Vauxhall Antara

[MrBell]

Hi everyone, I have been looking at tow cars for a while now, I want something which will be a good tow car and have gadget and basically last and not fall apart when I am driving!
Any way I have been looking at the Honda Cr V and not that impressed, I have been looking at the Hyundai Sante Fa which I have had as a rental car in America and It was very nice to use, the problem I am finding is the price over here, they are expensive as there is not very good finance deals out there.
So I have been thinking what other 4x4 can I get which I can afford with a good warranty on it and have a few gadgets on it and be a reasonable tow car. I have been to have a look at the Antara and I am impressed, they are lovely in side and seem to have what I want and the garage I have been to has 0% finance on the car with a 10 year warranty or 100k miles. So that got my attention but then I was told I could get 8% off the list price because I work for the civil service and the finance company are also knocking 1k off the price.
So the question I have is what are they like to own or even tow? I could buy one of these and be in my budget and the one I like to buy has self levelling suspension!!
I need to also know what are Vauxhalls like to own, are the servicing and customer service good?
Thanks

 

[mat1]

Mr. Bell

I think i may be the only person on here who can actually answer your questions, as i own one, and have done for three years now, from new, and towed with it for that period.
Not aware of any other forum members who own one ??

Obviously mine is a 2 litre, but i have said from the off set that a 2.2 would make this a very good tow car.

Here is an extract from a post i made a while back.
Obviously the NM and BHP figures are higher now but the towing and nose weight figures stay the same.
I think the 100,000 mile warranty is a long time coming too.
I certainly will be looking to replace mine with the new version, when the time comes.

in towing terms i feel the following tick the boxes
320 nm @ 2000rpm
150 bhp
1967 kg in mass kerb weight
1700 kg max tow for auto (2000 kg manual) 1700 being 87%, guess this covers about 95% of mainstream caravans.
80 kg nose weight
self leveling rear suspension
inteligent 4wd
hill decent
short rear overhang
big flat top mirrors, ideal for fitting the towing ones to and added rear view
selection of fixed, swan or detach towbars (all without bumper cut or effecting the rear parking sensors)

i find it a very capable tow car, stable and sure footed, in fact i like it more than my previous car (disco td5 auto) for towing, it just feels "better".
i like the manual selection on the auto which i use when towing, the cabin fit and general up market feel.
i would like the nose weigh to be more say 100kg, and i do think it would certainly benefit from a 2.2l engine. if i was being picky i would also like the steering to be a little heavier too.

I tow a Coachman Pastiche 560/4 with an MTPLM of 1630kg without an issue.

Ownership is not a problem, due to it being a mainstream brand.
Service costs all depend on where you get it serviced, dealer, back street etc.
I would suggest it is comparable with other servicing costs for vehilces of this type.

Towing i get around 21mpg
Solo 30 ish
These figures to me are acceptiable due to the auto box, weight of the vehicle and the caravan when towing.
At nearly two tonne, it aint going to be that fuel efficient
I didn't buy the car for that, i bought it for the reasons above, and for what you have already found out, when you looked at one.

i would not rule out this vehicle in its present, form or new version.
I am also elibable for the discounts that you mention, which make it even more of an appealing vehicle.

Mat

 

[Alimac1]

Mr Bell

I have a 2012 Antara Exclusiv AWD, towing Bailey Ranger GT60 520/4, towing 22-25 to the gallon, solo anywhere between 30 and 40. Tows well and handles okay solo, Not had a chance to try the four wheel drive yet.

Must admit I am a bit disappointed by the fit/finish, too many squeaks and rattles for my liking, however got a very good discount from list price - lot more than 8% however most dealers told me that they are basically "built to order" so could be 4 month delivery time. Just watch out as plenty of the 2wd versions around.

Ali.

 

[MrBell]

Mr Bell

I have a 2012 Antara Exclusiv AWD, towing Bailey Ranger GT60 520/4, towing 22-25 to the gallon, solo anywhere between 30 and 40. Tows well and handles okay solo, Not had a chance to try the four wheel drive yet.

Must admit I am a bit disappointed by the fit/finish, too many squeaks and rattles for my liking, however got a very good discount from list price - lot more than 8% however most dealers told me that they are basically "built to order" so could be 4 month delivery time. Just watch out as plenty of the 2wd versions around.

Ali.

