Second-hand Sense: The Opel Frontera has been around a long time - 1991 to be precise - and it looks it. Originally the result of a co-operation agreement with Isuzu, the Frontera managed to get Opel into the developing four-wheel drive market at the right time, but with the wrong profile. It never really recovered from its original image as utilitarian workhorse, even when Opel tried to give it a bit of gloss with the introduction of a three-door sport model.
Boxy and angular, the Frontera did manage to attract some customers for the commercial version, but the passenger version never really took off. It was rightly perceived as having less than progressive characteristics, had pretty terrible ride and handling and the diesel version was definitely intended for the agricultural sector.
It was produced in three-door, five-door and commercial versions, with engines ranging from 2.0 litre petrol units to 2.2 diesel and 2.4 petrol units.
The early versions had a poor reputation for a variety of problems but obviously build quality improved as the years went on. For all the improvements, however, the Frontera seemed destined to be consigned to the back row as other competitors became more sophisticated. Compared to what was on offer from Toyota and others, the Opel never stood much of a chance.
The interior is poor and not very spacious, ride is very choppy, diesels have been perennially noisy and some engines very thirsty. Add to this the poor design and unimaginative profile, and you don't have a lot to make you sit up and notice the Frontera.
But for all its failings, the Frontera did sell, albeit in small numbers and there are quite a few around on the second-hand market.
In 2002 the Frontera was included in EuroNCAP tests and was described as "an old model that has not been able to cope with the EuroNCAP frontal test" with the body shell being "unstable" and an additional hazard to the driver due to the vertical movement of the steering wheel. That pretty much settles any debate for me, I'm afraid.
The Frontera has a history of problems with the engine and cooling system, oil leaks from the transmission system and regular problems with the alternator and starter motor. There really is not a lot of good news as far as the Frontera is concerned.
A 2004 five-door model with 10,000 miles on the clock, a manual gearbox and a 2.2 diesel engine has an asking price at one garage of €29,950. A 2000 model version, also with five doors and the 2.2 diesel engine, has an asking price of €14,950. A five-year old commercial version with the same engine and 65,000 on the clock, is on offer at €11,950.
These prices are steep given the history of the Frontera. Personally, I wouldn't touch any of them.
FOR: Not a lot
AGAINST: The fact that Opel stopped selling it a couple of years ago pretty much sums it up