1989 Ford Laser KE Ghia 1.6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A good runabout so far

Faults:

Nothing so far except the air con packed up; might need a re-gas or maybe worse.

The boot release lever doesn't work.

General Comments:

Great buy for a car almost 30 years old with only 85,000 km on the odometer, in mint condition for its age, which has been well looked after.

The Ghia model adds a few nice little touches, rather amusing at first too, illuminated key holes and door lights. Pretty advanced for its time: power steering, central locking, and a few other bells and whistles.

The engine feels like a few horses have galloped away over time, and it needs some encouragement on uphills, but to be fair it's a 3 speed auto.

I haven't done too much mileage yet, so a bit later I can go a bit more in depth.

Overall it's a pretty nifty car and quite a neat example of this model; a credit to the previous owner for keeping up the maintenance each service interval, even if it hadn't done that much km each time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2015

20th Mar 2015, 04:35

Hey, I've just picked up the same car with 80k on the clock, only had it a few days and I'm wondering what our fuel consumption is like? Mine seems to be drinking the petrol :S

1989 Ford Laser L 1.3 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A fuel economic runabout

Faults:

The seal at the base of the distributor leaked.

Oil leaks around the rocker cover. The replacement gasket has reduced the leak.

A rattle from something in the engine bay on certain road surfaces.

General Comments:

This car is the first car that I have owned, and in the four years that I have owned it, it hasn't let me down once.

It doesn't like hills or overtaking, but it isn't a performance car, it is a fuel economic runabout that will always get you where you want to go.

I can get 500+ km's out of a 36 litres of petrol, however most of my driving is on highways and country roads, which helps.

The handling is OK, and it is good on loose gravel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2008

31st Oct 2008, 12:22

How in the world do you get 500k? And no crap, I can't get here to an hour away and back on a tank.

5th Feb 2009, 04:30

I don't do a lot of town driving. Also I keep the engine RPM's low and I am gentle on the throttle.

It's now done 167000Km and so far nothing else has gone wrong with it, only general maintenance.

27th May 2014, 07:08

I have a 1.3L Laser too. I drove it all around Australia, dirt roads and all! It's a brilliant vehicle. Do you still have it?

1989 Ford Laser GIA 1.7 turbo diesel from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Don't buy it!!!

Faults:

My head gasket blew at 130 000km

Over heated problem cannot go more than 10 kms at 145 000km without problem

Needed new brake pads at 135 000km.

Radio broke at 127 000

Odometer broke at 137 000.

General Comments:

The car is smooth, but its not reliable at all. My brother had a Ford Laser and it eat up all his money. If you want a small car, do not buy a Ford Laser 1989.

I'm never going to buy Ford again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th October, 2005

30th Oct 2005, 23:58

'1.7 turbo diesel Automatic'

That sounds like your problem as 89 lasers came with either a chain driven 1.3 litre or b6 1.6 Litre carb or EFI engine.

The tx3 versions were EFI turbo. But not diesel.

If someone has managed to shoehorn a turbo diesel in there it's no wonder why it's falling to pieces.

The head gaskets on lasers aren't very strong either.

4th Apr 2006, 15:48

The Dog & Lemon guid 2006 states that the biggest enemy of the Lazer/Mazder 323 is overheating if the engine is overheated it can permanantly soften the cylinder head of the engine.

31st Oct 2008, 12:47

Oh, Mate.. You bought a lemon for sure, I mean because 20 year old cars don't need their brake pads replaced.. although with the evidence you give it would have been 12 years old? My mum has a 2000 Sonata and we had to replace the pads last year. Have a cry, brake pads do need replacing every now and then, it's apart of owning a car.

Radio broke at 127 000km. Go to a wreckers and get another one for $3, it's hardly anything wrong with the car bud.

As for the 89 Ford Laser, I bought one for $300, it was a bomb, took me just under 8 days to get it ready for road worthy. PCV valve, engine mounts, exhaust system, windscreen, 1 tire + 1 rim, remove mud flaps, right hand tie rod end and windscreen wiper pumps (front and rear).

Guess how much; $75 for all that, go to a wreckers, don't blame the car.

In reply to 31st Oct 2008, 12:47

16th May 2014, 20:06

I just bought a 1989 Laser for $400. It's like new, has been very well looked after, and I'm owner 3. I'm just wanting to know what the tappet settings are, if they are adjustable?

In reply to 31st Oct 2008, 12:47

30th Aug 2014, 08:10

Good point well made. Brake pads are cheap and need replacing before they damage your disks, or worse, destroy your brakes and then you can't stop.

Stereos, I think my 2 year old could fit one. Cars are a nightmare; if people cannot cope with maintaining them, they should walk.