Are they mad?

pandamoanium

My parents ended up agreeing to buy a car today having had no intention whatsoever in the first place..

Ok, so the story is, they were casually looking through the local paper and saw an ad for a Landrover Freelander, thought "what the hey" and went to see it, liked it and got some background info on it..

They were seriously interested in purchasing it, however before making an offer they decided to go to their local Landrover dealer where the vehicle had always been serviced, just to check the service history on it, see that the mileage was genuine etc..

Anyhoo... while they were at the garage they somehow got talked into putting a deposit down on a 02 Freelander, it's a diesel.

They've agreed a price of E6,500 - how does this sound?

Given the feedback I've read on here I think that perhaps they should pull out and forego their deposit..

What do you guys reckon?

Are they *really* all that bad? Or should they take a chance on it?

Seth Brundle

What kind of warranty is on it? What mileage, spec, etc.?

Carzone is listing them from 5,440 to 14,650. WHether any of those prices could be achieved is a different matter

pandamoanium

I think they'll get a 6 Month / 6000 miles (whichever comes first) along with 12 months AA cover.

It'll also be NCT'd for them before they bring it home.

I can't believe they put a deposit on.. they never even sat in a Freelander before til 6 hours ago!!

The reports on here of them are just dire.. I'd hate to see them lose their deposit, but I just don't know what to advise them to do now.

Btw, it's a 02, Diesel, GS, approx 88,000 miles I think.. they say the overall condition is very good, kept very clean etc..

carface

They are far better off buying one of those from main dealer regardless of miles,service history,price. 6500euro with warranty,nct,AA cover its a no brainer compared to buying private.

L-M

Every car has bad reviews. That money isn't bad for a 02 diesel.

Things to look out for are to make sure all the electrics are working, make sure the windows fly up and down with no hassle (including the boot window). Windows regulators are on common problem with them.

As long as it has a full service history, they can't go too far wrong. Not as bad as everyone thinks.

unkel

Out of interest, how much is the deposit they payed?

Apart from that, it's not as bad as you think. The diesel Freelander of that year uses the BMW 2l diesel as found in the BMW 320d. They are getting the car for a fairly good price and they get a 6 month warranty (presumably full warranty) and a new NCT which surely gives some peace of mind

Many problems in the Freelander are because of the Rover K-series petrol engine which blows head gaskets for breakfast when in a heavy car driven by people who haven't a clue they should keep an eye on engine temps

pandamoanium

Funnily enough, when I asked them there, they said that one of the rear windows in the first (private sale) Freelander they saw today didn't work, and the Drivers window in the Freelander at the dealers didn't work either!

However, dealer assured them window and anything else that needed doing along with NCT etc.. would be perfect for them when they pick it up sometime next week.

My Dad thinks that the AC is gone kaput on it too, but again, dealer said if it was they'd fix it beforehand..

For their sake I hope that the Diesels aren't as bad as the Petrols and that at least then they won't have the headgaskets to go worrying about.

I think the clutch was done 3 years ago, and it has a timing chain not a belt, so hopefully that wouldn't be an issue for them either..

pandamoanium

Hi Unkel!

Well they currently have a Rover 75 - and I think the dealer told them that the engine in the Freelander would be the exact same, and that the weight of both cars were the same, and well they've extremely happy with the 75, no problems whatsoever, so when they heard this I think that's what sold it for them.

Deposit - E500.

Yeah, the at least having the NCT done should be some peace of mind alright, have to admit though, got a bit taken aback when I came on here to look them up and saw the bashing they got!

L-M

pandamoanium wrote: »

Funnily enough, when I asked them there, they said that one of the rear windows in the first (private sale) Freelander they saw today didn't work, and the Drivers window in the Freelander at the dealers didn't work either!

However, dealer assured them window and anything else that needed doing along with NCT etc.. would be perfect for them when they pick it up sometime next week.

My Dad thinks that the AC is gone kaput on it too, but again, dealer said if it was they'd fix it beforehand..

For their sake I hope that the Diesels aren't as bad as the Petrols and that at least then they won't have the headgaskets to go worrying about.

I think the clutch was done 3 years ago, and it has a timing chain not a belt, so hopefully that wouldn't be an issue for them either..

Well if they dealer has promised all that will be fixed, they can't be far wrong. Make sure they confirm what type of warranty they are getting ie. is it bumper to bumper or just engine and gearbox.

