| Author | Message | ||
     thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2002 |
today my BMW 750 went in for a free air-bag service to change a contact ring under recall. The Dealer showed up in my driveway with a brand new (1100miles)fully loaded freelander. on first drive it is very much like a Subaru forester, except it has about the worst ergonomics of any vehicle I have ever driven. For the life of me I could not find a position that I could see the dash gauges. I also noticed that the dash cup holders are so far away from reach that you almost hit your head on the windshield just to reach them. The seats are rock hard, they would most likely be great in a full time off-roader but for comfort they lack alot. the back seats were intresting in there own right, my daughter said "look dad I fit perfect without my booster seat"...she's 6. I sat in one and my 6'1" 230 frame did not fit very well if at all. I tried the hill decent system and was really taken aback by the sounds and feel it had?...sounded more like a badly chipped gear in a transfercase and the jerky feel made me wonder how it would really work in a super slick steep situation? I did like the elastic cup holders on the bottom of the doors and would love some in my disco. I also liked the look and build quality of the dash. The auto\manual shifter worked well and allowed good use of the power from the motor. I also thought the lights were great and the outer appearence is pretty cool. but I have to recant my opinion that some day I would buy one used, I would not buy one. My wife says she thinks it drives and feels cheap and that she would not trade "her" disco for it no way no how. I think this explains why sales are very sluggish MM | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1049 Registered: 09-2002 |
Thom, Did you have problems getting into the vehicle? I'm only 5'9"/5'10" or so and kept hitting my head trying to get in and once in I felt awkward trying to find a position for myself. I agree I wasn't thrilled about the layout of the interior. I think if it was priced a little lower I wouldn't have as many issues with it but when I see how much they go for, I think it falls short in some areas for the money you pay. I've gotten one a few times as loaners and always have a new appreciation for my truck when I get it back but then again, I find that I don't like how a lot of trucks fit and feel compared to my truck. My sister got a new 4Runner that I've had the opportunity to drive a few times and it's funny but I'll gladly give up that power for the way the Disco fits me. Of course, it'd be nice if I could have both! | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 576 Registered: 11-2002 |
Alan Yes I did bump my heap getting in and I felt like I was up near the roof all the time, plus sitting that high plus having the heavy rake on the windshield puts the rear view mirror so in your face it blocks alot of my vision. I also find that I dont care for the riding position in alot of trucks...so maybe its just me  Thom | ||
| Curt Perlman (Cnote) New Member Username: Cnote Post Number: 18 Registered: 01-2004 |
Those cupholders that you thought were such a great idea...they are not. My dealer gives freelanders for loaners so I am familiar with them. I thought they were great too until I put a 32 oz drink in it and then had to go into a store. When you slam the door shut the cup contents go flying!! I'm glad it wasn't my truck because the inside of the truck was a bit sticky after that situation. | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 578 Registered: 11-2002 |
curt you messed up...when you go into the store you need to take your slurpee with you for a refill 45 more mins...the Freelander goes away | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1050 Registered: 09-2002 |
Yea Thom, the comment about feeling like you're near the roof all the time is a good way to describe it. So is the rear view mirror. It feels quite close to me. There aren't as many of them around where I live as I was anticipating when they first came out. I think it's because of their price point. The typical buyer of this segment will probably look at the price and see that it's crossed over into some of the other class trucks and feel they're getting a better value with them. The badge may not have as big an influence in this class vehicle. It was interesting but when I spoke with the sales rep that sold me my Disco, he said that he's taken a Freelander out skiing a couple times and said that the fuel mileage he saw wasn't much different than the Disco's. He didn't sound very enthusiastic about them. Oh well, as long as they are helping in LR's sales, I don't really care. They obviously have their place in the model line up but I'm wondering if they may be priced a tad high. | ||
| Donald McFarlane (Dsmcf) Member Username: Dsmcf Post Number: 94 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yup. I routinely refuse Freelanders as loaner or rental or any other kind of vehicles. I can't fit properly. The automatic transmission is horrible (drives like a manual driver who doesn't know how to use the clutch). And the engine is so goddamn quiet that you keep forgetting it's running, and the acceleration sure doesn't change your mind about this any... Did I mention non-existent cargo room? | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 701 Registered: 06-2002 |
I like them...for what they are...would still consider buying one for a town car...but then again, I'm only 5'4"!!! I have to say though, when we drove a 2004 Disco, my husband (who is 6'3-4") didn't feel like he fit as well as he does in my disco I or in the Range Rover. He had no room to tilt the wheel up away from his legs and the seat didn't go down enough. Then he sat in (but didn't drive) a 2004 Freelander and actually thought it fit better! Who knows! Guess that's why we bought another old car! | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1052 Registered: 09-2002 |
Yea I noticed that too Susannah. I sat in a 2004 Disco and it fits differently than my D1. Almost less room and in the back seats, the roof line seems to be closer to your head or they moved the seats forward a bit. Maybe it's just a perception thing. But from my experiences, I've never felt comfortable in the Freelander although I did sit in the back seat of a 3 door Freelander with the rear roof removed and it was kind of neat to sit in a partial rag top configuration. It'd be cool on a beach or nice day. | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Senior Member Username: Jake Post Number: 251 Registered: 03-2002 |
I rented a diesel Freelander in Germany back in '98 and thought it fit me pretty well (I'm 6'6"). I have not driven a US version though, and its possible things have changed regarding the seating system. I had a 94 DI non power seats and fit well into it: however, I did not like the fir of a D2 with power seats. For what it is intended for, the Freelander is ok. It is pricy in am rket with very stiff competition, and most people looking at a vehicle like this are not going to be overly impressed with the LR name, or even really familar with it. It is a shame that LR doesn't put some teeth in the little guy and make it an entry level ORV instead of a commuter car. |
