Faults:
Electric Mirrors Switch (gave up on - junked the switch).
Rear Door Central Locking (self-fixed).
Shocks - at about 68,000 miles (totalled).
Rear Drum brake jammed (self-adjusted).
General Comments:
Engine is becoming a little 'tappy' at around 70,000 miles.
Brake pads all round haven't been changed since it was bought (3.5yrs ago).
Auto Gearbox has been almost maintenance free.
Alternator (having suffered extreme loads from the stereo, is still hanging in there).
Despite 3.5 years of near-concourse cleaning and polishing, rust is still finding its way through on rear wheel arches.
With a few minor engine mods, the car runs very well.
Most of the problems I've had with the car have been caused by the more extreme modifications, such as Cosworth boot spoiler (holes in boot panel) and 50mm Lowering kit (appears to have put some strain on the drive mechanics).
Very well supported engine/car for any modifications (except maybe the auto gearbox).
The only time it has ever not started was when the battery gave-out (as a result of the mirrors problem).
Great Car - friends have Volkswagens and more problems.
NOTE: Would have had 1600E at the time if I had known about them, but now rather rare.
30th Jan 2002, 18:25
This gentleman has obviously had problems with his car, but after 13 years of pleasurable driving with my automatic ford orion, I have only had one major problem. This was that the gearbox failed. The ford dealership paid for the replacement and I feel happy with the car. Like any major car company, isolated defects are to be expected, but a car will only run as well as it is maintained.