They won't have the problems associated with the petrol with the diesel model that's to be sure:cool:

L-M

pandamoanium wrote: »

Hi Unkel!

Well they currently have a Rover 75 - and I think the dealer told them that the engine in the Freelander would be the exact same, and that the weight of both cars were ..., got a bit taken aback when I came on here to look them up and saw the bashing they got!

Is the 75 a petrol?

Guy:Incognito

pandamoanium wrote: »

Hi Unkel!

Well they currently have a Rover 75 - and I think the dealer told them that the engine in the Freelander would be the exact same, and that the weight of both cars were the same, and well they've extremely happy with the 75, no problems whatsoever, so when they heard this I think that's what sold it for them.

Deposit - E500.

Yeah, the at least having the NCT done should be some peace of mind alright, have to admit though, got a bit taken aback when I came on here to look them up and saw the bashing they got!

How much are they getting for the 75 on the trade in?

Seth Brundle

Limerick man wrote: »

Is the 75 a petrol?

Presumably not if its got the same engine as the freelander (diesel!)

L-M

kbannon wrote: »

Presumably not if its got the same engine as the freelander (diesel!)

I thought he was refering to the petrol engine in the Freelander, and that's where i was confused lol

pandamoanium

75 is a Diesel also - a 99

Warranty.. AFAIK I think it's engine/clutch type deal.. for 6 months.

SteKelly - nope, they're hanging onto the 75 aswell as a second car cause they like it so much, prob better off anyhow as they'd get feck all for it..

Guy:Incognito

pandamoanium wrote: »

SteKelly - nope, they're hanging onto the 75 aswell as a second car cause they like it so much, prob better off anyhow as they'd get feck all for it..

Ahh poo. Thoght I smellt a bargain there.:)

pandamoanium

Stekelly wrote: »

Ahh poo. Thoght I smellt a bargain there.:)

You think they paid over the odds for a straight deal?

Tbh I haven't a clue, didn't know anything about Landrovers til about... oh... 2 hours ago! lol

Stephen

I think he meant he was interested in the 75

unkel

Looks like you should give your parents a little more credit, OP

As Limerick man said, if the dealer fixes all that and gives them a full warranty, I think it is a pretty good deal

Stekelly wrote: »

Ahh poo. Thoght I smellt a bargain there.:)

LOL

BTW have you ever driven a 75? The V6 2.5l petrol auto would probably be the one for you

L-M

unkel wrote: »

Looks like you should give your parents a little more credit, OP

As Limerick man said, if the dealer fixes all that and gives them a full warranty, I think it is a pretty good deal



LOL

BTW have you ever driven a 75? The V6 2.5l petrol auto would probably be the one for you

I've driven a 2.5 Freelander.... Yawwnnn... Lol;)

unkel

Limerick man wrote: »

I've driven a 2.5 Freelander.... Yawwnnn... Lol;)

But have you driven a 75 with that engine?

Guy:Incognito

Stephen wrote: »

I think he meant he was interested in the 75

I sure did.;)

Guy:Incognito

unkel wrote: »

The V6 2.5l petrol auto would probably be the one for you

Havnt driven one yet and that would be right up my street but not really an option at the minute unfortunately due to running costs. Frugel diesel or a van would be my only options if I could hange from my Xantia .

Del2005

OP tell your parents to make sure every thing is working/fixed before they hand over any money. Garages are usually quicker to fix issues when there's money waiting on it then if they've already been paid. And if anything can't be fixed keep more then the cost price back off the purchase price till it is resolved or better yet don't collect the car till it's OK.

boomer_ie

Limerick man wrote: »

I've driven a 2.5 Freelander.... Yawwnnn... Lol;)

Emmm im guessing thats a joke

To the OP, I have had a Freelander (2.0l diesel) for the last 6 months or so and i have had no major issues touch wood with it apart from some minor issues when it was purchased (the battery needed swapping!).

Seeing as the dealer has promised to have it serviced etc before collecting it then you should have no problems as the diesels are very reliable.

