LandRover Freelander 2

Certainly not as capable as a "proper 4wd" but nevertheless quite capable. Does not have low range but its auto box and traction aids go a long way to making up for it.

If he wants better than Cruiser ability he needs to get a Discovery 4 or a Defender.

Garry

Like most new comers to 4wding most don't think they need low range.

The Freelander would have to be the most capable 4wd softroader around but it would be no match to your Landcruiser when the going gets tough.

Most dedicated 4wd tracks and properties will not allow a 4wd that hasn't got low range to be driven.

I find people tagging along with a softroader more a problem and a pain in the .......

The thing is you don't want to tackle a 4wd track and get 3/4 the way through and find you can go on but they can't.

Try and convince them into getting a 4wd with low range.

I have an 08 model with 130k on the clock. It is an awesome car and will go where ever it's clearance allows. Forget the petrol, the diesel is the pick and go auto not manual because it compensates for the no low range better. The terrain response is terrific. I don't know how much parts cost because I haven't had to buy any. It is by far Land Rover's most reliable car...the bar is low :-).. Mine has been in the Simpson, North Flinders Ranges, all the desert tracks and fire trails everywhere and guys in cruisers are always commenting "did you drive that up here?". I also have a proper 4wd with lockers but my FL2 has done most of the tracks the big one has done anyway.

i had a mates friend buy one second hand, through a special lr dealer.
it cost him a fortune, something like 2 gearboxes, just about everything let go and more, but this is a couple of years ago.
nothing worked, kept breaking down, better off with a prado mate, IM telling YOU.

Thanks folks, I will send my mate a link to this thread so he can have a look at your responses. Much appreciated.

Some of the Freelander models had a iffy reputation for reliability. They weren't considered the pick of the LR models. Disco's and Defenders have a much better reputation, even among the LR fraternity.

One last point to mention. Get one with 17" wheels if you want to do any off road. The 18" and 19" wheels are nowhere near as good. There are virtually no mods available, no lift kits, snorkels, bull bars etc. You are stuck with a standard car that you can only just put larger tyres on. Luckily, the car is a lot more capable than the likes of x-trails and rav 4's. It's mud ruts setting changes the dynamics of the transmission and allows for very good rock crawling. You do not miss low range in this car, you get pulled up by clearance before lack of low range. The diesel puts out 400+ nm torque on a light car, it will crawl up most steep inclines with ease. On road it is a very good drive. My wife has a bad back and dislikes the ride on most 4wd's but loves the ride on the FL2.

I read some time ago that the LR2 was put through the same test track back in the UK as the Defender goes through.

The report said that it got through the track OK, the only difference being that the Deefer gets through the track more quickly.

Bear in mind though, that could have as much to do with the driver as with the vehicle. An inexperienced/ bad/poor driver can stuff up even if he has the most capable vehicle.

yeah might of been the series one, but i know the guy as well.
just not a mate of his.
it was out of warranty.

but aftermarket stuff is more available to the bigger brands, bars lockers and everything else.
parts are easier to get.