Thinking of getting an Antara

Pinkie15 said:

Hi all,
 

We're in the market for a new car and the missus has taken a big shine to the Anatara.  Personally I'm a bit more ambivalent, but must say it is a good looking car (maybe affected by the snobbery about the Vauxhall badge).

 

I've joined today to see what's good (and not so good) about the Antara.

 

We've seen a number of good offers on the "Exclusive" trim level.  "Diamond" trim doesn't seem to offer much extra, but is it worth spending the extra hard earned on the "SE Nav" ?

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

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Welcome Pinki and hello from Scotland,
I have a SE Auto and I would say yes you get the leather,SATNAV which I think is good but some might disagree because it is in an awarded place, you also have 19 inch wheels, heated seat which my daughter loves dual control ac, bc, Bluetooth (it's must ) yip I like my SE Edited by: wilma08

I have an SE nav 184 4x4. Yes you get the sat nav, ours is bonkers, no matter what the settings it will take you the long way round. It's in the most awkward place that Vauxhall could find.

Yes you get climate control, or at least that is what Vauxhall call it. This week I've had a chest infection on top of asthma and I can breathe easier than the climate control. Once, in the outside lane of the M25 after driving 150 miles in the rain, the car windows just steamed up instantly, no warning, nothing. Vauxhall's answer? Nothing wrong with it sir!

The Auto lights are not automatic, they're on all the time.

The folding mirrors only fold when you press the button, they do not fold in when you lock the car.

My car does not have DRL's no matter what others on here say.

The clutch feels awful and has done since day 1.

The gearbox is crunchy and notchy.

It drinks more diesel than our Discovery 3, a three ton 2.7 V6 TD, according to Vauxhall it's because the Antara is a heavy car with a big engine and "They all do it". Heavier and bigger than a Discovery 3?

The Diesel particulate filter (DPF) is the biggest waste of the environment in the history of stupid environmental ideas! DO NOT BUY THE DIESEL IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY!

They're bouncy and the seats are not very comfortable.

Every time we get in the car there's a different noise/vibration/rattle. It happens so often I call it Cliff Richard...every time you go near it, it strikes up a new tune!

The reversing light is absolutely useless, we have a court yard with no street lights for miles and even in complete darkness you can see precisely nothing. I've changed to a 13 LED bulb, it's helped but not much.

Watch out for the electric handbrake, mine doesn't always come on when I lift the button up, you must make sure the light is on and hear the brake working before you do anything else. Very annoying...and dangerous, as usual Vauxhall say "they all do that"

And when you do put your hand/fingers any where near the hand brake button area the heated seats come on, not much fun when the outside temperature is 30 degrees!

The boot is tiny.

Vauxhall servicing have only three answers/excuses..."They all do that"
or "It was discontinued" or "Not heard of that sir one so it can't be
that".

There are more but I can't remember them all there are so many niggles.

Apart from all that, the 184BHP 4x4 looks good and goes well, it tows our 26ft 1600KG twin axle caravan OK at 24MPG, it corners well and easily pulled the caravan off wet, muddy grass up a slight incline with absolutely no drama or wheel spin. The ground really was sodden.

I like the way it drives and it could have been such a great car if only Vauxhall hadn't rushed/couldn't be bothered with it. Instead of making the Mokka, they should have made the Antara the car it should, and could have been.

I certainly have a love/hate relationship with it, I suppose it's Vauxhall's version of a Land Rover...You love to hate it, or hate to love it

I have the SE Nav Auto.
Looking at the list from Antara184, you might be frightened into not buying an Antara.

Let me assure you that not everyone has a list of complaints as long as that one. I've had mine since March this year, but is a 2012 model, so there have been a few updates with the 2013 model.

The only things I really don't like is the SatNav and reversing light. The SatNav is awkward to program and is in a bad position well below your eye line. The reversing light is quite dim.

I have the heaviest car in the range and I still get better MPG than a Discovery 3.

The Diesel Particulate filter is not a problem for most drivers. Most people get an automaticregeneration about every 500 miles or so and it does not affect your normal driving that much. On a cautionary note, if you only ever do very short journeys around town, a diesel may not be the right car, but that goes for most diesels, not just the Antara.

