2008 Land Rover Freelander 2 HSE

I’m a Land Rover fan through and through. I love ’em. The road presence, the comfort, the feeling of solidity — and the fact they’ll take you pretty much anywhere you point them. They’re perfectly happy tootling around the New World carpark, but at a moment’s notice you can aim one at a beach or a gnarly bit of off-roading and it’ll just shrug and get on with it.

For me, Land Rovers are the definition of an all-rounder for New Zealand roads: space, pace, comfort and, when looked after properly, reliability.

And that last bit — reliability — really matters. We hear it all the time: “European cars aren’t as reliable as Japanese ones.” But no one ever complains when their car is working flawlessly, so of course you only hear the horror stories. The truth is, we Kiwis aren’t always the best at looking after our cars. Servicing gets skipped, warning lights get ignored, and the classic line becomes, “Ah well, will it get me through a WOF?”

Land Rovers, BMWs and the like genuinely like being maintained. They won’t thank you for neglect. Buy a car just because it’s cheap and, sure enough, problems will follow. Buy one that’s been cared for and feels right, and suddenly you’re not the person moaning about European cars — you’re the one quietly smiling.

Which brings me to this Freelander 2 HSE. After all that waffle, it’s a cracking example of Land Rover’s old moniker: “The Best 4x4 By Far.” It’s comfortable, in great condition, well maintained, classy, and capable of taking you almost anywhere you want to go.

Have a watch of the YouTube video, and come have a look if you’d like. If you’re too far away, no worries — with nearly 1,000 trades since 2007 and 100% feedback, you can trust I’m a genuine fella.

Questions are welcome by email, text, or — even better — pick up the blower and give me a call.

I can arrange delivery NZ-wide too; I’ve got a good bloke with a car trailer and a real penchant for driving.