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long running models - tyro
The Ford Ka came out in 1996. Other than a new engine and a few changes to the interior trim, it is still pretty well identical today, and still going. Apparently it will reach 10 years in September.

Any other mainstream vehicles still in production, effectively unchanged, after 10 years? If not, what are the closest? And do models get replaced more often these days?

(Obviously the word 'mainstream' is a little difficult to define, but I realise that there will be things like Morgans which will be pretty much unchanged for a lot longer.)

long running models - Citroënian {P}
Jaguar XK8?

Lee -- Without bills, magazines and junk mail, there is no mail
long running models - Gromit {P}
Jaguar XK8?


The XJ saloon has been evolving (if that's the word) since the 1970s, even if you count the change to the current aluminium body as being a big enough evolution to count as a new model.
long running models - NickS
Rover 200, 400 series etc which morphed into Rover 25's, 45's and then MG's (ZR, ZS). Not the same badge but think everything else stayed the same ( I know MG are now non-existent but the models were current when they went belly up), must have been getting on for 15yr old models
long running models - king arthur
Rover 200, 400 series etc which morphed into Rover 25's, 45's
and then MG's (ZR, ZS). Not the same badge but think
everything else stayed the same ( I know MG are now
non-existent but the models were current when they went belly up),
must have been getting on for 15yr old models


10 years (1995 - 2005), unless you count the fact that the Rover 400 / 45 and its sibling the Honda Civic were both based on the Honda Domani which appeared in Japan in 1989, and the Rover 200 / 25 used parts including floorpan from the previous Rover 200 / Honda Concerto.

The Pug 106 ran for quite a long time in modern day terms, 1991 - 2002. The Mk 3 Fiesta went from 1989 - 1995 but then continued with slight bodywork changes in Mk 4 and Mk 5 form up to 2002.

Jaguar have had some long running models too. Of course there was the original XJ6 in series 1, 2 and 3 form from 1968 - 1986 in six cylinder form, and on to 1990 in V12 form. The replacement XJ40 went from 1986 to 1994 but the model that replaced it was a reskin based on the same underpinnings and that continued until about 2002.
long running models - Peter S
Hasn't the Ford Galaxy (and VW Sharan/Seat Alhabra) been around for a similar length of time? I seem to remember seeing some on 'N' plates with grey plastic bumpers...
long running models - ad
If we can count car derived vans, the Citroen C15 - based on the Visa - was introduced in 1984 and doesn't appear to have changed much over time. www.citroen.mb.ca/citroenet/utilities/c15/c15-1.ht...l

Andrew
long running models - Citivanvin
It's not made any more, but it was until recently. How about the Fiat Panda? Made from 1980 to 2003. Only major changes were in 1986 with the addition of FIRE engines and redesigned rear suspension. There were some minor cosmetic changes, but all in all the same style for 23 years.

UK stopped getting Pandas in 1994, as Fiat UK thought it would take sales from the new Cinquecento.
long running models - Sprice
Land Rover Defender, and maybe the Honda NSX?
long running models - MoodyGit
The one that comes to mind first is the Mazda MX5


long running models - madf
All Subaru models...:-)
madf
long running models - Adam {P}
The Vauxhall Omega was pretty long running wasn't it? 1994-2003?


long running models - Wally Zebon
Mini - 1959 to 2000
long running models - Xileno {P}
Volvo 240?
long running models - Dynamic Dave
Would the Omega count though as it had a facelift in Oct 1999?
long running models - Adam {P}
Yeah but as Tyro said, so has the Ka.

Although to be fair, unlike the Ka, the lights were changed (albeit marginally).
long running models - Dynamic Dave
the lights were changed (albeit marginally).


And bumpers, and radiator grille. Prob something else as well if I could be bothered to do some research ;o)
long running models - Adam {P}
No no - I know lots of things were changed including making the interior a lot more squarish but what I meant was that you're right :-) The facelift was a lot more "comprehensive" than that of the Ka.

long running models - madf
I understand the Morris Oxford is still alive and well in India.
The Hillman Hunter in Iran..

madf
long running models - Xileno {P}
I expect the Rover 75 if the Chinese ever get round to it.
long running models - Stuartli
I understand the Morris Oxford is still alive and well in India.