I find the seats very comfortable and not at all bouncy.

Inside the cabin is great. You have an excellent driving position, with great all round visibility,and I have yet to find any rattles or squeaks.

Never had any problem with the electric handbrake as mentioned by Antara184.

The boot is a little smaller than my previousVolvo had, but not by that much. It's easy to put the seats down if you need more space.

I replaced the puncture repair kit with a proper spare wheel. I also bought an extra set of All-Seasons tyres for better grip in the harsh winters we sometimes get up here in the far north.

My car is fast and comfortable and does not have excessive body roll in corners. On longer journeys it is a pleasure to drive.

No car is perfect, but this car is as good as most cars I've had. As with every car, you always have the chance of getting a lemon, but most people on here seem pretty satisfied with their Antaras. You should try to get an extended test drive. At least a few hours or a couple of days if you can get it. That will help you understand how the Antara works and if it suits your needs.

Good luck with your choice.

I am sad to hear you have so many niggles, Antara 184
I have herd that the gearbox is crap I have an automatic (medical issues) and have found no problems with it what so ever it's been great as for the SATNAV I have used it several times and it has been good no problems to report but I do agree its in the most awkward place ever, my climate control works fine my daughter who has raynauds has her side of the car heated up and I keep mine cool, she loves the heated seats, as for steaming up (what have you been doing lol) have you tried put the temp on max then direct the heat up to the windscreen while the fans are on high on the ac position it works fast then.
All big cars are thirsty we had a Ford Explorer and you were lucky you got 22 miles to the gallon (petrol)
Then their were the two Nissans Pathfinder / Terrano diesel they were thirsty big buggers and really big issues I can tell you.
I have never had an issue with the hand break, or the car bouncing about have you got your tyres set to high? As I have found the response through the steering wheel accurate and very reassuring especially going round tight bends at speed and you need that where I stay lol lots of bends the 19 inch wheels help with the grip better than 18 inch, my husband says the Antara is a better tighter drive than his Captiva I agree there.
I have never found any problems with rattles vibration inside or outside the car it is as I would say a quite car,
Yes you have to press a button to fold in the mirrors and the DRL's are not true DRL's my husband has true DRL's on his Cheveroet Captiva , I just leave mine on auto anyway (life is to short to worry about them).
As for the boot being tiny have you the same car my very large Rottweiler X can fit in there with her big soft bed and move around without problem.
The only niggle I do have is with the cruise control button as it is in a awkward place right on the indicator barrel so when you are indicating you touch it it is my bug bear.
The seats are ok but not as comfortable as the Captiva's it might be the leather is thick or not soft enough and needs to be used more who knows cause I don't.
Remember this car got 5 stars for SAFTY in the Euro M Cap that was my influence on getting it.
As for the DPF I have only noticed once when it was doing a regen and so far so lucky have had no problems, as I said in a previous post I think my car must have been put together with a absentminded Korean as I have not had any problems as of yet.
Good luck with your choice Pinki Could do far worse than an Antara you could buy a Nissan or Peugeot.

Edited by: wilma08

had my 2013 SE NAV manual since 1st June this year. Apart from a few DPF niggles, I've Had no problems with mine at all in any other regard!! I don't find the boot small, the seats are the comfiest I've ever had, drives superb, powerful, has a nice commanding, high up position on the road!!

Sat Nav is quite low in the console but I find it easy to use & program (Never had a sat nav before though.


To give you an idea of fuel consumption-


With over 6000 miles on the clock ours has, calculated from day one, done an average of 35.2MPG.


My only niggle so far is that I find 6th gear is too tall a ratio, it would have been much better closer to 5th.


We considered all the alternative cars but liked the Antara the most & it just also happened to be the best value too.

Antara 184 are you sure you've got an Antara - sounds like a Cashcow to me! Pinkie 15, I would go for the Exclusive 4x4. The SE has 19" wheels; the 18" are already too large because of tyre noise. Leather tends to go crinkly. Bought my Antara in August and am still delighted with it. Comfortable, reasonably quiet, powerful, very strong and safe. Very well equipped. Well built and well finished. Lots of nice touches. I took the front air dam off to give a little more ground clearance, it has a limited approach angle. Agree with Chumbucket that it is too high geared though - about 35mph per 1000 rpm in 6th. I find the manual box good but an auto may be more suited depending on how you drive. I say -GO!

