#!/car/mercedes-e-class-all-terrain?csref=EML1609080001_PCEML05813_MBPC-eNews-Customer_email_230916 FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Has anyone had a look at a Ford Edge yet? 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Now for something completely different

http://www.carscoops.com/2016/10/you-wont-...gyong.html FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

When is Volvo XC60 due to be replaced? I liked this car and tested before buying DS ( wish I had got it !!) but found dash very dated - XC 60 with Xc 90 kit would be very attractive - dealer was like a LR dealer in 2010 when I bought first LR vehicle= he was interested in me and had to work with me not like LR who have a queue so if you don't just buy without question they go to next in queue ! 2011 XS,Sumatra Black, GONE MARCH 2014- RR Evoque Prestige 5 door ,MY 2014,Loire Blue, Silver Roof, Panoramic roof.
MY 2016 Disco Sport HSE Auto Scotia Grey,REJECTED
Mercedes E220D AMG line with air suspension(Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 21 (Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 22 (Gone)
Audi Q5 40TDI S line (gone)
Discovery Sport D200 S 2024 MY

After 5 months and 6000 miles of Outback ownership I can't fault the vehicle. I bought it from a local "family dealership "price matched from an internet car broker quote. I had spent weeks compiling an excel sheet with best quotes for numerous cars

The worst fuel economy on a full tank has been 35.5 after a series of round town and Halifax to Leeds commutes for a week . The average mixed fuel economy is 41/42 without hanging around, and I can stretch that to 44. Motorway trips will see 50.

The load space continues to impress with the seat folded a full size professional brush cutter fits without touching the passenger seat, try that in a Freel2 ! and the neat trick of folding the rear seats with catches in the boot near the tail lights is one every car should have. Powered tailgate, keyless, and also Pin entry on the tailgate . ( you can lock the keys in the car wrapped in tinfoil ) . Think Audi A6 and you'll get an idea of the available space

The on the road package is refreshingly free from menu pricing, Leather, memory seat for driver, , sunfroof, 7" touchscreen Nav and entertainment , reclining rear seats, LED low beam. Reversing camera, Bluetooth everything. Voice control for all functions including phone There is not much more you could reasonably want.

The CVT Lineartronic is a revelation in day to day use just a smooth push, quiet , and the ability to paddle shift if you want or even change to a 7 speed manual paddle. In real life it never leaves " D" except if I select the off-road" X mode" to get down to the river . It will not be as capable off tarmac as a Freelander or DS as the approach and departure angles are not there, but you have to ask yourself if that ever will be a problem and to me the answer was no. The under car clearance is exactly the same as our Freelander 2 . With only 150 hp on tap it is not a flying machine, but guess what, I don't want a flying machine, I've stopped working ,I prefer the economy , there is no need to be anywhere quick, even the Motorbike will be going next year.

The final bit of the package on the CVT equipped car is " Eyesight" the stereo colour camera driving assistance aid. The adaptive cruise is easy to use, so I use it regularly . although I've yet to let it bring me to a total standstill ! The collision avoidance and pre collision throttle management does work the whole dashboard flashing red just in case your mind is elsewhere . Lane management is also there and works.

As a daily driver the Subaru symmetrical AWD is there all the time, no Haldex. It will corner rapidly and safety, at speeds that would have the Freelander swaying , ( flat 4 boxer diesel keeps the weight low ) . It is very composed to drive, much more car like than SUV ( good thing for me ) , but with a more commanding driving position than a car,

To sum up I don't regret buying it, it's a great fishing , clay shooting, DIY waggon, but still eats 200 mile journeys. I have 3 years bumper to bumper warranty and 5 on the power train. I've just taken out delayed GAP insurance to start next year so the current plan is to keep it 5 years.

I realise that this brand will not attract many people, it's a niche model in a niche brand, but it became the USA's fastest selling vehicle for a reason ! 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 .

