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Can't make up my mind betw Freelander 2 or C-Crosser. Budget is for 1 yr old HSE or Exclusive (and a manual). Won't do much off-road but reliability and drive enjoyment crucial. Reckon on keeping car for 3-4 ys but which better residual. Comments welcome!
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If reliability is crucial I'd also consider a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV-4?
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A friend of mine picked up a new Freelander a couple of weeks ago and it has gone back to fix a water leak into the interior which turned out to be from the rear light cluster and a rattle in a door. Not show stoppers but it doesn't bode well.
Residuals on cars like this aren't going to be brilliant IMHO. If you want four wheel drive and some light off road use, consider a Subaru Outback or Forester. Good to drive and bullet-proof unlike either of the cars on your shortlist.
Edited by nick on 06/03/2009 at 08:52
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>>a water leak into the interior which turned out to be from the rear light cluster
Edit to this, it was from the high level brake light.
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>Can't make up my mind betw Freelander 2 or C-Crosser. Budget is for 1 yr old HSE or >Exclusive (and a manual). Won't do much off-road but reliability and drive enjoyment >crucial. Reckon on keeping car for 3-4 ys but which better residual. Comments welcome!
well you have chosen two cars that do not remotely meet any of your requirements. Not even close. No reliability, no driving enjoyment, and poor residuals.
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Altea Ego, do you speak from experience? I should also have said that boot space and NCAP rating important as have a toddler. I'm interested to know what car you would recommend.
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I'm interested to know what car youwould recommend.
A seat altea xl, a VW golf plus, a skoda octavia, a vw touran,
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Thanks but the Seat, Golf and Skoda don't meet the boot space requirement, and I'd like a car that I can get a toddler in and out of without putting my back out. Hadn't thought of the Nissan.
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I would agree with Marlot, try Honda and Toyota. I had two Freelanders (mark 1s) and they were both great but we now have a Honda CR-V (latest model) and much prefer it. Also the back doors will open to 90 degrees for easy access.
Edited by andyfr on 06/03/2009 at 10:04
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KSJ, what is your boot space requirement as the Seat does have a huge boot?
Is it a specific height clearance or other dimension that you need?
Renault Grand Scenic has a big boot as well.
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S-Max.
Bigger than all the cars mentioned, ideal for kids, big boot, 5 star safety. No weighty 4WD to ruin economy.
You still sit higher up (which seems to be a common theme in the cars you mention).
It's also a great car to drive.
Good luck.
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If you don't need to go off road or tow, I'd consider a proper car that doesn't put you and others at unnecessary risk of injury or death. But then I'm in a bad mood this morning.
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CR-V has mucho boot, and perfect for me to install my baby and toddler (I'm 6'5"). Drives well too on Michelins! Wife is a little over 5' and has no problem loading or driving either.
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If boot space is important, any estate or MPV will be better than a 4x4 when you compare their comparative external and internal dimensions. 4x4s have raised floors for ground clearance and 4x4 running gear - neither of which would appear to be necessary for the OP. Have you seen how small the boot on a new Freelander is now that it has the spare wheel under the boot floor?
If the only reason for thinking 4x4 is the raised driving position (for ease of loading babies in the back), then an MPV - S-Max or Grand Picasso - would be a better bet.
If a raised driving position is not needed, then a conventional estate will be a better bet and a better drive than an MPV.
We had MPVs and estates when our kids were in the carry-cot stage. I would say that MPVs were marginally easier to load, but estates were realy not that bad unless you have a bad back and can't bend down.
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well I have had a freelander 2 auto for nearly a year now from new & its been 100%. It has not returned to the dealer once .
I too considered the C-crosser but decided on the Freelander due to the appearance hopefully making it a more attractive proposition when it comes to selling & the fact that there are many landrover specialist for maintanance once its 3 years old.
I have to say the freelander has been very comfortable & quiet on long runs with the longest being the Med to Calais towing a 29ft twin axle caravan in 11 1/2 hrs & have to say i still managed to cook a meal in the evening & the teenagers in the back were also fine.
Sitting position is extremley comfortable. Have a thought if you go for the HSE with leather seats, can be tiring on a long run due to sliding around especially in the rear. The demo model I borrowed was full leather & it may looked sumptuos but I ordered cloth trim & have to say it was the right decision.
I would buy another. Can't keep the wife away from it.
approx 27mpg urban 33-37 on a run & 42 best on long motorway run at 65 which is very good for auto. I would also add that the auto complements the diesel & is better suited & is so easy to drive but it doesn't suffer from loads of revs, quite the oposite mostly sits around 1600-2200rpm & you don't need to sit on the brakes as the box is totally sorted & changes down when slowing down.
In 6th gear lock up on the motorway its ticking over at about 1600rpm 65 so its very quiet.
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Octavia Scout or 2.0tdi 4x4 estate.
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