A fast comfy fun bargain
Not much:
Rocker cover gasket leaks.
Air conditioning keeps breaking down.
Front bushes have been changed twice in 1 year.
Front bumper fell off.
Overall I think it's a lovely car to drive - very comfortable, quite quick (138mph) but very juicy.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th September, 2000
A cut price Cosworth beater!
Absolutely nothing, amazingly!!
I have changed the suspension (Spax PSX kit), fitted a st/st exhaust (modified Cosworth Mongoose system)& aluminium rocker covers (because they look nice!)
I bought the car mainly because it was fitted with a Turbo Technics 230 bhp / 270 lb/ft single turbo conversion. In addition to this it has excellent handling (4 wheel drive, Spax suspension & Sapphire Cosworth wheels / tyres) & excellent brakes. It can also hold its own against a 2wd Cossy and show a clean rear numberplate to a standard 4x4 Cossy !!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th August, 2000
Exocet missile
Never really broken down, just keep on modifying it.
Come on Ford, get your finger out, let's see the Focus Cosworth before the Japs take over totally.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 30th June, 2000
RUST around doors, floor, boot, wheel arches.
Engine replaced and then had to be rebuilt after 10,000 miles. Cam shaft noisy at minute and about to go.
Alternator, choke changed to manual as automatic choke kept failing, carburettor, heater matrix, water pump, battery, accelerator cable snapped twice. Front brake discs and pads. Starter motor.
Poor reliability. This car spent more time in my driveway being repaired than on the road. Car about to be scrapped!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 29th February, 2000
I had a similar problem with my automatic choke, it used to stay open far too long. I fixed it by simply turning the choke actuator (black circular unit on the carb) to keep the choke off at all perminantly. I just pump the throttle a few times to start it. It's pretty rough for a few a while, but it saves a fortune on petrol and it will idle normally. The problem is normally caused by the spiral spring in the unit weakening so turning by a few degrees can some times add enough tension to get the choke operating properly. Also the cam problem is more than likely caused by a blocked oil spray bar due to irregular oil changes. This is worth changing on any OHC pinto unit during a rebuild if the cam shows heavy wear.
Broken rear subframe, blown head gasket, crank sensor, full engine rebuild[at 89k], starter, alternator, warped discs front, siezed rear calipers, cluch cable, fuel pump, etc .....this car is looked after - imagine if it was not. It is still worth it believe it or not.
Around 20 to a gallon,150 mph all day, in the driveway on stands a lot but if you can have access to a runabout, what can you get for between 4 grand and 12 that does so much.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th January, 1999
Hi Steven.
I also own a sierra 2wd Cossie. Most of the parts you have listed in the what went wrong section only have a life of 20-30k miles. You would have had to replace these on a standard family saloon. As for the engine rebuild, I'm not surprised if you do 150mph all day!
You can't own a race horse and leave it out to pasture, it needs looking after.
The Cosworths are fast. However I have witnessed a 300bhp Lancia Delta embarrass a 500bhp Cosworth. The Cosworth was very quick on the straights, but the Lancia just passed it on the bends like it was going backwards. The Delta is very quick and is the real challenge for those Scooby boys.
27th Dec 2000, 16:27
I do agree, my rocker head cover leaks quite bad, it's been changed twice.
The front wheel bearing on mine has started knocking.