Hi folks,
I started out my driving experience in a Series 1 soft top then next was the Freelander 1 (2000 TD4)
Series 1 was awesome, stripped of its top, door tops and windscreen folded flat it was the ultimate Sun trap.
Freelander 1 served me for 8 years and it was my second home, used for what it was built for I bounced off many Walls and Parked vehicles with those 1st class plastic bumpers. Reversing.......just drive until the spare wheel bounces off the wall.
The only reason I have changed is that nowadays I like a little bit of comfort with old age, such as Heated Sceen, Auto Box and built in Fog Lamps. Would have gone for the FL1 with the facelift as this has the extra bits I desired but to get a good one I was having to pay as much as a 3 year old FL2,
Very pleased with my newish FL2 but it's a bit like sitting at home in an Armchair, every luxury but I now have to drive like the old fart I have become. Old one looked the part with the scratches/dents/mud but this one starts crying if it gets dirty or wet.
Whats with all the switches....I cant fathom them all out on road never mind off road when you need all your wits about you.
4 position Switch for surface type... then HDC...then DSC..... I need a certificate of competence to get to grips with that lot. I need instant responce from myself and the vehicle in difficult situations, not have to think what combination of bloody switchs I have to operate.
A driver should be able to get into any vehicle and after a couple of minutes getting the feel of it just go.

After saying all that I would not like to go back to the old one now, but I must root out my old Pipe and start armchair smoking again.
Currently making a fitted top cover to keep the Snow off but maybe it has an automatic Snow clearer button
Found one problem already....my mobile phone of 11 months of age will not get recognised to download the phonebook, so while I am in the car I have to use an old Nokia 6310i (anyone know how to get around this without insalling my old Bluetooth Mirror from the FL1 ?.

dont bother with the switches then , doesn't make a huge difference anyway
The snow one is quite handy as it is like turning of traction control only a bit cleverer.
Mud and ruts sharpens up the throttle response making it easier to drive slowly.and locks the 4 wheel drive on
I've never altered the DSC button as the TR dial does that for you.
Used hill descent a few times but its rare you find a hill steep and slippery enough to warrant bothering, again the TR dial mud and ruts turns the hill descent on for you , controversially at that as if you try and speed up while still in mud and ruts mode the Hill response want to slow you down , allegedly it only work in 1st gear but I find it still cuts in in the higher gears.

The main driver Mrs G doesn't use any of this, except the snow setting sometimes At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Don't go anywhere near a new BMW if you think the FL's complicated...even the new mini is harder to fathom and that as far as I can see...doesn't really do anything worth talking about where fancy gizmos are needed!

True the original FL was much simpler, but the FL2 will go further before it gets stuck.,.I've found this out from experience! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Tata Nano is the thing - cheap and simple  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.