The Hillman Hunter in Iran.>>

It's because there has been no need to regularly upgrade these cars' suspensions to cope with the increasingly appalling standards of UK roads...:-))
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
long running models - BazzaBear {P}
Fiat Barchetta?
As I understand, they've just restarted production of new ones.
long running models - barchettaman
Blimey. First I´ve heard of it BB.
Can´t see whay they would restart the production as they weren´t exactly flying out of the showrooms by the end.
BTW have you seen the Saturn Sky roadster? May be they could stick a Fiat badge on it. Saw one in Canada last week, looked superb.

snipurl.com/nj2k
long running models - BazzaBear {P}
Blimey. First I´ve heard of it BB.
Can´t see whay they would restart the production as they weren´t
exactly flying out of the showrooms by the end.
BTW have you seen the Saturn Sky roadster? May be they
could stick a Fiat badge on it. Saw one in Canada
last week, looked superb.
snipurl.com/nj2k


I'm sure I read it somewhere recently, possibly a Top Gear magazine.
Unfortunately for your Saturn Sky plan, I also read something about another manufacturerbuying and re-badging that, and it wasn't Fiat. Can't remember off-hand who it was to be honest.
It's lucky this isn't a website that demands people quote their source, I'd be hopeless.
long running models - mss1tw
It's because there has been no need to regularly upgrade these
cars' suspensions to cope with the increasingly appalling standards of UK
roads...


You were probably being sarcastic, but assuming you weren't, what condition do you suppose India roads are in?
long running models - Stuartli
>>You were probably being sarcastic>>

Got it in one...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
long running models - Roberson
Production of the Hillman Hunter aka The Peykan stopped in May 2005.

The majority of manufacturers seemed to make cars which were capable of a 10 year lifespan, but I agree, this seems to be getting less. There are obvious examples like the VW Beetle (but only one part is interchangeable between the first and last of the air-cooled variety) Citroen 2CV, DS, GS, Austin Mini etc etc.

But if we look further a field, outside of the UK or even Europe, the chances are there some cars still being produced which we had seen the back of years ago. One of the most prolific manufacturers of this that I can think of (you may come up with others) is Volkswagen.

If we look at some of their past and present South American and African products we have:

- The Santana. Essentially the same car we had in the early to mid 1980s, is still going over there. It looked quite smart then, but the current model in Brazil is a little less pleasing.

- The Citi Golf. The Mk1 Golf rehashed to make it 'modern'

But perhaps the most disturbing find is this (mind your eyes): website.lineone.net/~dr.dub/vw_1500.htm We may have saw the end of it in the early 80s but the Brazilians had it until 1994!

Going off topic slightly, if you look around that last webpage, I quite like the look of the Mk 1 Gol. Why didn't we get those here?!
long running models - SpamCan61 {P}
And bumpers, and radiator grille. Prob something else as well if
I could be bothered to do some research ;o)
>> the lights were changed (albeit marginally).





I seem to remember from the advertising blurb at the time there were something like 4000 changed parts between the original & facelifted Omegas. Probably 3,900 of them were screws mind you.

Personally I'd rather stick to the original models
long running models - Ross_D
The Peugeot 504, introduced in 1968 and only recently discontinued (2004 or 2005) in South America or Iran I believe. Thats a pretty good run!!
long running models - Ross_D
The Peugeot 504, introduced in 1968 and only recently discontinued (2004 or 2005) in South America or Iran I believe. Thats a pretty good run!!

Edit: Its actually still being sold on the Peugeot Nigeria website, so it could still being produced!
long running models - Andrew-T
"do models get replaced more often these days?".

Certainly they do, if you compare cars like the Morris Minor or Mini. The Pug 205 had a good run from 1983 to 1996, but not many models survive ten years now without serious facelifting.

long running models - Gromit {P}
Original Skoda Octavia had a long run too - first one I saw was in France in Feburary 1997, and they've only withdrawn the run-out editions of it from the Irish market now.

- Gromit
long running models - Lud
I would be a bit surprised if VW Beetles weren't being made somewhere in the world as they were in Brazil and Mexico until recently. In the 70s VW even made a designed-in-Brazil special model for Nigeria, the Igala, unsuccessful and much loathed by Nigerians... looked like a bad drawing of a 411.
long running models - mr.freezer
Is the Mk1 Golf not still made in S.Africa ?

long running models - Garethj
VW Beetles were made from 1938 to 2004, that's probably the longest?

Mini was 1959 to 2000

Land Rover Defender was 1948 I think.

All cars get improved, but these 3 have evolved gradually so one from the start of production still looked like one 10 years later and so on.

