1985 Ford Meteor Ghia 1.5 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

The best car I have ever owned!

Faults:

At 20,000 kilometers, the coil shorted out and caught fire. Ford replaced the coil with a new electronic one for $100 and the car has ran fault free ever since.

General Comments:

The Meteor is the best car I have ever owned. I've had 3 other cars and still cannot let go of my Meteor. The old reliable Meteor has towed Commodores and a Magna and a Telstar and never let me down. I would recommend a Meteor to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th November, 2004

22nd Mar 2005, 02:37

I bought a 1987 Ford Meteor Ghia. Initially I had to have a fair amount of work - about $1000 worth - to have it roadworthy. It's running quite well now. But from the day I bought it I've experienced a very peculiar problem that I wonder if any other Meteor owners have experienced. The problem is that I get noxious fumes coming into the cabin, seemingly through the ventilation system. Has anyone else experienced this? I have taken it to numerous mechanics and still seem to be no closer to finding out the cause. The odour coming through is faint, but smells vaguely mechanical and is quite harsh on my throat and lungs. I've used silicone sealant on all possible holes I could find, at least on the upper part of the firewall. The problem is still persisting and I'm considering that I may have to give up and get rid of the car. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

24th May 2006, 00:34

I believe I have the answer to your problem of detecting exhaust fumes into the cabin of your Ford Meteor.

You would have noticed any car that has travelled dusty roads, how the dust collects more at the rear end or boot area than the front of the car.

When driving at high speed, it's not the wind blowing the front clean, but the SUCTION of air at the rear dumping the dust onto the rear.

Therefore, it follows that exhaust fumes from the rear tailpipe are also being sucked backward too. If ANY window is open, the suction effect is strongest, allowing exhaust pipe air to suck in through an unused bolt hole or gaps in tail-lamp seal, - through into the boot,- sucked from the boot into the cabin (where you detect the odour) and then it flies out the opened window and back into the air suction vortex a moving car creates.

TO FIX;- check tail-lamp gasket seals, apply sealant to BOTH sides of gasket. Remove trims to access behind number plate. Search for any unused bolt hole, plug hole with rubber grommet. Apply sealant around existing numberplate bolts from inside. That's it! You will not get fumes into cabin again...James The MeteorMan james007@iinet.net.au 24May2006.

15th Apr 2009, 16:26

I have had the 1985 Ford Ford Meteor Ghia from new, and have had NO trouble at all with it -- it is still like new -- and still runs well --- I have been more than happy with this car.

1985 Ford Meteor GB 1.5 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A very practical, reliable and economical car

Faults:

Speed needle jumping. I simply replaced cable.

Stalling at roundabout. Replaced petrol filter.

Blinker switch failed. Went to wreckers, plenty available from 323, meteor, laser even 626, or new if preferred.

Clock died. Loose connector only, but plenty available at wreckers.

Perished plastic knobs, handles carpet or seats. Still some nice clean seats at wreckers for $50 a pair.

I am fully restoring my red meteor back to showroom just for the hell of it. Contact me at scenicphoto@hotmail.com for a chat. - Jim.

General Comments:

I have nearly replaced all of the interior with nice well-looked after examples. Mind you I have picked over dozens of cars over the past 2-3 years.

For the best mechanical care and brake servicing go to an ABS franchise located in every state. My brakes use to lock-up causing a slide,-not anymore.

I can tell you all about stopping RUST and how to cure a wet boot. I've cured, not covered over EVERY rust causing problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th August, 2003