Buying a Frontera

[stevie1967]

The car is a 2000 model with 93k, vauxhall dealer service history to 70k. timing belt done at 89k. Dealer would not take any money off it, i did try. Will get a 7 day warranty with the car.

[MG Autos (Mark)]

Personally at the year, mileage & price a 7 day warranty is a bit of joke I'd walk away and wait for something better to come up in the spring. At that mileage if it's not already had the head gasket done, it will simply be a matter of time before your pulling the head off it.

[MrTom]

I know it's sounds like everyone's putting a negative spin on things mate but these lads know these cars inside out. I know mines an older shape but I purchased it last year and it was standard, in great condition 65k on the clock, timing belt done at 64k, 4 x nearly new tyres, half a tank of gas and a Haynes book of lies for £650 and I paid over the odds for mine.

Might be best if you keep searching as the 2.2 can be a big gamble according to what's on here

[MG Autos (Mark)]

If you really want a 2.2 I'd be looking at something like this which is newer, far less mileage and at least £500 less

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL ... 256a15f40c

or maybe even if you want to buy from a dealer.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Opel ... 3f10ad0ff2

[kees]

Another thing to check for on the 2.2 is that it has the correct engine as it might have been replaiced at some time with another motor. I have since found out with mine which should have had a x22xe engine number but has an x18xe engine in which is a 1.8

[Dannyboy]

MY GOD!!!!! wot the hell is that like to drive!? my 2.2 was so under powered it was a joke, hence goin up a litre.

[kees]

A lot better than the 1.6 astra that i had that just about stoped for the hills . Just have to gear down for the hills . 65/70 on the motorways. Initial pull of is abit slow but once she is going not to bad .

[MrTom]

I don't feel so bad about mine now

[stevie1967]

I turned the frontera down today due to price, was paying cash and tried to get it down a bit, but dealer was not for shifting on the 1995. After looking at this forum it seems all bad news. Is the 2.2 DTI a piece of junk too, what is the most reliable engine on the Frontera, as i have mentioned before i previously had a 2.0 Sport a few years back and it was great for what we used it for.


Cheers

Stevie

[fogman]

steve the 2.2 petrol isnt a heap of junk, as ive said before theres plenty of high miler owners on the forum, ive owned mine for nearly 3 years and apart from the head gasket going its never let me down, the only thing ive had to do her is servicing & the odd normal motoring replacements, what the members were trying to say is that for the money you were going to pay [which in this area that would be double for the equivelant truck] it would of had to of been perfect with ideally proof of a past head gasket replacement & had a decent warranty, the fact it needed 2 litres of coolant in what should be a sealed system sent the alarm bells ringing.
as suggested by someone earlier in the thread its going to be worth your while travelling further afield to get a better deal, after all if you get a good one you might keep it for years

[stevie1967]

Hi mate, yes once i looked around a bit i have seen they can be had cheaper than the one i was buying. This one needed 4 tyres and taxed, basically it would have cost me 2500-2700 all in. I have offered 1500 and left it at that. A head gasket is not a big deal for me to do but i hear all the lower engine problems and how rare it is to get a 2nd hand unit kinda put me off paying the asking price.
i have also noticed a wide varaition of prices down south. For example an old N reg for 1500 and 2001 sports for 2500.

[BoxCleva]

You will always get some deluded sellers asking stupid money mate. We get them here as well now and again.

Dti engines are pretty bullet proof, the injection pumps are not. Make sure you are looking at one that has had a new pump in it's lifetime.

[Bigga]

he cant have much faith in the motor to only offer 7 day warranty ! for that price as well !

[Dannyboy]

[amd2076]

i recently purchased a t reg 2.2 rs sport swb,came with a full set of 5 brand new m/t tyres on alloys,2"suspension lift full history all mots etc,imac dark green and just 68k on the clock for 900 quid, the only fault is the dash plays up somtimes but this is a common fault on the b series i believe. i love it but a part of me wishes had gone for a v6 but only for more grunt lol