Have you had any problems with the car? I like the look of the car and I suppose I was expecting the mpg to be lowish, it states on the info off the net they have stop start tech!
I gather by the picture you have for your profile you have a white one? They do look nice in white!
I think I will test drive one just to see what they are like!
I wonder if the 0% would be on the pre reg ones!? Then I could save more!
Whats the servicing costs like? The car seems to have everything I'm looking for just didn't see these when I was looking at the other makers. The only thing I don't know too much about is the brand vauxhall? Are they a good make or a cheaper brand of car!
Vauxhall must have trust on there engineering tho to give such a good warranty!

 

[Martin24]

Although nothing to do with the towcar ability, I would say the more gagets you have the more there is to go wrong and often with many cars it's the electric gubbins that appear to let people down more than the mechanics of the vehicle, certainly that's why we went for a car with as few as possible this time. We loved the drive and feel of the disco but looked at all the buttons and decided against it!! I would as ever question having anything on finance of any sort, just a personal view in that we never have anything we can't pay for out right and would rather hang on for a new car/caravan or anything else until we could afford it, or consider used of course.

 

[Alimac1]

Hi

at time of ordering mine in late January 0% only applied to new models, also to qualify no other discount was offered, i.e full list price less £1000 from vauxhall plus maybe 6% of partners discount. No problems to date, now covered 6000 miles, don't know about servicing costs yet, the lifetime warranty swung the deal for me - especially re 4wd system etc, no real fancy gadgets either, push button for hill descent, cruise control, trip computer, nothing else fancy to go wrong.
Nowadays no such thing really as a bad car, or manufacturer mind you I'm sure others will disagree! It comes down to whether you like the car. It is a nice size, not too bulky with good kerbweight and bhp and is quite rare compared to other SUVs, good high seating position for a clear view.

I also would not be guided by the report in Towcar of the Year, I know its my car but it appears to be a very competent and comfortable towcar, (I have towed 'vans for over 20 years with a variety of cars from sports hatches to diesel estates).

Ali

 

[MrBell]

Hi

at time of ordering mine in late January 0% only applied to new models, also to qualify no other discount was offered, i.e full list price less £1000 from vauxhall plus maybe 6% of partners discount. No problems to date, now covered 6000 miles, don't know about servicing costs yet, the lifetime warranty swung the deal for me - especially re 4wd system etc, no real fancy gadgets either, push button for hill descent, cruise control, trip computer, nothing else fancy to go wrong.
Nowadays no such thing really as a bad car, or manufacturer mind you I'm sure others will disagree! It comes down to whether you like the car. It is a nice size, not too bulky with good kerbweight and bhp and is quite rare compared to other SUVs, good high seating position for a clear view.

I also would not be guided by the report in Towcar of the Year, I know its my car but it appears to be a very competent and comfortable towcar, (I have towed 'vans for over 20 years with a variety of cars from sports hatches to diesel estates).

Ali

Hi Alimac, I have been to vauxhall this afternoon and asked to test drive the Antara, but they didn't have a car ready for me to drive, so I left my details and on Thursday we are going to take the car out! Looking forward to driving the car, I asked about the tow bar and it's a fiver under £600 which is pricey, so I'll be going to witter instead as they are cheaper by a long way!
I did read the review for the Antara for the tow car awards and I have to admit I take the reviews with a pinch of salt.
I have looking at the nose weight which is 80kg which isnt too bad and I like the idea of self levelling suspension and the heated seats!
Ill be going for the exclusive model and the 164bhp as can't really stretch for the 184bhp, I'll be still getting the Awd version tho.
The insurance for such a big car doesn't seem to be too bad either.
The finance deal for us is 8% for partners discount and 1k off the list and also 0% finance. It's not a bad deal and I couldn't match this with the other makers.
Thanks for the information on the car, I gather you have the same model I'll be going for, me wife likes the off white colour which have to admit is nice colour.

 

[Alimac1]

Hi

re towbar, went for Witter, if I recall flange with 13 pin electrics was around £340. Noseweight is fine for me also, as mentioned GT60 520/4 front locker with one calor gaslight, electric cable, water pump, wastemaster and a few other bits and bobs, front chest rather than wrap around seats noseweight bang on 75kg. With the self levelling sits bang on unlike my previous two cars, laguna and 407 sw, both "sagged" at the back!

Insurance cheaper for me than last car although my insurers have slapped a compulsory £500 excess so will be shopping around come renewal.

Ali

 

[dixie1]

Empty post (likely not intentional - probably an Internet Explorer issue!)

 

[Parksy]

Click Here for instructions on how to configure IE9 for this forum, or better still, switch to an up to date web browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome

 

[dixie1]

Hi will try and post for the last time.. here goes.
we own a vauxhall antara 2012.. its a 2wheel drive 2.2.diesel engine, so far so good its only done 1900miles but have towed with it twice now each time it was steady,comfortable and kept pace with others, i have not found it under powered or lacking we tow a swift charisma 570 new in 2011. i was a little apprehensive as we changed from a kia sorento to the antara but i have not been disappointed. i could not tell you yet what the mpg was as we did mainly A road driving as opposed to motorways.The car seats 4 in comfort and there was enough room in the boot to put the awning and the water and the waste tanks. I liked the price too for a new car suitable for towing our van we paid under £15000 with good warranty etc...I for one could not afford to pay Kia prices this time round.. Carmen

 

[DJGB]

I had a 2.0 litre Antara last year, had it 2 1/2 months and took it back to the dealer for a refund.
If you choose to have an Antara make sure your dealer knows what they are talking about, mine had a fault with the steering, they called Vauxhall to see if they could help and were given some advise on how to sort out an Insignia, the final straw was when the took the car home after being worked on and the wheel nuts were loose and the wheel nearly came off! The steering was the least of the problems.
Watch the Witter tow bar, mine had the a Wiiter tow bar rated at 1700kg, the car, I think, was rated about 1800kg, the the kerb weight even more, I was looking at getting a larger caravan and the Antara's towbar was not man enough for the job even though the car should have been.
I could go on about the Antara, I know some sware by them, I swore at mine. each to their own.

 

[DJGB]

Also thought the boot was tiny, wouldn't take the awning and chairs, let alone the BBQ and tables, solar panel .....

 

[MrBell]

I had a 2.0 litre Antara last year, had it 2 1/2 months and took it back to the dealer for a refund.
If you choose to have an Antara make sure your dealer knows what they are talking about, mine had a fault with the steering, they called Vauxhall to see if they could help and were given some advise on how to sort out an Insignia, the final straw was when the took the car home after being worked on and the wheel nuts were loose and the wheel nearly came off! The steering was the least of the problems.
Watch the Witter tow bar, mine had the a Wiiter tow bar rated at 1700kg, the car, I think, was rated about 1800kg, the the kerb weight even more, I was looking at getting a larger caravan and the Antara's towbar was not man enough for the job even though the car should have been.
I could go on about the Antara, I know some sware by them, I swore at mine. each to their own.

I can understand the problems you have had and if that was me I would be the same, I'm hoping I will get a car with no problems!
Thank you everyone for the replys, I have noticed there rant many Antaras on the road yet. The dealers seem to be keen for a sale tho, I haven't even test drove the car yet and I have another dealership wanting my business.
I been advised to go with the first garage to see what they will offer and then the garage who rang me have said they will beat the offer no matter what it is! I don't know how true this is but hey shy bairns get nowt so some haggling will be happening soon, that's if I like the car when I test drive it!
There doesn't seems to be many bad reviews about the Antara, been reading the Internet reviews and they don't seem to be bad.
Roll on Thursday.

 

[Alimac1]

Mr Bell

don't go with pre 2011 reviews, model substantially changed, re boot plenty of storage under floor as no spare! However we had awning, deckchairs, cool box et all in the boot on trip to Wales in May, still with room to spare.

ps not trying to justify my purchase - and I would rather have quite a rare vehicle than be on of a flock, we have to remember it is each to their own. when I was looking for mine I tried at least 4 separate dealers before I could source one for an early delivery so at least I had satisfaction of knowing the vehicles are not stockpiled in the corner of some field or dock.

My sister is now on her second Freelander, first one 2007, now 2012 and it doesn't do anything better on road than the Antara but cost 10k more and no discount despite trying to haggle, yes I know their 4wd system is better and it has more toys but I don't need them.

Ali

 

[MrBell]

Mr Bell

don't go with pre 2011 reviews, model substantially changed, re boot plenty of storage under floor as no spare! However we had awning, deckchairs, cool box et all in the boot on trip to Wales in May, still with room to spare.

ps not trying to justify my purchase - and I would rather have quite a rare vehicle than be on of a flock, we have to remember it is each to their own. when I was looking for mine I tried at least 4 separate dealers before I could source one for an early delivery so at least I had satisfaction of knowing the vehicles are not stockpiled in the corner of some field or dock.

My sister is now on her second Freelander, first one 2007, now 2012 and it doesn't do anything better on road than the Antara but cost 10k more and no discount despite trying to haggle, yes I know their 4wd system is better and it has more toys but I don't need them.

