4x4 buying advice (I guess it's a what car)

[pembo]

I've been asked for some advice from someone about a new car purchase and I'm finding myself at a bit of a loss.

They were originally looking at a Landrover Freelander (I don't know much about these because I tend to avoid 4x4's) but this morning I was asked if I could come to look at a Vauxhall Frontera.

I've heard pretty bad things in the past about the Frontera so don't really want to have much to do with it in case it turns out to be a bit of a pit.

What are the general opinions on the Frontera and what are reasonable alternatives to go for. By the looks of things they want 4x4 shape, I'm guessing the budget is around £3k and they want a decent sized boot because they have a dog (it's only a scrawny little whippet but it seems they want him to be able to rattle about a lot as a rav-4 was too small)

Any ideas? If I wanted a big boot I'd go for an estate but there's no changing some people.

[HellDiver]

Frontera was crap when it was an Isuzu. It didn't improve much when Vauxhall rebadged it.

[cat220]

With a budget of 3k I'd be staying away from a Frontera. How about something like a Defender or a "Jeep"?

[excel monkey]

At that money, for reliability it's probably best to go Jap. How about a Subaru Forester??

Edited by excel monkey on Thursday 1st April 12:00

[pembo]

Thats what I was thinking about the Frontera.

Don't think they would go for a defender or jeep because of the boot issue (this is bugging me as much as it will bug you)