Buying a 4WD Feedback

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 20:32

ThreadID: 80302 Views:3284 Replies:6 FollowUps:3

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Buying a 4WD

This article focuses on the major considerations when choosing a 4WD vehicle for the purpose of travelling and camping. We give some brief definations of the various terms used to categorise 4WDs,

Tracie82

I am looking at buying a 1998 Landrover Freelander, not for any serious off road driving but to be able to have the option to go offroad, also around town stuff and road trips to see family. Any one have any feedback or thoughts on this model?
Cheers Tracie.

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Reply By: garrycol - Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 20:38

Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 20:38

Do not buy a petrol - almost as big a grenade as the 3 litre nissan patrol diesel. Petrol Freelanders are cheap for a reason.

Diesel Freelanders great vehicles though.

AnswerID: 425202

Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 20:58

Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 20:58

Yep, do a google on the 1.8L petrol.
Guaranteed to fail after about 80,000Km
The cyl sleeves work loose and ruin the block. New short motor required, which is also guaranteed to fail.
A sorry reflection on the company that they wouldn't acknowledge the design problems.
Gerry

FollowupID: 695749

Follow Up By: garrycol - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 13:08

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 13:08

Not quite true as the issue is not the engine itself but the thermostat system and Land Rover did bring out a mod that works. Given this is a 12 yo car it has most likely had the mods done but nevertheless if I had one I would always have that nagging doubt - a bit like owning a 3 litre Patrol.

FollowupID: 695808

Reply By: OREJAP - Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 20:55

Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 20:55

Hey Tracie, A mate of mine is a wholesaler & maybe able to help you. Are you in Victoria? He has two at the moment a 1998 & a 2000.

AnswerID: 425204

Follow Up By: Tracie82 - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 17:02

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 17:02

Hi I am in QLD so a bit far away, ha haa. Do you know if he rates them at all? I have found a 1998 model that would suite what we want it for.
Cheers Tracie.

FollowupID: 695834

Reply By: Madfisher - Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 21:31

Sunday, Jul 25, 2010 at 21:31

Tracie see if you can find a copy of the Dog and Lemon guide. From memory they rated the freeloader as one of the greatest lemons off all time, if you want reliabity stick with anything Jap,they might not have the character(why is it that cars with character always leave you stranded) but Ravs in partricular are very reliable.
CXheers Pete

AnswerID: 425210

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 13:44

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 13:44

Read Thread 80242.

AnswerID: 425266

Reply By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 16:32

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 16:32

a better option is any Subaru. They have always been dead reliable and very capable.

AnswerID: 425282

Reply By: Tracie82 - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 11:11

Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 11:11

Thanks to everyone for your advise, I have decided not to go ahead with this one. My search continues, so might be needing your opinions again soon. Thanks again, Tracie.

AnswerID: 425811