Ford Sierra Sapphire
  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Picked mine up for £500 with 120k miles - bargain.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Absolutely no MOT work first time round. Second time, just tightening of handbrake. Parts are cheap as chips if you use breakers yards.

  • On the road

    Driving

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Smooth as silk on those motorway journeys, but awkward around town.

    Performance

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Sluggish start, i.e not so nippy around town, but then it is a tank. Revs are unusually high when pushing (considering the amount of miles down) it.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    3 out of 5 3.0

    No probs.

    Image

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Charcoal grey, clear indicator covers and smoked rear light covers with the Cossie spoiler - the dog's danglies!

    Comfort

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Absolute luxury, with lots of nice touches e.g. adjustable windscreen wiper delay. Though heating is never hot and driver's seat was a little narrow for the larger-legged person.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    4 out of 5 4.0

    No worries. Despite Cossy spoiler, no-one touched it. Central locking was a bit hap-hazard in cold weather.

    Service

    1 out of 5 1.0

    All independent mechanical work.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Bit of a smoker in its old age due to rings failing.

    Other

    High insurance; petrol consumption high if mainly motorway driving, but so spacious, especially for driving five big hockey players around each weekend!

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes