By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 03:39 pm: Edit

I was curious on the new Freelander, so we stopped by my Land Rover dealer
today to take a look at one in person. Very nice little truck! It seems
like it is built well, and they moved the cupholders away from the heater
controls, imagine that! There was also more cargo space than I thought
there were going to be for a truck that size. The salesman took us out for
a testdrive too, even though it was understood that we were not buying
today. The ride was nice and tight, and the engine has plenty of power.
The ride is more car like than truck like, but for the market the Freelander
is aming for, I think that was a wise decision. One little quirk though,
the hood release is on the passenger side, they did not relocate it for the
LHD version. A true mark of a Land Rover..... ;)

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 03:53 pm: Edit

Yes, from what I have seen it looks like it would make a great little second car. Once I'm done paying for the Disco I will be in the market for another car. I will most likely get the w8 VW Passat but, you never know. Maybe I'll get the little Freelander instead. Unless of course the Defender is back here in a soft top version then I'm getting one unless they ruin it before bringing it back.

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 04:30 pm: Edit

We may be looking to replace my wife's car next year, so if that happens the Freelander is a strong contender. It would be mostly for running around town, carrying stuff etc, and it seems well suited for that. IFS is good for on road, and the ETC combined with a viscous coupling and some decent tires should make it handle slippery conditions well. It seems reasonably priced, too.

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Yes, that's why I'm thinking about it also.. But, it is a second car for me. That's why I'm not sure if I want a car or sport-ute. If it is really nasty out I'd just drive the Disco. That's still a couple of years in the future any how. Hell, I'll have a kid by then and may not have the money..

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Sunday, December 02, 2001 - 11:15 am: Edit

you should just mkae this rover web..a mecca for land rover owners everywhere...

By Steve (Steve2) on Monday, December 03, 2001 - 10:22 pm: Edit

i really like the new car - i have yet to drive one - maybe this week when i drop off some wood kits at the dealer? good excuse eh?

i think a silver one with yellow mirrors, and rally mud flaps, white OZ racing wheels and some pirelli scorpion p zero (?!?) - would be cool- along with a ford motorsport afrika rally cow catcher and some micro HIDs would be nice....and yellow tiger stripes (why not - this is a pipe dream).

it would make a great round town car - save the disco for the trails.

steve

By 94Rover on Tuesday, December 04, 2001 - 12:58 pm: Edit

Yeah, I lurked onto the LandRover Greensboro display lot during the Holiday, and I wasn't too excited about it. Of course I was peeking into the S model, but I wasn't overjoyed. I'm sure my feelings will change, but for now-"I wasn't too excited about it"

By Murray (Cdnrvr) on Tuesday, December 04, 2001 - 08:07 pm: Edit

I took the 'S' model for a test drive last Saturday and I liked it alot. It was a nice tight little truck - handled well and the V6 was pretty peppie. I am thinking about getting one for a daily driver since the Disco won't fit in the parkade at work.

Murray

By 94Rover on Tuesday, December 04, 2001 - 08:48 pm: Edit

Hey Murray, I think I was looking for more when I was peeking in. I didn't see anything inside that justified the sticker price. But what was I thinking, it's not whats inside that makes the Rover, its whats underneath-correct. Maybe if I go and do the "I'm not buying test drive" something may spark my interest. For now, I like my Freelander diecast model better.

By David Gage on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 08:39 am: Edit

OK, I bought one, so shoot me. I saw the production line in 1998 and was impressed by the money that was spent on the facility, test drove one then. Came away saying to my self, I wouldn't mind having one when they get here. I got the HS model in white with cloth seats, bun warmers and the nav system.It should arrive this week. And all the goodies are due in from the UK (HD Bull bar, lamp guards, dog guard, side rails and more) next week. I have made contact with SD to get the CT roof rack as well. Now I don't intend for this to replace my Series Trucks or the big "D", it's just a fun little grocery getter. When you test drive one, check out the sport shift..kinda cool.

David

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 08:46 am: Edit

Bang! J/K!


I think they'll be great for around town, in the country, and not-so-hardcore offroading...

Not a Disco or a Rangie or a Defender or a Series, but better than a Jeep or an Xterra or an Explorer, or etc. etc....


And the wife is still mopey about us not being able to buy one while I'm still paying for my Disco! Ah, well.....


-L

By 94Rover on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 10:53 am: Edit

Hey David, no flame intended by this question, but why the side rails? Just wondering because they are so low to the ground. How is the head turning quotient thus far?

