Excellent overall performance and spec for an old one!
New clutch at 75,000.
New cam shaft at 122,000.
The car is pretty quick and handles well.
Looks good.
Spec is top class for the year with ABS, heated front screen & mirrors, power steering, electric mirrors etc.
Crap in the snow!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th February, 2001
Probaby the cheapest workhorse in the world
Clutch cable at 200,000 miles.
Track rod ends at 190,000 miles.
Sunroof leaked 6 months after purchase.
This car just shows how well the old Ford Pinto engine can do if its oil is changed regularly. It was a company car from new until I got hold of it with FSH. Tyres, exhaust and battery were newish when I got the car, only front tyres needed since then - seriously!
The car was in excellent condition mechanically and body-wise when it was written off yesterday by a tractor. I paid £600 for it 4 years ago and got £425 from the insurance! Pity, since the car had a good few years left in it.
The faults listed above are honestly the only faults it ever had.
Moved up a stage now to a '94 Mondeo LX TD Estate.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th October, 2000
If you get the chance buy one and don't let go
When I first got the car it absolutely purred.... nice golden oil with new plugs etc.
However as I live by the coast the metal plague soon set into the exhaust which has recently had to be replaced.
Also had to replace the radiator fan as the car started to sound like a jet engine...... sounds great but doesn't do much for performance.
Rear arches on both the off side and near side are really showing their age as is the bottom of the doors, but nothing that can't be fixed with a little love and care.
Recently replaced the clutch myself which was a scarey job until I started, all it cost to do was £16 and took 4 hours.
This is the BEST car I have ever owned, in fact I can remember that it was a car that I always wanted but could never afford when I passed my test a long time ago.
The interior is very tidy and doesn't seem dated at all though it may be a little angular compared to the curved organic lines of most modern cars.
I would DEFINITELY have another Sapphire without any doubt, but would quite like a 4x4 or a 2.0 Ghia in midnight blue.
With the Sierra you can easily do the speed limit and beyond if you aren't careful and when you need it, you can just put your foot down and GO, but it can be a bit lathargic under 3000 revs, very short 1st and 2nd gear.
If possible, go for a model which is fully loaded, but spares can be expensive if bought though a dealer but as with most Fords.... breakers have plenty.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th September, 2000
At 60ukp, a bargain!
Exhaust rusted shortly after purchase, engine oil sump perforated by rust above x-member (engine out to change), steering rack is due soon.
I bought the car as an insurance write-off for next to nothing. Re-build of rear end quite cheap (I was working in a bodyshop at the time). A few rusty panels but overall cheap to run and maintain.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 3rd August, 2000
A most excellent car
2 sets of tyres.
2 exhaust systems.
Valves replaced in the engine.
Servo replaced.
Battery replaced.
New water pump.
Brake pads and drum pads.
5 oil changes.
2 sets of spark plugs.
1 set of HT leads.
The car has only let me down once in the 7 plus years I've had it.
I feel it's still one of the best looking cars even now.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th July, 2000
28th Oct 2001, 16:53
Have bought a 2.0GLSi Sierra myself for 200 pounds with only 80 000 on the clock as a first car. Not only is it cheap to maintain and comfortable it leaves the other students at college miles behind in the average xr3.