We're looking for a new SUV, no more than 30k.

We've looked at the Nissan Murano, Toyota RAV4 and Highlander, Honda Pilot and CRV, and some others. The Pilot is sorta big, and we don't need the extra row of seats whatsoever.

So basically, I'm looking for suggestions for a preferably small SUV under 30k. It's not for me, so power is not all that important.

I checked out the Land Rover Freelander and the dealer had a nice deal on an 03. Anyone have any opinions or suggestions on these cars? Any known problems? Are they reliable?

Plus any other info of any kind would be appreciated.

 

LandRover= can't screw in a bolt. Awful reliability. The worst.

 

Oh yeah, the dealer is giving $7k off the sticker for an 03. So a Freelander at 31k will turm out to be about the price of a loaded RAV4 at 24k.

And the 2 door will come in at around 20k. (with the 7 thousand mark down). Really attractive at that price.

What do you guys think?

 

The 04 actually isn't that bad looking......has a few updates. As far as reliability goes, don't know much about the Freelander. The Discovery (which is being redesigned for 05) isn't so wonderful. The new RR is a great vehicle, it's basically a BMW.

 

Thanks for the pics Beltfed. But we're looking at an 04 without the minor redesign. Lights are a little different and the interior isn't as nice.

But I'm kind of skeptical cause I've heard some bad stuff about their reliability. On the other hand, an 03 for 20k sounds awesome.

 

Land Rover = POS (unreliable as some have mentioned)

Personally, if you don't need to tow then I'd get a Subaru Forrester.

 

It does have a warrenty... If it is that bad, take the hit and sell it befor it goes out of warrenty. My neighbor has on 03 with 30k on it and never had any problems to speak of.
Its kinda like going out to eat. The food tastes differently when cooked by someone else. Just like on the production line. All it takes is one guy to undertighten a bolt and it starts a bunch of other problems. Unless it is a poor design, like out AT. The guy who just built my parents house has 4 Dodge Ram's (2003's) 3 are great but there is one that caught on fire and has trouble starting all the time. Ya never know what ya gonna get... Thats what warrentys are for.

 

I went to the unveiling of this vehicle at the dealership in Jax. Took it offroading and everything. Even got bitten by a fu(king owl in the showroom...

Anyway, it is pretty neat little SUV to be honest. Comfortable, great features, decent power, decent off-road capabilities and the panache of only a Land Rover...

If it were a short term lease, I'd say get it. But if you are getting it to keep, it is: 1, unreliable; 2, expensive for any maintenance or dealer work. They are NOTORIOUS for having problems for which no one can diagnose, and that leads up to mounds of service bills outside of warranty. If you are going to buy it to own, I hope you have a lot of extra money laying around (and I'd say get the Orange with all the Safari racks, guards etc)...

 

2003 LAND ROVER Freelander S All Wheel Drive
dk.green, v6, alloy rims, pwind, cruise, cd, tilt, ac, auto 12k $16,999
2003 LAND ROVER Freelander S All Wheel Drive
black, v6, alloy rims, pwind, cruise, cd, tilt, ac, auto 9k $16,999
2003 LAND ROVER Freelander S All Wheel Drive
red, v6, alloy rims, pwind, cruise, cd, tilt, ac, auto 8k $16,999
2003 LAND ROVER Freelander S All Wheel Drive
red, v6, alloy rims, pwind, cruise, cd, tilt, ac, auto 10k $16,999
2003 LAND ROVER Freelander S All Wheel Drive
silver, v6, alloy rims, pwind, cruise, cd, tilt, ac, auto 7k $16,999
2003 LAND ROVER Freelander S All Wheel Drive
white, v6, alloy rims, pwind, cruise, cd, tilt, ac, auto 5k $16,999
2003 LAND ROVER Freelander SE All Wheel Drive
gold, v6, leather, sunroof, alloy rims, pseat, cruise, cd, ac, auto 11k $18,999
2003 LAND ROVER Discovery S 4dr. 4x4
black, v8, leather, pseats, alloy rims, cruise, ac, auto 13k $21,999
2003 LAND ROVER Discovery S 4dr. 4x4
dk.green, v8, leather, pseats, alloy rims, cruise, ac, auto 12k $21,999
2003 LAND ROVER Discovery II SD 4dr. 4x4
silver, v8, dual pseats, pwind, cruise, cd, ac, auto 7k $24,999



http://www.simmons-rockwell.com/Preowned/Default.asp

they are fawkin cheap to buy

 

http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdr...freelander.htm

 

Thanks for the prices and links, but we're looking at brand new 03s, basically leftovers from last year that haven't been sold yet.

We also like the 2 door version, and I think we can get the price down to about 18k for a BRAND NEW 03. At that price, it's cheaper than a RAV4 or a CRV.

Any more last minute thoughts before we pick one up?

 

DON'T PICK ONE UP. Aweful reliability like everyone else said. Please be smart with this one. Get a RAV4, Pilot, or CRV.

 

There's a reason they don't hold their value... reliability! Your should read the consumer comments on autos.msn.com and edmunds.com. I always read the negitive comments first just to see if anyone really hates the car (you'll always get some) before I read the rest of them. Bottom line, if you want a reliable car, you really need to go with Toyota or Honda ... This is a very nice looking SUV but other then that, nothing special.

Speaking of "Special", have you thought about the Honda Element? So ugly it's cute. Love those back seats!

 

how about the new Vue with Honda's 3.5L V-6 and 5-sp tranny?

MSRP starting around 25k, with MDX/Pilot/Odyssey's drive train. Interesting...

 

We're on our 3rd Rover vehicle and they don't seem to have any more problems than any other cars. Other thatn routine maintenance and squeeky sunroofs (sound familiar to CL owners?) We've had less trouble with our '99 Discovery in 84K miles than I've had with my "reliable" Acura in 40K miles. If you like it and are getting it for a good price then go with it. You can't beat Rovers going up or down slippery hills.

 

Do it,

 

I just rode in an 02 Freelander this weekend .. and I must say that I was NOT impressed with the build quality .. the owner is dumping it too . nothing but a headache .. unfortunate . .cuz I think it is a nice looking vehicle

 

$18K??? that's insane. hell yea you should get that.

 

Dad has it I think it is a POS for the money I would wait for the X3. THe steering is very tough and theres no acceleration whatsoever.

 

he's talking about an $18k SUV, and you suggest a $33k SUV instead? $18k might get you the lowest model Forester.

What else can you get for $18k?

 

Thanks beerknurd. That's exactly what I'm thinking.

There's no way I'd pay 28-32k for a Freelander, but the dealer is slashing off 7k for a new 03 model from last year. Plus the 2 door is around 26-27 sticker; so with the mark down, we're talking dirt cheap.

That's why it's so attractive. It's even cheaper than a CRV and RAV4.

BMW X3 easily breaks the 30k mark. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

My 98 R Discovery with 5k km has oil leaking every where and I was forced to sell it just before the 3 yrs warrenty end to buy my cl-s. I tell myself i will never get another Land Rover again..