1987 Ford Sierra CL 2.0 from Estonia

Summary:

Fantastic performance and handling

Faults:

My engine began taking oil and head gasket blew at 210000 km.

Valve gaskets replaced at 180000 km.

Intake and exhaust gaskets been replaced at 150000km.

I replaced the engine at 210000 km.

General Comments:

When I replaced the engine, I put 2,0 instead of old, what was 1,8 litres. After that it is a great car.

It runs great and 200km/h is not a problem with that car.

Seats are comfortable and shape of the car is great, just like modern cars.

It has an exellent handling.

I tuned up the engine a little and has more power than it needs, it speeds up great.

Fantastic car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th May, 2006

1987 Ford Sierra CL 2-door 2.0 EFI+Catalytic from Sweden

Summary:

Find a good one and you get very good value for your money!

Faults:

The bumpers were damaged when I bought it. Even if you can't blame this on the car, it was quite hard to find a Sierra with good bumpers on any junkyard, so probably they are weak.

The door handles was also broken, and I'm not surprised, because they are made of weak plastic.

The glove compartment door have fallen off.

Due too bad lubrication, the camshaft is worn. You have to clean the tube sometimes, and change oil often in these engines. The previous owners didn't.

Worn balljoint, had to replace it to pass annual safety inspection. You have to replace the whole control arm on these cars, can't change just the balljoint.

There is an oil leak from the rear crankshaft seal.

Rust does exist, but not much for a 18 year old car.

The alternator bolts cracked, I blame it on the salt they put on roads here in the wintertime rather than on Ford.

The doors can't be locked from the outside. I've got an immobilizer and live in a very calm area so I'm not worried though.

General Comments:

Well, it is not built like a Mercedes, and were never intended to be...

There is a lot of plastic and cheap solutions. But most things will work, and it is a very easy car to do DIY work on, as opposed too many of its FWD competitors.

It handles good and the comfort is OK, thanks to the individual rear suspension. However, it is very sensitive on the tires. It's especially important to have good winter tires, because when it starts to skid, it can be a tricky car to "get back"...

It is fun to drive, feels very quick. The seats are good, there is pretty much equipment for its time, you can drive very long trips without getting tired. Not bad for quite a small car.

The trunk can get huge when you fold down the rear seat, though it is not as easy to use as the compartment in a station wagon.

The design is often called the grandfather of the modern car. While this is true, it still has its own profile. You find your Sierra easy in the parking lot among the "modern" cars, especially the two door (which I have) has its own profile, not beautiful maybe, but it certainly has something. I like it.

It runs cheap. I get 0,79 litres per 10 km on long trips. That's OK.

Sierras are often very cheap. Find a good one and you get much value for your money!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd May, 2006

1987 Ford Sierra C 1.6 from Finland

Summary:

Why did they even manufacture this car

Faults:

Camshaft worn, had to buy a new engine.

Strange sounds coming from in front of the car when steering wheel is being turned.

After a heavy rain, car always fills up with water up to my ankles. (No holes found and windows don't leak)

General Comments:

Slow and boring car, consumes too much of gasoline.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th September, 2004

6th Sep 2004, 11:07

Is it any surprise your camshaft was worn!..at almost 300 thousand kilometers I think it's a testament to this engine.

I had an old 1.6 Sierra for years, and with the exception of a clutch cable every few months, its never ever let me down.

18th Oct 2007, 17:23

This is huge mileage to get from a mass produced car. If you ask me you have done well!

22nd Nov 2007, 15:48

Who changes a whole engine because of a worn camshaft??

I agree that sierras are not the most economical of cars, older Fords never were noted for frugality.