Ford Saphire Cosworth ('88)
Discussion
Having driven a few in my time, the Sapphires have been better to drive, the 3 doors are a bit less civilised, slightly different set up. Most by now will have had a degree of tinkering so the differences will vary depending on what has been done.
Unless you really need a 3 door in your life, it is hard to justify the extra asking price but it depends on what you want from the car and your budget.
Best, if unhelpful advice I can give is, drive both and see what you think.
Unless you really need a 3 door in your life, it is hard to justify the extra asking price but it depends on what you want from the car and your budget.
Best, if unhelpful advice I can give is, drive both and see what you think.
LanceRS said:
Had a couple of days off work this week and I've enjoyed using it as my daily again. I'd almost forgotten how usable it is (still terrified to leave it parked out of my sight though).
Is there anyone else on here still using one?
No reason why not. Just maintain them sensibly and upgrade the fan and fuel pump looms and they're good to go. You can change the clutch to hydraulic operation if you do a lot of traffic work.Is there anyone else on here still using one?
Thousands of people used them as dailies when they were new plus they're quite practical - big boot, folding rear seats etc
DougMcC said:
I'm looking to replace my Capri with a Sierra Cosworth next year. Has anyone owned both a 3 door and an early Sapphire? Apart from the desirability and price difference the 3 doors command, is there really that much difference between them?
Yes, good advice as ever on the driving bit to decide.LanceRS said:
Having driven a few in my time, the Sapphires have been better to drive, the 3 doors are a bit less civilised, slightly different set up. Most by now will have had a degree of tinkering so the differences will vary depending on what has been done.
Unless you really need a 3 door in your life, it is hard to justify the extra asking price but it depends on what you want from the car and your budget.
Best, if unhelpful advice I can give is, drive both and see what you think.
Unless you really need a 3 door in your life, it is hard to justify the extra asking price but it depends on what you want from the car and your budget.
Best, if unhelpful advice I can give is, drive both and see what you think.
When new, Sapphire flexed a bit less than the 3-door, suspension geo was a bit different ( ARBs, damper and spring settings, roll centre, caster etc )
As said though, so many have strut braces, Sapphires with 3-door front hubs, different suspension, bigger wheels/tyres - you've got to judge the cars on an individual basis as they'll all drive differently depending on mods/maintenance etc
LanceRS said:
Having driven a few in my time, the Sapphires have been better to drive, the 3 doors are a bit less civilised, slightly different set up. Most by now will have had a degree of tinkering so the differences will vary depending on what has been done.
Unless you really need a 3 door in your life, it is hard to justify the extra asking price but it depends on what you want from the car and your budget.
Best, if unhelpful advice I can give is, drive both and see what you think.
Cheers for the advice. I have no particular hankering for a 3 door over a Sapphire. My budget certainly can't stretch as far as a tidy 3 door!Unless you really need a 3 door in your life, it is hard to justify the extra asking price but it depends on what you want from the car and your budget.
Best, if unhelpful advice I can give is, drive both and see what you think.
DougMcC said:
Cheers for the advice. I have no particular hankering for a 3 door over a Sapphire. My budget certainly can't stretch as far as a tidy 3 door!
Whatever you do buy a 2 wheel drive one, they are such a laugh to drive. 4 wheel drive ones are good cars but they aren't as much fun as a 2 wheel drive.The 3 door has the motorsport heritage, the sapphire doesn't (bar a bit of rallying). Apart from that there's very little in it.
Money no object, I'd get a white 3 door, otherwise a nice Sapphire would do.
Back in the day I had a magenta 2wd Sapphire and my mate had a white 3 door. Both lovely cars. I remember what a ball ache it was trying to find a straight one back then, so I can only imagine how hard it is these days. I'm going back 15 years.
Lovely car OP and indeed the others pictured. This thread has had me checking out the classifieds as I had to sell my GT3 last month so would like some budget fun. 968 Sport, E36/46 M3 or a Sapphire are on the list now, but the 968 is winning.
To those who prefer standard, I agree to a point but the 2wds look much nicer with a 4x4 bonnet and rear lights. I'd post a pic of my old one but my photos are in storage with all my other worldly belongings.
Money no object, I'd get a white 3 door, otherwise a nice Sapphire would do.
Back in the day I had a magenta 2wd Sapphire and my mate had a white 3 door. Both lovely cars. I remember what a ball ache it was trying to find a straight one back then, so I can only imagine how hard it is these days. I'm going back 15 years.
Lovely car OP and indeed the others pictured. This thread has had me checking out the classifieds as I had to sell my GT3 last month so would like some budget fun. 968 Sport, E36/46 M3 or a Sapphire are on the list now, but the 968 is winning.
To those who prefer standard, I agree to a point but the 2wds look much nicer with a 4x4 bonnet and rear lights. I'd post a pic of my old one but my photos are in storage with all my other worldly belongings.
marky911 said:
The 3 door has the motorsport heritage, the sapphire doesn't (bar a bit of rallying). Apart from that there's very little in it.
Money no object, I'd get a white 3 door, otherwise a nice Sapphire would do.
Back in the day I had a magenta 2wd Sapphire and my mate had a white 3 door. Both lovely cars. I remember what a ball ache it was trying to find a straight one back then, so I can only imagine how hard it is these days. I'm going back 15 years.
Lovely car OP and indeed the others pictured. This thread has had me checking out the classifieds as I had to sell my GT3 last month so would like some budget fun. 968 Sport, E36/46 M3 or a Sapphire are on the list now, but the 968 is winning.
To those who prefer standard, I agree to a point but the 2wds look much nicer with a 4x4 bonnet and rear lights. I'd post a pic of my old one but my photos are in storage with all my other worldly belongings.
Have to disagree with the last point. The fitting of 4x4 lights has been done to death now. When did you last see a 2wd with it's original lights?Money no object, I'd get a white 3 door, otherwise a nice Sapphire would do.
Back in the day I had a magenta 2wd Sapphire and my mate had a white 3 door. Both lovely cars. I remember what a ball ache it was trying to find a straight one back then, so I can only imagine how hard it is these days. I'm going back 15 years.
Lovely car OP and indeed the others pictured. This thread has had me checking out the classifieds as I had to sell my GT3 last month so would like some budget fun. 968 Sport, E36/46 M3 or a Sapphire are on the list now, but the 968 is winning.
To those who prefer standard, I agree to a point but the 2wds look much nicer with a 4x4 bonnet and rear lights. I'd post a pic of my old one but my photos are in storage with all my other worldly belongings.
marky911 said:
The 3 door has the motorsport heritage, the sapphire doesn't (bar a bit of rallying).
The Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 was the Ford WRC entry in 90, 91 and 92. Quite a few privateers also raced them in BTCC from 90 to 93. Not quite as illustrious as the RS500, but the Sapphire certainly does have motorsport heritage.555 Paul said:
LanceRS said:
Have to disagree with the last point. The fitting of 4x4 lights has been done to death now. When did you last see a 2wd with it's original lights?
This is my old one 
I prefer them standard looking like this.
they look so much better than clears.marky911 said:
To those who prefer standard, I agree to a point but the 2wds look much nicer with a 4x4 bonnet and rear lights. I'd post a pic of my old one but my photos are in storage with all my other worldly belongings.
The 2wd Sapphire development car did actually have triangular bonnet vents ( and then trialled a narrower type ) but they dropped them late on as they decided they weren't necessary.
Pommygranite said:
Do they still feel quick in comparison to new cars?
A well sorted 2wd sapphire/3dr running a T34 turbo and greens, giving you around 360 (pub) / 300 (rolling road) BHP will be a lot of fun and will clock a quarter mile in 13s or so which still isn't shabby.Handling won't be on par with more recent cars, but that's part of the fun.
LanceRS said:
Yes, a bit more frantic but still quick, especially cross country. They now have the advantage of being quite small compared to modern fast cars.
And light too. My one above was 349.9bhp on the dyno and in a straight line it was quicker than my E46 M3, in the bends the M3 would have the edge though.555 Paul said:
And light too. My one above was 349.9bhp on the dyno and in a straight line it was quicker than my E46 M3, in the bends the M3 would have the edge though.
That's where the 4wd comes into it's own. Might not be as much fun for hooning around but as a point to point car it is deceptively rapid.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff