1989 Ford Orion Ghia from UK and Ireland - Comments

Oil rings needed to be replaced as there was some blue smoke on start up.

The main chip that controls the EFI system became faulty, but was proved to be an intermittent fault.

The shocks, and bushes are due to be replaced.

I'm very impressed with this car, the performance and handling is good. It is slower than my first car, BMW 525, but way faster than the Nova.

I've seen 135mph on the clock, which isn't that bad.

You'd never get 135Mph out of that standard, I had my one with a turbo, and it done 140 Mph so dream on. GET YOUR SPEEDO CHECKED MATE.

Although the other comment was a bit blunt, he does have a point. I've got the 1993/1994 Orion Ghia, with the 16v 1.6i ZETEC engine and she only goes 116mph top speed, which is the claimed highest official (non-modified) top speed of the vehicle anyway.

Even the 1.8si version of the same year (again Zetec) only does 130mph (or something VERY close to that)

I've had 125MPH from a 1991 1.8 Ghia, with 105 HP.

Read a report from What Car circa 1986 where they road tested new XR3i. The indicated speed from the speedo was 132 mph... but actual speed using measuring equipment was... approx 115mph as per the manufacturer, so dream on, speedos only have to be accurate up to 70-80 by law to a close %, above that the accuracy can't be guaranteed...

I've had an Orion 1.6 EFi. I got 123mph flat out at about 5800rpm, my mate has the MFi 1988 and he had 126mph on the clock. Now I know they're not accurate, I have an RS Turbo now and that's been off the clock! But a standard Orion, 130+ with a Ferrari pushing you!!

I had an '88 1600i. it was my favourite car! mine was tired as hell with 140 000 but I had 125 out of mine once, after that never pushed more than 118. but like I say it was tired. as for the guy talking about an 1800 si zetec, I had just under 140 out of my mates, goes to show it all depends on how well your car is running and how tired it is. thinking or getting another ghia i, anyone got any rough mpg figures, mine was between 18 and 22 mpg, hoping this was because it was nearly dead!

As he said: It was ON THE CLOCK, not according to any other measuring devices.