if you are not an old fart and still enjoy the art of driving go for a manual, the gearbox is superb.

if you just wish to go from A to B with minimum movement of left arm and left leg go for an auto

Iain

HarveyG's summed up the Freelander ownership experience the best I'd say:

harveyg77 wrote:

Apologies if that sounds offensive :-/

If you buy a Fl2 you have to except it is not a hot-hatch. Ok you can drive them fast and fly around if you want. But in reality they are a great way of making every journey a relaxing affair, comfortably cruising along, relaxed in the knowledge that you're in a vehicle that will cope with everything that a journey could throw at you.

Exactly how I'd describe it.

MPG wise, ours is an '09 Auto HSE and we get 35-38 on a 75 mph run (it's more economical at 75 than 70), high 20's in very heavy town traffic. Beware, if you're going to use it for a very short commute, say 1 mile, you'll be lucky to get 20mpg, ask NPinks!

Auto's my recommendation, goes with the cars character, but that's my preference!  Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

agree with Big Dave

short commutes and lots of shorter trips in town driving do not do the mpg any good

I commute a mile a day and do anywhere between 10 and 60 per day and i log all my fills and currently averaging 23.76mpg (last fills have been 24mpg) so i think i have run the car in now after three years

but the car is fine and virtually fault free, bar a new turbo, turbo manifold and a rear diff in three years Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

The manual v auto argument has been going on here since 2006.

Its simple as it is down to your personal preference.

I am driving my second manual as I am in control and in touch with the road conditions and the engine.

The auto sounds like a sewing machine but does allow you to leave the decision making to the car. Not a bad thing but just not for me.

I have owned a D3 auto and I have driven RRSs and FFRRs autos. They have very refined, very expensive intelligent autos that adapt to your driving style. The FL2 auto doesn’t.

The Td4-e GS is a great car and if its right for you then go for it. All FL2s are good cars

My GS averaged 36mpg over 28000 miles (calculated) and my XS is showing 35.5mpg after 480 miles (computer). A Land Rover owner since 1988

From a 1974 series III to a 12MY XS FL2 with help of a 1995 D1, 1996 D1, 2005 D3, 2007 D3 and a 2009 FL2.

"I have owned a D3 auto and I have driven RRSs and FFRRs autos. They have very refined, very expensive intelligent autos that adapt to your driving style. The FL2 auto doesn’t."

I think you'll find it does

It does

Land Rover call it adaptive shifting which is not the same as the intelligent auto claim and having driven both they are light years apart. A Land Rover owner since 1988

From a 1974 series III to a 12MY XS FL2 with help of a 1995 D1, 1996 D1, 2005 D3, 2007 D3 and a 2009 FL2.

Ours was definitely billed as Adaptive when we bought it, and you can feel it when I haven't driven it for a while 'adapting' back to suit me. I think the D3 was a better transmission but our pre facelift FL definitely has an adaptive box  Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

They are both "adaptive" they are both "intelligent" they are both completely different too so comparing them is futile, the wording is nothing more than marketing bollards. Any box that changes gears itself to prevent over revving can be called "intelligent" my old '68 auto box can do that.

Thanks for the comments. Auto/manual debate is quite thought provoking although Ive always favoured manual myself. I am also limited to a budget of about £15k and the autos seem to mean either older or higher mileage. BTW, I'm not expecting it to behave like a hot hatch, never owned one really, but we also have an XC60 and that goes quite nicely in the midrange. Cheers E

If you prefer manual, then that's for you, try them both, if the dealer won't oblige find a new dealer. I prefer auto, FL2 is my office and its easier and just my preferred choice, it's not a sports car so let the car do the work.
Get yourself a LRE half day voucher, you can blag one from dealers if you appear interested enough or failing that £50-60 ish on Fleabay, that will answer your question re finding it boring and enlighten you as too its capabilities.

Interesting that you have an XC60, are you left wanting in that?

Yes agree..try both a manual and an auto. Forgive offensive nature of some on here...it is your choice and don't let others judge you whether you buy a manual or an auto. Each to their own..I have my preference now don't let other ram THEIR preference down your throat.

Enjoy test driving the FL2 it is a fantastic car for soaking up the miles and making driving a joy again. I'm on my third one! But is is not a sports car.

"Interesting that you have an XC60, are you left wanting in that?"
No I really like it but its the wife's really. When I got rid of my boxster I wanted something that still had a bit if go in it so bought the Audi. BUT, I really like the lofty driving position and I like the torque of the diesel. It's a bit like when I went from a jap in line 4 bike to a Moto Guzzi V twin. E

I've had both manual and then auto

I liked my manual, unless towing in start stop traffic

I like my auto all he time, apart from the extra trips to the pump

If I was to buy again auto would be my choice, it is more relaxed driving not changing gear, I'm also more laid back now instead of blasting everywhere

As said drive both on extended drives, but if you want more power he SD4 is only auto, if your not bothered try get a TD4 in manual aswell as auto test drive

Try the start stop system too, but you'll hate it and keep it switched off on the manual version Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

It isn't a proper stop start.
It uses the starter motor which spins the engine up to about 200 rpm. Then EMS has to richen the mixture to get it up to tickover 800-900 rpm.

A proper stop start is completly inaudable and is a machine that sits directly on the end of the crankshaft. It spins the engine to tickover speed and thus very little or no enrichriment is required except on a cold engine.. The machine does both functions of alternator and starter and is sometimes refered to as a 'starternator'. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.