Vauxhall Frontera - any good off road?

[andy400]

I've always quite liked the look of the Frontera, aesthetically that is, but - I've never known anyone who's owned one; I've never driven one and I've never seen one in use off road.

I don't even know whether they have any lockers or even a low range box? (I could probably google this but it's only just occurred to me as I type this)

So, anyone any experience? Any good? Can you buy lift kits and other mods to make them better?

[JVaughan]

I can only comment by the number of times I have had to recover them ...
Poor Articulation, Heavy, no lockers (although you dont always need them). Personally, better left for tarmac.

Stick aggressive tyres and they are acceptable offroad, but donot go anywhere where clearance will be an issue

[300bhp/ton]

andy400 said:

I've always quite liked the look of the Frontera, aesthetically that is, but - I've never known anyone who's owned one; I've never driven one and I've never seen one in use off road.

I don't even know whether they have any lockers or even a low range box? (I could probably google this but it's only just occurred to me as I type this)

So, anyone any experience? Any good? Can you buy lift kits and other mods to make them better?

I wasn't impressed tbh.

My Mum had a 3 door 2.2 petrol Sport. It does have low range, but it's not as low as you'd like. Suspension was crap too. It looked fab and loved the colour, but I was seriously unimpressed with its off road abilities.

She now has a 1.8i Freelander, which is better on road, way better off and more fun.

[Fume troll]

They are about as good off the road as on it. I'd avoid them if I was you. For going offroad cheap, a Suzuki SJ is hard to beat.

Cheers,

FT.

[andy400]

Not really considering one. Just idly wondering if they are an option if I ever get round to getting a weekend-only mud toy.

I guess not!

[300bhp/ton]

andy400 said:

Not really considering one. Just idly wondering if they are an option if I ever get round to getting a weekend-only mud toy.

I guess not!

Look for something with lives axles. Either that or it needs axle lockers and/or a fancy TCS system to simulate lockers.


Suzuki Jimny would be my pick or anything Jeep or Land Rover.

[andy400]

300bhp/ton said:

andy400 said:

Not really considering one. Just idly wondering if they are an option if I ever get round to getting a weekend-only mud toy.

I guess not!

Look for something with lives axles. Either that or it needs axle lockers and/or a fancy TCS system to simulate lockers.


Suzuki Jimny would be my pick or anything Jeep or Land Rover.

I think a little Suzuki is the obvious choice. I've had my fill of the expense (time and/or money) of LR ownership.

For now though, I'll just have to enjoy the mild, non-damaging off road fun I get to do in my 'shiny'.

Of course, what I really want is an FV432 or a Unimog........

[JVaughan]

forget a 432 ... ste running ... if your going tracked, go for one of the scimitar range.

Can recommend the Jimny .. its been out playing with the Army on the plain too. Unimog .. Mmmmm

[SteveS Cup]

Limited experience with Off Roaders (my brothers into it) but from what he's had, by far the best has been the SJ! Brilliant little machine off road but absolutely shocking to drive on the road getting to places!

He had a Jimny but he never took it to the extreme.

He's now got a Jeep Cherokee... It's fantastic as it's good off road and perfectly acceptable for a quick trip on road. Doesn't have locking hubs though but this has never proved an issue. The big issue is getting the uprated parts for it... All have to be shipped from America so at the moment he's got a lift kit, 35" tyres and has just bought a set of 15x10 steels for it in Jeep fitment.

2.5TD lump is good.

[anomaly]

SteveS Cup said:

2.5TD lump is good.

4.0 lump is better

[normalbloke]

Blimey, is that a little Unimog appreciation going on in here! Not that I have a biased opinion or 'owt!

[SteveS Cup]

anomaly said:

SteveS Cup said:

2.5TD lump is good.

4.0 lump is better

Most (if not all) are attached to an auto box though! Plus we all have to admit that diesel is better for off roading!

[normalbloke]

SteveS Cup said:

anomaly said:

SteveS Cup said:

2.5TD lump is good.

4.0 lump is better

Most (if not all) are attached to an auto box though! Plus we all have to admit that diesel is better for off roading!

