Newbie looking to buy LWB

[Kotch]

Hi

I've just joined and glad to have found this resource.

My name's Andy, live in Hemel Hempstead just north of London. I need a car that will get me on and off of fields for camping, including across a gully that gets a bit wet on the upward slope. Otherwsie I need to get a load of camping gear and drums in the back.

I've looked at the other options and the Frontera seems the best way of getting a decent size vehicle without having to have a massive engine.

I'm looking to buy a long wheelbase Frontera, 2.2 diesel, manual, low mileage ideally W or X reg (no later) in good condition, FSH (or similar). I've looked at what's available on Auto Trader and Ebay and most of them are too cheap. Does that sound a bit odd?

Basically I'm happy to pay a premium for a really good example. The money's in the bank ready to go and I would like the car to use for the first camp of the year in May.

I'm happy to travel to get the right car so please feel free to email me.

Cheers

Andy
AKA Kotch

[MG Autos (Mark)]

Cheap is not nessarsarilly a bad thing mate.

If you can find a cheap 2.2 Deisel with a decent service history and low mileage, grab it before some one else does. More expensive does not always = better.
There's alot of seriously overpriced heaps sat on Second Hand Dealers Forecourts. Don't be tempted by a shiney car with a 3 month warranty that won't be worth the paper it's written on if you ever have to make a claim.

Your far better off going to look at few from private sellers, meet the owners and talk about what work they've had done and the service history. You'll soon be able to see the cars that have been loved and regularly serviced and those that have treated as a builders wagon.

Also don't be put off by rust on the leading edge of the bonnet. They all have this. If you find one that hasn't, well it's only a matter of time I'm afraid. New fuel pumps are also a huge bonus on any second hand 2.2 as they are a notorious week point and will cost you anywhere between £600 & £800 to rectify if they fail.

Hope that's of some help and good luck with your search.

[4x4 bobby]

Hi mate. I have to agree with Mark cheap not allways the best and personaly i would look at the 2.8td LWB Its got just a little more grunt..

Oh by the way Welcome to the forum!!!!

[Paul A]

Hi,
Ever thought about doing something like this?
Importing from Japan.... Same as the Frontera but with 3.1 diesel!
2k for the car, about £800 shipping, £380 import duty, 17% vat (swines)
No need for type approval as over ten years old.........

http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/ja ... d/3237490/

[Alfie]

Hello and Welcome. I hope you find a nice truck really soon.

[Kotch]

Thanks for all your responses guys, but I'm adamant about what I want. I really don't need any more 'grunt' as I will be unlikely to ever tow anything and I don't need to be able to tear away from the lights or up the side of a mountain. (In fact I'd rather one without a tow bar so it's never been overloaded.) I'm concerned about fuel costs and I'm trying to keep the tax down by buying something more than ten years old.

I currently drive a 1.8 diesel escort estate and to be honest that would be fine if it had a bit more ground clearance and four wheel drive. I looked at Freelanders and they are so small in the back that my escort with the seats up is nearly as big. Honestly, there's just four inches diference between the escort with the seats up and the Freelander with the seats down!

So a 2.2 diesel, LWB, manual, with low mileage and FSH it is. I saw one on Sunday but didn't buy it because I was thrown off by a bit of rust but now I know better. I've tried getting back to the bloke but he's not returning my calls so I imagine he thinks I'm a time waster which is a shame cos the money's in the bank.

Anybody know anyone who's got one?

[horses45]

welcome along to FOG and hope you get sorted soon

[Roo]

Andy & To The Wonderful world Of FOG

Enjoy

Cheers
Roo

[Kotch]

Well it looks like I've got one. The bloke from Sunday has now got back to me and it seems the deal is on.

T reg, DTi, LWB, slate blue/grey, 76,000 miles, 2 owners, serviced by Vauxhall up until a year ago, full year MOT, new diesel pump, etc.

Now I just need to arrange to pick it up.

I will need to sort out insurance. I've been with Direct Line for years. Does anybody know if there are any specialist insurers that I should consider?

[FronteraGirl]

Well done, sounds like a deal. Based on recommendations from this site, I used Adrian Flux for insurance as all the 'general' type companies were quoting sky high figures. Good luck and enjoy the camping season

[vargas]

Hi and welcome to FOG

Just remember to get some pics up as we like to stare

[Kotch]

Hi guys. Thanks for the replies.

Adrian Flux sorted my insurance at less than the cost of my long standing Direct Line insurance on my old Escort so well done that man!

The latest news is that I've bought a Fronty, 2.2, diesel, LWB, manual, and it's cool.

Rather than keep this thread open I've posted a thread in the genaral discussion about a couple of issues but cheers for all your input here so far folkes.

Kotch

[carslul]

hi and welcome to the forum