Ford proficiency

I had intended to tell you how the editorial Ford 2-litre twin-cam Sierra 4×4 EFi has been fareing. But so good is Ford reliability that there is very little to tell. The mileage is now 31,895 and the car just goes on and on. Since it was savaged by a lady who flicked her FS0 out of a lay-by into its near-side, when an approaching car made full avoiding action impossible, necessitating replacement of two doors, I have been without the radio/cassette-player for more than six months, because the code-number has defeated two garages. The excuse is that I was supplied with an incorrect code. As it came with the car this seems unlikely, but for security reasons, Ford supply the code only to a Ford dealer. . . (What an age this is!)

So I was not to have music while I drove and I am still waiting for it to be sorted out. Otherwise, no problems. Since the aforesaid repairs the fascia read-out shows the driver’s door not closed, when in fact, it is. A minor irritation. One Pirelli P600 picked up a nail, but did not fully deflate before the local NTS did a quick repair. It cost over £7, whereas I can recall punctures setting me back but a few shillings. The 30,000-mile interim service cost £58.13, which included oil, screenwash, oilfilter, brake-cleaner and (at last!) new wiperblades. But the car wasn’t washed as it had been at the 24,000 mile service, nor was the digital clock re-set for winter time.

Between servicings, no oil is needed, prompt starts occur every time, and no failures have been experienced, not so much as a blown bulb. I do not regard this Ford as a very quiet or refined car but can forgive this for its sure-footedness of 4WD and anti-lock braking. Performance is adequate, with plenty of poke for overtaking if you use the gears, even though the engine has but eight valves, not the sixteen of the new Escorts — and never mind the Joe Soaps who flash at you as you regain your side of the road with ample space to spare. . . All told, this Ford Sierra suits me very well. They would seem to be worth investigating by those looking for practical used-car bargains, in the present economic climate, taking into account the good “green” petrol economy, the 100% dependability and endowment with most mod-cons: sunroof, central locking, thief alarm, remote boot and fuel-flap locks, digital clock, digital display, heated windscreen with inbuilt aerial, spacious interior and boot, and plenty of fascia stowages.