Heavy loader
New type silicon rocker cover gasket is bad. Old type rubber gasket is better.
Cold start accelerator defect.
Crankshaft oil seals leaking.
Very robust car.
Can carry a huge load.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 25th January, 2001
A reliable, comfortable car
Asoulutely nothing!!
I bought the car 2 years ago and everybody I spoke to said the DOHC engines were trouble. I can safely say I have had nothing go wrong with the car at all. The electrics have not given me any trouble either. I can get 44mpg and the car will do 130mph, not a bad combination I think.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th January, 2001
Brilliant cheap family car!
Nothing at all has gone wrong with it, although there are a few things on the car that don't work, but it was like that when I first bought it.
A brilliant family car that is cheap to run and maintain, good performance and very reliable.
The only thing I don't like about it is the squeaky interior which can be very annoying on long journeys!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th December, 2000
Solid cheap family workhorse
Cam chain tensioner (rare).
4th gear (expensive!!!).
Gearbox mount (speedhumps!).
Rev-counter.
I am amazed how good this car is - it can do 125mph and still averages 34-38 mpg. I'm hoping something serious will go wrong with it so I can replace it.
Also, almost no rust, just a small bit coming through at the rear of the bonnet. It's black.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th December, 2000
Reliable and comfortable family car
Eeplaced shocks at around 100,000.
Work to the passenger front door at 165,000.
Clutch cable twice.
Auto choke at 80,000, as well as regular servicing.
Engine has always performed marvellously. Have found it totally reliable. Shame the body work needed is uneconomical - driver's side sill needs replacing, passenger side needs welding and the windcreen surround top left hand corner - as it feels like it would go on forever.
Wish I'd got a 1.8 rather than 1.6 as I'm sure that bit of extra poke would have made it that much more enjoyable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th December, 2000
A good family car in its day, reliable
Just after purchase, a new clutch fork.
At 10,000 miles a lower RR suspension arm.
One rear wheel cylinder at 85,000.
Otherwise nothing, just routine servicing.
A comfortable, reasonably quick car for its type e.g. repmobile.
Now at 100,000 the door seals let in a little wind noise, otherwise just the usual Ford dash rattles.
25 MPG and lots of space being an estate, a good family car. The only problem is the tinworm is starting to make an appearance, e.g. rust on the tailgate and door skins.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd November, 2000
An absolutely unbreakable car
Engine rebuild at 187,000 miles due to a cracked piston ring which caused excessive exhaust emissions.
The original clutch was replaced at the same time due to damage caused by a loose spring.
The ring gear was replaced at the same time (it had previously been replaced at 98,000 miles).
I had a lot of trouble with damp starting in the beginning, but replacing the cap, leads and non original coil with non Ford items cured the problem.
Unbeatable car. Very thirsty in city traffic, but extremely reliable, cheap and easy to repair when things go wrong.
For example, the engine rebuild, clutch and ring gear cost a total of £200. Use of good quality oil (15W40) every 3000 miles left the engine in excellent overall condition. Apart from a broken ring and a slightly worn cam lobe, the engine was perfect.
This car has had a tough life, lots of rough roads and towing, but I can't seem to break it. It's also a very safe car, as the Volvo driver that hit it found out.
I plan to replace it next year, but I doubt I'll get as good a car again.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st November, 2000
27th Feb 2004, 19:55
I had a Ghia 2.0i auto hatch which was one of the last with the "old" 2.0 single cam engine. A cracking car in every way with very few problems, it carried me as far afield as Norway in total comfort during the 3 years I had it (from 9-12 years old) ; just remember it's a Ford so you need to see proof that it's never missed an oil change before you buy one!