1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire GLSi review from UK and Ireland

This car has yet to actually leave me stranded and the engine itself has never been worked on!

However :-

Siezed rear callipers, a problem with all GLSi cars. Factory fitted alarm gave up the ghost when Maggie Thatcher still had the reigns!

Erratic idle speed, probably due the EFi Pot. OSR wheelarch beginning to show corrosion. Cigarette lighter hasn't worked for years.

Has a very healthy appetite for anti roll bar bushes (very cheap, but awkward to replace). This is over compensated for in very reasonable tyre wear.

Other spares do come at a bit of a premium.

115,000 miles on the same clutch, believe it or not ten whole years and 115,000 on the original exhaust (not common I grant you). A comfortable family cruiser, returning an average of 35 mpg!

Thankfully, never yet failed an MOT first time.

Clearly dated by design these days, but an excellent cheap option if you have the where with all on mechanics and are not in the slightest bit worried about keeping up with the Jones'.

Beware the dreaded tin worm!!!!!!

If you don't like spanners, buy a pinto engined model, almost every schoolboy mechanic cut his teeth on one of these and can strip an engine in his fag break.