Sierra vs Sierra

[scaryoldcortina]

A series of random events has led to me owning two 1991 Mercury Grey Ford Sierras. Obviously, this is (at least) one too many so one of them is getting sold to the next person to wave some cash in my direction. Problem is, which one do I keep?

 

Car 1 - 1800 LX sapphire

Good points -

Reliable (so far)

Already on disabled tax

CVH engine is easy to change the timing belt/head gasket on.

Has a CD player fitted (by me)

Pulls well for a CVH

I like a car with a boot.

 

Bad points

Crunches second and third gears - worn synchro on the type 9 box.

Some minor rusting to NSR quarter

No wheeltrims

MoT until sometime next week

Needs rear subframe bushes for said MoT

One of the back speakers makes "fart" noises instead of music

It's still a CVH

 

Car 2 - 2000i ghia hatchback

Good points

It's a ghia so more toys/comfier seats/alloys

Goes like the clappers too

MoT until september

Recent clutch change and a 2 owner full history (including the original jennings invoice)

Original "Ford sound" stereo.

A hatchback could be useful until I get the van fixed.

 

Bad points

Taxed to the end of the month (not really a problem..)

Some rust - drivers door bottom and passenger side rear arch.

2000 DOHC is fine when it works but really, really expensive if the chain tensioner lets go. PITA to change too.

No code for stereo, harder to hack CD player into because of separate amp

 

Other than that, nothing really to choose between them. I suspect the fuel economy will be about the same too. So, which do I keep?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

The Ghia. I bet it's a nicer place to be in, plus, if you 're planning to keep it for long, the history could enhance its value in 5 years' time when it'll firmly be in classic territory.

[wackywacerwill]

I like a Sierra but... They're just not Cortinas are they. Get shot and drive one of your other vehicles with far more style and panache

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Defo the Ghia, it sounds like a nicer machine all round, plus the 5-door loks much better than the 4 door

[scaryoldcortina]

I like a Sierra but... They're just not Cortinas are they. Get shot and drive one of your other vehicles with far more style and panache

 

Don't worry, this is just the "running the missus around in something vauguely sensible looking" car. Both Cortinas and a Capri are on the keep list already

[Vin]

Read the thread title and I thought DUTTON vs FORD...

 

Dutton everytime

[Richard]

No code for stereo, harder to hack CD player into because of separate amp

 

Don't you have a code calculator? Post the serial number up and somebody will tell you the code.

[Albert Ross]

Keep the Ghia, and I will swap you the Scorpio for the other one.....

[scaryoldcortina]

Richard - I do have a code calculator, but can't find my radio pins at the moment.

 

Albert - If I do that I will have 2 scorpio cosworths instead... what colour is it?

[oldford]

Keep the Ghia and change the oil and filter on it frequently to preserve the timing gear. A wire coat hanger, suitably cut and bent could be used as radio keys.

[Pete-M]

A wire coat hanger, suitably cut and bent could be used as radio keys.

 

That's a bit hedonistic, cutting up a wire coat hanger! They make excellent aerials.

 

Unused pop rivets make great radio pins.

[Barrett.in.the.USA]

I'd keep the Sierra

[oman5]

Has to be the ghia..I know the DOHC engines are not the best but they are at least economical and pull well; traditionally with Fords on the cusp of classic status it's the high spec models that will be worth the money- like for example the difference between a cortina 1600L and a 2000GXL. The 1800 cvh sierras were made in huge quantities and are pretty much worthless, a pristine one went on ebay last year for £700

[revolting peasant]

[tooSavvy]

why can't you have both?

I can see no justifiable reason for rationalising

I mean, it's not like you're -very- rational with your autoshite collection in general.

 

I suppose if it had to be one, I'd keep the sapphire. Look better & be worth ££££ in a few years.

 

yep! I like Sapphies too

 

tooSavvy

[ProgRocker]

Re: no code for the stereo on Ghia: May this thread be of assistance?

 

It is from Martin lewis's Money Saving Expert . com forum.

Ford radio codes for free.

 

Hope this helps.

 

If it was my choice, heart says keep the Ghia but the LX model has less toys on it that are likely to go wrong so the LX may be the better long term option.

[Albert Ross]

It's an Ultima 24V in silver with black leather... I have considered it's condition (fair-roughish) but it's on an interesting number N-EOO, making me think it's a Factory reg. Still no Documents for it though. I keep asking, but to no avail yet. I wish it were Aubergine though.

[scaryoldcortina]

why can't you have both?

I can see no justifiable reason for rationalising

I mean, it's not like you're -very- rational with your autoshite collection in general.

 

Well, it's mainly because I spent the decorating/garden improvement money on the ghia, and haven't actually told my wife yet.

 

I wish it were Aubergine though.

Mine is a Dark Aubergine S reg, reasonable condition, hasn't run properly since the day Autofive borrowed it. I'm suspecting HG but a top set is more than the car cost so it's waiting for gaskets to get cheaper.

 

I think I'll take some comparison pics of both cars today. What's a thread without pictures?

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Convert them both into fibreglass 'vintage car' replicas.

[Richard]

[scaryoldcortina]

[oldford]

A wire coat hanger, suitably cut and bent could be used as radio keys.

 

That's a bit hedonistic, cutting up a wire coat hanger! They make excellent aerials.

 

Unused pop rivets make great radio pins.

 

It's Sunday, so I can be extravagant, especailly as it will be someone eleses coat hanger

 

I did think about the aerial use, but MK 2 Sierras dont have a conventional aerial as it's built into the rear screen.

 

I'll get me coat, it's likely to be on the floor somewhere as I've run out of coat hangers.

 

Good call with the pop rivets.

[Jon]

Hey scary, I've voted and probably you'll be able to guess which one I'd prefer, though I am a shade biased since it was my name that was on the V5 last. Here it is (for Richard)in days of yore, before pikeys nicked the trims:

 

 

 

 

There's more chance that it'd be tigerbummed into an unfinished/shonky Cosworth replica, unlike the Ghia. Plus, that might make it worth a bit more in the future!

[scaryoldcortina]

Well, here's the only pictures I've taken so far of the other one.

[Lord Sterling]

I really like that Sierra Ghia. I have those exact same alloys, they came off my F-plated Ghia when I scrapped it (When I was young and stupid)

 

I'd say, if you can keep both, keep them. If I must to vote for one then it would be for the Ghia as I used to have one and am therefore quite fond of them.

[maxpower]

i voted for the ghia but now seeing the pics i prefer the lx

[autofive]

bodyshape and condition - i vote for the ghia

engine choice - i marginally favour the cvh over the tc

 

ive had a look around the ghia and its in better condition than i most of the seirras i drove in the late 90s and 2000s

[Pete-M]

Oh, the Ghia is a hatch... keep the LX, but put all the Ghia stuff into it

[Owain-328i]

Gota be the 2.0 Ghia, it was always the best all rounder back in the day. Ghia interiors are still a nice place to be, and the 2.0 still has the oomph to hustle it along nicely.

 

The 1.8 cvh in the other one is a wheezy old unit, only 90bhp same as the 1600's, alrite in a mk2 fiesta, but not enough in a Sierra.

 

Ghia all the way

[RichL]

Voted for the Ghia... But I'd be happy with either of them sat on my driveway