Faults:

Brake servo.

Rear cylinders.

Hydraulic lifters.

Head gasket.

Various other bits for general maintenance - if you get the tuning and the services right they can be very nippy, reliable little cars!

General Comments:

I bought my first XR2 when I was 18 and got the insurance paid for my Birthday. When I went to look at the car it was a wreck - rust everywhere! You name where it goes on a Fiesta and this one was worse! To cut a long story short I just wanted it so I bought it and drove it into the ground. I learnt from buying a rusty heap but I was impressed with the way it drove so I went out and found another one in the best condition possible which is my current car.

I have done 20k miles in 14 months of owning it and although I have had to spend money on it, I don't think that 600 quid for 20k miles is bad for a C-reg!

Excellent predictable handling on pepperpots but beware when you put bigger wheels on it with lower profile tyres without lowering it - dangerous in the rain but excellent in the dry!

Faults:

Head gasket.

Exhaust.

Distributor cap.

Rotor arm.

General Comments:

Excellent value for money, cheap to repair and cheap insurance for an XR Ford.

No rust anywhere on mine, and all this for only £200!!!

Faults:

When I got it, it needed a new camshaft as it would only run on 3 cylinders. Extensive welding to the sill areas was required, wish bone rubbers to front suspension, ball joints to both sides and watch out if the lead which controls the electric choke comes off the alternator as it will run on full choke all the time.

General Comments:

I have a 1.3 Ghia as well and have also owned a 1.0 Mk1 and 1.1L. These Fiestas are magic and I think they are the best small car for any one on a tight budget and can be repaired by the DIY mechanic very easily and cheaply.

Faults:

Exhaust manifold.

Door pins.

Wings.

General Comments:

Cheap to repair, nippy, quiet engine.

Faults:

The original paint job had an "orange peel" surface. The choke mechanism disintegrated but it's easy to fit a manual one.

General Comments:

It goes like a rollerskate on wheels. The car handles well and it has been very

reliable. The tyres are expensive but the running costs are low. If Ford manufactured an XR2 (same shape as 1986 model) I would definitely buy one. Insurance companies don't like them.