ford orion. opinions please?

[bub2006]

Talked the wife into getting an older car. Found a really nice looking Orion on a k plate. 60k on clock,lots of history and both keys. 1.6i pc so got the luxury of electric front Windows! What's the opinion on these fine vehicles and anything I should look for? Thanks

[trigger]

CVH or Zetec? It could be either on a K, depends if it has a smiley face or not. They are nice cars for what they are, The CVH is pretty quick with a nice engine note but valve stems tend to go and it's a bit old fashioned now, the Zetec is a nice old lump and more modern feeling IMHO.

 

The biggest thing is rust, look everywhere for it!

[bub2006]

It's the smiley face with the Chrome strip on the grill. No airbag model. Pretty sure its an early zetec efi. Intake mani has ego stamped on it.

[trigger]

I'm pretty sure all oval grill models were Zetec which isn't a bad engine, parts will be cheap and easy to get hold off and they drive well.

[overrun]

Cossie kit and Comp MO5's reqd lol.

[michael1703]

Rust in sills,rear arches,suspension turrets,door lower edges,battery tray.

 

Spares cheap,easy to work

[purplebargeken]

What he said....... ^^^

 

Nice cars, supposedly handle better than the Escort. Something to do with the rear end differences IIRC.

[michael1703]

and.... scuttle, poor drainage because of the ruber elbow doo dahs that dont let water out

[Hendry]

The only thing I can add to this that I remember from the H plate mk3 Orion my old man owned from 94 - 2000 is the speedo cable failed a few times, as did the central locking motors, the locks were weird like if you locked it from the passenger door lock the key wouldn't come out the lock same if you unlocked from the drivers door lock, also the Ford keys from that era, the kinda round bladed ones, were shite, I recall at least half a dozen twisting or snapping, particularly in the winter.

[fordperv]

great cars i had a h plate 1.6i ghia and loved it, apart from rust, dont forget the dreaded escort lower arm syndrome but its a cheap fix all round parts wise

[Faker]

Cvh 1.6i Orion, lovely

[Barry Cade]

I think the very early GL's were very handsome cars, especially in that light metallic blue- they just went downhill from there IMO.

[Cavcraft]

I always thought the early Orions were the best of the bunch. Later ones had those horrible interiors with that nasty, smelly cheap plastic.

[ProgRocker]

Ford dropped the 'Onion' badge in 1993. I owned this 1994 Escort diesel saloon during Spring & Summer 2010. For £250 (OK, £362.50 once I bought 6 months tax) and half a tank of Derv, it was quite good.

 

After bringing it home and removing the cracked 'Escort IV Bonus' wheeltrims:

1994 Ford Escort 1.8 LD diesel by ProgRocker77, on Flickr

 

Just before I traded it in:

1994 Ford Escort 1.8 LD diesel by ProgRocker77, on Flickr

[bub2006]

Went to view it today. Some slight bubbling on rear arches and on one front wing. No rust or corrosion underneath,inner arches,bonnet edge,or in the spare wheel well. No central locking. Apparently it don't have it but its got power steering and electric windows. One previous owner with full history and all old mot certificates

[purplebargeken]

Buy it!!!!!!!

[bub2006]

He won't take no less than 280!! 12 month ticket 1 month tax. Just had cambelt and service

[Cavcraft]

*Any.

 

 

 

 

 

£280 and you're still on here debating it? Get it bought, man.

[In The Pit]

Thats a good price at £280 with full MOT and one months rent. Remember that it'll weigh in at around £180.  I'd waxoil it underneath and inside doors/sills etc and then enjoy it.  Surprisingly there is very little interest in the Orion (yet) especially the MKIII so its well worth keeping.

[Faker]

£280!!!! Seriously!!!! Wtf man get her bought! Nice find.

[trigger]

I can't believe you've gone home of to think about it over £280! That's a night out in some places. Just buy, run it for a year and if it fails miserablely on the next mot (which i doubt) you'll get most your money back from scrapping it.

[bub2006]

Money. As stupid as it seems we have nothing. Bought another car though. New thread coming!