Faults:

Track control arm bushes needed to be replaced.

I replaced the whole braking system, shoes, wheel cylinders, pipes, hoses, disks, pads, calipers, master cylinder and fluid. The brakes were still spongy..

I never got to the bottom of a nasty 'clunk' from the front suspension when reversing at manouevering speed.

The old T5 gearbox was getting a bit difficult to put into gear, but a new clutch sorted that out.

The rear wheel arches were starting to bubble up through the plastic trim pieces, but all in all it wasn't too rusty for the age.

Leaky fuel tank was replaced with a new one, and a rusted fuel line was replaced with a stainless braided flexi pipe.

Trim and seats were showing signs of age and creaked quite a bit.

Performance exhaust really needed to be replaced, but I just kept patching it up.

General Comments:

I reckon the XR4i was the last rear drive muscle car that Ford released in the UK. It was very fast in a straight line, and handled well enough in the dry. In the wet though it was a real handful. Roundabouts could be fun!

The performance exhaust sounded fantastic. It went from a V8-type rumble at low rpm to a wailing banshee scream at high rpm.

I never got the brakes up to a level matching the power of the car. Maybe a new servo would have helped.

The fuel consumption was pretty typical of a 2.8i, 30 MPG on a run, but down to the low teens if I used the power.

The 4x4 I've replaced it with is much more understated, has far more traction, better brakes (with ABS), and just feels much safer. The 2.9i goes just as well, with a little more torque at the bottom end. Still, nothing matches the XR4i for sheer boy racer looks, noise and tyre-burning, over-steering fun.

Faults:

Rear brake pads at 3000 miles.

Two sets of tyres.

General Comments:

It started life as a 1.6L, 3 door Sierra and looked the same as all the others. So I changed it a little, by adding a set of 16" wheels, fitting ABS, central locking, power steering, 2.0 fuel injection engine, gearbox and loom.

Then I changed the front end to the later model with the indcators in the wings. Found side skirts and a front skirt in a breakers yard and fitted them.

Painted it black, I also added Ghia seats that I had modified to make them flip forward. With a few more extras, the car set me back about £800, but it looks one of a kind and I enjoy driving it when I get the chance.

It always starts first time.

Faults:

Interior trim rattles due to firm sports suspension.

Usual wear and tear.

General Comments:

Goes like a rocket.

Reliable, refined, solid.

Quite comfortable for such firm suspension (good seats).

Thirsty.

Quite expensive insurance, but not bad for such a high performance vehicle.

No rust. Well made.

Fun handling (lots of oversteer).

Faults:

Nothing except usual wear and tear. Very good for an oldie.

General Comments:

Fast, well equipped, comfortable, refined, solid, no rust. Good motorway cruiser, nimble handling, a bit thirsty. Shows up boy racers in their hot hatches at the lights.