new here and after a bit of buying advice

[foo-fighter]

hi all, im looking at getting a 3dr frontera and i am after some advice on what to look out for when buying one. Are there any known problems with rust and the like? also can somebody advise me if 3dr frontera's have a locking centre diff? and or a rear locking diff?
thanks
Si

[drinksoptional]

Hi and welcome bit late for most on here

[headbanging]

I use to have the SWB before getting the LWB.

Whilst I can't help you with diffs, I'm sure someone will be along soon who can.

The only problem I had with the SWB, and this has happened to a few others, is where the clutch pedal attaches onto the bulk head. The bulk head becomes split, and needs to be welded up. When you go and look at one, get your head right in where the pedals are, pull back the carpet, and look for any splits in the metal work where the clutch pedal assembly attaches to the car.

[Wilberforce]

[N1ova]

On the A's look out for the top drivers door hinge pulling away from the A pillar.I know quite a few people this has happened to.And most of the A series fronteras in the scrapyard have the problem aswell.

[jammywagonwheel]

Hi Si,
Welcome to FOG

Ive got a 1995 A series SWB leaf sprung 2 litre as a weekend toy which I bought last year off Ebay.

In my opinion, a good little car, it could do with a bit more power ( really needs a whacking great V8 in it ), but still great fun and its not bad on fuel. No Major problems, just the usual coughs and splutters but I've sorted them out with a lot of help and advice from other members (thanks all!)- but in reality it is a 15 year old car, and its highly unlikely to win Le Mans or the Paris Dakar - this year anyway. Parts are cheap and easy to source, they are relatively easy to work on and I'm very very suprised by the off road ability.

Having moved into the light from the dark side (used to have an old series 3 landrover ) the fronty beats it hands down for comfort / giggle factor / heater that works and power steering! You cant go wrong! Choose carefully though, as mentioned before in this thread, check the rear arches where the roll cage attaches (mine has pin holes on the passenger side, going to weld it this weekend if the War Office lets me out to play forgot - 6 Nations Rugby starts on Saturday... going to have to get welding in the morning!!), theres a plastic panel on both sides that lifts out for a look, pull up the carpets in the footwells, make sure the 4 wheel drive works in high and low ratios - AND it stays in gear, theres no strange noises, clonks or rattles and check the oil for signs of 'mayonaise (head gasket leaking), no smoke - usual stuff....

There are some lemons out there, and even more 'less than honest' descriptions, its always easier to walk away from a duff one than it is to fix...

Once your up and mobile, The SE group have their own 20 odd acre playground (padded cell) have a look here:
http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=63

And theres also a Southern Group
http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=62

If you get stuck, or just have a question, post on here and you'll get an answer!

John

[BadBoy]