Faults:

It has been a very reliable car.

There have been problems with the clutch - the cable has snapped several times, but this is because of the age of the mechanism, which is due to be replaced.

However, it suffers quite badly from rust, but very litle of this is structural, only cosmetic.

General Comments:

I love this car! Although beginning to appear dated, I think it looks good and is well designed.

It handles well, accelerates quite quickly and is fast for its age.

The cabin is well laid out and the only criticism I would make is that it has no cup-holders, which is very annoying. It is comfortable and is reasonably luxurious - this specification is one step down from the Ghia and is kitted-out well.

It's cheap to run and there are plenty of spare parts about - plus it's very easy to work on.

Faults:

Alternator, brand new universal replacement, $300. But mysterious because I drove for 2,000k's with warning light on, and with no problem. Mechanic said it was a possible fire risk though.

Fuel supply problem intermittent, could be a bad batch of fuel because only it occured twice in two years.

General Comments:

Real tough wagon. "Accidentally" drove it into a solid brick wall and received a tiny split on the front bumper, and a whole lot of useless bricks. Imagine a Japanese car doing the same!!

Good performance if it's allowed to rev high, keeps up with 2.0 fuel injected double overhead cam cars.

17" mags with low profile 225 tyres, makes good cornering at 130km/h.

Next step, find a Cosworth engine and drop it in.

Faults:

New clutch at 75,000.

New cam shaft at 122,000.

General Comments:

The car is pretty quick and handles well.

Looks good.

Spec is top class for the year with ABS, heated front screen & mirrors, power steering, electric mirrors etc.

Crap in the snow!!

Faults:

Clutch cable at 200,000 miles.

Track rod ends at 190,000 miles.

Sunroof leaked 6 months after purchase.

General Comments:

This car just shows how well the old Ford Pinto engine can do if its oil is changed regularly. It was a company car from new until I got hold of it with FSH. Tyres, exhaust and battery were newish when I got the car, only front tyres needed since then - seriously!

The car was in excellent condition mechanically and body-wise when it was written off yesterday by a tractor. I paid £600 for it 4 years ago and got £425 from the insurance! Pity, since the car had a good few years left in it.

The faults listed above are honestly the only faults it ever had.

Moved up a stage now to a '94 Mondeo LX TD Estate.

Faults:

When I first got the car it absolutely purred.... nice golden oil with new plugs etc.

However as I live by the coast the metal plague soon set into the exhaust which has recently had to be replaced.

Also had to replace the radiator fan as the car started to sound like a jet engine...... sounds great but doesn't do much for performance.

Rear arches on both the off side and near side are really showing their age as is the bottom of the doors, but nothing that can't be fixed with a little love and care.

Recently replaced the clutch myself which was a scarey job until I started, all it cost to do was £16 and took 4 hours.

General Comments:

This is the BEST car I have ever owned, in fact I can remember that it was a car that I always wanted but could never afford when I passed my test a long time ago.

The interior is very tidy and doesn't seem dated at all though it may be a little angular compared to the curved organic lines of most modern cars.

I would DEFINITELY have another Sapphire without any doubt, but would quite like a 4x4 or a 2.0 Ghia in midnight blue.

With the Sierra you can easily do the speed limit and beyond if you aren't careful and when you need it, you can just put your foot down and GO, but it can be a bit lathargic under 3000 revs, very short 1st and 2nd gear.

If possible, go for a model which is fully loaded, but spares can be expensive if bought though a dealer but as with most Fords.... breakers have plenty.