1997 Vauxhall Frontera Sport Niagra review from UK and Ireland

Stiffened clutch after only 10,000 miles. Caused by incorrect fitting at garage.

Head gasket fading, causing minor coolant leak into combustion chambers.

I've had my car for just over 3 years now. By now, most people are looking for a new car. I'm not. I still love my Frontera.

A lot of people (and I mean a lot) seem to think that Fronteras are slow, lumbering, thirsty, and unreliable. They couldn't be more wrong.

In my experience, the Frontera reflects the driver. If you drive in a shabby way, the car will not settle and feel jittery. Drive smoothly and confidently, and it shines. In the right hands the Frontera is very capable on tarmac, I would go so far as to say its the best off-roader on tarmac. It will go where it's pointed, if you push this car a little too hard, you get a little bit of under-steer to tell you that you have gone too far, then the under-steer morphs into delicious, controllable over-steer. Just like a good car should. Wet roundabouts suddenly become a theme park ride, for all the right reasons.

The brakes deserve a mention too. Given that this is a true off-roader, the brakes do a very good job. A good firm pedal, just the right amount of travel, and copious amounts of feel. Add to that the huge stopping power they have. These brakes can match the deceleration of brakes on most modern large family cars, with very little brake fade. To be honest that sums the whole car up really, you drive by the seat of your pants. No electronic gubbins in the way, it's just you and the car.

I normally manage about 27mpg. That is quire respectable given the way I drive the car, the car's weight, drive train, and aerodynamics.

I can normally break just about any car. I'm usually any cars last owner. Yet, this Frontera takes the abuse, and still comes back for more. That doesn't sound like a car with reliability problems too me. This is the longest I have had a car for, and not killed it in some way. Even the servicing is cheap. The usual oil/filter change costs less than £15. This is motoring for the frugal.

Off road is where the Frontera really shines though. I've tackled hills, mud, water, sand and any other obstacle with ease. For the simple reason that the Frontera is a serious 4X4. It has part time 4X4, and low ratio transfer box, huge axle articulation, and no articulated axles. Compare that to the Freelander. Permanent 4X4, 3 open diffs. No low range transfer box, and articulated axles.

The interior is pretty bland, but who cares? It does it's job. Besides, who looks at their dash board while driving? On all the MK2 versions the steering wheel is leather bound, thick rimmed, adjustable for height and gives good feedback. You can always tell if the wheels are about to give up the ghost. The seats are very firm and supportive, with a good range of movement. The rear seats have huge amounts of leg room, although getting in and out is an acquired skill.

I've left this cars best feature till last. The air top. Just undo 6 hand nuts, and 4 catches, and the car becomes a convertible. The rear side glass, the rear door glass, and the roof come off. Yet you still have full roll over protection, from the 2 inch roll over bar.

So there you have it, a car that's reliable, fun on road, unstoppable off road, and it's a convertible. What more do you want?