Not true.Nor is the diesel comment.Nor is the "all parts have to come from the US comment.
Isn't the 2.5 diesel the VM jobbie? In which case, also not true, it's a pile of tosh.

[300bhp/ton]

SteveS Cup said:

anomaly said:

SteveS Cup said:

2.5TD lump is good.

4.0 lump is better

Most (if not all) are attached to an auto box though! Plus we all have to admit that diesel is better for off roading!

Correct that most if not all UK spec Cherokee 4.0 litres are auto.

But it is a British falacy that diesels or manuals are better off road. In fact there are more cases where an auto is an advantage.

Same with the engines, the 4.0 makes more power and torque than the diesel, is smoother and doesn't suffer any turbo lag.

[Podie]

Was it the Frontera that had to be towed up a hill by a Landie for the advert... then the tow rope was airbrushed out..?

[andy400]

Looking at it from a different angle - it could be an interesting challenge to get a Frontera and then, with only minor changes, work within its limitations in off-road scenarios and see what it can do.

(Although the answer could still be 'very little' and very disappointing)

[BLUETHUNDER]

JVaughan said:

forget a 432 ... ste running ... if your going tracked, go for one of the scimitar range.

Can recommend the Jimny .. its been out playing with the Army on the plain too. Unimog .. Mmmmm

What a load of bks! 432,s are cheaper to buy,easier to run,easy to drive. And cheaper to run. CVRT,s are a nightmare for parts.And they can be very problamatic. Always keep a couple of J60,s in stock for when one lets go.

[JVaughan]

BLUETHUNDER said:

JVaughan said:

forget a 432 ... ste running ... if your going tracked, go for one of the scimitar range.

Can recommend the Jimny .. its been out playing with the Army on the plain too. Unimog .. Mmmmm

What a load of bks! 432,s are cheaper to buy,easier to run,easy to drive. And cheaper to run. CVRT,s are a nightmare for parts.And they can be very problamatic. Always keep a couple of J60,s in stock for when one lets go.

432's are cheap for a reason ..... they servied a purpose... and thats it .... Slow, dirty, crude in comparrison.

as for CVRT's being a nightmare for parts.. I agree, but ... it all depends what and who you know .....

Being "local" to Lidworth / Bulford and Larkhill ... there is no shortage of "experience" to tap ..

[BLUETHUNDER]

JVaughan said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

JVaughan said:

forget a 432 ... ste running ... if your going tracked, go for one of the scimitar range.

Can recommend the Jimny .. its been out playing with the Army on the plain too. Unimog .. Mmmmm

What a load of bks! 432,s are cheaper to buy,easier to run,easy to drive. And cheaper to run. CVRT,s are a nightmare for parts.And they can be very problamatic. Always keep a couple of J60,s in stock for when one lets go.

432's are cheap for a reason ..... they servied a purpose... and thats it .... Slow, dirty, crude in comparrison.

as for CVRT's being a nightmare for parts.. I agree, but ... it all depends what and who you know .....

Being "local" to Lidworth / Bulford and Larkhill ... there is no shortage of "experience" to tap ..

I speak from experiance on both.See my previous vehicles ive owned.

[JVaughan]

BLUETHUNDER said:

JVaughan said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

JVaughan said:

forget a 432 ... ste running ... if your going tracked, go for one of the scimitar range.

Can recommend the Jimny .. its been out playing with the Army on the plain too. Unimog .. Mmmmm

What a load of bks! 432,s are cheaper to buy,easier to run,easy to drive. And cheaper to run. CVRT,s are a nightmare for parts.And they can be very problamatic. Always keep a couple of J60,s in stock for when one lets go.

432's are cheap for a reason ..... they servied a purpose... and thats it .... Slow, dirty, crude in comparrison.

as for CVRT's being a nightmare for parts.. I agree, but ... it all depends what and who you know .....

Being "local" to Lidworth / Bulford and Larkhill ... there is no shortage of "experience" to tap ..

I speak from experiance on both.See my previous vehicles ive owned.

Yes I know ... We have spoken before

I also speak from experience ... having spent time driving them both too.
IIRC, we discussed the Cerbie pic in your profile as my wife works @ the "Other" location