Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 3 Apr 2018 00:21
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Energyman
Time to change the freelander, so off out to the dealers today, short list, Hyundai Santa Fe, skoda kodiaq, Volvo XC60. Volvo dealer opened the car through the window from inside, it was raining, left us to look at it, went inside all too busy, receptionist not interested, walked out.
Hyundai eventually got someone to open up a car, again from inside, it was raining, then left us, waited, ignored, receptionist busy chatting, gave up.
Skoda, wanted a manual, only had automatic, aggressively asked why I didn't want an automatic, everyone has an automatic. Will you be getting a manual? don't know... Can you access central stock? I will have to log on to a computer... Could you then? .... Sulkily went through the list... said we would try with a dealer who really wanted to sell a car.... But do they exist!. Any other models I should consider? £24000 up to one year old, diesel, manual, 2,tonne towing approx,...
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 00:35
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Miniman777

Oh dear, what a terrible tale of how our franchised dealers treat customers. Seems like cars sales are on the slippery slope and lethargy has taken over. I was going out later this week to look at cars, maybe I'll stay in now.

As for not wanting an auto Skoda.. dont think many on here would touch with barge pole.

All maufacturers have approved used websites so you should be able to narrow your choice down. Finding a dealer who values your custom is another matter. Good luck - let us know how you get on.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 01:32
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - SLO76
The poor work/life balance involved in car sales pushes those with the ability to do something else that’ll pay similar to leave. I hated working every weekend and being verbally assaulted every time I wanted a day off. It’s cut throat, target led and the push to make money from the finance and other (usually pointless) add-ons killed it for me.

The only ones left are either those who can’t make more than minimum wage elsewhere or the youngsters who’ve yet to get sick of it but who rarely know one end of a car from the other.

I’ve argued before that the motor trade need to think longterm with the staff at the coal face. Encourage the good people to stay and train new starts properly instead of just flinging them out there to talk rubbish to punters. It horrifies me the lack of knowledge I hear in sales staff today and any trainees under me would’ve been locked in a room full of brochures and road test mags until they knew what they were trying to sel

That said, many people do like the space to look round themselves. I’m one of them. Do your own homework, call locally and arrange a test drive then phone round dealers within reasonable distance for the best deal. They can value your trade in over the phone.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 06:53
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - daveyK_UK
Kia Sorento or Subaru Forrester
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 09:06
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Energyman
Thanks for the other suggestions, my experience was in probably the wealthiest city in East anglia, next plan is to go to another town with smaller sized dealers and where local prices seem to be less optimistic, Skoda salesperson wanted £28,000, for a car held in skoda stock, I could find the same on Autotrader for £24000. I think they still had the ache that I didn't want an auto.
Have previously been to a local dealer for a focus, knowing another branch had same model and spec for significantly less, tried to do a deal on the local stock car, failed, so mentioned other vehicle in Lincolnshire branch, they agreed to ship it down if I paid a deposit that day...... deal done.
Will keep updated, expect wife will throw a curved ball at some point! My choice is the Skoda, she favours the Volvo,
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 13:39
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Engineer Andy

You may just found some rubbish dealers or sales people on the day you visited the dealership. As SLO says, if you want a comprehensive test drive, always best to get one arranged well in advance so you can get the model you want (or as near to it as is reasonably possible - it may have to be a second-hand model).

That may involve visiting more than just your most local dealer. You may also find that one elsewhere, which isn't that much less convenient, is far better all around - and as has been said, do your homework to find out how car owners regard that and other dealerships you could use.

HJ's 'good garage guide' is a start, though other websites, including general review websites (for large franchises) and car owners' sites/clubs may also have useful reviews, possibly more genuine/less biased than general review sites, where I find reviews tend to be mainly 1/5 or 5/5, maybe made up of people who hate them because of a bad experience (sometimes a deserved score, but sometimes because the car owner bodged up and wanted someone to blame) or people working for a dealer giving false good reviews (few details, the more I'm suspicious).

