Vauxhall Antara

[Keefanmaxx]

I hope someone can help here .....
We're considering changing our car (currently have a 1.7 ecoflex Zafira coupled with a Bailey Ranger GT60) and Mrs Keith likes the Antara.
Does anyone run one of these in either 2 or 4 wheel drive version and if so, what are they like in reality?
Looking at some reviews paints a pretty good image of them as an under-rated car that can compete with the likes of the Ford Kuga and Toyota Rav 4 but would appreciate any comments here.

Thanks in advance!! :cheer:

 

[Martin24]

My cousin owns a garage and was not impressed when his mother went out and bought one. I'm afraid I can't remember what the issues with it were but it wasn't something he would have recommended she buy. As for its performance as a tow vehicle I can't comment. Some neighbours of ours (again don't tow) have gone through an X Ttrail and CRV quite quickly before finally settling on a CX5 It's always so subjective when looking at which car to buy with so many opinions floating around out there. As a huge Subaru fan I would chuck the Forrester and Outback into the equation. Good luck and hope someone comes up with something more concrete for you.

 

[Raywood]

Only know of one person who tows with one. He thinks it is a good towcar but thirsty.

 

[Keefanmaxx]

Thank you foe the replies.

I have been into the dealers this morning for another reason, but took the time to 'have a look'. I appreciate that with a heavier, bigger engine car the day to day running costs will be higher, but part of the reasoning is about having a car with more mid-range 'grunt'.
Looks like the looking and thinking will go on a while yet!! :cheer:

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

If you use the search feature on this website you get the following statement from 11 month ago:

"In 2008 we bought a Chevrolet Captiva (Antara) to pull our Geist. No ATC, but it was a joy to tour with it - stable and totally unremarkable (in a good way)"

Read more at http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/towcars/50708-vw-tiguan-review-diary#IZt8EvDMspsmidkK.99

 

[yorkykev]

A friend bought one brand new with which he tows their caravan, it has spent more time in dealers garage sorting out various faults, sometimes the same fault !! over the past 3 years that he would gladly get rid of it.
I'm sure other owners will have only good things to say about them ????

 

[Woodentop]

I would suggest you look at a VW Touran (2L TDi) or a Mitsubishi Outlander. Both a pleasure to drive, both tow well, and both have good fuel economy and reliability (especially the Outlander.)

 

[RayS]

If you can find a low miles Freelander 2 gs auto it would do the job pretty well. Ford diesel and gearbox, great visibility and comfort

 

[Keefanmaxx]

So, here's the update on the tow-car conundrum ....... Having spent many happy hours trawling a well known used car site, comparing figures about performance, boot capacity, kerb-weights etc etc, reading user reviews and visiting dealers, Mrs Keith and I will take delivery of our new car this weekend.
Although we looked at a number of makes, we were strangely drawn to ......... an Antara! hmy:

We decided that if we're going to go for it, it had to be the highest spec, and we've managed to find a 3 year old SE Nav with some extras fitted, but no tow-bar (Yet!)

At the dealers, we were told there was no room to further reduce the screen price as the vehicle had already been reduced, but through standing our ground and sheer cheek, we managed to increase the part exchange offer on the trusty Zafira by a substantial amount, get a price match on the Antara (well they shouldn't advertise such statements should they?? ) and then 'encouraged' the dealer to knock some more off ....... which just goes to show that it's a buyers market and if the dealer wants a sale, they can be negotiated to what you want.

We now look forward to the first trip at the end of this month to see how it goes and many happy miles of motoring ahead. :cheer:

 

[Craigyoung]

I met a bloke in France two years ago when I had problems on site and he was towing with a then 2.2 I think 4x4 antara and pulling the twin axle Baileys six berth , He said a good towcar for what he was pulling .

 

[Keefanmaxx]

That's encouraging CraigYoung.
The owner reviews we've read look positive with a mix of some faults and none at all. We'll be having the 2.2 litre diesel and ideally would have liked the higher power one, but they are hard to find!

 

[Craigyoung]

Good luck and enjoy when you get it .

Craig

 

[Keefanmaxx]

So, today we took delivery of the Antara, which has now been christened 'Mr Grey' by Mrs Keith due to the colour and the quality of the ride it gives hmy:

We've already achieved some surprising average fuel economy from it on the run home and have spent a couple of hours making sure Mrs Keith is OK with the controls and driving it.

