RE: Ford Fiesta XR2 | PH Auction Block
Discussion
ArnageWRC said:
Nice - simple, light and brings a bit of nostalgia. Not an oversized screen in sight......
You always get comments on threads like this from people trying to be smart arses "they were rubbish, over rated, death traps, etc". Completely missing the point of these cars.....
Agreed.You always get comments on threads like this from people trying to be smart arses "they were rubbish, over rated, death traps, etc". Completely missing the point of these cars.....
I love classic cars and I'm so glad they exist.
Limpet said:
cerb4.5lee said:
However I'd imagine that if I drove either of those today I'd be in a world of disappointment though. Or perhaps I'm just a bit too old and grumpy now in fairness.
I think that applies to a lot of stuff we lusted after years ago.I'm happy to leave a lot of this old stuff as fond memories to be honest.
This Fiesta will be fun to drive, some people need to remember that instead of just looking at the numbers.
wistec1 said:
A Sunbeam Lotus would eat one of these before the first corner.
You don’t say!!How much is one of those going for these days?
35 grand plus in the same condition as this fiesta? I’d dare to suggest the sunbeam lotus needs more specialist work when it goes wrong.or is it as reliable as a Ford crossflow engine?
You’re comparing apples and oranges mate
Edited by and31 on Friday 24th May 20:24
TwigtheWonderkid said:
A white Mk1 XR2 was my first ever decent car, A404 JNF. I replaced it after a couple of years with a Mk3 XR3i, which was miles better, although they are not as well thought of these days as the Mk1 XR2.
SimilarI had a black one NHY88Y as my first car (spoilt idiot tbh)
Compared to my peers (MG metros etc) I was very lucky,
Great little car is my memory. I had a white mk2 afterwards and I dont recall fond memories of it.
3795mpower said:
Black examples didn’t have all that sliver nonsense on the sills and rocker panels.
Lighter colours (such as red) had contrasting black sills.
How many people commenting they are crap actually drove or lived with one
Back in the day ?
My mate had one and it always felt nippy and fun.
It was 2-3 seconds quicker to 60 than the average family saloon at the time.
Sophisticated no, fun yes.
Lighter colours (such as red) had contrasting black sills.
How many people commenting they are crap actually drove or lived with one
Back in the day ?
My mate had one and it always felt nippy and fun.
It was 2-3 seconds quicker to 60 than the average family saloon at the time.
Sophisticated no, fun yes.
3795mpower said:
Black examples didn’t have all that sliver nonsense on the sills and rocker panels.
Lighter colours (such as red) had contrasting black sills.
How many people commenting they are crap actually drove or lived with one
Back in the day ?
My mate had one and it always felt nippy and fun.
It was 2-3 seconds quicker to 60 than the average family saloon at the time.
Sophisticated no, fun yes.
I never had one although I did drive my Mums' 1.1S a fair bit after she bought it in 1979.Lighter colours (such as red) had contrasting black sills.
How many people commenting they are crap actually drove or lived with one
Back in the day ?
My mate had one and it always felt nippy and fun.
It was 2-3 seconds quicker to 60 than the average family saloon at the time.
Sophisticated no, fun yes.
But I had a MK2 RS2000, test drove an XR3 5-speed (non i) was underwhelmed so then I bought a Capri 2.8i back in 1984 so the MK1 XR2 went under the radar for me.
2.8i Capri was more like 5/6 seconds quicker to 60 than the average family saloon!
But nearly 3 seconds slower than what I have now which was way cheaper than a 2.8i Capri is now, and drives so much better in every way.
Which is why for me 80s cars are best left in the 80s.
Despite having owned numerous Fords, mainly fast ones, since 1969 I never managed an XR2. I did have a 1978 1.1S for a couple of years before it rotted away. However I have driven an early XR2 a lot in more recent years. My mate bought a farmhouse not far from Le Mans in 2000 and we went every year until recently at least once, wether to LM 24 Hours, CLM or as a base for more distant touring trips with our local Lotus club.
The house over the road was in a derelict state and had an XR2 in the garage(which looked reasonable considering there was a tree growing through the roof) When the new owners started renovating the place they told my mate he could have the car otherwise they’d get it taken away. He quickly got it dragged over to his yard with some local help. A day later with brakes freed off, new fluids and a bit of fettling it was running! Luckily there was no animal infestation. We had years of fun in it on the local backroads, especially with it being a left hooker. Unfortunately with the march of time my mate recently sold the house and the XR2 and his 2CV (another great fun motor) went to a local enthusiast. Happy memories.
The house over the road was in a derelict state and had an XR2 in the garage(which looked reasonable considering there was a tree growing through the roof) When the new owners started renovating the place they told my mate he could have the car otherwise they’d get it taken away. He quickly got it dragged over to his yard with some local help. A day later with brakes freed off, new fluids and a bit of fettling it was running! Luckily there was no animal infestation. We had years of fun in it on the local backroads, especially with it being a left hooker. Unfortunately with the march of time my mate recently sold the house and the XR2 and his 2CV (another great fun motor) went to a local enthusiast. Happy memories.