I see your comparing at 2009 GS Freelander 2 to 2016 Subaru.... Hardly comparing apples to apples!
I'm sure your happy with your Subaru but when I was buying my 2015 Freelander 2 and did a direct comparison with both the Forester and Outback it was day and night difference, Freelanders ride, even on 19"s was outstanding compared to everything and the Subaru's interiors, well a bit low rent I'm afraid, especially the Forester!
Off-road well I'm not bothering as we know what's better! CVT might be fine in the city but good luck on going down any steep decline without HDC and a CVT transmission.
But I hope you enjoy your Subaru! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

Last edited by Stuartc on 11th Oct 2016 2:43 pm. Edited 1 time in total

I was in my son's 12 reg 3.5 auto VW Toureg this weekend and it certainly felt much smoother and better equipped than my 11 reg FL2. The ride was bit hard for my liking and it's not a direct comparison as it's a bit bigger and more like a Disco but nevertheless quite impressive for the price. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Stuartc wrote:

I see your comparing at 2009 GS Freelander 2 to 2016 Subaru.... Hardly comparing apples to apples!
I'm sure your happy with your Subaru but when I was buying my 2015 Freelander 2 and did a direct comparison with both the Forester and Outback it was day and night difference, Freelanders ride, even on 19"s was outstanding compared to everything and the Subaru's interiors, well a bit low rent I'm afraid, especially the Forester!
Off-road well I'm not bothering as we know what's better!
But I hope you enjoy your Subaru!

& 6 month servicing in 2016.... got to be joking!

Some months ago gave a smartarse Outback 3.6 a run for it's money. The Freelander to 100 km/h is a touch quicker. He was not a happy chappy!

Next to no Subarus in outback NSW, didn't see a single one on a dirt road, mostly dual cabs followed by Landcrusiers or Patrols etc.

This is the way to travel!

Click image to enlarge

 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

Service is 12 months /12000 in the UK and rest of Europe and a warranty that is extremely good, and competitive service costs It is a completely different market over here to what you boys get " down under " . Service in a market is generally priced on what you can sting people for and get away with it...

I don't need great off road or trans continental performance . 99% of any AWD brands never see anything more challenging than a kerb in Sainsbury's. Twin cabs great if you're a builder , but I'm not , Landcruisers, we don't need them in West Yorkshire. I wanted something more car like to drive but still have AWD for fishing and clay shooting , I'm driving around Whafedale, not the back of beyond.

I already own a Freelander2 ( or more correctly my wife does) I've been a LR owner for pushing 25 years, but I'm not so " loved up" with the LR brand that I can't see beyond it's products.

The original thread was" would you consider something other than a FL2 ? " Being in the position where I decided to pack in working 5 years early ( therefore no company Audi ) I actually had to consider that. I wanted to buy new , so since FL2 production stopped in late 2014 it was never to be a consideration, The DS , its natural successor just didn't inspire me , to get one with an auto and few bits and pieces I was looking at £38,000 to £40,000 straight out of my back pocket , I personally did not see the value in that , but fairplay to those who do. The outgoing Disco 4 was available under 40 grand , so if I'd wanted a truly capable vehicle , that was an option, but Im not working , I didn't want the running costs . So in the end I found the Outback suited my needs.

Like it or not boys there are areas where like for like the Outback is better for my needs, the load space is great easier to use and lots more of it , passenger space massive, the tail gate powered and I much prefer the car like driving qualities on the twisty Dales roads, the symmetrical AWD is just perfect there. In traffic the CVT is honestly one of the best auto-boxes I have ever driven, lightyears ahead of the 6 speed FL2 , but of course that transmission is out of the Ark now, with LR, Audi, Volvo, BMW et al using 8 and 9 speed autos on the latest cars. The CVT is Linerartronic it can be driven as a seven speed manual, and has its own version of HDC. It works I use it daily. In these parts you are either going uphill or down hill a flat road is a rareity. It's a long time since I tried to race anybody in a car so 0-60 is way down my list . MPG is way up there real life probably commensurate with the modest power. And as I said before " Subaru Eyesight" a brilliant safety feature on packed UK roads . I put the Subaru on the road for under 30 grand.

I think as I'm one of the few people who have probably put a few thousand miles on both cars I'm pretty well placed to make an appraisal. I haven't said the FL2 is I've just said I wouldn't buy another. As the newest FL2 models are pushing a couple of years old it's a decision you will all have to make at some time in the foreseeable future  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 .

Last edited by MartynB on 11th Oct 2016 6:04 pm. Edited 2 times in total

Well said 2011 XS,Sumatra Black, GONE MARCH 2014- RR Evoque Prestige 5 door ,MY 2014,Loire Blue, Silver Roof, Panoramic roof.
MY 2016 Disco Sport HSE Auto Scotia Grey,REJECTED
Mercedes E220D AMG line with air suspension(Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 21 (Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 22 (Gone)
Audi Q5 40TDI S line (gone)
Discovery Sport D200 S 2024 MY

Thank you sir  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 .

10% off a Subaru if you really want one. A DS may go for 3.5% off.

Wait until next April for big lumps off the expensive end of the 4wd market when the big hike in road tax comes in.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current