Why did they even manufacture this car
Camshaft worn, had to buy a new engine.
Strange sounds coming from in front of the car when steering wheel is being turned.
After a heavy rain, car always fills up with water up to my ankles. (No holes found and windows don't leak)
Slow and boring car, consumes too much of gasoline.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 6th September, 2004
Be very very careful when having the cam-belt changed..
A few niggles to start off with - needed new brake pads, which were cheap.
3 weeks and 1800 miles later, at 147500, the cam-belt snapped, despite only being (incorrectly one presumes) fitted at 146000. Got £400 pay-out though.
A heap.
M.O.T was due very soon, and it needed £200 of welding so I suppose the belt snapped at the right time!
Swore I'd never buy a Sierra again, so my next car was... another Sierra.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th April, 2001
On a 1600 Pinto engine the valves and pistons "miss" if the belt snaps. Had you installed another £15 cambelt, the engine would have almost certainly started and run fine, and rattled on for a good while longer.
It's an easy job on these cars too as it's right at the front of the engine bay with hardly anything in the way.
Cheap thrills!
The carburettor went at 111000 so I had that done, but that was it.
Oh, and it leaked water into the driver's footwell, but I never found out where from!
Very quick and not too heavy on fuel.
Did 22000 miles in 6 months and I expected it to let me down on a daily basis, but it didn't.
Bought for £225 - sold for £295 six months later - not bad.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th April, 2001
The best family car ever made
Nothing really, it has begun to leak a bit recently and the automatic choke sticks in the mornings so the engine revs by itself until it is warmed up.
This is a fine example of a rear-wheel drive family car. Mondeo's, Vectra's and other car's like it fail because of their poor front-wheel chassis.
The L model is basic though and a Ghia is worth considering.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th February, 2001
Cheap hot rod
I am forever blowing cylinder head gaskets on these 2.8 engines.
Very comfy relaxed car and good for teaching little boys in their Novas a lesson or two.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th December, 2000
A cheap and cheerful workhorse with easy home maintenance
Water pump seal gave up resulting in complete engine failure on the motorway (my wife didn't notice until it siezed). Got a complete replacement engine fitted for 170 quid from a breakers.
Alternator bearings went. Replacement alternator from a breakers cost a tenner.
Accident damage last year required a new wing, bonnet, front bumper, macpherson strut and some metal bashing.
Front ventilated discs warped and replaced. Replacement discs have now warped as well - seems to be a common problem, possibly caused by a sticking caliper. Rear wheel slave cylinder started leaking and was replaced.
Wear in the steering rack, but not at MOT failure level yet. Some rust on the rear sills but not too bad yet. Plastic wheel arch liners help.
Cheap to buy and spares cheap and readily available plus loads in breakers. Can carry loads of junk (fitted a motorbike in the back once), although the high rear sill makes access awkward.
Not much fun to drive, a bit sluggish and not particularly economical, but makes a good cheap workhorse. Rear drive layout and simple design mean home maintenance is not difficult.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th October, 2000
6th Sep 2004, 11:07
Is it any surprise your camshaft was worn!..at almost 300 thousand kilometers I think it's a testament to this engine.
I had an old 1.6 Sierra for years, and with the exception of a clutch cable every few months, its never ever let me down.