1987 Ford Granada Scorpio from UK and Ireland - Comments

No major problems in 75,000 miles, just lots of niggly faults.

Rear-axle half-shaft joints went at about 85,000 miles.

Electric window switches pack-up.

Central locking operates itself on occasions (when it gets wet)

Air-con gradually got less efficient then gave up.

Electric sunroof jams up with lack of use in the winter.

Sunroof leaks when the rain gets heavy because the drain holes get blocked.

Rev counter only works now and then.

Heater in drivers seat died at 90,000 miles.

Boot lock stopped operating with the central locking.

Auto gearbox can overheat in traffic.

ABS can play-up in traffic.

Water pump died at 110,000 miles.

Cheap exhausts seem to go every three years or so and at £200 a time are the biggest consumable.

Rear brake pads don't last as long as the fronts.

Suspension and steering is geting pretty soggy now, and will probably be the one thing that causes it's retirement from active service.

The list of faults might look quite long, but as I have had twelve years out of this car I think it's not that bad, especially as I was only 23 yrs old when I got it.

This really is ALL that has gone wrong and I used to abuse it a bit when I was younger.

It's very much a cheap hack now and gets used for the daily 20 mile round trip for work and carting all sorts of rubbish around in it's massive load space. Very occasionally I will use it for a long (200+ mile) trip just because it is so comfortable. It has never broken down on me yet.

The body has done reasonably well with the only real rust being where the paint has been damaged over the years.

I do all of my own work on the car and it is pretty simple to maintain. I am not a fanatical owner by any standard and it gets an annual service just before the MOT is due. The biggest let down is the electrics, but this is common on many cars at this age.

Performance is relative, but not bad for a motor of it's size. When I got it the speedometer would go right round to an indicated 145 MPH before the rev-limiter stopped it going faster. Now it will still manage an indicated 135 MPH before the worn out suspension and common sense cut in.

Economy is VERY impressive for a car of this size. Locally I average 23 MPG on my 10 mile journey to work, but on a motorway journey at a steady 80 MPH it is easy to get that upto 34 MPG and if you can be bothered to be really carefull you can get that upto 38 MPG (I've done this a number of times on 150 mile journeys) It's just a question of being gentle with the right foot.

All in all I paid £8000 for the car twelve years ago and have never had to spend wore than a small amount each year for running repairs. The biggest repair cost was for the half-shafts at about £150 fitted and the highest running cost is the exhausts. It has never failed an MOT and will probably still be going in a couple of years time...

Yes, the rear pads do wear a lot quicker than the front?

But these are easy to replace, using the piston compressor.

Chances are your aircon hasn't given up and only needs a recharge at £60 or so.

Bought the car in April 2004 with 135000 on the clock. Rev counter, passenger seat heater U/S and Air con weak. Other wise an excellent buy so far. Very comfy. Only very minor rust problems and damaged rear bumper about to be sorted.

Auto box works really smooth. No smoke even at this mileage. Suspension and steering lovely.

Oh and the struts supporting the boot lid don't.

Cost of car £450.00. I consider it a bargain.

Mike from London E11.

I brought my granada january 2005 paid £395 it is a ghia x, it is still in showroom condition (high gloss black) EVERYTHING works, full ford service history from birth, i swear by the granada's for comfort,safety and speed (still gets an easy 145mph with 158,000 on the clock!!!) in my personal opinion these cars are one of the best made, I am now buying a scorpio ultima which I just hope is as good as my old black beauty, which leaves bmws and mercs standing in my dust.