The main bit of advice I would give us TAKE YOUR TIME - rushing into a purchase will often mean you make a bad one, without all the facts or to have sufficient time to form an objective opinion about a car, make or dealership.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 23:19
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - oldtyke
Forester is an excellent car.
Had the current XT as I do not use diesel cars but the early diesel issues have been resolved.
Now have Outback which just 3 yrs old also excellent and bought from EMG Subaru Bury St Edmunds.
Sorry if I’m infringing on forum rules but they have given the best sales/after sales I have experienced in many personal and company cars.
Good price.
Car delivered to me personally by the salesman ( from Bury St Edmunds to Pembrokeshire) had at least two after sales calls every year since purchase to make sure I’m happy, including one when I mentioned a throttle response issue and the salesman actually knew there was an ECU update.
They don’t even service the car as it’s much too great a distance but if I want another Subaru they will be my first call.
If this appears too sugary my apologies, just a retired director of purchasing who values good service ( and rarely finds it).
Regards
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 13:54
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - expat

If the dealer treats you badly when you want to spend money with him, imagine what it would be like if you had a warranty claim.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 16:22
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Manatee

Some (proper) auto, delivery mileage, 'used' diesel Mitsubishi Outlanders here

www.firs-garage.com/

at good prices. Ignore the reviews, try one. The auto Outlander is much better than the manual (I have had both). My December 2016 one will do a genuine 40mpg driven sensibly.

I like autos, but I wouldn't touch a DCT for towing.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 21:01
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Leif
The local VW sales staff at several dealers are friendly and helpful without being intrusive. I had no problem buying. I visited two Audi dealers, that was quite different. The dealerships were full of trendy youngish people, image conscious presumably. Sales staff were busy, I waited 10 minutes to ask basic questions, then left. Maybe VW are not selling so well? Or just maybe the dealers do well, and have enough staff on hand. Who knows.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 21:17
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - gordonbennet

Imagine trying to get a problem vehicle fixed if this is an example of enticing you to part with your hard earned, these dealers deserve to go out of business, as i suspect many will.

Another vote for Subaru (they have fixed the earlier dire Diesel engine problems), and it might be quite interesting to visit the Subaru dealer anyway just to see if the attitude is any better.

Just a note for SLO and BBD, you both seemed surprised in another thread when i said i would exit sharpish if interrogated by the typical cars sales bod as to my motoring needs (benefitting from their 'expert' knowledge whether a Diesel would be suitable for me), SLO you provided the precise reason in your reply to the OP above why i have no time for this mainstream car dealer farce.

Edited by gordonbennet on 03/04/2018 at 21:20

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 3 Apr 2018 22:59
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Energyman
Found a good Volvo dealer today, family owned, very helpful no pressure, will arrange a test drive, had a load of V60's, said they sell about one a day, they buy at blind auction from Volvo.so very honest and said prices vary a bit for same spec age etc, just depends on successful bid.
Thanks for Mitsubishi suggestion, looks good value and spec, but dealers a long distance in wrong direction.
Phoned another Skoda dealer today to try and arrange a test drive in a manual, still awaiting call back!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 Apr 2018 09:01
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - jgrahampo

worth looking at a Ssangyong Korando 2.2d 4x4.

Brand new in your budget, big towing capacity, huge torque, 5yr warranty

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 Apr 2018 21:29
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Meteiro

Another vote for the SsangYong Korando. Bought one in 2014, has been brilliant and gets a lot of everyday abuse! I wrote an owner review on HJ, definitely happy with it. Dealer also sells Subarus but actually selling more SsangYong now especially if towing is on the cards.

Edited by Meteiro on 04/04/2018 at 21:30

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 5 Apr 2018 01:19
Freelander 2 - Replacement for freelander - Energyman
Thanks for the constructive alternative suggestions, appreciated.
Have now managed to book 2 test drives, Volvo, but they only have auto, rarely have a manual, any thoughts on the auto box? Wife hasn't really driven an auto before, so jury is out on that one.
Dealer said bring your license and you can go off on your own for half an hour, fair enough!
Managed to book a manual Skoda, both are on Saturday. Have driven the Hyundai before and was quite happy with that.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link