Hello Pinky 15 and welcome, I have a 2012 184se but thankfully no sat-nav as it was a £1100 option at the time so didn't bother. If I were buying an Antara now, then I would personally go for a 163 and get a Thorney remap which comes with it's own lifetime warranty.
Dp filters are now the bain of most diesel owners in any car.Trucks use a chemical called adblue which is supposed to be very expensive, unfortunately it's the law of the e.u.
If you are not sure, test drive a few suvs and read on their forums.
As for owning an Antara, I am very happy.

Drivingmad said:

Antara 184 are you sure you've got an Antara - sounds like a Cashcow to me!

Pinkie 15, I would go for the Exclusive 4x4. The SE has 19" wheels; the 18" are already too large because of tyre noise. Leather tends to go crinkly. Bought my Antara in August and am still delighted with it. Comfortable, reasonably quiet, powerful, very strong and safe. Very well equipped. Well built and well finished. Lots of nice touches. I took the front air dam off to give a little more ground clearance, it has a limited approach angle. Agree with Chumbucket that it is too high geared though - about 35mph per 1000 rpm in 6th. I find the manual box good but an auto may be more suited depending on how you drive. I say -GO!

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Hey drivingmad how do you get tyre noise and I don't strange one, my leather is not crinkly yet and I have had my Antara since 9 May 2013 and I can tell you I have a big ass and short legs god was not kind to me as my inner-self is tall and brunette
What else does the exclusive have that is different from the SE auto are good if like me and have mobility issues apart from my fat ass plus you don't have the pain in the bum of changing gears you just put the old boot down and sped away happy days . Plus you are better with the 184 more torque and more grunt as they say
I do think Antara 184 does have a load of issues with his car and should demand to get those issues seen to I know I would.
Once again Pinki Good luck when choosing Edited by: wilma08

Thanks for the replies guys & gals.


So the only downside poster (Antara184) still seems to rather like their Antara.



We've got a test drive booked for tomorrow, not sure which version we'll get to go inyet.





SatNav - Hah, cannot be any worse than the OE CD drivensystem we've got in our '02 Corolla Verso, you can't program with postcodes and she really does seem to excel in taking you the longest way round possible.



Our biggest issue across all cars we have looked at is what the "middle" rear seat is like. As we have 3 kids one of them gets the "joy" of this one so it's got to be reasonably comfy.



Notice most of you seem to have AWD, diesel, auto, SE Navs. I have noted the number of threads about DPF regen, but then I understand that's an issue with all diesels nowadays.



The best deal we've seen so far is 14.5k for a fwd 163ps diesel Exclusive.



At the mo we'd prefer SE Nav trim & manual, might as well get all the bells & whistles. Will see how we get on the test drive

Pinkie15 said:

Thanks for the replies guys & gals.
 

So the only downside poster (Antara184) still seems to rather like their Antara.

 

We've got a test drive booked for tomorrow, not sure which version we'll get to go in yet.

 

 

SatNav - Hah, cannot be any worse than the OE CD driven system we've got in our '02 Corolla Verso, you can't program with postcodes and she really does seem to excel in taking you the longest way round possible.

 

Our biggest issue across all cars we have looked at is what the "middle" rear seat is like.  As we have 3 kids one of them gets the "joy" of this one so it's got to be reasonably comfy.

 

Notice most of you seem to have AWD, diesel, auto, SE Navs.  I have noted the number of threads about DPF regen, but then I understand that's an issue with all diesels nowadays.

 

The best deal we've seen so far is 14.5k for a fwd 163ps diesel Exclusive.

 



At the mo we'd prefer SE Nav trim & manual, might as well get all the bells & whistles.  Will see how we get on the test drive

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The middle seat is a full seat belt with a adjustable headrest, all the best tomorrow

TisMe said:

I've a 2013 SE NAV, a month or so old now, no problems, I read many comments about the satnav but I find I like it, I like how it functions and where it is, I added speed cameras easily.

I have used the SE's drop down front seat already, excellent for long loads, I would have preferred the mirrors to pop out automatically, but then I thought "what if I park in a spot it only fits with the wing mirrors folded". I now use a two finger jab to extend the mirrors and turn off the eco.

