Great looking vehicle
Finish is not the best, and the seats don't wear too well, but other than that, no different from other cars of this vintage.
Real value for money, and in my opinion underrated.
Noisy but strong engine. Smooth gearbox.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th November, 2008
Highly durable, low cost 4x4 motoring, and a lot of fun, but not for the non-mechanically minded.
First thing you may ask is who am I to comment after only a 1000 miles? Good question. I have had Fronteras since 1998, and also have a 1996 Sport, so maybe this answers the question.
Nothing has 'gone wrong' with the car at all. I have however had to correct a handful of known Frontera faults that had not previously been addressed. Fronteras rattle, bump and bang! Most of this is design fault. The most frightening to a newcomer is the bonnet making grounding noises around the rear hinges. I found that adjusting rubber buffer heights does not work, - so make one (or two) well folded cloths, toweling is excellent, and jam them in the corners next to the hinges. Hey presto! Problem solved. Just change them every now and again.
You may get vibration from the spare wheel housing, especially in freezing temperatures. As long as everything is secure then ignore it. Door panels rattle and bump on the LWB Estate, as do partially opened electric windows. Interior light fittings may dislodge in the LWB too.
On the Sport, a whole host of small interior plastic embellishments of absolutely no consequence come away. Just chuck them in a bag and save them!
If you think you can buy just ANY Frontera, wash it, polish it and just drive it, then think again. There is appalling rubbish out there - just as there is with Land Rovers and others.
Fronteras tend these days to now be going to enthusiasts like myself who are knowledgeable and willing to work on them. The offroad performance is absolutely first class, as YouTube videos and enthusiasts sites bear out. They are highly durable machines with tremendous 'road presence' and VERY cheap to buy and maintain by 4x4 standards. But keep away from main dealerships, and if you insist upon paying someone else to service your Frontera, seek out a small independent 4x4 specialist, like a Land Rover workshop.
If you are in the UK or Australia why not join www.fronteraowners.co.uk. This is a private forum operated by highly knowledgeable enthusiasts and members.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd September, 2007
Top notch 4x4
I can't fault this vehicle at all, the only things that I have had to have done on this vehicle are:
A repair to the rear window sticking (motor seized).
The rear axle diff cover needed replacing, as I had a major leak problem. It wasn't just the gasket; the metal cover plate actually corroded, which I thought was a bit strange?!
Apart from usual wear and tear items, it's a great car and highly recommended, especially with a set of all terrain tyres on... yes, I use it off road regularly.
A highly recommended car in the 4x4 range.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th July, 2007
A1 all round vehicle economical for size and safe
Head cracked at 100K fixed it and all was well.
Blowing blue smoke and using water! But runs a treat. Is this another head away again?
Can't fault the vehicle so long as it's well maintainrd and plenty of TLC.
Good all round vehicle..a little underpowered, but has been a good worker.
Planning to buy another if it behaves it's self for the next year.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd March, 2006
First class!
New battery
Rear nearside electric window fault
That's it!
I looked at buying a Toyota surf, Isuzu trooper, and a discovery, before settling on the Vauxhall Frontera, and I'm glad I did, It's a brilliant car and I'm very happy with its on and offroad capability. Its well built and the performance from the 2.5 turbo diesel is good. The Frontera is excellent value for money compared to what you pay for shoddy examples of other makes.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th February, 2006
Since I originally posted this comment I still have not had any problems with the vehicle except the rear axle diff cover started to leak due to corrosion, which is a common problem on the frontera, not really a major prob although the replacement cover is about £50 to £60, which is quite pricey for a bit of pressed metal.
14th Mar 2008, 15:57
Spot on review. I had the same problems; mainly the diff cover on the rear axle. I know this is a common trait with this vehicle, but otherwise it's a smashing vehicle and very underestimated.