Sadly it's time for the Freelander to go It is coming to the end of its' 4 year PCP in March. If they still made them I would have my 7th one no questions, however this is not an option.

So what do you guys think?

I can go for a base model DS auto or I could go back into our company car scheme and have a top of the range Navara auto. Having crunched the numbers the Navara works out £90 per month cheaper than DS.

The DS is obviously the nicer / smoother drive. But the Navara is going to be better suited to the day job of visiting farms and fields.

What should I do? 1998 Feelander XDI Hardback - Gone
2002 Freelander TD4 GS Hardback - Gone
2004 Freelander TD4 HSE Stationwaggon - Gone
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS manual - Gone
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto - Gone
2013 SD4 GS arrived April 2013

I would go with the Nissan , I can't stand the DS. I've no idea what I will change to when the time comes . Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!

I was of the same opinion, but having driven a DS today I felt better about it than I thought I would. If it was £5 grand cheaper I would probably have one. I could see myself living with it. Still preferred getting back into the Freelander though.

Out of my budget, but was interesting to hear from the salesman what a run they have had on D4's. They pre registered 12 of the last ones 2 -3 weeks ago. They have 3 left.

Perhaps goes to show what people feel about LR's current trend in styling / pricing? 1998 Feelander XDI Hardback - Gone
2002 Freelander TD4 GS Hardback - Gone
2004 Freelander TD4 HSE Stationwaggon - Gone
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS manual - Gone
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto - Gone
2013 SD4 GS arrived April 2013

Quote:

Perhaps goes to show what people feel about LR's current trend in styling / pricing?

Does the company scheme off a Mitsubishi PHEV, Muddywheels seems quite pleased with his, savings in fuel and a few grand in tax helps too Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

navara test drive it properly first

or wait for a merc nissan http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/firs...-and-info/

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?th...726/page-2



run through of a few pickup user opinions
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?th...up.143596/ At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Last edited by chicken george on 4th Nov 2016 6:12 pm. Edited 1 time in total

If you are considering a pickup try a Mitsubishi L200, my son has one and is very pleased with it. He claims it's better off road than the FL2, very quiet, economical, leather seats, all the toys and only about £25k. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Having changed to the DS, I confess I like it. It doesn't have quite the poke of my SD4 (or the 130mph top speed!) but it's a bigger car and has much better fuel consumption (high 30s/low 40s). And I did get it cheaper by buying an ex-demonstrator. In fact I only went along to the dealer to have a look and see what the car was like, but was sufficiently impressed to buy one on the spot.
However I would be concerned at the level of toys in the base model. Mine is mid-range SE-Tech auto and was the minimum spec I'd go for. If you can get a top range Nissan and want all the toys, plus the security of it not being your own car (!) you might prefer that. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

Last edited by Past master on 4th Nov 2016 6:31 pm. Edited 1 time in total

The only pickups on my company car list are Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux.

With its new coil suspension on rear, the Navara looks like the best option of the 3. Was going to have a demonstrator Ranger but it broke down!! Not impressed with the Toyota interior and the Ranger is bigger all round which is not a good thing in Cornish lanes!

Thought about buying as new a Freelander as I could with low mileage but the gap between that and what I have got at the moment is just not worth it. I might consider keeping mine, but it is showing an oil leak which looks a bit like rear crank seal also steering rack not feeling quite right, then the diff will blow!! Its' done 68K hard miles and I think trouble is ahead!
Its a working vehicle so can't afford to have it off the road - I have a D2 which job is to hover in the workshop  1998 Feelander XDI Hardback - Gone
2002 Freelander TD4 GS Hardback - Gone
2004 Freelander TD4 HSE Stationwaggon - Gone
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS manual - Gone
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto - Gone
2013 SD4 GS arrived April 2013

Two completely different vehicle types, you have to weigh up what you need out of it.

From what you've written it should be the Navara or similar. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

I know exactly, head is saying Navara. My green oval driving heart is saying DS. Might have to consul myself with still having a TD5 Disco in the family, which funnily enough I prefer driving over all the above!! Just can't afford its' drink habit day to day! 1998 Feelander XDI Hardback - Gone
2002 Freelander TD4 GS Hardback - Gone
2004 Freelander TD4 HSE Stationwaggon - Gone
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS manual - Gone
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto - Gone
2013 SD4 GS arrived April 2013

Company car all day long, the risk of BIK tax rises are far outweighed by the fact that for the length of ownership you are covered against everything including scrapes, bumps, servicing, tyre damage etc etc. At the end you just walk away.

The only possible downside is your insurance NCB if you should decide opt out again. Normally insurers will only honour it for 2 years. However most insurers will credit you with something for the "NCB " you build with the company.

Aviva were very good when I stopped being a wage slave this year all I had to do was send a copy of a letter from the fleet manager. 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 .

Yes agree it is very tempting to have no risk. Having said that, I have 'opted out' for the last 10 years and not had many unexpected costs of consequence

Once with a company FL1 managed to drive over an upturned grass harrows buried in the grass in a field - result 3 knackered tyres! Luckily they were nearly worn out anyway but needed AA recovery

Have done plenty of internet searching for BIK rises for commercials, but cannot find anything concrete or to worry about in the short term, but you never know??

I have done the insurance NCB thing before when I 1st 'opted out' from company car scheme and that was fine. I am a named driver on our D2 (wife main) but I could change this over when it is due for renewal.

Previously our car scheme was very constrictive. I couldn't be ar**ed to fight with management to get what I wanted. Now it is a little better. 1998 Feelander XDI Hardback - Gone
2002 Freelander TD4 GS Hardback - Gone
2004 Freelander TD4 HSE Stationwaggon - Gone
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS manual - Gone
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto - Gone
2013 SD4 GS arrived April 2013

agroman wrote:

I was of the same opinion, but having driven a DS today I felt better about it than I thought I would. If it was £5 grand cheaper I would probably have one. I could see myself living with it. Still preferred getting back into the Freelander though.

Out of my budget, but was interesting to hear from the salesman what a run they have had on D4's. They pre registered 12 of the last ones 2 -3 weeks ago. They have 3 left.

Perhaps goes to show what people feel about LR's current trend in styling / pricing?

Having owned 3 Freelander and then moved on to a D4 I hear what you're saying. My own D4 is now only 14 months old and 35,000 miles old and I shall be changing it tomorrow for the very newest, lowest mileage, D4 HSE Lux that I could get my hands on.

There isn't anything in the current range that I'd choose over a LR2 or D4 and we're definitely not alone. I'd be tempted to write to Land Rover and ask them for their ideas on what other makes to consider to find a genuine replacement for either of these cars!

agroman wrote:

The only pickups on my company car list are Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux.

With its new coil suspension on rear, the Navara looks like the best option of the 3. Was going to have a demonstrator Ranger but it broke down!! Not impressed with the Toyota interior and the Ranger is bigger all round which is not a good thing in Cornish lanes!

Thought about buying as new a Freelander as I could with low mileage but the gap between that and what I have got at the moment is just not worth it. I might consider keeping mine, but it is showing an oil leak which looks a bit like rear crank seal also steering rack not feeling quite right, then the diff will blow!! Its' done 68K hard miles and I think trouble is ahead!
Its a working vehicle so can't afford to have it off the road - I have a D2 which job is to hover in the workshop