We'll ignore the likes of the Toyota Corolla, which is the world's best selling badge on about 10 different cars since 1966....
long running models - local yokel
The bay-window Type 2 van/kombi is made in S America, as is a Beetle - www.beetles-uk.com

A pick-up (bakkie in local lingo)version of the 1972 Datsun Sunny is still made in South Africa.
long running models - cumfray1
Does the VW Golf count, as it's basic shape hasn't really changed, it's just got bigger?
long running models - Stuartli
it's just got bigger?>>


That could probably also apply to the Toyota Corolla.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
long running models - AlanGowdy
Neither the current Golf nor the current Corolla could be considered as merely much-facelifted versions of the originals, though the Golf comes much closer than the Corolla which has nothing in common with the 1966 original except that they both have four wheels.

The Beetle gets my vote.
long running models - tyro
Does the VW Golf count, as it's basic shape hasn't really
changed, it's just got bigger?


Well, if I'm making the rules ;-) , no it doesn't - the different Golfs may all be the same shape, but all used different body panels, looked different enough to be fairly easily distinguished, etc.

To the best of my knowledge, the Ka uses the same body panels today as when it was introduced, and to my eye, at least, the exterior of the basic Ka 2006 looks identical to that of the basic Ka of 1996.
long running models - Garethj
The bay-window Type 2 van/kombi is made in S America, as
is a Beetle - www.beetles-uk.com

Bay window van might be (from 1968), but Beetle production stopped about 2 years ago
long running models - henry k
Is the Mk1 Golf not still made in S.Africa ?

>>
Current model there is
www.vw.co.za/models/model_detail.jsp?modelName=cit...f
long running models - Sofa Spud
The Land Rover Defender really only traces back to the early 80's with the introduction of the coil-sprung chassis (90 and 110).

The name 'Defender' appeared about 10 years later when the 200TDi diesel engine was first fitted.

Previous Land Rovers - the Series I, II and III were substantially different from the coil spring models.
long running models - Vansboy
Maestro 1985 -1994, didn't do too badly - as always I'll sing it's praises, in the later years, of its run.

Or pop over to China, for the current model

www.austin-rover.co.uk/fawlubaof.htm

Stylish, or what!!!

VB
long running models - Imagos
The Ford Crown Victoria in th U.S. has had minor facelifts to lights front and rear but it's basically the same car with it's very old lazy V8's and ladder framed chassis which has been around from 18 hundred and frozen stiff.

The Lincoln Continental name has been in use IIRC since 1940 albeit in many guises.

The Daewoo nee Chevy Corvette recently celebrated 50 years.

Ok ok so they're not the same cars i know i know before you tell me!
long running models - Hugo {P}
Mk 1 Fiesta ran from 1977 to around 1984 ish, then with some very minor updates was reborne as the Mk2.

Apart from the 5 speed box option on some models, revised front end and maybe a few newer engines (not even an injection for the XR2) very little changed. Infact to underline the simplicity of the facelift, I saw in progress a MK2 front being welded onto a Mk1 shell. Everything seemed to fit together without any problems.

H
long running models - Imagos
The Cortina from Mk3 1970 to Mk5 1982 was more or less the same underneath with simular suspension and engines, but i'm not sure if there was any connection with the Mk2 or Mk1 though.

If it was it's a 20 year run.

I'm told by a friend too that the Transit van from 1965 to 2001 is virtually the same underneath just prettier bodies added on.

that's.. er, 36 years
long running models - henry k
The Cortina from Mk3 1970 to Mk5 1982 was more or less the same underneath with simular suspension and engines,

>>but i'm not sure if there was any connection with the Mk2 or Mk1 though.

Mk2 had an OHV engine IIRC it was the Kent engine.
MK4/5 had IIRC the Pinto OHC engine with various different heads as time went on.
long running models - henry k
MK4/5 had IIRC the Pinto OHC engine with various different heads as time went on.

>>Sound read ....The Sierra had IIRC the Pinto OHC engine with various different heads as time went on.

>>Mare
Wasn't the Sierra a jelly mould Cortina. That's potentially a 22 year run


The oily bits of my Sierra certainly looked very much like my previous Mk5 Cortinas apart from the gearbox.

long running models - mare
The Cortina from Mk3 1970 to Mk5 1982 was more or
less the same underneath with simular suspension and engines, but i'm
not sure if there was any connection with the Mk2 or
Mk1 though.
If it was it's a 20 year run.



Wasn't the Sierra a jelly mould Cortina. That's potentially a 22 year run

Stretching it a bit further, the Escort Cosworth was a Sierra Cosworth in drag (gross over simplification). Even longer run?
long running models - mare
The Mk 1 and MK II Cortinas were McPherson
strut front and cart spring rear. The Mk III, IV and
V were all coil sprung. The Sierra had independent rear suspension which was revolutionary for a cheap car at the time.
HJ


Ah. So no then!
long running models - cheddar
A 2002 Saab 9-3 chaasis is based on the 1988 Cavalier.
long running models - cheddar
Saab's have a chaasis ... , you knew that ...., didnt you?
long running models - cheddar
There was not really a Mk V Cortina, instead Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, Mk III facelift and Mk IV, then Sierra.

