New and oh so many questions

[stretch]

Good evening everyone another new guy here. I had a 2.0 Sport a few years ago but now on the look out for a 5 door 4x4 so I'm considering a frontera, but I need help on deciding which model to get. It's needs to be reasonably good on diesel have large boot, a good tower and reliable engine. Don't need anything fancy like new DTI etc as I have a limited budget.

I've found a 1996 2.5 TDS going cheap but needs headgasket doing, how dificult are they on these? Also is this engine an isuzu one? if not is it any good?

thanks

[Krusher]

Welcome along there bud>

I think you may start a debate here with the "which one should I get" question.

The 2.5 is the vx engine and the 2.8 is the Isuzu lump. Both I beleive are good engines but the owners here
of both types will argue which is best.

[Rifleman]

Hi bud and welcome to mental city.
The 2.5 is a great engine, comonly known on here as "the animal". Loads of torque and power when you need it.
Ive never had to do the head gasket on mine but it has 4 seperate heads using the one gasket. It actually looks quite simple to do.
The engine is a VM engine used in a range of vehicles including the Ford Mondeo. Its very reliable and easy to service.
There are a little more electrics to it than the others, and sometimes its been known for No1 injector to go as it has electrics to it. (but all engines have there usual problems)
The throttle pedal has no cable as it is electronic.
I have to say, mine has been brilliant, and if i get another fronty, it will deffo be another 2.5.
I will however be a bit bias as others will be with theirs. I have friends with the 2.3 and 2.8 and still stand by my 2.5.
As long as the one you are looking at has some history with it and you can be sure you know what exactly is wrong with it, go for it mate.

[stretch]

Thanks for the replies, sorry about thw whole 'engine' debate as I have been involved with many of these so I know how they can go lol. Can't find any info about people saying avoid the 2.5 completely so must be more down to personal experience.

That said does anyone know MPG & towing weight figures for the LWB 2.5? Also do the rear seats fold right up to the front ones?

[gregster]

Welcome to fog matey...

I think Keith put that very well about the choices of engine...very diplomatic..

I have a couple of motors with the 2.8 isuzu engines and they are great, but I havent had a 2.5 so would be unfair for me to compare.

I had a 2.3 lwb a while back and I must admit it was a bit lacking in the power department compared with the 2.8 but I was running big 33" tyres on it which make them work a bit harder, so that may not be a problem for you depending on what you plan to use it for.

As others had said, lower mileage, nice complete history are all good things to have, but I think it is fair to say that any engine combo can give occasional probs, but most are rectified fairly cheaply on the fronty, and there is plenty of help and knowledge on here, but I think this more than offset by the huge £££ saving comparing with like for like vehicles of other marques.

Good luck with finding your new car..and see you around on here...

Laters

Gregster

[JueOmega]

All Rear Seats on LWB fold to the front seats, bases lift up against the front and the rear folds flat,

Head gaskets are easy BUT there is alot to dismantle, As rifleman well tell you the o/s of the engine is rammed full where the n/s is empty

mpg.

I took mine to Sunderland SOLO and towed a car back on an A-Frame. 400 miles round trip £50 Diesel

hope theat helps

[Rifleman]

When i brought mine back from Rugby to Edinburgh, my mate worked it out at 40 mpg.
I never let my fuel gauge fall below 1/4 of a tank to avoid any muck being drawn up from the base of the tank. It usually costs me around £60 to fill it up and i get at least 400 miles before needing to fill up again.
But i suppose it will depend on how you drive. I'm not hard on mine, and its serviced regularly.

[stretch]

Brilliant info everyone much appriciated! anyone know the towing weight? google says "no" ha

[JueOmega]

[horses45]

welcome newbie myself on here but good set of people and most times you can find someone to answer your question.i have just got the diesel 2.5 and have no porobs with it plenty of pull and good on the fuel side to but it is allways what you can get at the time.

[jontera]

Bit late but welcome to the forum,

if it hadn't been for the help and advise i've gained here my fronty would be in the breakers by now! can't help you myself as I'm a newbie and own a 2.0 sport, but there are plenty of folk here that can

[Roo]

stretch & To The World Of FOG!

Enjoy

[stretch]

thanks for the warm welcome every one, or should I say hot welcome as it's like 29 degrees where I am ha. Thanks for the towing info JueOmega