1990 Ford Orion Ghia 1.6 EFI petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Alternator went at 84K and clutch is on the way out. Having some trouble with two of the dashboard lights (have to tap the top of the dashboard to make them come on). Other than that it is a very reliable car.

General Comments:

The car has done 86,000 miles now and feels like it can go on for a lot more. The engine is powerful, quiet and smooth. Also the brakes are excellent. My previous car was a 1987 Orion 1.6i Ghia (Not EFI), which was good, but I always wanted an EFI. My Orion is the last of the old shape (Mark 2) which I prefer to the new shape (Mark 3). The fuel economy is good and all the refinements including the fuel computer make it a very enjoyable car to own and drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 1999

1990 Ford Orion LX 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

The bearings had to be replaced. Front and rear brakes replaced. Now the lights are shorting and draining the battery.

General Comments:

There is hardly any lock for turning and it is very heavy to drive. It is a comfortable car but at times it feels as if you are driving a tank. I have had this car a year and have never stopped paying out in repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st January, 1999

14th Aug 2001, 03:15

I have to agree with it being like driving a tank!! Pulls your arms out of the sockets!

13th Oct 2002, 07:32

I agree with all the points made. Plus people want to steal it, constantly.

18th Sep 2003, 12:33

I can't possibly imagine why anybody would want to steal a ford orion...

1990 Ford Orion Laser 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

The battery is the only thing I've really had problems with this far, but I got it replaced at the salesmans expense, and it's run smooth since.

I also had a little too little power output from the generator. I don't think that's the cars fault, it's more dependent on my extreme car audio (I do some car audio competing).

I've also noticed that the rubber around the right front power transmission axle (whatever it's called) has broken a couple of days ago.

General Comments:

Nice car. It's not too hard to do some modifications either inside or outside the cabin (which I do quite a lot because of my car audio competitions).

No corrosion yet, except for the place where my little brother hit my car with a baseball. That place's been fixed (freed from rust and repainted) twice but the rust keeps coming back. The car gets a wash every time I've used it so that could be the reason for the rust-freeness.

Runs smooth on highways.

A bit "jerky" when starting to drive on a cold day.

The Brakes are good, and the acceleration/general driving properties are very comfortable for such a low-priced car as this one.

I've had it for 5 years and I've driven 100,000 miles and I'm still satisfied.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd September, 1998

1990 Ford Orion Ghia EFI 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

I had to replace the gearbox about a year after I bought it and replaced the alternator after about 2 years.

General Comments:

It has only broken down twice in 4.5 years (gearbox and alternator) so it's quite dependable. It's quick, the engine's quiet, and the ride is smooth, it also has good brakes, all of which make it comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

My previous car was a Ford Orion 1.4L which was a good runner but I really wanted a 1.6EFI Ghia. My car is an EFI but is the last of the old shape Orions (which I prefer) so the combination of this, plus other new shape specifications make it my 'dream' car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st April, 1998

1990 Ford Orion GL 1.6 carb petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

New Gearbox After 75,000 Miles.

New steering rack, wheel bearings.

Cigarette Lighter keeps coming out.

Lots of rattles and leaks.

General Comments:

Very unexciting car, Seats have no lower back support.

Steering very heavy, Suspension very bouncy, Engine dull and noisy.

Brakes poor, Tracking keeps going out of alignment, all in all it drives very much like a boat!!

Having said that it starts first time every time, never stalls, smooth ride on M/Way.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th November, 1997