Same issue with Mondeo, the current one is known as Mk III though it should be Mk II because what is know as Mk II (1996-2000) was really only a facelift of the 1993-1996 Mk I.
long running models - henry k
There was not really a Mk V Cortina, instead Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, Mk III facelift and Mk IV, then Sierra.

>>
Not familiar with MK III facelift. I thought the MK III was 'orrible.
I did have a MK II and two facelifted Mk IVs.

The Sierra also had a big facelift and some refer to it as a MK II, which I also owned.

I have a Motor launch review of the Sierra Sapphire comparing it with the Cortina (in fact the actual Crusader that I later owned) and asking was it the new MK V Cortina?
long running models - mrmender
The Cortina from Mk3 1970 to Mk5 1982 was more or
less the same underneath with simular suspension and engines, but i'm
not sure if there was any connection with the Mk2 or
Mk1 though.


Not 100% sure here but was'nt MK 3 The odd one out & did 'nt have McPhearson strut front suspension
I think the MK3 is regardedas the worst of all the Cortina's
long running models - Lud
Not 100% sure here but was'nt MK 3 The odd one
out & did 'nt have McPhearson strut front suspension
I think the MK3 is regardedas the worst of all the
Cortina's

I think you're right mm...

Certainly the carpiest modern Ford I've driven double wishbones or no double wishbones... mind you it was a 1600 auto, probably the worst model... rusted, but the really outstanding thing about it was that it managed somehow to feel enormous from the driver's seat, unlike a proper car which should feel smaller than it is.
long running models - mrmender
Hi Lud yes i had a late model 2L MK3 appart from the fantastic ford gear change of the period it was a sloppy old thing with not many redeeming fetures
long running models - J Bonington Jagworth
"Ford Crown Victoria"

The Ford Falcon had a pretty long run, IIRC, both in the US and, later, in Oz. Don't know dates offhand, but I should think it's 25+ years.

If we're just discussing names, Toyota used to claim that their Corolla was the best-selling car ever, since the same badge had been used on a succession of vehicles! My aunt had an early one in Malawi in the late 60's that I (much) later inherited. I sold it to a local village character who wanted something to go ferreting in!

I think the basic premise that cars have shorter lives now is quite true, although that may be offset by sharing of major components such as floorpans. Citroens used to have long production runs, which always goes down well with enthusiasts.
long running models - J Bonington Jagworth
Isn't there someone in the West Country still making (assembling) Morris Minors? The Lotus/Caterham Seven hasn't changed much either - well, apart from the engine... :-)
long running models - Morgan 4/4 - Chas{P}
Surely the prize goes to Morgan with the 4/4 model?

I believe that has been produced since 1936 to date.
--
Was Charles {P} but someone c o p i e d my name with spaces.
long running models - Morgan 4/4 - helicopter
Chaz - If you read the very first post you will see we tyro was talking about mainstream models and ruled out Morgan.

The Morgan 4/4 is the oldest continuous production motor by far but is not actually a mainstream motor with a production of around 8 a week ( or is it per month or per year ? )
long running models - Morgan 4/4 - Imagos
The Mk III, IV and V were all coil sprung>>>

correct, so my post is correct too, Mk 3,4,5 Cortina are structually related.

...and to be really pedantic the Mk5 was officially known as the Cortina 80.
Cortina Mk 3 differences - henry k
The Mk III, IV and V were all coil sprung
correct, so my post is correct too, Mk 3,4,5 Cortina are
structually related.

>>
I thought there was a significant difference with the MK 3 and there is. See:

www.cortinaownersclub.co.uk/history.htm

"Cortina Mk III
Other innovations included wishbone front suspension and coil spring rear suspension."
Cortina Mk 3 differences - Sofa Spud
Fresh from searching the net - I gleaned this:

The Fiat 124 was introduced in 1966 and ran until 1974
It was made under licence in the USSR from 1973 as the VAZ 2103, which was sold here as the Lada 1200.
From what I could gather the Lada is still in production in Russia by Autovaz (not called Lada any more and not available here). I read somewhere that Autovaz will make any vehicle from the 'Lada' back catalogue to order and a look at what appears to be their single page website bears this out as there are photos of all the models past and present with a model designation. If this is the case, the Fiat 124 has been in production for 40 years.

The Fiat 124 was also produced as the Polsi-Fiat, which led on to polonez and then disappeared.