Shane

mcwhirter

unkel wrote: »

Looks like you should give your parents a little more credit, OP

As Limerick man said, if the dealer fixes all that and gives them a full warranty, I think it is a pretty good deal



LOL

BTW have you ever driven a 75? The V6 2.5l petrol auto would probably be the one for you

Or even the 4.6L V8:pac:

conlonbmw

Freelander is excellent car. Same diesel engine as 75, a detuned 320d engine. Make sure it is tracked properly before leaving garage as the ycan eat tyres otherwise. They are very economical and comfy, make sure they get 4wd tested ird unit ( or transfer box ) because this fails at about 6 years old in some. You can drive it 2wd mode through FWD.

Saab Ed

Thats the first time I've seen Freelander and excellent in the same sentence except for the sentence that goes " the break down recovery company were excellent in dealing with my Freelander problem "

Eoin

conlonbmw wrote: »

You can drive it 2wd mode through FWD.

Are you sure? My friend has an 02 Freelander with the BMW diesel engine, and it's permanent 4WD.

smash

The diesels are better than the petrols, they're still crap cars though. I know so many people who've had issues with them!

conlonbmw

eoin wrote: »

Are you sure? My friend has an 02 Freelander with the BMW diesel engine, and it's permanent 4WD.

The transfer box breaks in them at about 6 years, then they become 2WD.

Eoin

conlonbmw wrote: »

The transfer box breaks in them at about 6 years, then they become 2WD.

Oh sorry, I get you now. I thought you meant it was selectable, rather than being enforced!

conlonbmw

eoin wrote: »

Oh sorry, I get you now. I thought you meant it was selectable, rather than being enforced!

Its ok, you made me smile when I read ur post:)

Its a great engine.

L-M

boomer_ie wrote: »

Emmm im guessing thats a joke

Lol, i'm not. Nothing spectacular. Probably one of the most unsaleable cars in the country lol... And they're all auto as well.

pandamoanium

Thanks for all the info guys, I'll pass it on!

Was just speaking to them 30 mins ago - it seems they went out to see the Garage whom the dealer had told them had serviced the car down through the years, just to verify mileage and see what work had been done on it etc.. - Well the man at the garage says that he's never seen that car before, he definitely didn't service it!

Sounds a bit dodgy now..

Hmmm.. will have to wait and see though!

Will keep you lot posted!

Thanks again!

Eoin

Nope, my mate's one is a manual. Cars don't have to be manual to be fun either, but that's a different thread.

L-M

Check who stamped the service book.

pandamoanium

That's another thing.. My dad asked the salesman 3/4 times for the service book, along with a print out of past service checks from the computer.. each time he brushed it aside.. On saying that though it was late in the evening and they were closing..

Hmmm.. it'll be interesting to see how they got on!

conlonbmw

pandamoanium wrote: »

That's another thing.. My dad asked the salesman 3/4 times for the service book, along with a print out of past service checks from the computer.. each time he brushed it aside.. On saying that though it was late in the evening and they were closing..

Hmmm.. it'll be interesting to see how they got on!

Tell them to walk and go to Stuarts garages

Rowley Birkin QC

pandamoanium wrote: »

That's another thing.. My dad asked the salesman 3/4 times for the service book, along with a print out of past service checks from the computer.. each time he brushed it aside.. On saying that though it was late in the evening and they were closing..

Hmmm.. it'll be interesting to see how they got on!

I'd be inclined to walk away at that point.

Dealers are mad for sales at the moment. If he didn't hear back first thing in the morning about it it's a deal-breaker for me.

lifer_sean

A mate is a breaker ... he loves Freelanders 'cos so many things give trouble he sells everything off them !

L-M

conlonbmw wrote: »

Tell them to walk and go to Stuarts garages

They have a 00 1.8 petrol for the same money??

boomer_ie

Limerick man wrote: »

Lol, i'm not. Nothing spectacular. Probably one of the most unsaleable cars in the country lol... And they're all auto as well.

Did a search and discovered there is indeed a 2.5l version of the Freelander, had only heard of the 1.8 petrol and 2.0 diesel. (and I had researched the model before I bought the one I have!)

My apologies for doubting you

L-M

boomer_ie wrote: »

Did a search and discovered there is indeed a 2.5l version of the Freelander, had only heard of the 1.8 petrol and 2.0 diesel. (and I had researched the model before I bought the one I have!)

My apologies for doubting you

Lol, sorry, i thought you thought i was joking about it not being very fast. Aye, they came in a 2.5, very few and far between though:D.