1990 Ford Capri 1.6 single cam

Summary:

An enjoyable car for Ford enthusiasts

Faults:

Front right hand side pop up light would not work.

Dash electrics have failed twice over the time I have owned the vehicle.

Water pump broke within six months of purchasing car.

Gearstick has collapsed twice.

Currently the gear stick is beginning to rattle again.

Engine tappets are making noise.

General Comments:

An enjoyable car to drive and especially in summer (if you live on the coast). Parts can be expensive as a cracked tail light cost me $800 dollars from the Ford dealer.

A bit of money can turn this car into a head turner; although the single cam engine is reliable, the problem is that the engine is slow to accelerate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd August, 2009

1989 Ford Capri XR2 Turbo B6T

Summary:

Hmmm an 89 model, could this be an early "built Ford tough" prototype?

Faults:

Typical cracked exhaust manifold (replaced before problem.

Trim/body falling apart.

General Comments:

2.5' turbo back exhaust, very good dyno tune (S&S racing sunshine west Victoria Australia) unknown engine internals, but 106kw at wheels on 13psi.

It has taken out a bug eyed WRX, s13 turbo Silvia, R32 golf, BA XR8 Falcon; this is a mid 13 sec car!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st October, 2007

1991 Ford Capri 1.6 turbo

Summary:

Quick for a cheap car

Faults:

The headlights bulb broke numerous times.

The gearbox fell through.

The alternator isn't working properly.

General Comments:

It is a rather sporty car for the time and certainly for a 1600cc turbo fwd car. It is quick around the corners and gets to 100km/h in about 6.5 seconds which is smiler tho the Lotus Elan. The only bad things about the car are really that it is fwd and can't get quick take off and that the parts are starting to fall apart, break etc.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th June, 2006

1991 Ford Capri 1.6 DOHC

Summary:

A rattlebox

Faults:

Shock absorbers at front played up.

Driver's window regulator motor packed up at 160km.

Clock light stopped working.

Many rattles.

General Comments:

Totally gutless car, much worse than I had expected. I usually drive autos because I hate manuals, but this car was seriously slow to go anywhere. Totally depressing to drive with the roof on as one rattle after another could be heard. Take the roof off and the car is a dream. Was a second car and could not bear to drive it at night or on cold days due to sluggish speed and non-stop rattles. No interior light or demister can frustrate with soft roof. Roof has tendency to tear at joins, was replaced once. A lot of interior trim components very cheap and fall off or start rattling. Very disappointed in the general build quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th March, 2004

1974 Ford Capri GXL 3.0 V.6 petrol

Summary:

A quick classic sports machine

Faults:

My points burnt out at 58,000 miles.

Some rust has recently appeared, under the vinyl roof.

My front wheel bearings required replacement at 60,000 miles.

General Comments:

My Capri is real fast, and holds the road like a new car.

For it's age this car is in mint condition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 24th January, 2004

26th Jan 2004, 17:10

I agree it's a classic beauty, but watch out where her tail goes, when cornering in tight curves!!!

Don't you agree???

In reply to 26th Jan 2004, 17:10

20th Sep 2026, 02:57

It is true that the car’s tail tended to step out too much in corners, but it was just a matter of getting to know it and becoming familiar with its handling.

The 3.0 was the ideal engine for a car like the Capri, which was designed to be a sports car rather than just an ordinary family vehicle.

It wasn't an easy car to drive, quite unstable at high speeds, so you really had to understand its dynamics; many people crashed sports-style cars from the 70s and 80s precisely because they pushed them beyond their limits or didn't know them well enough.

Without a doubt, these were cars for specialists, not beginners.

In reply to 20th Sep 2026, 02:57

22nd Sep 2026, 13:50

I drove two Capris in my time: a 1975 Mk2, like the one in this review, and a newer 1983 model.

I can assure you that the older one was much more stable and easier to handle than the 1983 version; not only did it feel safer, but it also moved around less on the open road and even braked better. I don't know the reason why (since neither car was mine) but it really struck me, especially since, in theory, it should have been the other way around.

What I do remember is that they were very handsome cars, especially the Mk2, with beautiful interiors and fantastic acceleration; they were among the best of that era.

In reply to 20th Sep 2026, 02:57

23rd Sep 2026, 13:47

The Capri 3.0, like the Cortina/Taunus it was based on, is basically a tin box with a 200 kg iron lump in the front. Handling was pretty scary and many 3.0 Capris ended up crashed around a lamp post. I love the Essex V6 and these are from a performance point of view much better than the Cologne V6, that is much more restricted and weaker. However, the Cologne V6 is much lighter and has better fuel consumption. But you can't really tune the Cologne V6, where the Essex is easy to tune to huge horsepower ratings. Internals in the Essex are extremely strong and over dimensioned and can take a lot of abuse. Unfortunately, the rest of the Capri 3.0 mechanics are from the standard Ford parts bin and will break well before the engine, especially the axle. These really could not cope with the torque.