Hello!
I am currently in the market for a new daily driver and have always eyed Freelanders for the past few years but have never gotten around to actually purchasing one... the time has finally come and I need a new vehicle... I have been driving a 2005 Ford Escape, so I figured it would have similar feel, gas mileage, and reliability.
From the limited research I have done, I have found out that the Freelanders last production year was 2005. I have also discovered that Freelanders in general have an incredibly high possibility of needing major mechanical work after 50k miles...
Now my question is, since I am currently eyeing a 2005 will that mean that it is LESS likely I will run into major problems than the earlier year Freelanders? Did LR make any mechanical improvements over the years while the Freelander was still in production? I am hoping since it is a 2005 that some of the kinks were worked out and that I have a slimmer chance of having problems...
It reminds me of when I was looking for a Mercedes ML a few years ago, and everyone said they are lemons because of sludge problems which caused the engine to ultimately fail, needing replacement. Then I found out that if I purchased a 2003+ the problems was virtually non-existent... So, I purchased a 2003, had if for nearly 3 years/ 75k miles and had no problems... I am hoping this is a similar situation.
The vehicle I am looking at is 2,000 miles away and I plan to fly there to pick it up next week. It is a super clean one-owner 2005 with 45k mi, with a history of service records from the LR dealer. It had the sunroof replaced at 35k mi... and the brake light switch replaced twice since new... any other things I should worry about or should I stay clear from this model all together?
TIA!
Justin from Jacksonville, FL
I am currently in the market for a new daily driver and have always eyed Freelanders for the past few years but have never gotten around to actually purchasing one... the time has finally come and I need a new vehicle... I have been driving a 2005 Ford Escape, so I figured it would have similar feel, gas mileage, and reliability.
From the limited research I have done, I have found out that the Freelanders last production year was 2005. I have also discovered that Freelanders in general have an incredibly high possibility of needing major mechanical work after 50k miles...
Now my question is, since I am currently eyeing a 2005 will that mean that it is LESS likely I will run into major problems than the earlier year Freelanders? Did LR make any mechanical improvements over the years while the Freelander was still in production? I am hoping since it is a 2005 that some of the kinks were worked out and that I have a slimmer chance of having problems...
It reminds me of when I was looking for a Mercedes ML a few years ago, and everyone said they are lemons because of sludge problems which caused the engine to ultimately fail, needing replacement. Then I found out that if I purchased a 2003+ the problems was virtually non-existent... So, I purchased a 2003, had if for nearly 3 years/ 75k miles and had no problems... I am hoping this is a similar situation.
The vehicle I am looking at is 2,000 miles away and I plan to fly there to pick it up next week. It is a super clean one-owner 2005 with 45k mi, with a history of service records from the LR dealer. It had the sunroof replaced at 35k mi... and the brake light switch replaced twice since new... any other things I should worry about or should I stay clear from this model all together?
TIA!
Justin from Jacksonville, FL
