Apologies if this has been covered before. I currently have a Freelander 1 (2005) which I got after selling my Octavia L&K Estate to my Dad (never had anything but a Ford but loves the Skoda).

I see the Yeti as the ideal car - the 4x4ness/space of the Freelander and the speed/quality of the Octavia.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of going from a Freelander 1 to a Yeti.

I'm test driving a 170 Elegance tomorrow so hopefully there will be plenty of smiles!

Thanks

Simon

You are asking for trouble. Once the 170 gets under your skin, there is no looking back

Smiles are guaranteed Simon

Keep us all informed, and if you DO place an order we would like to know what spec you've ordered :yes:

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of going from a Freelander 1 to a Yeti.

Llanigraham is your man. He did exactly that.

I see the Yeti as the ideal car - the 4x4ness/space of the Freelander and the speed/quality of the Octavia.

I went from two Freelanders (1998 and 2002 models total 300,000km between them) to a vRS and there is no way on earth I would go back to LR after owning the Skoda for nearly twelve months. The Yeti is not available here until March 2011 but I'll be buying one about this time next year regardless.

I think you are all encoraging me to spend some money!

I really liked the Octavia L&K, it had all the bells and whistles, the 130 engine would crusie so easily at high speed (on the continent of course!) and still give 45+ mpg. It was a great car but lacked being a Land Rover, so two years ago I sold it to my dad and got the Freelander. One day I may even get it back as my Dad who at 81, and the way he drives, probably won't be driving for too much longer.

So I'm really looking forward to trying something that is probably a Freelander on steroids, that has great fuel economy, is huge amounts of fun and totally reliable. And I might be able to do some overtaking again.

Simon

As has been said, I went from 2 FL's (L series then a Td4) to the Yeti and it is probably the best move I made!

Better fuel consumption.

Cheaper tax.

Cheaper insurance.

More comfort.

Better boot space. (yes really)

Better dealers.

As good a tow vehicle.

Safer.

Only downside is possibly slightly less off-road capability, but it is only slight, and the Yeti has coped with all I've put it through so far.

Well, I went for the test drive - only 30 minutes as the dealer had no record of my phone call and hadn't booked me in!

Overall, I'm impressed. Comfortable, quick, well glued together, excellent fuel consumption (40mpg, mixed driving and I did give it some wellie to see what it goes like).

Only slight downsides -

I thought the driving position seemed lower and more car like than the 'command and control' of the Freelander. Still very good though.

Mirrors - good but not up to the Freelander.

Tyres - seems to be a bit limited on what can be put on - General Gabber UHP aren't even available in this size. I'd rather only have one set of tyres than keep swapping. AT's aren't available in 17" anyway. Hopefully won't get stuck in mudy fields with the bog standard road tyres.

Dealer was a bit sneaky - asked him for a price on the Freelander and even without looking at it he went on the web and said about 6000 even though I could see the screen showinga a trade in of 7200!

Will be going for a longer test and come December I may be in a position to get one. I think it is more than adequate for what I want off road and on road it beats the Freelander.

Simon

Only slight downsides -

I thought the driving position seemed lower and more car like than the 'command and control' of the Freelander. Still very good though.

Yes it is lower, but then the whole car is lower. It doesn't take long to get used to it.

Mirrors - good but not up to the Freelander.

Are you comparing to FL1 or 2? I've actually found that there is very little difference in rear view to my old FL1.

Tyres - seems to be a bit limited on what can be put on - General Gabber UHP aren't even available in this size. I'd rather only have one set of tyres than keep swapping. AT's aren't available in 17" anyway. Hopefully won't get stuck in mudy fields with the bog standard road tyres.

Why do you think you need AT's?

I ran both my FL's on AT's but didn't actually find I needed their ability that often, other than possibly in the snow last year, and suspect I would have been just as effective on the normal FL tyres. I have been off road several times in my Yeti and haven't yet got into a situation where I think I would need AT's. The Haldex etc is much more effective than the old FL system and has surprised me!

Don't worry you'll all know about it if I get stuck!!

Llanigraham,

I was comparing with the Fl1 but I really do need longer than 30 minutes to make a proper comparison.

As far as the tyres are concerned I won't need ATs, I just look at the road tyres and think they can't offer much grip! My General Grabber UHPs aren't ATs but they had the chunkiest looking tread that I could find on a 17" rim and I suppose the perception is that they will give more grip compared to say the Continental Conti things that I had on my Octavia. And I think they look good too.

Thanks for your comments, they're really useful.

Simon

Simon

you might be quite surprised how much grip the standard Yeti tyres actually have. I did radio on the Ditton Priors Rally a month or so back and it was very muddy, but it actually took a concerted effort to get the wheels the spin, and they only did that for a VERY short time before the Haldex came in. I just drove straight through the muddy bits!!