Just the tow bar to be fitted next week (booked in already!) and a weekend away in two weeks time to see how Mr Grey really performs!!

 

[dave1966]

Hi, I'm sorry to say but I have heard alot of bad things about the Antara and one of the things is a lack of power and boot space. We own the great granddad to the Antara, which is the Frontera and it doesn't lack power. My suggestion would be the Mitsubishi ASX, as they have plenty of grunt even from a 1.8 diesel model, my parents have had the ASX 3 and they now have the ASX-4 and both models pulled their caravan without any issues.

 

[Hutch]

Wel done on your investigasion, hope all goes well for you, just enjoy your times aways.

 

[Keefanmaxx]

Thanks for the comments.
We spent a long time looking at various options, including boot space and power. The Antara produces 350 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm, so should be good at shifting our Bailey.
We knew that to get the car we wanted, there would be compromise, such as boot space and passenger space, after all, we were replacing a Zafira which was more like a van than a car!
The Antara is adequate for what we carry, and as there is only the two of us, we can put the back seats down to help.

First trip tomorrow, se we'll see how it goes!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

 

[Keefanmaxx]

I have just re-read this thread and some of the comments regarding the pros and cons of the Antara.

While not everyones 'cup of tea' and other, heavier and powerful cars are available, I thought I'd share the current adventures with ours now we've had it a few months, so here goes......

I registered the car at the local dealers when I swapped to the personal registration number and discovered there was an outstanding recall for an under-tray, which was duly sorted free of charge.
During the inspection by the dealer as part of this work, I was informed of an oil leak which is apparently from the timing chain cover and a known issue with the type of engine. This was cleaned off and then rechecked on the interim service I had carried out before going away. The leak and source were confirmed and the dealer has approached Vauxhall to see if they will part fund the repairs, supported by themselves so there is minimal or no cost to me (following a discussion with the Service Manager over some issues with the customer service!!). I'm just waiting to hear the outcome of this which I hop will be positive and I can get the car booked in.

I haven't seen the issues above as problems, merely bits that could /would have happened anyway and have been highlighted to me.

We returned from holiday in Dorset yesterday and have covered 650 plus miles and have returned an average 25 mpg overall, despite the fact that we were carrying the tent, awning and other bits for the kids and grandson during the trip down and back, so we're really pleased!! :cheer:

 

[Raywood]

Glad you are happy with it. It does look like the original opinion I was given is correct.

 

[ProfJohnL]

This may have no bearing on the Antara, but I used to own a Saab 9-3 2.2 TID diesel. I know the same engine was used in Vauxhall Vectra's & Signums and possibly other GM cars It was definitely a GM engine (not Fiat) and I have a suspicion it was may have had some Isuzu DNA, but I could be wrong on that point

With only 115 bhp it was never going set the road on fire, whilst down on power it did have quite good torque, and in gear acceleration was more than adequate sole and not bad when towing.

Unfortunately all these models had a habit of suffering what appears to be fuel starvation whilst trying to start. I was particularly concerned in case my wife (who is disabled but can drive) became stranded. I spent close to £1000 on investigations, to no conclusion. We tested the fuel pump we fitted NRV's in the fuel lines we added a manual Heat coil start switch which helped a bit but it was still too hit and miss so it had to go.

 

[Hutch]

The 2.2 engines suffered from cracked fuel return lines, which would draw air in on start up. New tubes aboutt They were also used on the Vectras, and the late Cavaliers. The 3 litre diesel Vectras, ( Isuzu ) engines had problems at about 60 k miles with the fuel managment systems. Bio fuels ( Not allowed to be used) would breakdown seals and block internal ports causing the Engine managment systems go into limp home mode.
Hope this might help some people, if not please ignore it, old cars.

 

[MrSantefa16]

I have just re-read this thread and some of the comments regarding the pros and cons of the Antara.

While not everyones 'cup of tea' and other, heavier and powerful cars are available, I thought I'd share the current adventures with ours now we've had it a few months, so here goes......

