Faults:

Mapstar sensor went at 115000 miles. £230 including diagnostic test and labour at main dealer.

Small bit of rust in right rear wheel arch.

General Comments:

0-60 in nine seconds, more than sufficient even today.

Holds the road well through the bends.

35 mpg on work run, 42+ mpg on long motorway journeys.

Driving position is a bit uncomfortable with my long legs as the clutch pedal travel is very long.

Wonderful close-ratio gearbox.

Bomb-proof engine, red-lines without protest.

Faults:

Aside of durables such as tyres, exhaust and such like, the largest expense was for a reconditioned automatic gearbox at around 80,000 miles. This was supplied and fitted by my Ford dealer at a cost of £800 in 1998.

The fuel tank became porous about two years ago and was swiftly replaced.

General Comments:

This car has been excellent. It was a one owner example with a full service history when I bought it from a Ford main dealer. Reliability has been exceptional. Even when the auto `box started to play up, it never stranded me. It has quietly and efficiently cruised up and down motorways the length and breadth of the country. It has performed duty in the mean streets of London, never over-heating or missing so much as a beat. It has transported two people, two mountain bikes and holiday paraphernalia for a week with ease. And this is a hatchback not an estate and everything was carried inside the vehicle. No bike racks for me. The room in the back is excellent - 4 people genuinely travel in comfort and the seats never ever gave a moments concern. However, all things must end, and today we parted company. This Sierra was my first Ford and undoubtedly an excellent example. If the Skoda Octavia automatic I have chosen as a replacement is half as good, it too will be an excellent vehicle.

Faults:

At 52000 clutch needed renewing.

But as far to my knowledge the car has passed every MOT with flying colours until now.

F/O/S brakes seized, electric fault on R/N/S light cluster, hole in exhaust middle box, steering rack worn, R/O/S shocker leaking, number plate light not working, both sills need welding and the engine is smoking excessively (probably due to running rich and fast, as it's been sat for a couple of months).

General Comments:

Apart from this years problems I wouldn't part with the car for the world. I'm a mother of two and feel it's safe for my children. I get 36mpg, but it has started to drink a little oil. Yet my partner only gets 30mpg and thinks it's the next best thing since sliced bread for speed, design, easily serviceable and just a great big boys toy.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

The best car in the world.

That is if like me your 18 and it's your first car.

It was seriously quick (at least compared to my Corsa 1.0 I was taught in) and at 115 it would have gone faster had I not run out of road.

Rear wheel drive meant tail out fun if I wanted.

The only bad thing is petrol which I spent £100 on in 10 days. Mind you I did thrash the pants off it.

The engine does sound a bit rough compared to the equivalent Vauxhall for example.

I just wish I had it more than 10 days because on the tenth day I under steered in to a kerb on ice and wrecked the steering and suspension.