what to buy??

[janso]

Hi guys!!

Recently joined the forum because I've finally got commited in my head - I WANT A FRONTERA!!! Only problem is, after much reading up on the various models, I really dont know what to go for?? I have up to £2000 spare to purchase and after research, believe that I should only go for a post 1998 model but dont know wether to go for diesel or petrol? I also have issues with whether a sport or lwb is what I should be looking for - as i work in the outdoors, the truck will be used for transporting various objects from surfboards to mountain bikes to climbing equipment as well as a family vehicle but am really at ends trying to decide what i should go for. Do the sport models come as diesel? Will a sport be big enough? If i go for a lwb, will it be economical?

i hope i havent bored anyone yet, but after many years of admiring fronteras, and being a bit jealous of anyone driving them, I've gotta get one, but which one with the money i have is doing my head in!! i hope someone can shine a light and help me sort this obstacle!!! Thanks in advance guys....

[jacksi]

I just got a sport prior to that i have owned a LWB shougun, to be honest at the time the LWB suited us due to family, now the SWB suits, so only you can decide which would be better, we still have much more room than we had in our old car which dare i mention is a laguna. I am hopeful we can now do a camping holiday without taking the trailer, but knowing what i pack and from a conveinence point i doubt it heheeh, good luck with deciding, im sure yu will get some helpful advice

[marcsony]

Well i got the lwb 2.2 petrol and i can get just about anthing in there even the wifes corsa lol. fuel eco is good i think for a truck of that size the only fault i can find with this engine is it could do a bit more on the pull off, its not a major issue to me but if its speedo you need id consider a larger engine.

[john (smifffy)]

ive got both a sport & lwb/estate for just me and the wife the sport suits our needs
i can get a hell of a lot more gear in the lwb when fishing plus with the split rear seat another person in the rear
the sport dont have a split seat

if you have young children you will find it a job getting a car seat in the back of a sports as the seats are set well back
also there is not a fantastic amount of room behind the rear seats when there up

plus the sports is a 4 seater the lwb/estate is a 5 seater

if my children were not grown up i would chose a lwb over the sport

but saying that with just me and the wife i prefer the sport

[Drift]

For that money you can get a decent 2.2 DTI

Just to give you an idea whats about

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-VAUXHALL-FRO ... dZViewItem

[country_Est]

Bejasus, is that what an engine looks like, I opened my bonnet and everything under there was just brown

I have a 2.2 DTi LWB on a 2000 plate, and I get a good average of 29 mpg, and thats on runs to work of 3 mile each way, which when done in the passat diesel comp says it only does 26. Will do over 30 on a long (steady) run on the motorways, speeds below 90. On the A roads does over 30 mpg.

Have found that standard is a bit low off serious off roading and have lifted mine, but still use it for shooting and fishing and as said before can get a lot more in, especailly with the dogs in the back and 4 passengers and still have room for luggage.

If its only for you / missus and not for long journeys then a sport may be an option, but I beleive the sport has a "choppy" ride for long distances where as the LWB is smoother.

Trev

[jmc]

Somewhere there is a post called" howdie all " and its written by a chap in the same decision making process as you and there are lots of write ups from f.o.g members.Just to bore everybody again, I've got a 2.3 d lwb, which I love. Its standard except for mods I have listed in my avatar.It does 35mpg round town solo more on a long run.It is not the fastest or most powerful.Sports do come in diesel ,barryc on this site has a 2.8 swb.I couldnt have a short wheelbase as I need mine for puting lots of stuff in and sometimes the family at weekends although I have to put a child seat strapped down with lorry straps in the boot facing backwards for my 6 yr old as there are 6 of us.You could also look in the posts called "what do you use your frontera for" and another called "what do you like about your fontera". I think I would prefer a green one now.
Try to get to Bala meet there will be lots of different fronteras to look at.Also read truggas website.Hope this helps.

[barryc28]

I've had a 2.3td lwb and now got a 2.8swb, I went for the shorty as I use the fronty for mainly off roading of if something heavy needs towing, I've got an omega 2.6v6 and me astravan for work

The swb is definetly better offroad i think due to its swb and less chance of grounding but the boot is ttiny uless you drop the back seats

The Isuzu 2.8 is much more powerful than the 2.3 bedford cf van engine with a turbo shoved on it but saying that the 2.3 always started and caused no problems

If I had to choose for road use the lwb is more practical but as a toy the swb more fun

[Sir-Doris]

I have a 95' 2.2 petrol LWB. While not the sportiest of engines it is reasonably torquey and pulls well through all the gears. Will tow an 18' car transporter trailer with a Mercedes 300 Estate on the back easily enough. I get between 25 and 35MPG depending on driving style and road conditions (motorway, A roads, Town etc). Average is probably around 28MPG for my driving style.

The LWB is very spacious inside and is quite a bit larger then say a jeep cherokee of the same age. Rear legroom is excellent as is the front legroom. The driving position is a bit lower then that of many other similar 4x4's and feels a little more car like in that respect.

Parts are relatively cheap for a car of this type and most parts are easily available either new or used.
Mechanically they are quite easy to work on but some components are difficult to access although this applies to all engine variants.

Generally the 2.8TDi is considered the most reliable engine while the 2.5TDi is the sportiest but relies heavily on electronic (fly by wire) sensors which can be a pain to troubleshoot should they go wrong.

[janso]

Sorry its taken a while to reply guys, i've been out of country. A big thanks to everyone who replied, i really do appreciate it and from your opinions and the forum in general i'm starting to get a good knowledge base. Seen two models i kinda like the look of but wondered if members could help me with the pros and cons and anything useful to know about them?
Here are the links:

Frontera 1:

http://www.adtrader.co.uk/item_detail.p ... d=32135252

Frontera 2:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0370786732

Thanks again guys, wont be long till im part of this prestigous gang!!!

[janso]

Heres one...... whats the opinion on it??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0324048472

1997 VAUXHALL FRONTERA TD RED

Query...... the transglobe model, much difference with that and a normal 2.5? Are 2.5's really that bad with electrics? A lot of research suggests that a 2.5 is better on fuel than 2.2? I think a diesel is definitely what i'm after, always chose diesel over the years.

opinions greatly appreciated guys!!