vauxhall frontera GOOD AR BAD ?

[glen_374237991]

IM INTERESTED ON ALL YOUR OPPINIONS ON THE FRONTERA, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL WITH A 4X4 BUT CANT AFFORD THE LUXURY OF A MORE EXPENSIVE TYPE ! SO CAN EVERBODY WITH EXPERIENCE OF THESE LET US ALL KNOW, DIESEL OR PETROL, ESATE OR SPORT, ...HELP TO FIND ANSWERA,,, THANKS GUYS (AND GIRLS OF COURSE......HEY HEY SOON BE SUMMER !!

 

[andy_5039827]

Hi Glen i own a 2003 RS SPORT,wich i have owned for the past 3 years, and have had no problems thus far.It pulls my 1400 kg caravan with ease and returns a fair MPG.I think most people that knock them should try one first.

Best Regards

Andy

 

[glen_374237991]

Hi Glen i own a 2003 RS SPORT,wich i have owned for the past 3 years, and have had no problems thus far.It pulls my 1400 kg caravan with ease and returns a fair MPG.I think most people that knock them should try one first.

Best Regards

Andy

THANKS ANDY,

IVE HAD AN OLD SPORT MANY YEARS AGO, AND HAD NO PROBS THEN (NO TOWING) THATS WHY I KEEP COMING BACK TO THEM, WHAT ENGINE SIZE IS YOURS ? FUEL ETC .. THASNKS FOR THE REPLY

 

[BeemerMal]

Glen...I borrowed our friends Frontera about 8 years ago when I waiting for my new car. It was the long wheel base diesel, not the Sport version. We found it to be ok but was quite noisy and very thirsty (around 18mpg towing) Our friends had a number of mechanial problems with it, mainly gear box and differential when it was only about 4 years old (30,000 miles) they were so fed up with it they sold it on and bought an older Mitsubishi Shogun import (Perjeo?) which proved a good tow car.

The Frontera was never the best car, I suggest you also look at alternatives. I think the Isusi Trooper is the same base car and it was more reliable. Also the Diathasu? was also similar.

Remember there are a lot of 4x4s on the market right now to suit most pockets and its a buyers market. Shop wisely!

 

[cliff_5040076]

Hi Glen

Don't shout, turn off the caps lock.

 

[andy_5039827]

THANKS ANDY,

IVE HAD AN OLD SPORT MANY YEARS AGO, AND HAD NO PROBS THEN (NO TOWING) THATS WHY I KEEP COMING BACK TO THEM, WHAT ENGINE SIZE IS YOURS ? FUEL ETC .. THASNKS FOR THE REPLY

Hi Glen 2.2 DIESEL

Regards

Andy

 

[Fourtrack]

Hi Glen

There is nothing wrong with the Frontera as a tow car. I had 5 over last 10 years or so. I keep them 2 years and usually did 30 to 40 k in each one. I would have one now if the replacement had come out last spring as scheduled!! My advice would be to get the latest you can afford or justify as the engines got better and better. Avoid the diesel and the V6. The very first 2.3 diesels were underpowered and agricultural. The next one was a 2.8 Isuzu and was a lot better but quite noisy. Then came the 2.5 - better and quieter and the 2.2 they ended the range with was reasonably economical and towed my Pastiche easy - and that is a heavy van.

With the advent of the common rail diesel the technology is old and the Fronty will never be as good as these [Although I wish I could get my hands on a Capticva or Antara!] But you will findthat they will not let you down as long as they are serviced properly. I only ever serviced my later ones and never need any other repairs.

Hope this helps

DavidC

 

[Tony A.]

Hi Glen

Don't shout, turn off the caps lock.

CLIFF,

I DON`T THINK HE`S SHOUTING, HE MAYBE JUST PREFERS THE LOOK OF CAPITAL LETTERS.

WHO SAID CAPITALS WAS SHOUTING?, IS IT LAW? OR ARE YOU JUST FOLLOWING SOME SILLY RULE THAT SOMEONE DREMPT UP.

TONY A.

 

[Tony A.]

CLIFF,

I DON`T THINK HE`S SHOUTING, HE MAYBE JUST PREFERS THE LOOK OF CAPITAL LETTERS.

WHO SAID CAPITALS WAS SHOUTING?, IS IT LAW? OR ARE YOU JUST FOLLOWING SOME SILLY RULE THAT SOMEONE DREMPT UP.

TONY A.

Cliff,

Just read forum etiquette and don`t wish to appear bad mannered, but I still think it`s being a bit of a sheep.

Tony A.

 

[craig_5114066]

Hi Glen

I owned a 2.5 TDS LWB for a couple of years....Excellent towcar and excellent all rounder.I towed a Sterling Europa 540 (1450kg max)with no trouble at all.The fuel economy was as BeemerMal said also 18 mpg whilst towing.I could bear this whilst towing but the 24 mpg the rest of the year, mostly driving in town was just too much.I never had any problems with the car but did find that these cars are looked down on by (some)other 4 x 4 drivers. As you said they are cheaper than other models and this is what attracted me to it in the first place.

Personally speaking diesel estates are best. The sport is too small and the petrol versions in my opinion aren't great for towing. Stay away from the 2.3 diesel as its under powered. The 2.5 (VM engine) with no timing belt is great as is the 2.8 Isuzu engine. I dont know about later engines.

As with all things other peoples opinions are very very helpful but at the end of the day only you know what car is suitable for you.

The ONLY reason I sold my Frony was the fuel consumtion it returned when not towing.Running two cars was not an option so...it had to go.

Good luck