Buying a Frontera

Joined: 17 Jun 2006

Hello All,

I am just in the process of selling my Sierra in favour of something a little bigger to accomodate the family.

One of my options could be a Frontera so I am just after a bit of advice here on purchasing a 2nd hand one:

1) If anyone here owns one what are their opinions on them.
2) What should I look for in a second hand model?
3) Any common problems that develop over time?
4) Are spares/enhancements, (eg lift kits etc), readily available?
5) Is servicing expensive or difficult in any way?

Thanks.

Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Location: Central West-NSW

Try this link.

http://clubisuzu.proboards29.com/

Saved my bacon a few times with my MU

Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: BrisVegas

Hey hun!
I've got a 98 frontera....... and i've had it in the mechanics to do a full over... i've only had it about 2months... and my mech promises they're not that bad to maintain/repair....

but i have to admit... i love it! everyone else who has gotten in it for a drive around the place.. given it's only stock.. no mods on it at all.. and they all rave about how well it does go out and about on and offroad... although they only complaint i've heard (yeah ok i'm a typical girl here...but i'm learning quickly!!!) is it needs more power... so maybe look at the v6 instead of the 4.. which is what i have....
mind u mine's almost in mint condition... it was very well looked after... so as for flaws... sorry couldnt help u out there!
But good luck hope u find what ur looking for Smile

Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Location: Newcastle

Yer the V6 arwe great only down side to the 4cyls is that if u do kill the engine like i have just the other week.. i blow a head gasket and need a new radiator and engine mount and misc stuff the bill came to 2900 , thats the only downside to the 4cyl 2 door fronties is that most the enigne components are import stuff so its expensive

Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Location: Traralgon Vic Aust.

The 4 cyl in the Aust spec 2door has the 2.2l made here. Same as Vectra I think!!!

Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Location: Newcastle

DAZZ wrote:

The 4 cyl in the Aust spec 2door has the 2.2l made here. Same as Vectra I think!!!

They have brought out two main models of the 2dr frontera , two shapes the early one like in the ave two posts up and the newer shape around the 2000 model the older one came out with a 4cyl 2L SOHC 8valve opel engine and the newer shape came out with the 4cyl 2.2L DOHC 12 valve opel engine, but the 4dr has only to i know canme out with a V6

Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Location: Central West-NSW

I don't want to be seen to affect your choice Wink

but if you are after a SWB have you looked at a Isuzu MU? They come in 2.8 and 3.1 turbo diesel 4cyl and fly like the wind. Parts are pretty easy to get as the front half is basically a Rodeo.
Just a thought.........

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:55 am

Yep. the 4 cyl is basically the same as the vectra motors and also most daewoo motors. The block design is linked back to the family 2 camira motors, and is a peice of shit in reality. Underpowered and not really that nice to drive.

Layto....

Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: BrisVegas

lay80n.... i disagree with you on that....
mine's a 4cyl... and it's an awesome car to drive... as agrees everyone who's driven it...
b4 i got this one i took a few for a test drive... i didnt find any a non nice drive....

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:06 am

SasssssY wrote:

lay80n.... i disagree with you on that....
mine's a 4cyl... and it's an awesome car to drive... as agrees everyone who's driven it...
b4 i got this one i took a few for a test drive... i didnt find any a non nice drive....

I worked for holden for 5 years, just going on that experience.

Layto....

Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Location: Newcastle

the enignes them self not the best for power but cars nice to drive lol unless its mine BAHAHAHAHAHAHA ... oh and now the head has been machined back lol it has little more acc.. only thing i have to say for a SWB IFS front with no sway bars and raised coils there not to bad as long as u dont lock the front and wheel hard.. lol Layton i still havnt changed that CV lol im way to lazy at the moment

Joined: 08 Jan 2007

This one might not be exactly like the version sold down under, it is a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport (in the USA). I bought this used for my daughter in February 2005 with 67,000 miles, now has 85,000 on it. It is 2WD, auto trans, 2.2L gas engine, A/C, rear hardtop. It gets around 18 mpg in town and 25mpg on the highway.

Nobody will ever snap their neck accelerating in this vehicle, but it does fine for a teenage girl's first vehicle. I had the timing chain, tensioners, water pump replaced at 70,000 miles. The engine is noisy by design, apparently. The only negative things I can say about our's is with the spare tire mounted on the tailgate and the rear seat up with the headrests installed...there is no visibility out of the rear. Also, the hardtop model has the rear glass attached to the tailgate, there is no hatch to open up if you want to stuff something in the rear that is very long.

My kids have a 1995 Ford Mustang convertible to share, and my daughter sort of claimed it for her own when her brother left for college. I have been driving the Sport alot lately,and am now searching for a similar vehicle but in 4WD.

Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: BrisVegas

Colby... did you end up finding one in 4wd?? The one you've posted below LOOKS similar to the one's over here... but the majority of them (well the ones I've seen) are all 4wd...

I'm selling mine shortly, and very regretably. I'm close to finishing my patrol build, and I dont see the point in having 2 4wd's. They're a brilliant lil car... and they are a tuff lil truck. I'll miss my lil frog :(

Hope you found the one you were looking for though :-)

Cheers

Roz

Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Location: Newcastle

To all my other posts as much as my Frontera 95 model is all good and love it to death THESE cars are not to go off road.. mine i have ti for 4 years and taking it off road a bit and ITS ... Also if u want to give it more then 2inch lift.. Get some heavy duty coils from a Jackaroo and they will give u around just off 3 inch lift..