Hi all, after just after a year of mostly unhappy motoring and a bad back, I've finally taken the plunge and bought a different car. It's cost me £2,800 to square the finance off but my God do I feel a sense of huge relief. It's not been a particularly happy time as some of you know and the most recent of my issues, a bad back is almost certainly down to the car too. I need to sit fairly far back, but the steering wheel only has a tiny bit of reach so I've found myself leaning forward all the time. A month of driving my wife's car and my back getting much better has pretty much confirmed this to be the case.

I know many will be wondering what I've gone for and when I tell you I know many will be laughing out loud and shouting words like out of the frying pan and into the fire!! Or, you thought your Rapid was bad!!

It's a 2014 Land Rover Freelander 2, it's yet to prove itself but all reviews rate it highly and it's a low mileage one owner car from Land Rover so fingers crossed. On the plus, it's comfortable, refined to drive, it looks nice and it appears to be very well made, essentially everything my Rapid isn't.

I intend to remain a member of this site as it's a great site with lots of interesting chat, I also intend to be very honest about my new purchase which I collect on Wed and I will keep those who are at al interested up to date as to whether I've made a good move, or not????

Hope its a good change for you.

 

SInce 2014 Freelanders on autotrader today run from 16k to 31k, it absolutely should be a whole lot better than a Rapid Sport (2014's on for 9k).

 

Enjoy your new car.

Enjoy your new car, whatever the make, doesn't matter it's what you want.

 

On the Rapid comfort thing, my Toledo gives me shoulder/neck ache after a long drive. I put up with as the long drives don't happen that often as to bother me. I find it's more of an upright position in the Toledo much like the Citigo it replaced, that was lovely and comfy even on long drives.

 

On the otherhand my MX-5 is one of the most comfiest sitting positions in a car I've had. The only problem is getting in and out, it's so low and the old bones do creak a bit doing so.

Sorry, double post.

Edited 28 August, 20169 yr by MickA

Thanks guys, the one thing I do know is that the driving position in the Freelander is perfect for me, I made doubly sure this time. The seats are great too. It also comes with 2 years warranty and I've bought a 3 year service pack so I'm hoping there won't be any nasty surprises.

I too have said goodbye to my Rapid, however mines was a mostly good driving experience. but the car is built to a budget and i was increasing aware of the easy marked interior plastic finishes and the basic cost cutting.

So have moved up to a 15reg Octavia 1.2 TSI DSG with 8k miles. Just completed a 1000 miles in less than a week and love it. extremely refined drive and with lots of good technology and quality finish in all areas. Averaged 53mpg at 70 MPH on run down to Lincoln and return to Perth. Not as nippy as my 1.4 TSI DSG Rapid but more economical and £30 vs £130 road tax.

Hope it gives me the same trouble free driving (32,000miles over 2.5 years)

PS: have set of Skoda Rapid roof bars for sale used only once

Edited 29 August, 20169 yr by Bidey

I too have said goodbye to my Rapid, however mines was a mostly good driving experience. but the car is built to a budget and i was increasing aware of the easy marked interior plastic finishes and the basic cost cutting.

So have moved up to a 15reg Octavia 1.2 TSI DSG with 8k miles. Just completed a 1000 miles in less than a week and love it. extremely refined drive and with lots of good technology and quality finish in all areas. Averaged 53mpg at 70 MPH on run down to Lincoln and return to Perth. Not as nippy as my 1.4 TSI DSG Rapid but more economical and £30 vs £130 road tax.

Hope it gives me the same trouble free driving (32,000miles over 2.5 years)

Good for you, I know there are some who love their Rapids, but sometimes you just have to cut your loses and move on. Im in my car nearly every day so it's no good if I'm not comfortable and happy. I think the Octavia is a fantastic car and if I wasn't so displeased with my Rapid I may well have gone there, I feel I need a couple of years away from Skoda but I am already eagerly anticipating the arrival of the KODIAQ, so who knows.