New, to us, wheels for better or worse

Brithunter

Well-Known Member
Well today I go to collect the replacement vehicle for better or worse. After much deliberation and discussion with many and viewing different 4x4's we finally decided for our use that a Vauxhall Frontera (B) would be suitable.

There then was a period of searching for one in our price range.

So we are getting a 99 (T) 2.2 petrol with manual trans.

For all their faults they seem to be selling as last weekend alone four on Autotrader I enquired about sold whilst we Hummed and ahhhhhed over them, watched five on e-bay sell as well. So fingers crossed for an un-eventual drive home. Just over 200 miles should provide a god shake down run.

let's hope we got it right and it provides the easier access for mother into the rear seats. She said the Jeep was OK when we first got it five years ago but then slowly decided it was hard work for her.
 
I have been using a Frontera 2.0 Sport for about 4 years now and have never had is stuck in the mud or snow, and before anyone says it, yes I have used it on some pretty tough terrains and in some fairly atrocious conditions! The beauty of the "Fronty" that I have is that the rear section of the roof can be lifted off in a matter of seconds which makes it the ideal shooting wagon! The only down side to the short wheel base "Fronty" is that it is only a 3 door job and can be difficult for passengers to get in to the back seat! The best point that I have found is that my "Fronty" to be very reliable and it has taken very little to maintain it or to get it through it's M.O.T. each year.
I hope you have as much fun with yours as I do with mine!
 
Thank you for your comments am getting used the the Frontera now and it different :lol: a lot different to the Cherokee. The side windows and door mirrors are huge compared to those on the Cherokee. here is what she looks like:-

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I have a pair of chrome spots to fit. brought them for the Cherokke and never got around to fitting them :oops: now just have to sort out some fittings. Or a bar if I can find one cheap enough.

Have a couple of rust spots to treat and yes she has some scrapes and a few dents but what does one expect for £650.
 
Cracking set of plates there, Brit!

It looks more than adequate for the job and if suits the main purpose then you're onto a winner. I hope it proves a tidy runner. Often fancied one myself as it happens. Keep us posted on its performance.
 
Oh it runs OK just is using more fuel than I believe it should. It looks like I only got 25mpg on the run up from Newport..................Hmmmmmmmmm.

Am sourcing bits now to hopefully correct that. Normal service and a cooling system flush then new thermostat and possibly engine temp sensor. After the Cherokee it's taking a bit of getting used to even though I am no speed freak dropping from 4.0L to 2.2L is noticable :lol:. It appears that it has somt typical 2.2i 16V problems liek the exhaust manifold is showign a hair line crack so will need replacing :rolleyes: the heat shield is missing so ahve to source one adn there is a blow on the middle box and the joint between middle and rear is covered in pug.:rolleyes:. So a replacement exhaust is on the cards once I recover from the cardiac attack induced by the prices quoted.

Driving wise the steering is more precise than the Jeeps and ride is firmer, it handles a particular hump back bridge better than the Jeep which wallowed a bit on the dip one side. The road here is gouged from vehicles bottoming out in the dip :doh:. I miss the air con and cruise control.................. yep been spoilt. However the windows are huge compared t the Jeep so it should make a better vehicle to shoot from. The Jeep was cramped on that score when rabbiting on the field using the Jeep as a hide. They get used to farm vehicles ;). If we could have stretched the budget a bit more a diesel would have been a favorite but it was not to be.

Oh the quote so far for just middle and rear box including fitting was £165. Manifolds seem to be about £90-£130 :eek: without fitting. Excuse me while I go lay down again :oops:.
 
Dont think you will get much better mileage than that and you said you bought it in Newport (ooohhhhh dear) only jokeing us Welsh Lads would never dream of ripping off you Northen people hope you have many years of happy mottering with it even if it wont be economical

ATB
Paul D
 
Oh it runs OK just is using more fuel than I believe it should. It looks like I only got 25mpg on the run up from Newport..................Hmmmmmmmmm.

Am sourcing bits now to hopefully correct that. Normal service and a cooling system flush then new thermostat and possibly engine temp sensor. After the Cherokee it's taking a bit of getting used to even though I am no speed freak dropping from 4.0L to 2.2L is noticable :lol:. It appears that it has somt typical 2.2i 16V problems liek the exhaust manifold is showign a hair line crack so will need replacing :rolleyes: the heat shield is missing so ahve to source one adn there is a blow on the middle box and the joint between middle and rear is covered in pug.:rolleyes:. So a replacement exhaust is on the cards once I recover from the cardiac attack induced by the prices quoted.

Driving wise the steering is more precise than the Jeeps and ride is firmer, it handles a particular hump back bridge better than the Jeep which wallowed a bit on the dip one side. The road here is gouged from vehicles bottoming out in the dip :doh:. I miss the air con and cruise control.................. yep been spoilt. However the windows are huge compared t the Jeep so it should make a better vehicle to shoot from. The Jeep was cramped on that score when rabbiting on the field using the Jeep as a hide. They get used to farm vehicles ;). If we could have stretched the budget a bit more a diesel would have been a favorite but it was not to be.

Oh the quote so far for just middle and rear box including fitting was £165. Manifolds seem to be about £90-£130 :eek: without fitting. Excuse me while I go lay down again :oops:.

Give Milner offroad a try for parts they don't have everything you will want, but have pretty good prices on service parts.
 
edit just noticed its a petrol :) so diesel experience not relevant :D
 
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don't quote me on this :), but the early Fronteras iirc used Isuzu engines (in fact I seem to remember they were hurriedly developed from a pick up) we ran a bedford van at that time which used a very similar engine, fuel economy was not a strong point, 22-25mpg compared to the 35-38 we were getting from our Transits at the time, reliability in those days was a problem as well :( your motor looks to be a later model so I may be talking twaddle again :D however what would have been a poor buy new may well turn out to be a peach used, as a lot of manufacturing faults tend to show up and get fixed under warranty, or while the car is still worth money, you look to have got a good 'un so hopefully all will come good :D

Early diesel fronteras had Isuzu engine 2.8 bullet proof but a bit agricultural.
 
:lol: ahhhh actually the 2.2i 16v is an Isuzu engine. Bits on it are even marked Isuzu. Same engine as the Omega or so I am told. This was sold as spares or repair. The reason stated is that the speedo works about 95% of the time. A common Vauxhall fault it seems. Tonight i discovered that the interior is NOT original and is from a more upmarket model as it's full leather and even has heated front seats. Not connected of course but someone on the Frontera site is sending me the wiring diagrams and I can then source the switch gear and bit of loom to connect it up.

Meanwhile we await more quotes and the delivery of the service bits and bobs. Locally got quoted £37 for a theromostat, brought it on-line from a vauxhall specialist for £9 :eek: one hell of a difference. Have even contacted a custom exhaust maker to get a quote for a full stainless system. A local place quoted me over £240 for middle and rear in mild steel and a place in Peterborough quoted £372 for stainless. Waiting for a Brummie place to respond to compare for stainless.

Am hoping to get 4-6 years use out of the Frontera................................ we shall see.

Oh yes this is the "B" or Mk3 Frontera. Coil springs all round and a more refined dash and cabin. Reminds me of a friends Toyota on a 09 plate..............:lol:

once we get the service sorted and the exhaust problem solved we can then take stock and look for the frilly bits like A-Bar and lights for the front. Oh yes and that swan neck for the towing bracket.
 
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