A bit of advice

[PaulD]

Hi, i haven't actually got a Frontera yet but im looking for a bit of advice on what to look for when buying. Im not after the usual things that apply to all used cars but Frontera specific things. Also which model should i be looking at? The car will never be used off road and apart from the journey to and from work will be used for holidays and weekends away dragging our 17ft caravan and two dogs around.
So come on guys and girls, what do i need to look at and which model will meet my needs best (oh it must be a diesel by the way)
Cheers, PaulD

[Frontycustoms]

Gotta be a 2.8 then fella

[horses45]

most people prefer the 2.8 as far as i can see but touch wood my 2.5 td transglobe has done me well no complaints especially the way i drive it.thats why i know have 2 on the road frontera's a LWB and the play toy my SWB + the donoe SWB

[gregster]

Wotcha

The 2.8 is a blinding towcar,
but I think Paul is looking for a later one with his budget from his other post..
the 2.8 didnt go much past an R reg I dont think?..
Not too clued up on the later ones so will leave that to the guys who love all the flybywire gismos...
....me I like things I can hit with a big hammer to make em better!!

laters

Gregster

[garyrange]

hi pauld i pull my 19 foot caravan with my 2.3 td not the fastest with van on the back but i have to agree i would like a 2.8 but not as yet when the funds are right may be

[nitromotor]

Any of the diesels in the frontera stable will do you proud, and choose a LWB
If it’s a newer fronty your looking for, I can confirm the 2.2 DTI is a superb workhorse.

[PaulD]

Thanks for all your advice guys. Are there any problem areas to look for when buying? things like known rust problems or mechanical gremlins etc? I was definitely thinking of a LWB version for towing stability, apart from the fact that i think the sport looks awful What sort of MPG should i expect both towing and solo? my Espace (2.1 TD) does nearly 40 solo and 28ish towing which is pretty good but probably reflects how i drive it
I would have preferred a newer car but if the 2.8 is massively better im not too bothered as long as its really tidy (i don't want a shed!)
Thanks again, Paul

[nitromotor]

If it’s a newer car your after, then the 2.2 dti will be all that your looking for , and then some.

Lets not forget the 2.2dti shares comparative BHP with the 2.8 (all 113 of them)
And the torque of the 2.2dti is around 191 at 2200 rpm

[weave67]

hey mate ive pulled our 20 foot van all our stuff two big dogs and all our stuff in a 2,3 diesel and i was well inpressed

[Drift]

Go for the newer DTI look for rust on the bonnet lip and door bottoms, other than that you need as much service history as pos, check dash works ok and the only major issue with earlier DTI's is the fuel pump.

[Rifleman]

Hi bud
It depends on how much you want to spend and what year you are looking for.
If you are looking around a 97 / 98 model, go for the 2.5TD. Its a great engine that Vauxhall replaced the 2.8 with.
It has plenty of power and is easily maintained. It also has the same output as the 2.8 and a bit more economic.

[Dupe]

i have a 2.0ltr sport great motor but pulling the caravan i find it under powered, i have just got back from Scarborough and only managed 22 miles per gallon,but seeming the fronty ways 1700kg empty and the van ways 1700 kgs i didn't think that was bad.i covered 1000 miles with out as much of a murmer from the old girl

[PaulD]

Wow! you certainly are a helpful, friendly bunch thanks for all the help so far. Ive more or less decided to go for a 2.2dti model probably around 2004ish. So what do you think of these? are they a good caravan tug, reliable, what sort of fuel consumption should i expect and are there any known faults?
Cheers Guys, Paul

[Drift]

The later dti is about the best, most little and big niggles where sorted and even the fuel pump issues where sorted,....then they stopped making them

If I was getting a new one, to keep as best thats what I would go for

[PaulD]

Hi again guys, I would like to thank you all for your advice and enthusiasm. Unfortunatley I have decided to desert the cause before I actually joined it and I've bought a Shogun. Sorry for using an offensive word on this forum I had so much conflicting advise from other people (4x4 owners) and heard some real horror stories about the Frontera that I got cold feet and jumped ship Anyways thanks again, Paul D

[Drift]

I bet the vast majority of the other users have nevr took a Frontera off rod or even driven one

[weave67]

"dont knock em, till you try em"