2000 Land Rover Freelander 3 Door Soft Top Wagon review from Australia and New Zealand

Three weeks after owning this vehicle, it required a new clutch and all new brakes.

It was very difficult to find reverse and 2nd gear, if at all, until the clutch was replaced.

The brakes made an awfully loud squealing sound until it was discovered they were down to bare metal, so new pads and discs were required.

At 104,000km (approx), the head gasket blew, resulting in the engine over heating. A new headgasket and new head were required, costing me $2,430.

This problem with the head gasket happened THREE MORE TIMES. The last time resulting in water mixing in through the entire engine, including the oil, and oil going in to the water.

My 'lovely' Land Rover Freelander was running on just two of its four cylinders when I was told by my trusted mechanic that my engine was completely unusable, and I would need a whole new one. The bill for which was just starting at $3000. And that was being conservative.

There was, of course, the chance that this issue could happen again with the new engine.

Needless to say, the car that I paid over $10k for is pretty much being thrown in the dump.

All of this happened in the first three months of owning the vehicle.

Trust me, do not buy one. Ever.

Oh, and the thermostat never worked properly. I didn't know my engine was over heating until there was smoke coming out from under the bonnet.

This car was on the back of a tow truck more often than it was on the road. Seriously.

To be fair to Land Rover, the interior is extremely comfortable. Everything is within reach and the flat dash is very handy.

The car was a relatively quiet, smooth drive from what I got to experience for the very little time that I was driving it.

But that being said, I miss my little 2004 Daihatsu Charade like you wouldn't believe. Never had a problem with that little champion.