Land Rover

[anon26]

Hi,

My boyfriend has currently got it in his head that he wants to buy either a land rover discovery or freelander. Second hand they seem to be priced around the 5,000 pound mark. I am concerned though that it will cost us more in the future, eg repairs, services, mot. Are these things all more expensive for big cars such as landrovers as opposed to cars likes ford focus etc. Hope that makes sense.

[woodchopper]

Generally harder on the fuel and I hope they tax them to the hilt in the next budget.

[Toureman]

Repairs and service are a lot more expensive, MOT stays the same. Low MPG so fuel costs go up.

[jake-the-peg]

Have a look here for an evaluation of the cars

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm

Freeloaders :c) especially have reliability problems particularly head gaskets although at 37 mpg they're hardly the greatest threat to the worlds fuel supplies that woodchopper would have you believe!

[Birt]

They are a bit unreliable and expensive if they do go wrong.

Especially if your boyfrined keeps pulling away in second gear!!!

[osh]

I would say does he need a big car. there is no point running a big, heavy car that has low MPG if there is only going oto be him in the car most of the time.

Is he into off-roading etc -then the disco is lots of fun. If he wants to service the car himself, it can be fun, and cost effective. If he just wants one for image then ?????????

Its horses for courses really.

[almcd007]

Have a look at a 4x4 - you may be suprised as for running costs - yes the mpg goes up slightly and tyre wear is mildly more excessive. Check out the Tax Band of the car you are looking at and Insurance costs. I'd argue that servicing is probably similar and not a great deal different to a "normal" car the MOT will be the same.

Nice one caz1975 - I'm with you - take a look at the MPG for the Sports cars - I drive a diesel X5 because
a) I live in a democracy and will not be dictated to b) Its very safe for my two children
c) I want the safety of four wheel drive in the winter time
d) I want the reliability of a German motor car (3 years running and no major costs but servicing)

My sister had a Landcruiser which overturned on the motorway, whilst towing a caravan and they would have been dead if they were in a "normal" car - it was big enough and ugly enough to take a bashing and protect my nephews from injury. Everyone who hasn't got one wants to know why you have one and your not off road every day with it. An X5 wasn't built for off roading and neither were most of the 4x4's on the road today - they've developed from the 4x4 off roader. So if you have a sports car do you need to race everywhere and go on the race track ? If you have an estate do you have to have dogs ? If you drive a Subaru Imprezza - are you a rally driver and why aren't you in Dalby Forest every Sunday - If you have a Fourtrak - are you a farmer ?? Lots of cars have stereotypical owners and stereotypical uses but we don't live in a stereotypical world.

[SAM1CH99]

I have just bought a 51 Land Rover Freelander 1.8 GS, I went to look at a 52 ES for 8k, but I twisted too much, then went to Hexham and bought a 51 GS. I love it, and it is in green too. We have had an ex RAF 109 LWB, fab, but stolen, later we got a little 88, wobbly wheels, didn't like.
Love the Freelie, superb condition, and got the price down to 4.5k. Even Parkers sent back at least 1.5k more.

Buy your self the Landie, and make him get a little Yaris or something. But if you really want to be treated, forget the Disco, get a Defender... GGRRRRR!

[ermm...]

if he wants to go off roading get a disco. if not you might aswell get a real car coz freelanders are crap, but disco's will go every were!!