9 replies to this topic

[skinnyminny]

Looking for a 4x4 that can tow for my other hobby (horses - I don't do cheap hobbies!!)

 

Have found a Frontera close by, tow weight of 2.8T which is about as low as I'd go from personal preference (need 2.5T bare minimum).

 

£1000 ono

 

136k, 2.2Dti 1999 which is apparently the best version according to the good old caravan club forums.

 

Decent amount of history, just had full service, seems to have been fairly well looked after.

 

Cheaper on insurance than the Touareg/Defender/Jeep brigade.

 

Viewing at the weekend and would ideally like to drive it home there and then so if anyone has any advice/warnings/alternatives please let me know!

 

Based in York if anyone has something better for sale at same price.

Edited by skinnyminny, 23 February 2017 - 04:05 PM.

[Big Sam]

I remember when they came out they weren't too popular but parkers reckons post 98 you're ok:

http://www.parkers.c...rontera/estate/

infact actual owners of the car seem to rate it better than they do:

http://www.parkers.c...ra/estate-1991/

[Cooperman]

I bought a 1997 Land Rover Discovery with 106k on the clock (seems genuine from old MoT's and paperwork). It had no MoT and I paid £750. It passed with just a few minor advisories and it is simply great. I needed it as it was cheaper than putting a tow bar on my BMW and I tow a flat-bed 4-wheel car trailer, a very long glider trailer and a small box trailer. It is diesel and uses little fuel. Seems reliable. Not quick, but adequate. Easy to work on. All-in-all a great workhorse:

 

[FlyingScot]

Nice one, like it and looks good too

FS

[Cooperman]

It was a really good deal, although I did take a chance. It was on Gumtree about 40 miles from my home. I couldn't driver it as it had no MoT. it started 'on the button' and there were no engine rattles. The gear-shift felt very floppy and the diff lock lever was jammed.

I found that the gear-lever bias spring bracket was broken (cost £11 for a new one with springs). The diff lock lever was jammed due to lack of use and a strip down, free off, clean & lubricate worked fine. It is rust free and passed the MoT the day I bought it with a couple of minor advisories which I attended to with a week.

My Grandson fitted a Blaupunkt radio/CD player, I fitted a pair of PIAA driving lights, we sprayed the entire underside with black Waxoyl mixed with old engine oil, all warmed up first. I changed all oils & filters plus a RH front hub seal which was weeping slightly and fitted new front pads. So far I've done 3000 miles in it, including towing a Mk.2 Escort from Lincoln to Silverstone on a wet & windy day in December. It is very reliable (so far) and a pleasure to drive at 60 to 70 mph.

The reason I went for a Discovery 1 Diesel was because I look after 3 of them at my gliding club and they are super work-horses and very reliable. Also easy and cheap to fix. Indeed , today I've been changing the water pump on one of the club Discos, a 1990 200 Tdi and it took 90 minutes and cost £30.

If buying one make sure there is no rust in the inner wings. Rusty rear floors are no problem and easy to fix, but rusty inner front wings are a b****r.

I reckon mine is now worth between £1400 & £1600, but I won't be selling it any time soon. In fact I keep on using it locally instead of my BMW 7-Series.

[Carlos W]

It was a really good deal, although I did take a chance. It was on Gumtree about 40 miles from my home. I couldn't driver it as it had no MoT. it started 'on the button' and there were no engine rattles. The gear-shift felt very floppy and the diff lock lever was jammed.
I found that the gear-lever bias spring bracket was broken (cost £11 for a new one with springs). The diff lock lever was jammed due to lack of use and a strip down, free off, clean & lubricate worked fine. It is rust free and passed the MoT the day I bought it with a couple of minor advisories which I attended to with a week.
My Grandson fitted a Blaupunkt radio/CD player, I fitted a pair of PIAA driving lights, we sprayed the entire underside with black Waxoyl mixed with old engine oil, all warmed up first. I changed all oils & filters plus a RH front hub seal which was weeping slightly and fitted new front pads. So far I've done 3000 miles in it, including towing a Mk.2 Escort from Lincoln to Silverstone on a wet & windy day in December. It is very reliable (so far) and a pleasure to drive at 60 to 70 mph.
The reason I went for a Discovery 1 Diesel was because I look after 3 of them at my gliding club and they are super work-horses and very reliable. Also easy and cheap to fix. Indeed , today I've been changing the water pump on one of the club Discos, a 1990 200 Tdi and it took 90 minutes and cost £30.
If buying one make sure there is no rust in the inner wings. Rusty rear floors are no problem and easy to fix, but rusty inner front wings are a b****r.
I reckon mine is now worth between £1400 & £1600, but I won't be selling it any time soon. In fact I keep on using it locally instead of my BMW 7-Series.

the diff lock issue appears to be a common one. I once got a defender stuck in a ditch as I caught the tow bar on the way out. front wheels were both on the flat. diff lock seized ended up being pulled out by a tractor

[dyshipfakta]

Fronteras are pretty solid beasts engine and box are capable of some big miles. If the money's right go for it. Not sure what they are like in terms of rust which is what usually gets most 4x4s of that era

[skinnyminny]

Cooperman I would love a disco but insurance on them is extortionate for me

Apparently this Frontera has had some rust removal and welding done for chassis so I think definitely worth having a look.

Strong magnet and a torch needed - just like a mini!

[Cooperman]

I'm surprised a Discovery is more to insure than a Frontera. Mine cost me £200 per annum 3rd party as I had no spare NCB's I could use. Next year it should be around £150.

I think the Land Rovers (Defenders and early Discoveries) were designed as work vehicles, unlike most of the other so-called 4 x 4's which don't have the same pedigree. The L.R.'s have a very strong chassis and drive line and will take a lot of abuse. Panels to sort our any rust are also low-cost, just like the Mini and a complete rear floor is just over £60.

In fact I've just been checking mine over and it has used about 1/4 of a pint of engine oil in 2500 miles and is doing around 35 mpg. yes, it is slow; 0 - 60 takes about 16 seconds and top speed is only around 92 mph. In fact, its performance is almost identical to a 998 Cooper, including fuel consumption. I'm always impressed by how much abuse they will take and still drive OK.

All I need now are some all-terrain tyres  . True what the ad said: "Best 4 x 4 x far".

[skinnyminny]

I was gobsmacked as well to be honest but frontera was £444 and Disco £670! Bought the beast in the end, few bits to sort but overall happy. Now to pass that towing test!