By David Gage on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 11:29 am: Edit

The side rails actually come up on the sills to prevent loss of clearence. As I continue to make changes I will send in pictures. No news on the head turning yet as I havn'e taken delivery yet, it's due in today...

By Steve (Steve2) on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 12:42 pm: Edit

dave

congrats man!
be sure to post pics- if you want anything to spice up the interior dash kit wise - let me know
(carbon fiber, wood, alu -look etc)

steve

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 12:57 pm: Edit

dave, send me some pics so i can post them in the gallery section. as many as you want and possibly can.

[email protected]

By David Gage on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 02:08 pm: Edit

Ho, I will as soon as I get the Freebie and get her all duded up (before and after shots)The cool stuff is due in here at the shop late next week (Dec 14)

I will keep you all posted,

David

By Murray (Cdnrvr) on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 07:51 pm: Edit

Actually, if you take a look at the 'S' and 'SE', not alot to justify the price difference besides leather interior, rims and sunroof. The sales manager let me take it out for a rip and he was telling me he just got back from a trip in Las Vegas where they were thoroughly testing them out. I was concerned about the subframe chassis but apparently they are welded to the body and supposedly as strong as a full frame during simulation tests. I plan on getting one but it will be used for daily commuting only - I would feel alot more comfortable with my Disco off road.

Murray

By cartner on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 10:20 am: Edit

So how about those pictures? Trail reports? hmmmm inquireing minds want to know!

By David Gage on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 10:30 am: Edit

Be patient, I will have some next week. Gonna pick up the wee beasty on Monday and take before pictures, Attach all the goodies next weekend and take the after pictures. As of yet, Nobody has accessories for the Freelander in the US. Since I had the contacts, I have gotten all my stuff direct from the UK in my standard shipment

By Ron on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 10:32 am: Edit

David,

You planning on carring Freeloader parts/accessories?

Ron

By David Gage on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 10:43 am: Edit

Somebody has to do it...Why not.
The parts I have coming in are all genuine except the dog guard. I am trying to work with Safety Devices on their line of Rover stuff as well, seems their NA rep is not real intrested in the Rover market. Aftermarket Freelander stuff right now is only available for the 4 cyl variant, not V6, so if you are looking overseas for the gadgets be aware of that.

By Ron on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 10:49 am: Edit

I will mention it to my contacts.

You are the best!

Ron

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 10:27 pm: Edit

get it muddy

By David Gage (Davidg) on Friday, December 07, 2001 - 07:51 am: Edit

First thing I plan to do when I get it here, Monday Afternoon is get freddy the forklift out and take a lift measurement like we did with Leslie's Disco, so you can expect those pictures shortly there after.....

David

By Cartner on Friday, December 07, 2001 - 11:00 am: Edit

COOL
When you puttin on the 33's???!!! I wanna see!

By David Gage (Davidg) on Friday, December 07, 2001 - 11:32 am: Edit

Speakin of 33s, At Billing this past July was Free Ranger...yep! a Freelander 3 door on a Range Rover chassis, thought I had a picture of it but I can't find it...Painted up White and Orange with BDTs (big damn tars) Full rollgage, and all kinds of goodies...gotta find that picture..

By cartner on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 11:42 pm: Edit

WHoa! Cool...so, wheres the pics?? I wanna see...I wanna see...where are you anyway? maybe a trail trip is in order...

By David Gage (Davidg) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 03:38 pm: Edit

Cartner, I am in East Tennessee, Gonna bring her home Monday and start playing...full reports to follow....

David

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 03:51 pm: Edit

You gonna take it to Tellico???

By JFK on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 04:58 pm: Edit

I pick my Freelander up Monday the 10th in Kansas City, I am so excited. I bought the S model (Could not justify the extra money just for leather, 1 inch bigger wheels and the otpion to get the sunroof) the color is Java Black, i will report back as soon as I have taken it out for a week or two.

By cartner on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 07:42 pm: Edit

I'm in Western part of Central Virginia, I go out to GWNF and JNF sometimes, not TOO far, I'm willing to drive whereveer to get muddy/dusty/wet/dirty and have a good time, so if your around, I'm game for trails.

By nuttinforfree on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 09:50 pm: Edit

Its just a Ford Escape, save your money.

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 12:20 am: Edit

haha

By rex on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 08:44 am: Edit

It doesnt share a single nut or bolt with the Escape

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 11:43 am: Edit

you never know

By ken knebusch (Charlotterover) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 08:05 am: Edit

My wife and I test drove one too. Very nice! But what's up with no power seats. The "S" and "SE" both do not have them. I am not sure about the "HSE", but wow. Anyway, it was a nice vehicle and would make for a great second rover!