Newbie, teach me!

[ell]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get a Frontera in July or August for a road trip round Europe.

Budget is about £600, and there seems to be plenty available for that.

At the moment, I drive a 2003 1.2 VW Polo , so, as you can imagine anything with more power than 55bhp would please me.

But was wondering what the best bet for this kind of thing is?

It needs to be reliant enough to last me the 2 weeks or so in Europe, but I figured that comes with a Vauxhall. But as far as the different models of Frontera are conerned, so whats the best one? Seems like the 2.8 is quite highly considered?

Any suggestions?

Thanks guys,

Apologies for not actually owning a Frontera yet, but I definitely will be. And apologies for owning a polo...i'm 19.



Ell

[woodwizzard]

All depends on things like how much space you need, lwb or swb? What terrain you will be driving, mountain hills etc. The 2.8 is a good lump but a pain in the butt to work on, especially on the roadside, plus for £600 you will need to look very hard for a good'un. If it were me I would be looking for a looked after 2.0 sport, roof off so you can enjoy the sun, easy diy mechanics and parts easy to source.

[bobbinsjob]

plus, being 19, a 2.8 might sting you on the insurance.

For a road trip, i take it you will have plenty of luggage and will be doing some mileage so maybe a 2.3td LWB

A 2.0 sport soft top would be great for travelling round europe in the summer but they are few and far between and the mileage obviously isnt as good as a diesel

here are a few on ebay

2.8 LWB

2.5 tds sport

[Drift]

A soft top wouldnt be a good idea for travelling think security
And you cant take the hard top off a sport as you would have know where to store it for when you needed it.

I would be inclined to shy away from a 20 L purely as they tend to run hot and hotter weather can only make the engine hotter, a well looked after 2.3 or even a well looked after 2.5 ( remember one went around the world viewtopic.php?f=34&t=22022 )

If your insurance allows a 2.8 would be ideal, not much goes wrong, most things like starters and alternators only go because they get thrashed in muddy water when taken offroad, but for normal driving they are very good and as I said nothing to go wrong as the engine is a simple straightforward beast and runs very cool.
Just change all fluids, diffs, gearbox, engine and change all filters, check wheel bearings and you cant really go wrong, plus there are some bargains out there.

[bobbinsjob]

[Rifleman]

Hi mate
Depends on how many people are going to be in the vehicle and the amount of luggage.
A LWB takes a vast amount of stuff and of course even more with the seats down. I often go off on photo shoot weekends with 4 in my LWB. I have a dog rack in the rear which allows me to pile up the luggage to the roof and it doesn't fall over the top of the seats. Also you may be lucky to purchase one with a well built roofrack which will take lots more of your gear. I have a 2.5 and my mate has a 2.3, and in my experience the 2.5 is far more powerful and seems to be more reliable. I do keep on top of the servicing etc though.
Ie had mine for a year now, its my first one and is a 97 on an "R" reg and I haven't had to do anything major to it. In fact most of the jobs I have done on it have been because I wanted to do them, rather than had to.
So shop around, and read all the other suggestions from the guys on here. You'll find that all the suggestions are fair and as honest as possible. Good luck in your search and your tour. Let us know what you decide on.

[weave67]

Here we go again,another "which one shall I get thread" and, here you lot go,"get a 2.8 or a 2.3 or a 2.2 or 2.5" WEAVE67,shouts out loud,and proud "Get a A series 2.4 lwb"

[alex]

With that budget the 2.4 aint a bad option. A cheap 2.5 or 2.8 is either a bargain or broke.

The LWB didnt come 2.0 so its 2.4 the winner I bet. They are well robust and can be frugal if very well maintained. Would wnat to give it some serious tlc before leaving.

Just a weekends lanes with me and the nipper is a pain in the SWB, envious eyes to the LWB guys sometimes.

[weave67]

well said alex a believer at last

[andysd1]

dont know alex that swb has fantastic capabilities, even in 2wd

[woodwizzard]

Just a weekends lanes with me and the nipper is a pain in the SWB, envious eyes to the LWB guys sometimes.

You don't have to take your welding kit everywhere Alex

[weave67]

our alex never goes anywere without his tackle, ,Me i just take me frying pan and bacon

[alex]

Who me? I went for a light weight tool box, just filled it with heavy stuff

I love my SWB, but a week away would need the LWB for space, plus it cruises nicer