Ford Corsair Reviews

When I first got it, I received a list of things from the previous owner of what was wrong with it. These included a 95% blocked radiator, torn CV boots, faulty cooling system causing the car to overheat, faulty alternator belt, faulty horn, exhaust pipe broken off, faulty brake caliper.

Fixed the major problems like (radiator, CV boots and cooling system) immediately after I got the car, and it hasn't really been giving me any problems since.

Runs very well, a very reliable car once the problems are fixed. Very spacious interior, extremely comfortable seats (could sleep on them!), large boot, cool electric windows. Working air conditioner and heater. Extremely good acceleration, powerful engine.

Expensive to fix though, as parts are often hard to find, or some repairing jobs, which are easy and quick with other cars, are particularly difficult with this car (according to my mechanic).

Otherwise, a good car to own, very fuel efficient, has a minor electrical problem that causes my radio to reset itself every time I turn the engine off, so I always have to key in the security code for it to turn on when I start the car.

At present, absolutely nothing.

I have recently purchased my 1990 Ford Corsair as my first car, and quite frankly, I love it! I christened him Gandolf, and he is the best car I have driven.

The other cars of this type (Nissan Pintara as well as the Ford) have received bad raps, but I think they're brilliant.

The design is quite harmless, and does the '90's justice unlike other cars of the era. The interior also gives a good impression of the simplicity of small cars of the same era.

The 2L, 8 valve Nissan engine is strong, still with 180,000 on the clock. It pulls hard and can get me anywhere and away from anything. The gearbox is also brilliant. It's geared so that, even in 5th, it has the ability to pull and get you out of strife.

I would recommend one of these beauties to whoever can find one, as long as it is a manual. If you treat it with respect, it will last forever.

ECM light comes on, and as previously mentioned, has stalled once for no apparent reason. Guessing something to do with said ECM fault.

Inside light doesn't work.

Parts like the indicator sticks and window winder mechanism appear to be really quite flimsy, which I consider indicative of the build quality.

When I bought the car, the front right indicator shield had been smashed through. This didn't include the bulb, but rather just the plastic cover. That single piece alone cost me $200. Very hard to source, and ended up having to get an original factory part. They'd already been snatched up at wreckers all across Melbourne mid-2009.

It is a front-wheel drive, so it handles pretty nicely, but not great in the rain and does seem to slide around corners a little bit.

But overall, it gets me from A - B. I'm a year 12 student, and most likely intend to keep the car until second year uni or so, but beyond that I think it would definitely be time for a new car.

If you have the option of a 2.4 v a 2.0, definitely go the 2.4. It's generally a better engine - the KA24E.

The master cylinder needed to be replaced.

Driver's seat has started to wear down to the foam and the metal bits of the seat.

Rear brake light not working, haven't checked if it's the bulb.

One of the rear seat belts isn't working.

CV joints needed replacing, but it was probably about time.

The roof lining is sagging.

Finally the stereo system just failed.

I think this car is expensive to fix if a problem occurs, but once you have sorted out the problem, the car will just go and go.

There is a lot of tire roar at highway speeds, but isn't that bad at normal suburb speeds, it does sound nice when you put your foot down.

The car has some go but the kickback lags a bit when the auto changes down a gear.