I would have preferred the remote to be somewhat more tactile, I keep pressing the wrong side, but no big deal.

I like it a lot by my reckoning and no amount of complaining by some will change that..

Oh, and it's black, a nice black with platinum interior, lushness..

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I like the way you slipped in the colour it made me smile mine is white with lush charcoal interior I would have liked platinum but have teenager and big smelly dog so darker colour was more practicable for me, I do not think I will change about how I like my car either as I am already saying once it is three year old I will get another or it's sister car the Captiva, but is more likely the Antara as it is a better drive Edited by: wilma08

To answer your concern about the third middle seat, we've been up to Northumberland and down to Hampshire (both towing a caravan) and my son has never once complained about being uncomfortable. I made sure that he was happy with how it felt on the test drive (the girls still need booster seats, and need to go either side).

The kids love the car, loads of space for them, in fact I can easily sit in the back behind the drivers seat pushed right back (I'm over 6 foot), with no knees hitting the seat in front, as you get in lots of cars.



The sat nav isn't brilliant, but, that's not unusual for ones provided by car manufacturers, who seem to source the crappiest devices available. My brother had a Jag and his was about as up to date and accurate.


No problems with my gearbox, I have the 184 SE Nav manual. I've had worse, and better, but not much better. Suppose if I had owned luxury saloons and not cheap family hatchbacks, I may have a different opinion.


As for DPF problems, until I joined here, I wasn't even aware it was there. I've noticed one since last week, and only then because the mpg when my foot was off the pedal was down from the usual 999.9 mpg. Unless you sit watching the mpg figure, you will probably not even notice it.


Crinkly leather isn't a problem either, I've had mine 11 months, and wipe the seats down using leather wipes, same as we do with the leather sofas. Look after the leather and it'll last for years.


Little things, the glovebox is a good size (owners of French cars will know what a small glovebox looks like), the centre console storage is good too. Door pockets are slim, but, the bulge at the front of them allows a can of de-icer to sit nicely and not slide around or rattle. A small flask also sits quite nicely in there.


Boot isn't huge, but, if that means more room in the cabin, I'll take that compromise. Plenty of room under the boot lid to stuff things, if you don't slot a spare wheel in. The side pockets are great for popping things in, again stops things rolling around in the boot.


There are a few things I also like, which aren't things you pick up straight away. I like VX's use of stalks, sounds daft, but... a lot of other manufacturers have rotary controls, which means you have to take a hand off the wheel to use them. Pulling the light stalk will flash the main beams, but, not turn them on permanently, to do that, push it forward. I like the usb port in the centre console. I just pop a cheap usb stick in there, press mix and never touch it again.


The heat reflecting windscreen appears to work, never got third degree burns from black leather seats that have sat facing the sun on the hottest days of the year.


You can no doubt buy better cars, but, I tried to spec a Freelander to the same level as the Antara and it came in at a ridiculous price. Can't remember which car it was, but, to get half the toys the Antara has standard, you had to have a sunroof, meaning my head was about half an inch from the roof, with the seat at the lowest height. Not good with the number of speed bumps round here!

The Zafira tourer is a nice car. I had Zafira before I bought my Antara so i was happy to get a loan of one for a few days last year when my Antara went back to the dealer to get a some work done that was supposed to have been before i picked it up. As a sweetener the sales manager loaned me his diesel sri with all the bells and whistles. At the time they had just been put on sale and I had considered getting one instead of the Antara.

It was great to compare the old model with the new and again with my Antara.

I did like it and it was very quick but i after a couple of days I was happy to hand it back for my Antara. I knew then I had made the right choice. An to be honest my Antara with its racechip fitted is just as quick in its own way. Off the mark the Zafira will always be quicker but for low down torque and put for overtaking the Antara is much smoother and just as quick and I would say the ride is smoother on the Antara. Or it is on my Antara with the tyre pressures set to the normal pressure and not eco.

It really depends what you are looking for in a car. The cabin space will be more roomy and wider than the Zafira. the boot space will be bigger on the Zafira.

The mpg will also be better on the Zafira depending on how you drive it. If you buy a diesel you will still have DPF to deal with.