which model to go for

Hi guys and gals

New to this website and am after some general advice. Have had enough of my Ford Ranger and have been looking at Fronteras. I have 3 daughters so any 3 door model is out although the ones I have seen so far have been very nice. I have upto £2500 to spend and cant decide between diesel and petrol although I have been strongly advised to avoid the 2.2petrol. What are the main faults to look out for when i go to a private seller and if I buy a diesel is a diesel chip worth the money??? Please try to keep the mechanical points simple as remember I am a girly girl

Many thanks
Katie

Dti would be my choice , for your budget you can easily afford a post 2001 model. I would however add some caveats.

1. Ideally it would have had the fuel pump replaced in it's lifetime with documented proof.
2. Full service history (not important if it's Vauxhall or independent garage.)
3. Vacuum pipes are another common issue but can be fixed for £10 and an hours effort
4. Check that all the instruments work without the head lights on - Max fix cost £150, could be as little as £30
5. After the test drive touch all wheels to see if any feel markedly warmer than the others

There are other niggles, but nothing major. If it were me I'd spend £2000 of your budget and reserve £500 to make it spot on.

With the budget available Katie you could probably pick up one of the very last ones made - believe 04 reg.
That big question is what do you need it for - towing horse-box, daily runabout or even off roading. What sort of mileage are you going to be doing?
On the B series LWB (5 door), there are 3 flavours, 2.2 diesel, 2.2 petrol (both Vauxhall engine) and V6 3.2 petrol (Isuzu engine).
If it's just a daily runabout and you don't want to consider the 2.2 petrol - with today's fuel prices would have thought the 2.2 diesel is the answer your looking for. That said, you can get the 3.2 petrol with LPG conversion if you want a real load of umpth as you hit the right boot.
On the 2.2 diesel, with what I understand, the very last versions (as a guide with the 'V' shaped grill) the diesel pump is chipped, so a £1,500 main dealer bill if it goes wrong, whereas the earlier models (with the straight grill) are not chipped to the ECU so more reasonable £600-800 bill. That said, if you do not allow it to run out of diesel and is serviced correctly, there is no need to worry about the diesel pump dieing prematurely. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the prompt replies any further pointers always welcome. Had a bad experience in past with lpg so not really wanting to go down that route. Have had a 3.0litre volvo estate so petrol price isn't really top of my agenda. Will mainly be using on days out with the family and shopping (don't do school runs!!!). Having had big cars in past I just can't cope with a small car anymore so need to stay largish, wont be towing anything but dont mind models with towbars on.

Thanks

In which case then either a V6 or remapped Dti.

Blonde moment - remapped is that the ecu??

Thanks for that - if they have had that done will it include a receipt etc??? What about other things to look out for is there anything first time I have bought a car without my dad going with me!!! Very nervous

With your budget I would expect receipts for everything to be honest. You are in a fortunate position where you can afford to be choosy. If you are at all unsure post any concerns back here and someone will put you right. There may even be a member in in your region who would look at a potential purchase for you - it's happened before.