I registered the car at the local dealers when I swapped to the personal registration number and discovered there was an outstanding recall for an under-tray, which was duly sorted free of charge.
During the inspection by the dealer as part of this work, I was informed of an oil leak which is apparently from the timing chain cover and a known issue with the type of engine. This was cleaned off and then rechecked on the interim service I had carried out before going away. The leak and source were confirmed and the dealer has approached Vauxhall to see if they will part fund the repairs, supported by themselves so there is minimal or no cost to me (following a discussion with the Service Manager over some issues with the customer service!!). I'm just waiting to hear the outcome of this which I hop will be positive and I can get the car booked in.

I haven't seen the issues above as problems, merely bits that could /would have happened anyway and have been highlighted to me.

We returned from holiday in Dorset yesterday and have covered 650 plus miles and have returned an average 25 mpg overall, despite the fact that we were carrying the tent, awning and other bits for the kids and grandson during the trip down and back, so we're really pleased!! :cheer:

Well i know what your going through with your Antara.

I have a 2.2 exclusive AWD Antara and bought brand new. The car is 4 year old now and its had nothing but problems from day one. I really hope you get your car fixed as my Antara has been in the garage more times than on the road (well thats how it has felt to me) It took my garage weeks and weeks to fix my oil leak.

My last straw with mine was the garage telling me that my shocks on the front where (misting) or you could say leaking!! and my boot door is rusting and also my exhaust is getting to the point of needing replacing!!
I was told by my dealer that the car will need 3K worth of work most will be covered by warranty well thats what the dealer says. I was advised in the next year i would need to spend at least £1000 on it to make sure it passes its next MOT.
Anyway i had enough so when mine was being serviced and MOT'd (it passed phew) i started looking for a new car.
I have just put a deposit down on a new car which is a Sante Fa and i am really looking forward to it.

All i can say is be careful with Vauxhall Anataras as there are lots of common faults with them and vauxhall dont always like to admit the problems. If you buy second hand be very careful.

 

[Keefanmaxx]

Thanks for the latest replies and comments.
The good news for me is that following a visit to the Dealer yesterday, they confirmed that Vauxhall have agreed to fund 70% of the labour costs to do the timing chain cover leak, leaving me to pay less than £300 including the parts which is less than it should be thanks to my service club card! :cheer:

It's in next Wednesday and we collect Friday ..... yes it's a 2 day job! hmy:

I think with any new or used car there is always a potential of 'hidden' problems and I'm sure many of us have owned a car that has been nothing but trouble and maybe one that has been fine. We owned a Peugeot 307 that was 'troublesome' with an annoying oil leak and finally a turbo that was on the way out. We MOT'd it for a year and then set about getting rid which led top the Zafira (which fortunately did not catch fire!! )

The 2.2 diesel unit used by Vauxhall was Isuzu derived and is well proven, therefore any problems should be known - like the timing chain cover. With the initial poor customer service from the Dealer, I do feel that my faith in them has been restored with their confirmation that the almost £2k bill will be considerably less to me and my bank balance!
On the whole, I'm pleased with the Antara. We spent a lot of time looking for the right spec at the right price and ours was registered under the mobility scheme, so had to have dealer servicing as part of this.

Once the oil leak is sorted, I'll be saving up for the service and MOT in January ........ :cheer:

 

[Keefanmaxx]

Thanks for the latest replies and comments.
Once the oil leak is sorted, I'll be saving up for the service and MOT in January ........ :cheer:

In fact, we won't be paying for the next service ........ the saga continued with the car not being ready for Friday and some-one not calling me to tell me until late in the day, after Mrs Keith rang to find out where the car was and the some-one then realising they should have rang a couple of hours before. There was another problem which appeared unexpectedly which meant the car wasn't back until today, but we did get a courtesy car over the weekend.
Another chat with the service manager has resulted in the dealers offering to complete my next service free of charge by way of apology ....... can't complain at that!

 

[Raywood]

Given the cost of servicing that looks a decent result. Why can't caravan manufacturers and dealers be so clued up on putting customers problems right?

 

[Keefanmaxx]

It is a good result ... we even have a letter from the service manager to present as confirmation. I took out a service plan with them so in effect, the next service will be paid for ....... that account will be in credit as the next service is free!

I agree that the manufacturers and dealers of caravans could do better. that said, we had a blown heater switch following a spike on power on a site which was replaced by our dealers under the pre-owned warranty. :cheer: