Ford Sierra Sapphire - an 80s to 90s classic car or overhyped junk?

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  • Опубліковано 20 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 475

  • @idriveaclassic
    @idriveaclassic  Рік тому +53

    It appears I’ve said Cortina 4 not Cortina MK5. A genuine mistake through sheer tiredness. Comment pinned so nobody else needs to worry about telling me again 😉😉😉

    • @DarrenWalley
      @DarrenWalley Рік тому +5

      No problem & it's easily done. Whatever, your videos 📹 are always informative & great to watch.
      Keep up the good work. 👍

    • @a11csc
      @a11csc Рік тому +2

      you are only human steph this will happen lol

    • @karlosh9286
      @karlosh9286 Рік тому +6

      Well apparently , although a lot of people do say "Cortina Mk5" , really it was a "Cortina 80" . i.e. the 1980 make over of the Mk 4. That was manufacturer between about 1980 and 1982. Yes, I'm being a bit pedantic , sorry !

    • @LeChave
      @LeChave Рік тому +5

      I'll put my anorak on and say you're correct, as it was a Mk4 uplift, but, most people know it as the Mk5. (That's what I called it back in the day as I didn't know either! 😀)

    • @rockall66
      @rockall66 Рік тому +4

      No such think as a Cortina MK5, you were right first time.

  • @Nimmo1492
    @Nimmo1492 Рік тому +51

    Humble cars deserve love and preservation too, because they are what most people actually drove, and are a significant part of not only motoring history, but social history too.

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  Рік тому +13

      Absolutely. The mondeo is going the same way.

    • @peterlee5535
      @peterlee5535 Рік тому +3

      ​@@idriveaclassicWhen did you last see a Mk1 Mondeo? I've seen one in the last 2 years! I think the Mk3 will end up the most desirable in the future so grab an ST now while they are cheap! 😂

    • @animal79thecat
      @animal79thecat Рік тому +1

      Over sentimental nonsense

    • @Tom-bp6no
      @Tom-bp6no Рік тому +1

      I'm a carcheologist from the future and the evidence suggests all Peugeot 205s and VW Golfs were GTis 😂

    • @skylined5534
      @skylined5534 Рік тому

      In a way, the cooking models are actually more interesting compared to their upper range contemporaries!
      I saw a very minty white Mk3 Cavalier Envoy the other week and also a Sierra saloon like this in that fairly bright blue Fords and Rovers seemed to use in the late 80s and early 90s! I love stuff like that!

  • @markhinde6187
    @markhinde6187 Рік тому +3

    I Remember back in the day seeing 100's of these every time I went on the motorway, Wow how time flies

  • @koll789
    @koll789 Рік тому +46

    Ford always got it right. This booted version of the Sierra was a great car.

    • @MineshShah
      @MineshShah Рік тому +1

      The Sapphire was definitely a harkback to the original Cortina: Ford must have thought the original Sierra was a bit too controversial and thought they could attach a boot to the original design easily...

    • @ianhill4585
      @ianhill4585 Рік тому

      As was the booted version of the Escort ,the Orion, had 2 of the Orion's,and the 1800cc Sapphire.

    • @MineshShah
      @MineshShah Рік тому

      @@ianhill4585 I actually thought although less controversial than the original jelly mould Sierra, the Sapphire was very elegant... for a Ford!

    • @ianhill4585
      @ianhill4585 Рік тому

      @@MineshShah I liked the booted Sapphire and booted Escort (the Orion,) over the hatchback versions.
      But my ultimate car toy is an estate car , open the rear door, fold the seats, --- you've got a mini sized van. Happy days. 😁

    • @johndrake2729
      @johndrake2729 Рік тому +1

      I'm probably the only soul who prefers the hatchback more.

  • @BS15RED
    @BS15RED Рік тому +20

    This brings back memories of our summer holiday back in 1990, we were driving up to Scotland in my dads B reg 740 Volvo when it broke down near Hilton Park services. Alas the Volvo had to stay at the local dealer to be repaired whilst we journeyed on in a hired G reg Sapphire! My Dad was never a Ford fan but said he really enjoyed the Sapphire.

  • @stuartdavison4014
    @stuartdavison4014 Рік тому +5

    I bought a 1989 Sierra Sapphire 2.0i Ghia from my dad. I thought it was the bees knees. It was a great car. This video brought back many happy memories.

  • @disleyade5470
    @disleyade5470 Рік тому +11

    We used to get these as company hire cars to go to meetings, so lots of motorway miles. Very fast and comfortable. They were usually near new and I remember that they always had that Ford new car smell.

    • @monk3yboy69
      @monk3yboy69 Рік тому +2

      The cheap plastic smell…..I know what you mean .

    • @tabsntoot
      @tabsntoot Рік тому

      @@monk3yboy69 it was the new fabrics aswell it was very unique smell i still remember my dads brand new orion 1.6 h reg and that smell always pops into my mind

  • @rodhili3946
    @rodhili3946 Рік тому +17

    In 1989 I drove 1000 miles all around Scotland, while on my honeymoon, in a Sierra sapphire 2.0 GL. It was perfect. Comfortable and economical. The only thing that went wrong is the horn stopped working.

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  Рік тому +5

      Well you can’t complain at that, eh!

    • @Carl_Thompson
      @Carl_Thompson Рік тому +15

      You don’t want to lose your horn on your honeymoon

    • @rodhili3946
      @rodhili3946 Рік тому +5

      @@Carl_Thompson 🤣👍

    • @ScubaSteveM45
      @ScubaSteveM45 Рік тому

      The whole thing or was it just a relay? My sister's car's horn died and it was just a relay to get it tooting again

    • @davidhealy4534
      @davidhealy4534 Рік тому +1

      My old Friend Vinny Martin had one. The cops did him for speeding at 110 mph on the M27🤣I think he got a ban for a few months.

  • @mickymikehodge3510
    @mickymikehodge3510 Рік тому +11

    I owned one of these when I lived in the UK in the mid to late 90s drove it all over the place
    One of the nicest cars I've ever owned
    The 2 litre fuel injected engine had a ton of poke
    Always thought it looked like a smaller version of the 90's EA Falcon's we had in Oz
    Was very sad to have to sell it when I returned home from the UK

  • @micbsounds
    @micbsounds Рік тому +2

    What a lovely car.
    I have so many good memories of a Sierras. A friend of mine purchased one for just over £800 and had many years of good motering and road trips.
    Good times.

  • @gwheregwhizz
    @gwheregwhizz Рік тому +9

    7 years before the Sierra arrived you could buy a new MK3 Cortina with loads of chrome, coke bottle styling, vinyl roof, 50 shades of mustard and brown and lashings of wood from the polycarbonate tree. Really fast advancement in styling (Cortina looks cooler though).

  • @marguskiis7711
    @marguskiis7711 Рік тому +4

    Its great to see them more and more back on roads. Young people love them.

  • @normanmcleod7169
    @normanmcleod7169 Рік тому +6

    Had a 2 litre company car for a while. So solid. comfortable and quiet as well as long legged and capable of doing high speeds (NOT in UK I hasten to add) all day. Still miss it a bit and agree 100% with all your comments.

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  Рік тому +3

      I would love one of these for commuting.

    • @Rapscallion2009
      @Rapscallion2009 Рік тому

      The Sierra was just that. It was fabrilliant as a long-range car. You could drive one all day and not get tired, especially the better ones with power steering. Ford back then made cars comfortable, although not usually too sporty.
      Incidentally the V6 engined XR variants are great tourers and sound lovely. The XR4x4 is a car I passed up owning and have always regretted. It was absolutely brilliant - I personally preferred it to the Cosworth.

  • @brianwillis9673
    @brianwillis9673 Рік тому +25

    I had a 1987 1.8 LX as my company car in the early 90s which was eventually replaced with a Mondeo. The Mondeo was fine, but it lacked the solidity of the Sierra and overall presence. The Sierra felt like a more solid and, to be honest, a more grown up car than the car that replaced it.

    • @davidedgar7338
      @davidedgar7338 Рік тому +1

      Yup. My dad swapped his 86 sierra 2.0 Ghia for a 94 2.0 16v Mondeo. It snowed that year. We went to a big car park that was closed to play with the car like boys do. It was rubbish. The sierra could do something young ones now call drift. Sierra always felt fun when the rear wheels spun. Mondeo was just like going from a 70's amplifier to a 90's one. Urggh.

    • @martinmcgoldrick1357
      @martinmcgoldrick1357 9 місяців тому

      1.8 cvh engine pick of the bunch as 1.6 @ 2.0 carry over from 70's cortina

  • @Lord-hoboco777
    @Lord-hoboco777 Рік тому +5

    I racked up almost 500,000 mile on the same engine/box in my old 1991 GLS sapphire on private hire absolutely loved that car still to this day i think it was probably one the best work horses for the job

  • @Mladjasmilic
    @Mladjasmilic Рік тому +2

    My grandfather still drives one.

  • @mal_4534
    @mal_4534 Рік тому +8

    I had an E reg 1.6 GL only thing I had to change was the alternator. It was nice to drive super reliable well equipped for the time. Rusted on the wheel arches and tops of the doors so it had to go.

  • @bigjohno242
    @bigjohno242 Рік тому +5

    Great video Steph . I drove many a 1.6 and 1.8 LX back in the early 90s. None of them ever missed a beat .

  • @matthewgreer4758
    @matthewgreer4758 Рік тому +1

    Owned one of these, a 1990 one, greatest car I’ve ever had, rear wheel drive was a lot
    of fun, wish I still had, definitely something I’m gonna do is get a drive.

  • @josephmifsud8261
    @josephmifsud8261 10 місяців тому +1

    Its a beauty. The everyday cars are as important as the sports cars because of the memories you described. The memory for me was the Land Rover thst went past. Id love to visit this, but Id need around £2500 and three days as I would want to drive them all

  • @Zadster
    @Zadster Рік тому +6

    The space next to the clock had the bulb out indicator on the XR and Ghia models, to show if the brake, headlights etc had failed. The 2.0i ones do indeed go like stink, 125mph+, 80 mph is 3000rpm. Only 8 valve though so don't need to be spanked to get power out of it. The Sapphires were very tail happy though, as the valeter that wrote mine off can attest. There were 2.8 and 2.9 V6 Sierras, mostly XR4/4X4 range toppers (obv not Sapphires) but a few 2.9 GLS 4x4 that the police used.

    • @TheM5Dog
      @TheM5Dog Рік тому

      My dad had a 2.9 GLS 4x4, they were only sold on G reg oddly.

  • @arnonmus1
    @arnonmus1 Рік тому +1

    It struck me in watching this video how informative, objective and interesting the content is that you, Hubnut, Furious Driving and Twin Cam offer. Each of you has your own style and perspective, without the toxicity and agendas of the commercial broadcasters.
    UA-cam can be a force for the good!

  • @philcrockford5534
    @philcrockford5534 Рік тому +5

    Had a 1991 1.8 LX Sapphire for 8 years. Towed with it, moved house with it, brought my firstborn home from hospital in it. Apart from an appetite for anti rollbar bushes it was utterly reliable, comfortable and an excellent all rounder despite the high loading lip on the boot. Never rubbish.

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  Рік тому +1

      Aww sounds like you miss her! Cars are rarely just a car.

  • @ianfrost3529
    @ianfrost3529 Рік тому +1

    I am with you I did many miles up and down the motorway in Sierras.
    But having driven bluebirds montegos caviler 405 BX 626 and carina e I must say for long term use the sierras were right up the top of the pile in terms of reliability and durability for its time.
    And they were great mile munchers.
    As a mechanic I can say another advantage of the MT75 gearbox was it was much lighter than the old box. So thankful to Ford for that.

  • @kjellhmyhre2374
    @kjellhmyhre2374 Рік тому +4

    "Everything we do is driven by you. Ford - at Dagenham" ❤

  • @ApolloFreya
    @ApolloFreya Рік тому +4

    I had a nice red sapphire 1.8 it was a great big car I found it to be very nice to drive looking at your one it really doesn’t looked that dated it still looks nice

  • @johnjtm1097
    @johnjtm1097 Рік тому +2

    The sound of the car! The memories came flooding back when you started the engine at 13:53 Steph. My Dad's Montego was just the same. They were also the kind of sounds I would make when playing with my toy cars as a child.

  • @angrymuffinsb
    @angrymuffinsb Рік тому

    My grandad had one of these when I was a child. Happy memories. I miss him 🥹

  • @michaelsalt5371
    @michaelsalt5371 Рік тому +2

    Many years ago my service vehicle was a 1.8 estate . The amount of equipment you could get in was amazing

  • @wightangel
    @wightangel Рік тому +4

    Never saw the fascination in putting a boot onto a hatchback and keeping the same name. At least when they put a boot on the Escort they had the decency to give it the name ' Orion', by still calling the Sapphire a Sierra was just pure laziness. In fact, I just refer it them as the Ford Sapphire. The Cosworth Sapphire was an absolute work of art and was the car to strive for back in the day. On that note, I actually preferred the Rover 620Ti, it was a sleeper car that gave the Cosworth a run for its money ( also had a nicer interior).

    • @monk3yboy69
      @monk3yboy69 Рік тому +2

      It was called Ford Sapphire in South Africa.
      Sierra was the hatch.

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  Рік тому +2

      Fair enough

  • @glynjones2540
    @glynjones2540 Рік тому +5

    I used plenty of these in the '80s/early 90s. The worst was the 2 litre twin cam - plenty of go but awful vibration through the throttle pedal and gear lever. Pinto engines were what you would expect but I liked the late CVH engined cars which were much more refined than similarly engined Escorts.

  • @graemew7001
    @graemew7001 Рік тому +6

    I got to drive the 1.8 estate and P100 pick up back in the day but the exact model you're driving here was always my favourite. I loved the styling of the Sapphire and with that trim level and engine combo it was spot on for me.

  • @manofbeard
    @manofbeard Рік тому +1

    I had three Sierra’s over the years and loved them all. Good cars of their time.

  • @jameskrell4392
    @jameskrell4392 Рік тому +2

    I only ever had one, a 2ltr twin cam, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. My favourite car from the 70’s? I had a Peugeot 504, magnificent car.

  • @markthomas5914
    @markthomas5914 Рік тому +1

    Loved the car , had one as a taxi back in the 90,s and swear the mileage went around the clock several times

  • @simonhodgetts6530
    @simonhodgetts6530 Рік тому +16

    I think you need to thank Vauxhall/Opel for the uplift in Ford’s build quality - the mk2 Cavalier really showed up how dated the Cortina had become, and it had German build quality on its side. I remember the Sapphire well - they were everywhere once upon a time - a very popular fleet car, and in higher spec versions, very well appointed inside.

    • @johnm0jfe
      @johnm0jfe Рік тому

      I had every shape of mk2 cavalier and loved them all.

    • @viaflo11
      @viaflo11 5 місяців тому

      Don't forget fords were also manufactured in Cologne..and certainly were comparable in build quality to Opel.

  • @gerrywatson261
    @gerrywatson261 Рік тому +5

    Always a great long distance drivers car with any engine above 1.8ltr.
    Looks definitely got better with age although it was too late by that time as Vauxhall had released the mk3 Cavalier!

  • @wessmith3161
    @wessmith3161 Рік тому +2

    The Sierra Sapphire was totally outclassed by most of its rivals in the day but I would love one nowadays.

  • @rdsreference
    @rdsreference Рік тому +3

    Another brilliant review Steff and your looking fantastic. That Sierra is a lovely colour combo I must say. I agree with you on the smell it's a memory capsule 😊. The 405 would make a great comparison.

  • @andrewd511
    @andrewd511 Рік тому +4

    I had three of these in my teen years. All were basically end of life when I got them and had many issues. Drove so nicely though. Would of been great if I had of been able to afford a good one. Thanks for another great video.

    • @rogermouton2273
      @rogermouton2273 Рік тому +2

      It would also have been great if you'd have been able to.

    • @Zeem4
      @Zeem4 Рік тому

      I had a C-reg 1.6 Laser that was really end-of-life, loads of problems but it still drove nicely. I ended up scrapping it because it wouldn't start and I had nowhere to keep it, and it wasn't worth fixing. The wheels rubbed the inner wings on full lock (bodged steering rack repair by previous owner) and it poured petrol out of the filler on a sharp left turn.

  • @danieleregoli812
    @danieleregoli812 Рік тому +4

    Excellent video as always. Love the Sapphire.

  • @mr-wx3lv
    @mr-wx3lv Рік тому +6

    I'd have one of those at a drop of a hat now. Good sensible car, quite nice looking and a good drive. Thanks Steph..

  • @64bakes
    @64bakes Рік тому

    Know exactly what you mean when you were filled with nostalgia in the Sierra. My Grandad had an earlier 2 litre Ghia and I still remember the interior smell! Also remember being picked up from school in my mate's Dad's magenta Sapphire. Lots of good memories!

  • @MrSupercar55
    @MrSupercar55 Рік тому +2

    The Sierra appears to have stood the test of time remarkably well. The interior looks comfortable and spacious, the bodywork looks surprisingly aerodynamic and even the boot looks like it could easily hold all the luggage you could ever want to shove in there.

    • @ianmangham4570
      @ianmangham4570 Рік тому

      So refreshing to see a nice car with personality instead of the usual little plastic box type car 🚗 😮🤟🇬🇧

  • @gerbertperson
    @gerbertperson Рік тому +2

    Wonderful video as always Steph! Drive dad’s car is such a cool concept. It would be great if we had something akin to that here in the U.S.

  • @ListerDavid
    @ListerDavid Рік тому +1

    My cousin had a Sierra Sapphire in crimson, I absolutely loved it when ever he brought my aunt and uncle came over to my mums when I was a kid.

  • @dazp6002
    @dazp6002 Рік тому +1

    Very underrated car, Ive owned loads of cars and commercials in the past but the only one that I ever regretted selling was a P100 pickup. It came with a horrible vinyl interior which I replaced with a Ghia interior. H667 LSG if I remember correctly

  • @barryjackson8512
    @barryjackson8512 Рік тому +4

    Great video as usual. Sierra is a fantastic. Owned a few over the years. I’d love another. Just very expensive

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  Рік тому +3

      Oh gosh I know! I looked em up on eBay. It’s a no from me at those prices

    • @julienbee3467
      @julienbee3467 Рік тому

      What price do they ask ?

  • @urbanmining2
    @urbanmining2 Рік тому

    I was taken to school in one of these, I still remember the reg plate G639 OPN. Dad had a C reg one before it with a very similar reg number!

  • @marksenior9220
    @marksenior9220 Рік тому +4

    I had an e plate 1.8lx which rusted to death. My dad had a f plate sapphire when I passed my test in 92. Having the fuel gauge permanently on was great when filling it back to the level it was on when I borrowed it😅

    • @andycooke6231
      @andycooke6231 Рік тому +2

      My F reg glx 2.0 hatchback just melted away, boot catch area, bonnet frame work, lower rear wing, door tops and plenty more just rusted away, dealer said it was to do with cheap eastern European steel.

  • @Tony11806
    @Tony11806 8 місяців тому

    My dad bought a Sierra Sapphire 2 litre LX automatic in about 1991 when the car was about three years old and my dad kept driving the car until he died in 2013 and I kept the car and its been sitting on the driveway of my house ever since. I used to regularly start the car to keep it running but then left it for a few years and I couldn't get it started again. My dad drove the car for about 22 years and nothing went wrong with the car in 22 years and my dad used to say what a good car its been.

  • @philhawley1219
    @philhawley1219 Рік тому +5

    An old bloke I knew always said "Ford make rubbish but no-one makes better rubbish than Ford." A perverse anti- logic. Personally I never thought much about their cars, but I liked their tractors and the old Transits.

    • @ScubaSteveM45
      @ScubaSteveM45 Рік тому +1

      Ford vans and trucks are great, their cars are just ehhh so he's right in that regard

    • @GlamStacheessnostalgialounge
      @GlamStacheessnostalgialounge Рік тому

      The cars would be fine, except they just rot like nothing else on this planet!
      I have to weld a Mk.4 Escort I just bough.

  • @scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain
    @scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain 9 місяців тому

    Another brilliant review Steph, my earliest memories as a child are of my Late Grandfather owning a earlier Sierra Hatchback, so this brings back memories of me pretending to drive his Sierra. I always liked the Sapphires and liked the Wheeltrims on the GLS version.

  • @MrBobchat
    @MrBobchat Рік тому +1

    I had a Saphire and a 5 door. Loved them both

  • @garyhooper2728
    @garyhooper2728 Рік тому +1

    Thank you i was involved with the launch in uK working in Ford technical publications service and marketing a game changer compared to the cortina, i also wrote many sections in worshop manual

  • @aHumanCookiee
    @aHumanCookiee Рік тому +2

    Funny that they had "high security" locks yet you can basically steal them with a teaspoon.
    The cosworth variants were the most stolen car in Britain and most had those awful aftermarket alarms installed.

  • @pauljohnson4871
    @pauljohnson4871 Рік тому +4

    Hi Steph, this is one car that I’ve never driven. I’m fairly short. I’ve sat in a sierra and the steering wheel was in my lap

  • @CharlieFlemingOriginal
    @CharlieFlemingOriginal Рік тому +2

    I always remember as a kid if I was getting a Taxi I hoped it was a Sierra. It was so comfy and quiet.

  • @jerry4580
    @jerry4580 Рік тому +1

    I had a Sierra chasseur estate in metallic blue was a great car sold it in 2005 after 6 years never super reliable car wish I still had it

  • @That_beetle_idiot
    @That_beetle_idiot Рік тому +6

    I went to look at a few when after a car in about 1999-2000. Bought a MK3 Cavalier instead.

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  Рік тому

      Fair fair. I’d pick this I think.

    • @domfjbrown75
      @domfjbrown75 Рік тому

      ​@@idriveaclassicdouble A side for me :) Better stereo in the Ford....

  • @SAM-zt2uy
    @SAM-zt2uy Рік тому

    Can't believe I've still not been to this museum yet I pass quite often must stop by.

  • @astrobuddsy6230
    @astrobuddsy6230 4 місяці тому

    My dad bought a nearly new Sierra. J reg I think in White. 1.6 but drove very well. It was used as a wedding cars for at least 3 of my cousins.

  • @petesmith2132
    @petesmith2132 Рік тому +2

    I had a Sapphire 2 litre twin cam. It was a brilliant mile-muncher, and could be quite economical if you didn’t rag it. My wife nicknamed it ‘The Armchair’ because it was so comfortable!

  • @Fordman99.
    @Fordman99. Місяць тому

    I own a 1990 Sapphire L 1.6 pinto it’s as basic as u think not even a tachometer in it no power steering but I daily drive it and I love it my childhood dream car was a Sierra I bought it off a lad in cork he done it up and the previous owner before him bought it brand new in 1989 then registered it in 1990 and daily drove it up until 2020 when he passed away it’s just amazing and still the original engine and there as rare as hens teeth in the south of Ireland

  • @suntrespasser9684
    @suntrespasser9684 Рік тому +1

    I have one of those. Same model, different colour.

  • @arightpest3367
    @arightpest3367 Рік тому +3

    Junk I ended up with one late 80s and I hated it but the dam thing would not die lol. I would leave it unlocked with the drivers window open and no one wanted to steal the dam thing.

  • @Nine-Signs
    @Nine-Signs Рік тому +3

    My favourite car as a kid 😁, brother in law had a red one with a spoiler and darkened windows.

  • @pear7869
    @pear7869 10 місяців тому +1

    2.0iS wheel covers, think they were offered last on the 86's over here (before sapphire)
    love the normal car reviews.. idgaf how a ferrari from the 80ies drives.. this however is vastly underrated classic compared to eg a 3series bimmer.

  • @jaaaake777
    @jaaaake777 Рік тому +2

    Around the turn of the millennium I had a job driving private hire taxis around wirral, Liverpool and surrounding areas. I had a silver 1.8 lx sapphire very like this for a while, but it was an auto so not great on fuel, so got rid eventually but it was supremely comfortable to drive for long nightshifts. I note from the two telltale holes in the rear bumper, this one has also most likely been a minicab.

  • @kidcowdy1231
    @kidcowdy1231 Рік тому +6

    I would be interested to see how it compares to a MK3 cavalier now

  • @urglegurgle5807
    @urglegurgle5807 Рік тому

    At 11:00; It does look pleasingly robust, and I’m sure there are many of us who would like to sit with you and have a good feel. It’s good to have a nice tactile interior to feel more connected.

  • @bobwalsh172
    @bobwalsh172 Рік тому

    Back in the late '80s, I did a lot of long trips in hire cars - most frequently Fords and Vauxhalls, though a few other brands also cropped up. As a motorway car, the Sierra had a fault thst lay somewhere between scary and dangerous: it was aerodynamically unstable in crosswinds, and this made it a poor second-best to the Cavalier B in that role.
    Off the motorway, on open A-roads, the Cavalier B's steering was hard work, but the Sierra was a delight.
    If you ever get a chance to take a Sierra out on the open road, avoid the motorways (especially if it's windy!) and find some nice open A-roads. I can particularly recommend Carlisle to Edinburgh or vice versa - a grand day out, and you'll love the drive.

  • @steamhammer2k
    @steamhammer2k Рік тому

    I had synchromesh reverse on my ford transit van. I have to say it was an excellent feature as i was always shunting about at deliveries and you could get from 1st to reverse quickly without the crash noise.

  • @adystarkie
    @adystarkie Рік тому

    I have owned 26 of these cars , all different variations including the P100 , I love them 😊

  • @mp3_Martin
    @mp3_Martin 8 місяців тому

    I have got one too! A very late 1989, with the 2 litre DOHC unit as well, but just the base model. I don’t mind, because the DOHC is a torquey engine and it just runs really well, and an easy car to drive!
    Fantastic review of a fantastic but humble car!

  • @Steve-lb2gm
    @Steve-lb2gm Рік тому +2

    I liked them though I preferred the Cavalier. As did most people I think.

  • @Bob-nu3xe
    @Bob-nu3xe 9 місяців тому

    had the 2.0 Sapphire I tuned the engine via a kent fast road cam single 48 DOCE Dellorto carb and a adjustable cam pully, it went well great cars

  • @TheCormTube
    @TheCormTube 15 днів тому

    My Sierra Sapphire was very humble. It was a 1.6L. my first car...74bhp so not very fast and fairly sparse on kit. Did have central locking and I got an alarm fitted which gave it remote locking.

  • @bobupen6476
    @bobupen6476 Рік тому

    i had a 1.6 Sapphire in the late 80s, it was a lovely drive.

  • @neilmustow368
    @neilmustow368 Рік тому

    Lovely Sierra Sapphire Steph now a rare sight on roads in 2023

  • @lorangajapp8086
    @lorangajapp8086 Рік тому +1

    I really liked them especially with the dohc or 2.9 engines.The biggest issue was the head gasket on the dohc.

  • @chrisford4009
    @chrisford4009 Рік тому +2

    It's defo a classic I absolutely love these cars and was looking forward to watching this video when I realised thanks Stef great video

  • @interceptor-ss8kb
    @interceptor-ss8kb Рік тому

    My dad had a few sierras as company cars I always remember when he came home in one of the first mk1 mondeos his words were I didn't realise just how bad the sierra was till I drove a mondeo and for a guy who did up to 35k miles a year driving all over the country he did hundreds of thousands of miles in sierras and mondeos so knew the cars well. His favourite was a brand new at the time 2013 mk4 Mondeo estate Titanium X that was given to him as part of a retirement gift from the company he worked for, they use to joke about him always having Fords so it was a fitting gift. He still has it today.

  • @BenJ2827
    @BenJ2827 Рік тому +1

    I had a 4 speed 83 plate L and a 89 plate red GLS with a black spoiler -I thought I'd made it! 😀

  • @kurtoliver7334
    @kurtoliver7334 3 місяці тому

    I had a 2.0 dohc Sierra, flying machine back in the day!

  • @richardbaker1782
    @richardbaker1782 Рік тому

    My dad had an E-reg Sapphire, which was a company car. Looked lovely but the disadvantages were it was easy to be sick in and break into. The radio and a car hoover were stolen from it and was actually stolen twice, in 4 months!

  • @sporkfindus4777
    @sporkfindus4777 Рік тому +2

    I always thought that these wheel covers were quite retro and 70s looking for the late 80s/early 90s.
    My grandmother had an earlier Sierra estate with the square pod-like headlights.
    Ford switchgear from this era was almost military grade - very utilitarian and durable, robust - so I wouldn't worry too much about breaking it.
    I will say that I have two cars from 2007 and 2008 respectively, and my dad's car is 2008, and they each have their own distinctive smell, so it's nice that these sensory connections and recollections will be with us for some time.

  • @Craig-xr1bw
    @Craig-xr1bw Рік тому

    I am 36 I’ve had 3 sierras and had a mk3 capri since I was 18, and I have a mk3 cortina, sierras have to be my favourite, drive modern, look classic, steer from the rear

  • @alwAudio
    @alwAudio 4 місяці тому

    I had a later model 1.8, an utterly dependable and reliable workhorse. The smoked rear lights really improved the looks in my view. It got written off after someone ran into it overnight when parked, otherwise we'd have run that car for many more years had that not happened. Ridiculously cheap to run.

  • @FrontDesk-bk4rg
    @FrontDesk-bk4rg Рік тому

    These were sold in the US at Lincoln/Mercury dealers as the MURKER XRTI4 XRTI Turbo (1985-1889) and the MURKER Scorpio 4 door (1988-1989)

  • @allanmollison6971
    @allanmollison6971 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for sharing Steph, really appreciated it. 😊👍

  • @Petelmrg
    @Petelmrg Рік тому +2

    We had a 2.0 GLSi in the mid-nineties for towing - which it did brilliantly, but it had no power steering which was really disappointing. The seats were dreadful on long-distance journeys, two things that spoilt it really.

  • @edwardlloyd1516
    @edwardlloyd1516 Рік тому +2

    I've had loads of them. They were good cars. The XR4x4 was my favourite.

  • @peskyparttimers8239
    @peskyparttimers8239 Рік тому

    Only ever drove one, that was in an "all Sierra" banger meeting in the late 90's. The things were so weak they had to run in their own class, Bluebirds and even Cortina's would flatten a Sierra! Twin cam 8 valver with a boot was quite a nice car though. Mondeo on the other hand was harder than a coffin nail...

  • @OwainPreece-ie6bb
    @OwainPreece-ie6bb 16 днів тому

    Sierra's are great. They drive really well even the lesser models. Sharp steering, good chassis and forgiving. Probably why it was a Touring Car/Rally success. This 2.0 GLS probably best all rounder.

  • @roygardiner2229
    @roygardiner2229 Рік тому +2

    Great review! When the Sierra first came out I did not like its appearance at all. "Jelly mold" was an apt description.
    However, the points you made about the interior details and the overall build quality have rather changed my preconceptions about the Sierra.

  • @jimlondon6566
    @jimlondon6566 Рік тому +2

    As others have mentioned, in South Africa the Sapphire was sold as a separate model with no Sierra badging at all. In 1982, production of the Essex 3.0 litre engine was transferred from Dagenham to Port Elizabeth. It was available in the GLX and XR models (and previously in Cortinas). Before runout, the 3.0L was also available with fuel injection in the XR6i.
    The Sierra and Sapphire were replaced (in South Africa) first by the Ford Telstar, and then Mondeo followed a few years later. The Sapphire was initially assembled in Port Elizabeth but in 1985, production was moved to the Silverton factory in Pretoria. This factory now only assembles the Ranger pickup and Everest SUV.
    I drove several Sapphires as company cars in the UK and South Africa, and personally owned a 3.0L GLX for 12 years.
    The Sierra estate was the only variant sold in New Zealand and for a while it was the top seller there.
    Sierras & Sapphires were also assembled in Venezuela and some models were fitted with the Cologne 2.8L V6. They were also had air-conditioning, long before it became an option in Europe.

    • @Sqnutt
      @Sqnutt Рік тому +1

      The fuel injected Essex was badged as Sierra 3.0i RS, it was also used in the Sapphire Ghia. At the very end of production Ford South Africa made 150 Sapphire 3.0i RS' these cars had modified engines and produced 170hp and also came standard with ABS brakes

  • @TheM5Dog
    @TheM5Dog Рік тому +1

    I was a serial Sierra owner after I passed my test. First car in 1999 was a 1991 H 2.0 Twin Cam Sapphire GLS. Ended up as a kind of Cossie rep with an RS2000 16v engine installed.
    Had an XR4i, 3 XR4x4's and then moved onto a Sapphire RS Cosworth in 2002. I had another 1.8 Sapphire (cvh 🤮) and then another Sapphire RS Cosworth, but in 4x4 flavour. Would love another one.

  • @philiplimerick2794
    @philiplimerick2794 Рік тому

    When I sat in an older Ford. Be that a Cortina, Anglia, Escort, Capri, Sierra, Granada it didn't matter. It was like putting on my favourite slippers. Just so comfortable in the familiar Ford. Until the Mondeo. From then on I never really had that liking for Fords. I did have a Focus 2.0 I liked that but it lacked that familiar feeling.

  • @Luton-Mick
    @Luton-Mick 5 місяців тому

    I had a Sapphire Cosworth back in 96, still wish I had it so I could pay the mortgage the off! Wonderful cars.