3.2 V6 a great car for us (Vauxhall Frontera Estate Limited 3.2i V6 24v 5-door)

Member Name: Mick-Gray

Product:	Vauxhall Frontera Estate Limited 3.2i V6 24v 5-door
Date:	07/05/01 (1844 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfortable, Spacious, Powerful

Disadvantages: Heavy on fuel

The limited edition 3.2 V6 Frontera Estate is my third Frontera and although I found nothing very much to complain about with the first two this model is by far the best I have had.
My experience with the Frontera started when I found that my old Carlton 1.8 Estate was a bit sluggish when it came to towing our caravan, which at the time was only a small 3 birth Bailey Majestic. We obviously needed something a bit more powerful and with a kerb weight that would give us stability when towing.

After looking around I rather liked the look of the Frontera Estate. We finally settled on one that was a year old, a 2.4 petrol injection model. After getting it home we heard about the terrible write up the Frontera had received from the What Car magazine a waited for the worst to happen. We had this car for two years, it took us and our caravan to the south of France, A couple of times to Scotland, several bank holiday weekends in Lincolnshire and of course all of the normal running around for work and home. All of this without a single problem mechanically or electrically.

We decided to Trade this model in after two years when we saw the new Transglobal version of the Frontera which was made to celebrate the record breaking trip around the globe made in a Frontera. This time we bought new and went for the 2.5 Turbo diesel model after having seen the price of diesel in France as opposed to petrol. This came with a host of extras as standard and we were delighted with the car and its performance. The one drawback that we found was that it was a bit on the noisy side, which tended to get a little annoying on a long journey but otherwise we had another two years of motoring totally free from problems.

After two years we decided that we would like the new version of the Frontera and looked at the various models. We had been a little spoilt by the Transglobal having come with so many extras as standard and we did not want to lose any of them. The onl
y model that came up to the specification as far as standard extras was concerned was the limited 3.2 V6 Estate. We chose one and have now had it for a year.

This model is a very powerful and extremely fast machine. We now have a much larger 5 birth Bailey Auverne caravan which we tend to forget is there when we are towing. The car tows with ease and gives us extreme stability due to the kerb weight. It gives a smooth comfortable ride in town or on the open road and will cruise with ease at 60mph when towing and will still accelerate up hill when required. When solo the trip computer tells us that we get an averarage of 25mpg when travelling at a steady 60mph on an open road or motorway and about 17-18mpg in town. This is heavy compared to most cars but when you think of the size, weight and engine power I would not consider this to be terrible. Of course this drops when towing but this is the case for all cars and to try and tow with an underpowered car not only uses more fuel but also does not do the car any good either.

The limited V6 comes with Air conditioning as standard, not something that you need very often in this country, but when we do get that short spell of very hot summer days or if you are on holiday in a hot climate it is wonderful. It has twin front fog lights and twin long-range spotlights; it comes with the side steps as standard and electronic switching from 2-4-wheel drive whilst in motion. All 4 windows are electrically operated and a convenient switch on the drivers armrest enables the driver to disengage all passenger widows as a child safety device There is also a switch next to it that automatically locks all doors at a touch. It has an internal fresh air system, which draws in fresh air and pushes it back out through rear vents. This can be closed off if you find yourself sucking up fumes from heavy traffic. The high and low ratio gears give you the ability to drive under the most extreme conditions on or off road and al
l in all I find it a spacious comfortable and well designed car that has given me so far a years problem free and pleasant driving. The luggage space is very large having enough room to accommodate our Great Dane without having to put the rear seats down. When the rear seats are put down it will accommodate most loads that you will ever need to transport. We recently took the car, caravan, myself and my wife, my daughter and her husband and three children complete with all the luggage and my daughters camping equipment loaded into the caravan on a trip to Paris to visit Euro Disney. The car travelled and handled as if it was empty and we arrived relaxed and comfortable.
I have two complaints about the car, which seem to be the same in all 4 x 4 estates 1. the rear door is the full width of the car and when you are attached to the caravan it fouls the towing equipment of the caravan and therefore will not open fully. This is a problem for us, as I cannot let the Great Dane out of the back to relieve himself on a long journey, I therefore have to put the rear seats down to enable us to let him out of the rear passenger doors. The second beef is only a problem if you are addicted to the dreaded weed as both my wife and I are, the ashtray is positioned right behind the gear lever and whilst driving is almost impossible to flick ash into it without getting it all over the floor. Not a problem for all you good clean living people but it is very annoying to me. Obviously the car was not designed or tested by a smoker. Anyway all in all a very enjoyable and practical vehicle for us and we will certainly think about another one when the time comes.

Mick Gray

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