My first brand new car was a Y reg XR2, bought from Dees of Croydon for, IIRC, £5600.
I drove it about 5 miles back to my parents' house to check it over before heading home to Milton Keynes. I discovered that the spare wheel was missing, so detoured to the dealer on my way home. Got rear-ended in traffic near Fairfield halls.
Needed a new rear quarter, rear valance, bumper and hatch. Also a front bumper and a pair of spotlights, as I got shunted into the car in front.
Car was never right, traded it in against a new XR3i.
I drove it about 5 miles back to my parents' house to check it over before heading home to Milton Keynes. I discovered that the spare wheel was missing, so detoured to the dealer on my way home. Got rear-ended in traffic near Fairfield halls.
Needed a new rear quarter, rear valance, bumper and hatch. Also a front bumper and a pair of spotlights, as I got shunted into the car in front.
Car was never right, traded it in against a new XR3i.
I bought my first car in 1991- it was a Fiesta XR2 mk2- a D reg 1987.
It was a rocketship compared to my dads Volvo 343DL but, even then, its engine was rough, sketchy gear change, had to be careful on the limit and not that quick, even back then.
Would i have another? Absolutely!!
I had six years of fun motoring and living with it and, i still don't think id have the balls now, to take a local DC bend at 80mph that i did in the XR2!!
It was a rocketship compared to my dads Volvo 343DL but, even then, its engine was rough, sketchy gear change, had to be careful on the limit and not that quick, even back then.
Would i have another? Absolutely!!
I had six years of fun motoring and living with it and, i still don't think id have the balls now, to take a local DC bend at 80mph that i did in the XR2!!
lord trumpton said:
Mysstree said:
For the guide price you could get a really nice ST-3 which will be better in every way.
Now take the ST-3 running gear and stick it in this as a Q car would be great.
This should have been a restomod not restoration.
That's not the point though is it?Now take the ST-3 running gear and stick it in this as a Q car would be great.
This should have been a restomod not restoration.
clockworks said:
My first brand new car was a Y reg XR2, bought from Dees of Croydon for, IIRC, £5600.
I drove it about 5 miles back to my parents' house to check it over before heading home to Milton Keynes. I discovered that the spare wheel was missing, so detoured to the dealer on my way home. Got rear-ended in traffic near Fairfield halls.
Needed a new rear quarter, rear valance, bumper and hatch. Also a front bumper and a pair of spotlights, as I got shunted into the car in front.
Car was never right, traded it in against a new XR3i.
Almost the same here, I got one from Searle of Worthing, Sunburst red with climate pack. got it in the July before the registration plate change to "A" reg,i only paid around £4700 for it discounted for a July reg. Crashed it 8 months later, non fault, it was written off, but was then rebuilt as the guy contacted me for the service books. It was YYJ 201YI drove it about 5 miles back to my parents' house to check it over before heading home to Milton Keynes. I discovered that the spare wheel was missing, so detoured to the dealer on my way home. Got rear-ended in traffic near Fairfield halls.
Needed a new rear quarter, rear valance, bumper and hatch. Also a front bumper and a pair of spotlights, as I got shunted into the car in front.
Car was never right, traded it in against a new XR3i.
Then I got an1984 MG Metro big mistake that was.
BenS94 said:
I agree, the above would spoil it - I'd just go with a 1.25 or 1.4 Zetec engine and gearbox from the 2000s - they would be a better idea - similar power output etc, just smoother, more reliable and easier to live with.
Why would it be “smoother “ ? More reliable than a crossflow engine? Easier to live with? Really?and31 said:
BenS94 said:
I agree, the above would spoil it - I'd just go with a 1.25 or 1.4 Zetec engine and gearbox from the 2000s - they would be a better idea - similar power output etc, just smoother, more reliable and easier to live with.
Why would it be “smoother “ ? More reliable than a crossflow engine? Easier to live with? Really?5 speed gearbox. Smooth, free revving, reliable aluminium engine.
BenS94 said:
Sorry, I forgot some people still live in the 1980s with rose tinted glasses on.
5 speed gearbox. Smooth, free revving, reliable aluminium engine.
Isn't the whole point of this one the originality and reliving that experince...also, take a look at the engine bay; the simplicity of the X flow would be impossible to replicate with a modern lump, and all the ancillaries it needs to be smoother. It's not really a resto mod is it...5 speed gearbox. Smooth, free revving, reliable aluminium engine.
and31 said:
Limpet said:
cerb4.5lee said:
However I'd imagine that if I drove either of those today I'd be in a world of disappointment though. Or perhaps I'm just a bit too old and grumpy now in fairness.
I think that applies to a lot of stuff we lusted after years ago.I'm happy to leave a lot of this old stuff as fond memories to be honest.
This Fiesta will be fun to drive, some people need to remember that instead of just looking at the numbers.
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