Used 2002 Land Rover Freelander Consumer Reviews
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Let the fun begin!
I was totally impressed with this little Landie & bought it in within a week of driving. Since it's one-of-a- kind on the road & U'll people checking U out at the lights. Interior ergo is good and I love the heated windshield, I'm ready for midwest winter.
Solid Well Built Trouble Free
Attention to detail. Under the hood of the Fords and chevys we looked at before buying the Freelander, I found that most of the electrical connectors had wires that were at almost 90 degrees to the conntection;as if the wire was too short. I also found some rather cheap feeling plastic interior molding. The Ford did not achor the back carpet firmly to the body either. The freelander had none of these types of short commings. Besides that the Roll down back window, heater windshield and side mirrors were just a couple of features for which I did not mind paying.
excellent
maybe some have had a bad experience but i have had nothing but a pleasure owning this truck, i have 53000 miles on it and have no problems whatsoever, regular maintenance and thats all. my 3rd rover and my brother has had 9 and currently owns 2, get a good garage people, the freelander is a great vehicle
Freelander rules!
The reason to buy an SUV is to be able to go offroad, not to have tons of space for passengers and not for fancy interior design. If you want the former buy a minivan. The Freelander rides the road like it has magnets for tires. When it is raining, it feels like the pavement is dry. The build quality is outstanding. Some people have been negative about the interior design. However, plain it may be, it will last and take a beating. The leather seats are amazing. The Freelander drives itself. The stearing wheel is the best feel I have ever ecountered. I am very pleased with our Land Rover and our dealer was excellent.
freelander
This car is awesome. It drives very smoothly and is relatively quiet. It handles like an SUV but corners like a car. I LOVE IT!
A LIL' BIT
Having had to only do minor maint. Love it. Gets 22 + MPG , great in all aspects driving in Texas and a joy to zip around in here. Wife ,son and future daughter in law leave their cars at home in bad weather to take the Freelander.
Acknowledge the faults
Eight months after getting my dream car I experienced transmision prolbems, got it fixed and now 5 year later I need a new transmission again. I have had to replace all the door/window acturators and issues with the brakes. I love the car, its fun when it works well. The A/C doesn't cool the entire car properly. LANDROVER acknowledge the faults and give remedy to the owners.
Basically cool
I have this vehicle since OCTOBER, and have 3000 miles on it. Tight feel, great handling, quiet vehicle. However, my husband needs to slightly tilt seat back to keep his head from touching roof, and last week, during a cold snap, the power window button fell off in my hands causing the other windows to open/close on their own and act wacky. The good news is that the dealer, after calling on my cell phone fixed it almost on the spot when I drove in. It was COLD with a window open all the time. Great service and treatment! I also got a great price as a leftover with 4000 off the list price.
electrical gremlins
has already been out of service for 14 days - close to hitting lemon law requirements. numerous electrical problems- windows not working - heated seats going out - but most importantly - a/c system backup causes water to shoot out of dash vents! shorts out radio and a/c and eventually the battery!
Poorest quality SUV ever built
The LandRover Freelander should of never been imported into this country. I have been a car salesman for over 18 years and have never been around such a poorly built vehicle. My wife and I owned ours for 3 very long years. Everyday you wonder what's going to break next. We had a issue with everything from coolant leaks to electrical to front brake rotors that must of been a cruel joke to the consumer. I bought the vehicle wholesale and still lost money because dealers are scared of them. My wife had always liked the looks of the Freelander but was terrified to drive this suv with its host of problems.
Upside down nightmare!
Bought it used and thought I was buying a quality car. My mechanic told me was engine was ready to go and I've been having coolant leakage. Currently owe 13,000, dealers will only give me $7,000 and I feel to guilty to sell it out right (would only get retail on it which is $10,000) knowing all of the problems these cars have. So, what do I do with this poorly made vehicle? Don't buy!
hope you don't wreck
Initail diappointment derived from poor quality interior (some elements did not even match), cheap leather, disturbing heating elements embedded in the windshield (which have become more distracting with time), and an annoying lurch between first and second gear. Catastrophe set in when I was struck by a hit and run driver. Since Feb 27 2002 (today is June 6th), Land Rover has been unable to supply parts to repair the vehicle! Moreover, the national customer service has ranged from disinterested to rude.
Great Little SUV w/traction
Love this car's handling as I drive in the rain almost every day. Note: spare tire mounting does impact rear view visibility. Corners well, accelerates adequately.
Not A Good Purchase
This car got "great" reviews by the auto magazines when I was looking to buy this car in 2002. We have had the transmission blow, which apparently Land Rover knew they should have recalled but sat silent and did nothing, then we had the brakes and air conditioning blow several times, then finally, the engine blows as I am driving it to get its annual service! We are now told that because the Freelander is no longer in production, the engine will be 'very difficult' to find and may take a month or so to locate... then Land Rover tells us that they will not pay for a new engine but will give us a $4500 "credit" towards buying a new Land Rover! Unbelievable.
A real off road vehicle
Like most SUV buyers we purchased this vehicle as a daily driver. That was until Land Rover invited us to a free off-road school. In case you didn't already know, buying a Land Rover makes you a member of their club. After a full day of driving the off road vehicle park in Hollister, CA we came to the conclusion that the Freelander is not a car nor a truck but a real 4x4 off road vehicle. Without any prior off road experience our group drove our stock Freelanders over black diamond trails with minimal coaching from our instructors. Even veteran off-roaders stopped and got out there cameras as we traversed some extreme terrain. Best quote of the day: "WOW!"
The Greatest Small SUV on the Planet
The moment I steped into this SUV I could feel its quality. The test drive impressed me even more with the cars handling and steering beating all of its competetors. A MUST SEE.
2002 Freelander S
It gets a lot of looks. Drives great. No problems at all.
Another nightmare...
Oh, let's see.. I've put 4500 miles on my Freelander since purchase, and have spent MORE in repair bills than I payed for the car. Transmission- Failed.Transfer Case-Failed. Engine- failing.A/c,Sunroof, Power Door locks, failed, failed, failed. 84K on the clock so far, and if I ever see my Rover again, she's getting traded for a Jeep Wrangler, No questions about it no more Land Rover Products are in my future.
Value?...yes...performance?...somewhat
Owned for 2 months already and asked if I love it, then my answer would be no, if I like it, then my answer would be yes. For the price you get a ton of standard features lacking in other vehicles of the same price (bigger mid- sized sport utes being inclusive also.) I always dreamed of the day when I would be able to afford a Range Rover HSE, but build quality and price stopped me before from purchasing ANY Land Rover. Now once owned by Ford and BMW, LR has improved vastly in ALL areas. Starting with it's baby brother the Freelander I would have to say that my expectations of the LR name have not disappointed thus far with the exception of the engine.
on my 3rd engine
I am now on my 3rd engine it this vehicle, and I only have 60,000 miles on this car. Land Rover is offering me 50% off the engine. It's not drivable... please get these cars off the road as they are seizing up on people while driving.
excellent
Truly one of the best vehicles i have ever owned!
I feel decadent!
I'm a new Freelander owner, so I can't comment on things such as reliability and the like, but I must say that I couldn't be happier with my purchase. People assume that since it's a LR that it has a high price tag; I keep telling friends that the base model is truly reasonable, which it is! The LR buying experience is truly no hassle, and the 3.9% financing can't be beat. Customer service from everyone was SUPERB!!!!! This mini-SUV is perfect for me, as I'm only 5'1", but my husband, who is 6'3" would like more head room and a driver's seat up/down switch. Even if you have no plans of buying one, treat yourself and go drive one.
Nothing but trouble
I bought this SUV with 60k miles and now its got 65K and I had spend over 3k in repairs. The timing belts and all the components on the front of the engine. Now the fuel pump which is going to be over a thousand. It has been nothing but expensive. I wouldn't suggest this vehicle at all. Unless you got the time and money to keep in the shop. I am selling right after the fuel issue is fixed.
Incredable
When people want to by a land Rover they would probably want an exspensive one but in this case the Land Rover Freelander S is the leats exspensive of the 3 (se,s...)i had it for 4 months now and i don't have any problems with it its an amazing car, but my girlfriend makes fun of me because she has the new hummer h2 she always races me and wins but overall i think the freelander is an incredible car!!
So far, so very good!
This car is everything I wanted in a min-SUV and more. Only a couple minor complaints. First, watch your head when you get in. I have to remember to duck. Second, the driver's seat is fixed in vertical position. There is not much extra head room once you are in, and the rear-view mirror blocks a large portion of your outside field-of-view. Takes some getting used to. That said, the Freelander's on-road handling is superb. It drives like a sports car, and it seems to have plenty of power for my needs, even fully loaded with the family. It cost a little more than I wanted to spend, but I definitely feel bathed in luxury. Can't wait to try it off road.
Loved mine for 5.5 years!
I got mine new in Aug 2002 and have loved it ever since. the only thing to go wrong was the heater 3 yrs ago and they fixed it, no chg. Brakes need regular maintenance as its a heavy car. Love the way mine looks and handles but it doesn't have much initial pick-up. i've had all the scheduled maintenance and am pleased with overall performance. I got a good one!
Freelander
Just a great car
impressive.. but ....
I've been happy with the vehicle itself but unhappy with the quality and speed of the American servicing ...they don't seem to know what they're doing and it is the consumer that has to foot the bill for their R&D
Lives up to its price tag
Although it is a little expensive compared to its competitors, the Land Rover Freelander deserves its price tag. It is very well built and like no other 4x4 out there.
Land Rover Freelander
This is clearly a great vehicle from Land Rover. While it may not have the offroading ability of the Discovery, or the Range Rover, it's incredibly and surprisingly capable offroad. An entire day spent at the Paragon Offroad Park proved that this vehicle is in every step a Land Rover. It's just too bad that my Freelander spends most of it's time getting repaired at the Centre because Land Rover couldn't make a reliable vehicle.
Freelander Rules!
And the rules are: 1. Step up to the SE or HSE, especially the HSE for the sumptuous leather if you have the $$. 2. Make sure your SE comes with a Sunroof, Harmon Kardon stereo upgrade, and Heated Seats (All standard on HSE). 3. Dip your head and slide legs first across the front seats if you are taller than 5'8" -- Freelander has LR's standard Command Seating position. 4. Enjoy! Liberty and Escape V6 owners may dust you in a race. But bumps that make their vehicles shake like Strom Thurmond covered in fire ants will hardly affect Freelander.
Worst purchase
Well I purchased my land rover in 2007 and the first thing i had to fix after two weeks of having the land rover was the passenger window on the drivers side, which was a lot of money, than 6 months later i had to fix the brakes, then the water pump, thermometer, gas tank, which i might is upside down after taking it someone other than land rover and now the head gasket, I had to fix the land rover more than enjoy it, it put me down after it was supposedly fixed twice on the freeway last year when I was 8 months pregnant, I have had the greatest time with this vehicle, unfortunately there was no warranty available when i purchased the vehicle, i would like my money back
One Year Later, Still Love the 'Rover!
I've had the Freelander (S) for a year (12000 miles) now and haven't had anything major go wrong. At about 5 months, the heated windshield had to be replaced due to a factory flaw, but it was taken care of quickly and at no cost, so not a hassle at all! Love the way it rides on and off road and was surprised at how capable it was off road the first time.
the best vehicle ever owned or driven
the freelander is extremely capable off road. I took it to a ladrover "wheels" offroad event and it was extemely impressive. I driven a lot of vehicles and few have impressed me as much as the freelander with its off-road capability.
Don't buy
Looks good, fun to drive, great in the snow, but the 2.5l is a lemon. The head gasket will need to be replaced. Because of a design flaw the engine will eventually need to be replaced and LandRover does not make them any more and they are hard to find. Stay away from the 2.5L v6 engine, it is a ticking time bomb.
My Freelander
The best car buying experience I have ever had. Even servicing the car is enjoyable. Major kudos for having such a professional and pleasant network of dealerships and employee's.
Free Lander / Compared to the rest
Okay....Ive read allot of the BS people like to talk about and i thinks its pretty funny...Ive had this car since January 2002, and what can i say. I own 2 Landrovers including a new Range rover and an old defender 90...This car is a little expensive for whats its worth, considering a little more will buy u a Discovery...I tested this car in the mountains of vancouver and i have taken it to many ski trips. If you are even thinking of comparing this to a Jeep or even toyota, you are crazy...The off road capabilities on this car is amazing....if ur looking for onroad capabilities then go buy a minivan...
beware British engineering
towed into selling dealer after 8 months and 5800 miles. they have no clue what's wrong with after having car 1 week. when questioned about the status, service dept. is vague and disinterested. high-class image, low- class service.
To many problems
I had the vehicle for a year and 1/2 and its been at the shop for than 45 days. The vehicle has had transmission problems from the first month. Its been a horrible experience
excellent
before last weekend, my freelander would've gotten about an 8. but when we took it offroad, i was blown away! with street tires, this thing took us everywhere we wanted to go; mud, steep hills, rocks. this thing just never let us down. the dealership sponsored an off-road event and we were one of 3 freelanders. i'll say this, the freelander definitely held it's own against the stock discos and range rovers. once again, extremely impressed!!!
Tons of repairs
I purchased a used "02 freelander in "05. After 1 year the transmission had to be replaced. Then the A/C broke. Then a couple other valves. The two back rear doors broke, they could only be opened from the inside. The rear driver's side window doesn't open. The only plus are the seat warmers. I would not recommend this purchase.
Watch out when they reach high miles
I had very good luck with the Freelander until I approached 75,000 miles. I had always followed the textbook in terms of maintenance, but faced a major problem requiring a replacement of the head gaskets, which would have cost $4,500. The vehicle wasn't worth that much on trade, so I got rid of it. The service tech told me that the '02 Freelander engine was over-engineered because they wanted more power for the American market than provided by the 4-cylinder version that had been used successfully for years in Europe. I also had constant problems with the sunroof as well, but otherwise it was a great vehicle until the engine went. Just get a complete diagnostic before buying at high miles.
almost there
the steel outer shell is extremely thin (I could push it in by touching it lightly) and cheap. Does not compare to the thick steel of the Liberty (much less $). Handling is very nice on the LR, milage undoes the fun. Shift is good, horsepower is shameful. sunroof cover has slits in it. Controls hard to see, clock does not light up at night. For side impact this car is dangerous. Nothing but a ridiculous floating bar protects driver and passengers from a fatality. No side crash test results on this matter suggest neglect, and mars seriously the Landrover reputation.
Great Looks Are Not Everything
I bought a Land Rover because I thought if I was going to own an SUV it should be the best. Well, as far as looks it is better than any other small suv out there. As far as reliability, not so good. I bought my truck in may 2003 and have had it to the dealership for faulty electrical 3 times!! I know can't unlock or lock my doors and the dealership won't look at my car for a week!! Gas is also unreal. Though the truck is a headache I love to look at it in the driveway.
My first SUV
It's my first SUV, and I'm delighted with the choice! Great dealership, and an even better deal. Went ahead in spite of some lukewarm reviews, and I'm glad I did. It has enough power to get out of its own way. It looks and feels sturdy, and is unique enough to turn heads. The Land Rover cashe is a bonus as well. Rides fine on the highway, and gets far better gas mileage than expected. I get 27mpg on the highway (70mph - Cruise on - A/C off) Interior, even with the leather option, is a bit spartan for a vehicle with such a "luxury" reputation. Do they really need so many "Land Rover" badges?
Looks good!
Love the looks & feels good inside. A good chicks car. The driver needs an arm rest, the engine needs more power, the upgraded stereo sucks. The rear passenge windows only go down half way. ( but I do love the vehicle anyway ) Looks DO matter!
Mine must have been the good one
I've seen all the reviews on the Freelander and I realize I was just lucky - mine's been fairly trouble free in the five + years I've had it. It hasn't been babied, either, but I've also been picky about maintenance. But for snowy weather, it's always been the best.
still like this car...
I've had this car for 7 years and will be somewhat sad to trade it in soon. I think it's one of the best looking small SUVs made. I had a few reliability issues (like other owners of this model) but the positives outweighed the negatives.
Whats in a Name
The land rover name means nothing when it comes to tough SUV's as far as I am consern after driving the freelander.
My third Land Rover
The professional attitude of the Land Rover Centre. No problems with the auto so far.