Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth: Spotted

Liked Monday's Carpool? Then boy, have we got a treat for you...

By Alex Robbins / Thursday, 11 April 2013 / Loading comments

There are plenty of PHers out there who love the idea of a tidy Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, if the reaction to last Monday’s

Carpool

was anything to go by. Neal Ferguson’s super-clean two-wheel drive model certainly had forumites drooling over its originality; it seems the Sapphire is finally shaking off its reputation as ‘the least desirable Cossie’, and with prices on the up-and-up, there’s no doubt that it’ll soon join its

Escort

and

three-door

brethren at or around their somewhat lofty price points.

Lack of history is this Saph's only downside

Which makes it something of a joy to note that you can still buy a clean Sapphire for reasonable money.

This one

seems like a prime example. Finished in metallic Flint Grey, arguably one of the more desirable Sapphire colours, it’s another two-wheel driver, just like Neal’s. Whether that’s a better bet than the four-wheel drive version depends on who you ask, but the general consensus is that the former’s more exciting thanks to its tail-happy disposition and lighter weight, while the latter’s more usable thanks to its extra grip.

Horses for courses, then, but one thing that can’t be disputed is this car’s provenance. It’s had just one owner throughout its entire 23-year life, a rare treat for those that value such things, and comes with reasonable mileage and a full MOT. The one thing you’ll have to do without, mind, is any form of service history, but the owner makes the point that he does his servicing and repairs himself, hence the lack of any invoices. What’s more, he’s changed the oil every 6,000 miles. Seems responsible enough, and of course the beauty of a Cosworth is that a dog that hasn’t been well-tended should stick out like a sore thumb, so if it runs like a dream and feels tight to drive it’s a fair bet that the owner isn’t telling porkies.

Untouched engine a sight for sore eyes

What’s more, it’s priced to factor in that lack of history: £5,450 might not sound cheap for an old Sierra, especially when five years ago it’d have bought you a fairly sweet example, but nowadays it’s close to the bottom of the market; indeed, this is the cheapest Saph on PH at the moment, and if it’s as straight and original as it looks, seems like a pretty good deal, especially when you consider that prices are only going to rise. Knock on his door armed with five large, buy on condition, and we reckon you could come away with a true blue oval icon that shouldn’t break the bank.

FORD SIERRA SAPPHIRE COSWORTH
Engine: 1,993cc 4-cyl turbo
Power (hp): 204@6000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 204@4500rpm
MPG: 35 (extra-urban)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1990
Recorded mileage: 106,777
Price new: £19,500
Yours for: £5,450