1990 Ford Escort XR3i review from UK and Ireland

Fuel pump failure at 55,000 miles

Replacement hood at 60,000 miles.

The most immediate thing any driver will notice is the body flex and associated scuttle shake. This car really is quite bendy and so from the outset don't expect taut handling or a supple ride.

On the subject of handling, it appears to have 2 modes. On smooth surfaces the suspension feels tight and the car holds its line well into the corners and there is relatively little body roll. On uneven surfaces, the car is thrown off line easily and putting down the 108bhp is often hit-and miss through the non-lsd gearbox.

In both modes the steering is probably the weakest link. The rack is slow and yet very heavy at low speeds. 4.5 turns lock to lock is inappropriate for a supposedly sporting model and makes hard work of twisting b-roads.

The engine, though flexible, is hardly a sparkling performer and especially with the cabrio's extra weight, deserved a few extra horses to really establish itself as a good powerplant.

Comfort levels are relatively good however with supportive seats and fairly user friendly ergonomics for its time. Noise is a problem and with the top-up the wind rushes past the window seals and conversations are strained at motorway speeds. Top down is entirely different with less noise at low speeds and no movement in the hood mechanism to create extra decibel levels inside the cabin. Wind noise is markedly louder at 50-60mph and the roll bar only contributes to disturbing the flow of air and hence more whooshing noises.

So unfortunately I think ford missed the mark with the xr3i cabriolet from the very start. The chassis is just not good enough to provide the basis for a top-down sporting car. Really the entire set up would be better suited to comfort with softer springs and dampers, a torquier more relaxed engine and power steering with a quicker rack.

Generally though, I have never owned another car which attracts so much attention and starts conversations when I turn up for quotes on tyres and for MOT's. It looks as if that British love for the underdog has manifested itself in peoples perception of the xr3i cabriolet. Yes your fillings might fall out when you drive to work and people in golf diesels will overtake you, but I think theres a genuine affection for the 3i cabby which few cars can create. After all if corgi are prepared to make a die-cast model of one, maybe its established as a classic (even if the model is more comfortable!).