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There are reliability issues with first generation freelanders, look on Landrover forums. Petrol engines are rubbish,there can be problems with transmission.

TD4 engines are good, a good friend has one (51 reg) auto and loves it, it has also been reliable. There are independent LR dealers about much cheaper than main dealers. Tyres not too bad if you shop around.

Try www.landrovernet.com

Have a look on landyzone.co.uk in the Freelander section. Loads of info there and some of it brutally honest!

We towed a Swift Challenger 520 with one of the Freelander 1's. (2.0 XEDI). To be fair it was punching above its weight but it coped admirably. That had the old rover 'L' series diesel engine which was a bit agricultural/ slow but very bomb proof. We had the car from new for 9 years and had very few problems with it bar needing to replace a couple of door catches and the rear window catch (common faults over time). Other than that we just had it serviced once a year and it kept going. Hell of a car. Good nose weight aswell - 150kgs I think so no issues right upto the hitch max. We only sold it as my wifes job transferred from Manchester to Heathrow (400 mile round trip) so we decided to get a new car. I'm sure it will still be reliably plodding on for its new owner now.

The newer TD4 variant (BMW engine) is a bit heavier and more power (150 bhp I think) so better suited to towing. The engine is more complex (common rail diesel) so you are open to other potential issues like fuel pump (not really beefy enough) and injectors, but there are plenty of good ones about with dealer / specialist history so you can afford to be choosy. The facelift model looks better aswell as it moved away from the big plastic bumpers. HSE variants (iirc) will have all the toys.

Avoid all petrol variants (pre and post facelift series 1) like the plague. They use the rover 'K' series engine and they will blow headgaskets - even if they have had one done and suggested mods to stop it happening again. Its this model that tarred Freelanders with a bad image and its never been sorted.

HTH.

I've got a 2000/V Freelander 1 with the L Series diesel and it pulls my 5 berth Swift Challenger 490 with 5 of us on board no problem - had it about 18months and no issues so far other than exhaust/tyres & a clutch component.  It's good offroad too, in the snow last winter it just ploughed through the drifts.

Agree on the issues tho on all Freelanders up to facelift in 2007 - get the transmission (VCU & IRD) checked before buying as replacement of these components is expensive (about £500 & £1000 respectively).  Petrol models are not only prone to HGF failure they are underpowered too (other than the thirsty V6) so it's diesel all the way - if you can find a good one you'll get a bargain 4x4.

£6k will get you a good 5 door TD4 2003 ish

Have you looked at a Nissan X-Trail however?, they get good reviews for towing and despite my love of LR I would wager you'll get less problems with one of these.  You can get a 54 plate one for your budget

The diesel X Trail has a habit of blowing turbos. Honda CRV seems better although no good off road.

Try a Kia or Hyundai, much cheaper and get good reviews.