Ali

The car we will be buying with be brand new, as you can't get the deals on the pre reg ones.

 

[MrBell]

Well I have been to the vauxhall garage and I am now a proud owner of a Antara, we went for a 4x4 exclusive. Can't wait to pick the car up on Saturday.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

if anyone is thinking of getting one on motability the advance payment has come down to just £299 thats so cheap.

 

[Surfer]

if anyone is thinking of getting one on motability the advance payment has come down to just £299 thats so cheap.

It is £399 but still a good deal for a 4WD. I would prefer the SE version however I note that these are not 4 x 4s. They are cross overs which only switches to 4 x 4 if the wheels start spinning. Otherwise it is a FWD vehicle with a heft price tag if paying cash. Maximum braked towing weight is 1700kg whereas the Chev Captiva is 2000kgs. Both are the same car. Go figure?

 

[Lutz]

It's only the automatic 2.2CDTi Antara which is limited to 1700kg. The manual also has a 2000kg limit.

 

[MrBell]

if anyone is thinking of getting one on motability the advance payment has come down to just £299 thats so cheap.

It is £399 but still a good deal for a 4WD. I would prefer the SE version however I note that these are not 4 x 4s. They are cross overs which only switches to 4 x 4 if the wheels start spinning. Otherwise it is a FWD vehicle with a heft price tag if paying cash. Maximum braked towing weight is 1700kg whereas the Chev Captiva is 2000kgs. Both are the same car. Go figure?

I have just bought a Brand new Antara for less than 399 per month and i have the crossover 4x4. I bought the exclusive as there isnt much differen between the two specs. The manual can tow upto 2 tonne as i checked this before i bought it. I may never use its full potential but its there just in case.
The car is lovely to drive and there are lots of offers on these at the minute.
Roll on saturday!!!

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

if anyone is thinking of getting one on motability the advance payment has come down to just £299 thats so cheap.

It is £399 but still a good deal for a 4WD. I would prefer the SE version however I note that these are not 4 x 4s. They are cross overs which only switches to 4 x 4 if the wheels start spinning. Otherwise it is a FWD vehicle with a heft price tag if paying cash. Maximum braked towing weight is 1700kg whereas the Chev Captiva is 2000kgs. Both are the same car. Go figure?

ive just been on mob site and vauxhall site the manual is £299 and the auto £399 advanced payments. There also other good offers up the range on the antaras aswell

 

[MrBell]

if anyone is thinking of getting one on motability the advance payment has come down to just £299 thats so cheap.

It is £399 but still a good deal for a 4WD. I would prefer the SE version however I note that these are not 4 x 4s. They are cross overs which only switches to 4 x 4 if the wheels start spinning. Otherwise it is a FWD vehicle with a heft price tag if paying cash. Maximum braked towing weight is 1700kg whereas the Chev Captiva is 2000kgs. Both are the same car. Go figure?

There is lots of offers on these cars, i got mine on 0% finiance and also got a partners discount, if you look on the dealers website youll see what i mean.
The dealer i bought mine off had a stock of cars so was able to get more discounts. The Antara Exculsive which is the one i bought has lots of standard kit. I went for the 4x4, if you go for the FWD you will get the car even cheaper, there is FWD versions for less then 20k.
I took the car i bought for a long... test run and its really nice to drive.

ive just been on mob site and vauxhall site the manual is £299 and the auto £399 advanced payments. There also other good offers up the range on the antaras aswell

 

[MrBell]

Duplicate Post

 

[MrBell]

if anyone is thinking of getting one on motability the advance payment has come down to just £299 thats so cheap.

It is £399 but still a good deal for a 4WD. I would prefer the SE version however I note that these are not 4 x 4s. They are cross overs which only switches to 4 x 4 if the wheels start spinning. Otherwise it is a FWD vehicle with a heft price tag if paying cash. Maximum braked towing weight is 1700kg whereas the Chev Captiva is 2000kgs. Both are the same car. Go figure?

ive just been on mob site and vauxhall site the manual is £299 and the auto £399 advanced payments. There also other good offers up the range on the antaras aswell

There is lots of offers on these cars, i got mine on 0% finiance and also got a partners discount, if you look on the dealers website youll see what i mean.
The dealer i bought mine off had a stock of cars so was able to get more discounts. The Antara Exculsive which is the one i bought has lots of standard kit. I went for the 4x4, if you go for the FWD you will get the car even cheaper, there is FWD versions for less then 20k.
I took the car i bought for a long... test run and its really nice to drive.