I like ....but it's petrol?

[sc-em]

I'm off to look at a 2ltr Sport on an N reg tonight. It seems like an honest car, but it's the whole petrol over diesel. Would it be as good off road, or for towing (not that I do much) or would it lack to torque etc of the diesel. The LWB's seem to have oceans of room and the practicality of 5 doors, but the Sport looks better.
It needs a new back box and it has a mixture of snow rear and AT tyres front. Would this be an issue?
Any thoughts would be appreciated or if the price is right? Do I just go for it?

[fudge]

well i love the 2ltr sports
and the duck was a 2ltr sport to start with.. and still is.

i have had no problems off roading with them. they go anywhere the diesels go.

different tyres wouldn't be an issue straight away. but if they are different rolling diameters it could be funny when using 4wd.

[4x4 bobby]

I have had 3 sports and their brilliant for offroading and they do what it say's on the tin. I would have bought another one but i needed space from a LWB. If you can get it at a good price thenhave it as there easy to work on and nippier than a diesal.

[geeks]

Petrol Sports are fun, our outgoing petrol sport was a hoot offroad, stuck a set of MT's on and it surprised alot of people at the P+P sites who sneered when we arrived and then thanked us when they were towed out by us!

However for towing i would want a diesel, IMO when towing there is no substitute for a diesel (or a V6) when dragging something up the road, not sure what the SWB is like for tow duties but my B LWB has excellent presence with anything behind it...

[fogman]

for what they cost and what theyre capable of theyre the bargains of the 4x4 range, parts are cheap & plentiful, if well maintained that engines really reliable and if in a years time you want to sell it you will get back as much as you paid for it ( as long as you didnt pay over the odds in the first place ofc lol ) the only thing that might be an issue is that they only have 4 seats !

[badsykes]

I can add something else...If you are a passenger in the back make sure you put a seatbelt because is kinda unconfortable durring cruising and mine is a coiler...I don't know how is the leafer.Another suggestion replace the freaking AutoHubs straight away with some quality manual hubs...I don't recommend offroading with AutoHubs..

[sc-em]

Thanks for all the helpful replies chaps. I think I am happier with the idea of getting it now. The tank guard? Fuel?
The issue of mixed AT and snow tyres shouldn't be a problem, should it?
The back box is blowing and I think there is no spare? Easily obtainable...not some hyper expensive CAT?

[fogman]

that model has a plastic fuel tank that is protected and held on by a tank guard which is metal , they can be prone to rust and so could well need replacing so its best to check it.
the exhaust system is not too expensive and easily sourced as is the cat should you need them !
ideally all 4 tyres should be the same size - once 4wd is engaged tyres with different rolling diameters could cause issues with the diffs.

[jellybaby]

well once you have one you then need to come to the annual meet viewforum.php?f=123

[badsykes]

I heard at FOG they eat Fronteras especially the 2.0 ... There will be "blood" ... They drink Frontera "blood"

[sc-em]

Well I have got the Sport All seems good Steering wanders a bit but could just be tyre pressure or tracking Otherwise having driven it back from Dudley it seems fine Got for a good price I think
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-VAUXHALL ... true&rt=nc

What do you think?

[jellybaby]

Try this first viewtopic.php?f=41&t=3862
Things to look out for front and rear are...

Front:
Top and bottom ball joints.
Upper and lower control arm bushes.
Tracking (steering alignment) may be out.
Camber may be out.
Tie rod end wear.
Broken/worn shock absorber(s).
Incorrect tyre pressures.

And at the rear
Trailing arm bushes.
Incorrect tyre pressures.
Panhard rod bushes.
Soft springs or worn shocks absorbers.
And don't forget binding brakes. lots of stuff but not really anything serious the A series i think is quite friendly for the average home mechanic

[jellybaby]

keep an eye on the rear sills just in front of the rear arch and of course lift it a couple of inches

[sc-em]

I need to get a workshop manual. Lol
Steering box, I will have a proper look when I have some day light at the weekend.
Can you put jate rings on these like on a Disco? They were very useful.

[4x4 bobby]

Just to say that if your not used to a sport the steering can be a bit twitchy!!!!!!!! It makes them fun!!!!

[sc-em]

Twitchy? Nah. A bit more wayward than that. Had tracking done which has improved it, but need to see what the steering box adjustment is all about.
Think it could probably do with a diagnostic plug in too. Seems a bit hesitant.
Seems you're not far away 4x4 bobby

[geeks]

As its an A series you can do the paperclip test to see of any codes are present

[sc-em]

The paper clip test...? I have alot to learn. Lol

[4x4 bobby]

Im only up in Silverdale just outside Newcastle. Steering box is easy to ajust, need a screwdriver and a spanner!

[sc-em]

I agree the steering box adjustment looks straightforward. Not sure if there is an ideal. At the moment the steering wheel has a good deal of travel before the wheels move. So how many turns. Is it not ones of these turn in and then back it out jobs, or rather the 1/2 turn at a time.
It also seems to have started running roughly. A bit hesitant and lurchy when driving a normal speed. A bit better when you boot it. Wonder if it is worth getting someone to plug it in unless you have any starting points. It came with a list of fault codes printed off. Ominous!
Silverdale....pity the mine closed there!! Random thought I know.