Faults:

The usual wear and tear, brake disks, pads etc. I did however snap the timing chain in 2000 and had to replace the head. This was my own fault as I neglected the warning signs. The poor car done well to carry on as long as it did.

General Comments:

A very deceptive car with a superb engine. I like to give it a good thrashing every now and again, and although it is an old car, it still sees off most modern 2.0 litres.

If I have one complaint it is the fact that in the wet it tends to be tail happy. A good set of tyres and a light foot certainly helps alleviate this problem, although it can be fun if you get it on a safe area for a play. I had mine on a disused runway and it was super fun.

Faults:

No major problems with the car in 7 years of ownership.

Minor leak from the sump and rear axle drive, but these are well known and cause little concern.

Buy the cheapest tyres you can (it's a heavy car) but replace the engine oil with good quality multigrade and the CVH engine will purr forever!

General Comments:

Okay, so its dated and boring to look at, but if you're on a tight budget like me the Sierra and Sapphire cars are excellent! I've owned mine for 7 years now, bought secondhand for pennies, and runs on even less. Standard technology like carburettor means no fiddly electronic ignition to worry about etc. I replace the oil and filter every six tho, and it gets a service once a year when in for its MOT. The car has never missed a beat, let alone failed, and it carries four people in comfort. Our car has been from John O' Groats to Brighton and all points inbetween!

Faults:

I changed the timing belt, but reset the timing wrong by one tooth. So in the end replaced the cylinder head.

Oil leak from the pressure switch, rocker cover and sump gasket.

Horn is slightly faulty, no real damage though with costs.

I have no temperature gage readings.

Full gage runs lower rather quickly. very high full consumption.

General Comments:

This car flies as soon as your foot hits the pedal. Its so easy to pass the speed limit, as the drive is so smooth.

Plenty of leg room within the front.

Well balanced with the steering, and has plenty of power for power sliding around corners, and powering on out.

Faults:

Rear Crankshaft Oil seal needed replacing at 74000.

Numerous Tires, Exhausts, and a couple of batteries needed replacing over the nine years of ownership.

General Comments:

What a great family car.

Good performance and comfort, coupled with excellent economy. My 1.8CVH model still returned 32 mpg when I changed it.

It never failed to start, and never once let me down in nine years.

I only changed cars because at 12 yrs old the chassis had begun to rot, and it was not worth repairing.

It's a shame they don't make them now. I'd love a 2.0 GHIA.

Faults:

The water pump failed almost immediately.

Then the head gasket.

Then most of the water pipes, one after another.

Regular tuning and electrical problems.

Needs regular bush replacements.

General Comments:

I think the above problems come with any RS Cosworth that has covered the miles mine had when I bought it, however comprehensive service history is a definite must so as to avoid so many problems all in one go.

I was glad I opted for the 4x4 as it handles extremely well and is especially rewarding in the wet when other cars would so easily fail to retain any grip.

Unfortunately the build is poor, but then that is typical of Ford, so it shakes and rattles, however it most defiantily rolls!