An ounce of prevention...

[DevynsDad]

So, used Freelanders are selling for next to nothing. I know that the U.S. spec engine is notorious for dying at an early age, but I'm wondering if there is any preventative work that could be done to one to keep it from having any major problems?

Basically, if I were to go out and get a low-mileage Hippo to drive back and forth to work, could I drop $500 or $600 in new parts to proactively fix problem areas and then have fairly reliable transportation?

[Rovin4life]

change the coolant and the trans and the oil more often.

clean the system throughly.

but the engines fail cause no one takes care of them. they let them get low on coolant and then the motors blow and they blame LR.

although some did fail when the cam broke. rare but did happen more on the early 02s

[DevynsDad]

Do you think that an '04 or '05 with 40k miles or so, that's followed the LR service schedule, is already beyond hope? Those things are going for $12,500 on ebay. If 2000 mile oil changes and 10,000 mile coolant and transmission flushes are all it takes to keep one running that would be a pretty good deal.