VAUXHALL Frontera 2.2 DTi

[Gary_374358511]

Just spotted one of these on Auto Trader on a 52 plate with 54K on the clock for £4,490.

Does anyone else tow with one of these and is there anything I should look out for with these cars.

Thanks again

Regards

Gary

 

[weejock]

Hi Gary

I had to borrow one of these from my brother once and all I can say is don't go there.

This is without doubt one of the worst vehicle I have ever towed with.

The engine is absoulutley gutless and when towing drinks like a fish.Coming back up the A1 I was constantly up and down gears trying to do about 55. I didn't feel that it was very comfortable either as it was always hoping about at the rear.

Should also say he got rid of it quite quick as it always seemed to have some fault or another.

 

[Gary_374358511]

Wow... thanks for that X11. It looked so promising as well with it's massive Kirb weight and what not.

I currently use a Mondeo 2.0 TDCI which is man enough for the job and to be honest I'm just browsing. The only issue I have with the Mondeo is that on a couple of occasions we have needed the assistance of a farm tractor to pull us off a boggy field.

Apart from that, it a great car to tow with.

Looks like I will need to steer clear of the Frontera then.

Is it just the 2.2 diesel that's bad or are they all a bit sluggish?

Cheers

Gaz

 

[Philip_374242473]

I couldn't disagree more. Mine towed like a dream. 1999 2.2 DTi LWB.

I think it towed better than my Sedona, Rover 75 Tourer & Galaxy 2.8.

The only thing that was a problem, was the temp gauge always went into the red, on even the smallest incline. But after discussion on Frontera forum, was told this was normal, is was not getting over hot, just a common fault with the temp sender.

I tow with a 2007 Kia Carens CRDi now, but if i had to have a cheaper 4x4 again, i would definatly consider another frontera.

But like every car, some people have good experiences, other bad.

 

[Del_374232870]

Towed with a 2.2DTI Frontera from 2001 until 2006 and can honestly say that (Grand Cherokee apart) it was the best tow car we have had. Only changed it as we wanted something heavier as were intending to change for a heavier twin axle van.

The engine has more than enough torque to pull most vans , 270kn if I remember, Comfortably towed our 1300kg Lexon up the Sourton incline on the A30 at 45mph which on that peace of road is impresive. Returned 28mpg towing and 35mpg solo on a run.

If X11 had to constantly change gears to hold 55mph on the A1 then it was either a very heavy van with dragging brakes or there was something wrong with the car.

When were changing the car it took us over 6 months to find something better.

The temperature gauge does tend to run red when towing up inclines, but I found that using fully synthetic oil cured that. Only other problems we had was leak of pipes requiring replacement at 5 years which is normal for a diesel and we had to replace the airflow sensor which was a 5 minute job. All in the 2.2DTI Frontera was an excellent tow car.

 

[weejock]

Del

I would never drive with the brakes dragging. The van was a 17ft Windrush and yes the car was loaded with kids and dogs the caravan full with a weeks worth of holiday gear but everytime you hit a hill I had to change down to fouth gear.

I do however take the point that Philip makes about some bad cars and I have mentioned this thing was pretty unreliable to the extent that my brother got rid of it when it was just 10 months old. Maybe he got the pig in a poke.

 

[Craig_374360216]

Del

I would never drive with the brakes dragging. The van was a 17ft Windrush and yes the car was loaded with kids and dogs the caravan full with a weeks worth of holiday gear but everytime you hit a hill I had to change down to fouth gear.

I do however take the point that Philip makes about some bad cars and I have mentioned this thing was pretty unreliable to the extent that my brother got rid of it when it was just 10 months old. Maybe he got the pig in a poke.

Just sold our 1999 Frontera 2.2dti. A great car for towing.

Cheap cars to buy, aYou do have to work the gears up hills and the temperature does go towards the red - but the fans kick in and down it goes again. Not bad on diesel.

Had ours for three years, would recomend.

Only changed it for a bigger/heavier car - Grand Cherokee jeep

Frontera never let us down!

Craig

 

[Craig_374360216]

Just sold our 1999 Frontera 2.2dti. A great car for towing.

Cheap cars to buy, aYou do have to work the gears up hills and the temperature does go towards the red - but the fans kick in and down it goes again. Not bad on diesel.

Had ours for three years, would recomend.

Only changed it for a bigger/heavier car - Grand Cherokee jeep

Frontera never let us down!

Craig

 

[Richard_374365826]

Hi Gary,

Just towed with my Frontera 2.2 dti for the first time, no problem at all. Temp. stayed perfect all the way (oil should be synthetic). Load correctly and there will be no problems. 37 mpg solo, 26mpg towing (mtlp 1300 'van). Huge plus for this vehicle is the boot capacity, other 4x4's are of same length but very small boot space. I can't understand the bad press that the Frontera has had, oh yes, every Frontera except the 2.2, was rubbish!!!