Vauxhall Antara

[Surfer]

We took the automatic out for a test drive this morning. A very nice car and very undeer rated. The wife loved it. I liked it as it was very ncie to drive and had all the toys, but the automatic gearbox was a big let down. The salesman assured me it was a torque converter gearbox. but I think it isi actually a clutchless manual box.
If you let the car slow down under it slow momentum to above 5 - 10mph and then accelerate, the pick up is very slow which is very disappointing because if you need power, it will not be there. Otherwise no other issues.
I asked for at least 1/2 a day's usage before we made up our minds, but they don't have a automatic demonstrator. There is a waiting time of 6 months for delivery at present.

 

[MrBell]

We took the automatic out for a test drive this morning. A very nice car and very undeer rated. The wife loved it. I liked it as it was very ncie to drive and had all the toys, but the automatic gearbox was a big let down. The salesman assured me it was a torque converter gearbox. but I think it isi actually a clutchless manual box.
If you let the car slow down under it slow momentum to above 5 - 10mph and then accelerate, the pick up is very slow which is very disappointing because if you need power, it will not be there. Otherwise no other issues.
I asked for at least 1/2 a day's usage before we made up our minds, but they don't have a automatic demonstrator. There is a waiting time of 6 months for delivery at present.

They are under rated cars! your right about the automatic its not a torque converter im sure its a clutchless manual. I looked at them but i like manuals and they are nice to drive. The only thing with the manual is the first to second is short. The one i have bought has stop start on as well!!
i found the manual very responsive, and cheaper to run!!

 

[Surfer]

The annoying part is that the Vauxhall salesman assured me it was a torque converter gearbox. On questioning him about the lag his answer was that it is part of the car's make up and that is the way it is. I prefer to have power there when I need it like I have in my current automatic. Pity otherwise we would have done the deed there and then!

 

[mat1]

My 2009 auto has a torque converter gearbox.
There will be a delay if you dont get the revs up for the turbo.
Max Nm is around the 2000 rpm

Tows my 1630kg MTPLM without a hicup.

Mat

 

[Surfer]

My 2009 auto has a torque converter gearbox.
There will be a delay if you dont get the revs up for the turbo.
Max Nm is around the 2000 rpm
Tows my 1630kg MTPLM without a hicup.
Mat

I have tried searching on the net to find out what type of gearbox is fitted into the 2012 model, but no such luck. What really appeals to me is the electronic handbrake as I am having severe problems with my left shoulder when pulling up the handbrake hard. Wife is very keen on the car. We will need to replate our caravan to the original spec if we decdie on the Antara.

 

[mat1]

http://www.who-sells-it.com/cy/vauxhall-1375/2011-new-vauxhall-antara-23431/page-32-fullsize.html

Torque converter.
Look in the transmissons paragraph

Mat

 

[mat1]

Duplicated post sorry
Mat

 

[ProfJohnL]

I We will need to replate our caravan to the original spec if we decdie on the Antara.

Why? Unless you have just a B category driving licence what will changing the MTPLM do for you?

 

[Surfer]

I We will need to replate our caravan to the original spec if we decdie on the Antara.

Why? Unless you have just a B category driving licence what will changing the MTPLM do for you?

The Antara can only tow a maximum braked trailer weight of 1700kg even though the car is a lot heavier. The MTPLM on our caravan was upgraded from 1695kgs to 1800kgs and is plated at 1800kgs. If stopped although gthe chassis can carry up to 2000kgs, I don't think it is plated with that weight. No MIRO on their website for the vehicle.

 

[MrBell]

I We will need to replate our caravan to the original spec if we decdie on the Antara.

Why? Unless you have just a B category driving licence what will changing the MTPLM do for you?

The Antara can only tow a maximum braked trailer weight of 1700kg even though the car is a lot heavier. The MTPLM on our caravan was upgraded from 1695kgs to 1800kgs and is plated at 1800kgs. If stopped although gthe chassis can carry up to 2000kgs, I don't think it is plated with that weight. No MIRO on their website for the vehicle.

If you got the manual you wouldnt have to worry about the caravan as it has a better towing capacity!

 

[Lutz]

The Antara can only tow a maximum braked trailer weight of 1700kg even though the car is a lot heavier. The MTPLM on our caravan was upgraded from 1695kgs to 1800kgs and is plated at 1800kgs. If stopped although gthe chassis can carry up to 2000kgs, I don't think it is plated with that weight. No MIRO on their website for the vehicle.

I take it you are talking about an automatic Antara and not a manual one. Otherwise, you have got the towload limit wrong.
As pointed out before, the information on any plate on the chassis of the caravan is immaterial. It's the information on the caravan manufacturer's plate that counts.

 

[Surfer]

The Antara can only tow a maximum braked trailer weight of 1700kg even though the car is a lot heavier. The MTPLM on our caravan was upgraded from 1695kgs to 1800kgs and is plated at 1800kgs. If stopped although gthe chassis can carry up to 2000kgs, I don't think it is plated with that weight. No MIRO on their website for the vehicle.

I take it you are talking about an automatic Antara and not a manual one. Otherwise, you have got the towload limit wrong.
As pointed out before, the information on any plate on the chassis of the caravan is immaterial. It's the information on the caravan manufacturer's plate that counts.

It is the automatic we are looking at as I have issues with using a manual gearbox. Also just noticed that the maximum noseweight is 80kg. We struggle to get ours down to 90kgs without loading too much in the rear as we don't want the tail wagging!
Is there a reason why ther is no MIRO or kerbweight figure for the Antara? Figures are for gross weight.

 

[MrBell]

The Antara can only tow a maximum braked trailer weight of 1700kg even though the car is a lot heavier. The MTPLM on our caravan was upgraded from 1695kgs to 1800kgs and is plated at 1800kgs. If stopped although gthe chassis can carry up to 2000kgs, I don't think it is plated with that weight. No MIRO on their website for the vehicle.

I take it you are talking about an automatic Antara and not a manual one. Otherwise, you have got the towload limit wrong.
As pointed out before, the information on any plate on the chassis of the caravan is immaterial. It's the information on the caravan manufacturer's plate that counts.

It is the automatic we are looking at as I have issues with using a manual gearbox. Also just noticed that the maximum noseweight is 80kg. We struggle to get ours down to 90kgs without loading too much in the rear as we don't want the tail wagging!
Is there a reason why ther is no MIRO or kerbweight figure for the Antara? Figures are for gross weight.

If you are struggling to get 90kg at the minute you need to have a look on what your taken with you!! 80kg shouldnt be hard to keep to. Iv been using a Citreon C3 picasso and that has a 54kg nose weight! That was hard to get right!!! 80Kg is much better.

 

[Lutz]

The Opel website quotes a MIRO ranging from 1750 to 1936kg for the Antara.

 

[MrBell]

The Opel website quotes a MIRO ranging from 1750 to 1936kg for the Antara.

If i remember rightly the Antara kerbweight is around the 1850kg mark, well thats for the manual 4x4 the automatic maybe heavier.

 

[mat1]

Just as a guide the V5 mass in service for my 2009 auto is 1967 kgs

Mat

 

[Surfer]

If you are struggling to get 90kg at the minute you need to have a look on what your taken with you!! 80kg shouldnt be hard to keep to. Iv been using a Citreon C3 picasso and that has a 54kg nose weight! That was hard to get right!!! 80Kg is much better.

Caravan is within 1700kg only just, but it means shifting a lot of stuff to over the axle as I would prefer ti there than on the back end. We are not carrying much more than most caravan owners. We really like the Antara and it is ticking all the boxes so I am looking for negatives to put me off buying one. LOL!

Seems I am only left with the sluggish automatic gearbox and the lag issue that I mentioned earlier. We had that issue on our Mondeo and the wife was lucky to escape a serious accident. Not funny having no power, when you depress the accelerator. On my old truck it is there immediately!

 

[seth1]

i quite like the look of the Antara too,think i prefare the frontal look of the captiva though.Im interested myself in one.But now is the lack of usable power really that bad?Im a bit put of hearing this.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Surfer

None of the subsequent discussion has explained why you think you will need to 're-plate' the caravan again.

Assuming you have the B+E driving licence then there is nothing to stop you towing a trailers whose MTPLM exceeds the cars towed weight limit, provided the trailer when weighed does not exceed the cars stated limits.

Simply changing the plate will not change what the trailer weighs.

However if you only have the B category, then there may be a cause if it brings the trailers MTPLM under the MIRO/MIS of the tow vehicle and the combined MAM does not exceed 3500Kg

 

[Alimac1]

Hi copy of posting I put on another forum re Antara

bought Antara exclusiv awd end of January, ( new only 6 miles on clock ))used both as solo and towcar. replaced a 2009 407 sw diesel and a 1998 trooper! Not blinkered though over choice of vehicle - is still relatively rare, dare I say exclusive, up here we see more DB7, Ferrari, Porsche etc than Antara.
Solo 32 to 40 mpg, still needs to loosen, towing 22-28mpg peugeot 25-28 towing so comparable in that measure. I don't find any lack of power at low revs, maybe how I drive it tho! Rev it well.

Yes gearbox is slightly notchy but you quickly adapt to that. Handles well for type of vehicle(better than Peugeot if sporting style of driving!) tows very well ( bailey ranger GT 60 520/4) - light for this type of vehicle, although slightly disappointed with fit and finish inside car - takes a while to iron out all the rattles.

In summary you get what you pay for - I got substantial discount from list price, although no Discovery/Freelander/Kia but a d*****d slight cheaper it suits me . Roll on the winter to try the 4wd system.

 

[MrBell]

If you are struggling to get 90kg at the minute you need to have a look on what your taken with you!! 80kg shouldnt be hard to keep to. Iv been using a Citreon C3 picasso and that has a 54kg nose weight! That was hard to get right!!! 80Kg is much better.

Caravan is within 1700kg only just, but it means shifting a lot of stuff to over the axle as I would prefer ti there than on the back end. We are not carrying much more than most caravan owners. We really like the Antara and it is ticking all the boxes so I am looking for negatives to put me off buying one. LOL!

Seems I am only left with the sluggish automatic gearbox and the lag issue that I mentioned earlier. We had that issue on our Mondeo and the wife was lucky to escape a serious accident. Not funny having no power, when you depress the accelerator. On my old truck it is there immediately!

Hi buy one, I've just pick mine up today and it's lovely to drive. The car is very comfy and will do what you want. If you haggle enough you will get good discounts! I haggled and got a cracking deal.
I bought the 4x4 exclusive and it has everything I want and there is a bonus I have the self levelling suspension which I really like!
I can't fault the car and it's very good lucking car. They are rare but that's a good thing as then you are not following the crowd!
Im looking forward to using the 4x4 and also the hill descent.
I had 5 miles on the car and now have 70 as I have been driving around as I have enjoyed driving!

 

[Surfer]

I will be taking the caravan to the weigh bridge tomorrow and depending on the result wil make up my mind.

As for MTPLM I keep forgetting that there is no statutory law regarding MTPLM and it is the axle weights that count,

 

[ProfJohnL]

As for MTPLM I keep forgetting that there is no statutory law regarding MTPLM and it is the axle weights that count,

Hello Surfer,

Ignore MTPLM/MAM/GVW at your peril.

Lutz has explained at some length that where caravans are concerned the weight limits given by the caravan manufacture will over-ride the chassis manufactures limits.

 

[Martin24]

Surfer, stick to the truck, it's much better than what you're looking at!!!!!!!

 

[Surfer]

As for MTPLM I keep forgetting that there is no statutory law regarding MTPLM and it is the axle weights that count,

Hello Surfer,

Ignore MTPLM/MAM/GVW at your peril.

Lutz has explained at some length that where caravans are concerned the weight limits given by the caravan manufacture will over-ride the chassis manufactures limits.

Basically MTPLM can be ignored as it is only a guideline like the 85% rule. VOSA would never use that to define whether you are legal and not over weight. They would check the plate on the axle! If you are exceeding the weight on your axle you are in deep poo poo! As it turns out the Antara is no good for us, but that is covered in a seperate post!