Cortina Mk 3 differences - Imagos
London taxi FX4 (old shape) or whatever it was called?

many many years I fancy.
Cortina Mk 3 differences - mare
London taxi FX4 (old shape) or whatever it was called?
many many years I fancy.


39 years - over to austin-rover.co.uk/ with you!
Cortina Mk 3 differences - cheddar
Subaru has been mentioned, just thinking though, it does seem that the current Impreza is still a derivative of the 1993 model. That is pretty long running by modern standards.
1971 to date! - Ian (Cape Town)
www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&f***icleId=232384

The nissan/datsun 1400 bakkie (pick up) still manufactured and available here!
long running models - mrmender
Glad someone resurrected this thread i was going to add something to it 1st time around but never got around to it.
Lots of people mentioned vans. Bedford HA went on to 1982 long after the car had been replaced. Was this the last vehicle on sale here to have transverse leaf spring suspension?
Surely the longest running van has to go to the LDV 200/Sherpa/Austin morris J4 all very similar certainly the rears were more or less identical to the original J4 of the early 60's
Then Ford did lots of re skins of models but kept the estate models rears the same as old. MK1 & 2 Escort estate & Vans rears were the same
So were MKI & 2 Granada estates
Cortina MK4 & 5 Too
long running models - cheddar
Cortina MK4 & 5 Too


As I said before There was not really a Mk V Cortina, instead Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, Mk III facelift and Mk IV, then Sierra.
long running models - Number_Cruncher
>>As I said before

Repeating something doesn't make it true.

long running models - cheddar
>>As I said before
Repeating something doesn't make it true.


Ignoring errors does not make them correct, likewise acknowledging smart asred remarks does not make them clever so!

The fact is that the Mk III changed much more in it's lifetime than did Mk IVs, facelift MkIV are sometimes called MkVs.
long running models - mrmender
>> Cortina MK4 & 5 Too
>>
As I said before There was not really a Mk V
Cortina, instead Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, Mk III facelift
and Mk IV, then Sierra.

Ok then front was face lifted somewhere in the model run but back of estate remained same.....OK?
long running models - machika
How long did the fwd Escort run for? Didn't start about 81/82 and end about 96/97? It didn't really change much, apart from different looking front ends.
long running models - AlastairW
Nah, the original fwd Escort/Orion only ran until 1990. From 1990 the much larger worse styled version was made until about 1997, thought this carried on as the van until about 2001.
long running models - Imagos
To end argument about the Cortina, Ford officially called the 1980 model year Cortina which incidentally was a heavily revised MK4 the 'Cortina 80'like my previous post in this thread. (always read full thread!)

So what's good enough for them is good enough for me.

So if anyone calls this the MK5 instead i'm quite sure most people will know what they're talking about, so arguing about it is rather childish..

Followed a 1999 LDV Pilot home tonight in steel grey which had an amazingly simular profile to a van featured in the 1977 movie the spy who loved me which makes 'that' a very old design.

We still have on our fleet '55' reg LDV Convoys again very simular.

long running models - Vansboy
& the LDV Pilot was indeed, once a 200 before that it was a Sherpa, all based on a late 50's - early 60's design, JU250....

www.dormobile.org.uk/austin_morris_bmc.htm

VB
long running models - cheddar
To end argument about the Cortina, Ford officially called the 1980
model year Cortina which incidentally was a heavily revised MK4 the
'Cortina 80'like my previous post in this thread. >>


Just worth saying that the 74 facelift Mk III was a much greater update (inc new dash etc) than was the 80 facelift Mk IV. In fact the 74 facelift Mk III dash was pretty much unchanged in the Mk IV and Mk IV facelift.
long running models - machika
It was much larger? It didn't look radically different to me.
long running models - machika
It certainly didn't look as different as the various forms that the Cortina appeared in.
long running models - machika
My responses are to AlastairW's comment on the fwd Escort. I forgot to include his original quote in my first reply.
long running models - Imagos
It certainly didn't look as different as the various forms that the Cortina appeared in.>>>

Ford are indeed experts in hiding old technology in new clothes.

Not that's a bad thing.. credit must be given to the engineers whose job it is to update a long in the tooth model and that applies to all car manufactuers not just Ford.
long running models - AlastairW
Yes Machika,the later Escorts were much larger. In fact they where not much smaller than the Sierra, which made it easy to create the Escort Cosworth by mixing the two.
long running models - cheddar
Nah, the original fwd Escort/Orion only ran until 1990. From 1990
the much larger worse styled version was made until about 1997,
thought this carried on as the van until about 2001.


The Escort car carried on until 2000 IIRC, X plates are common.
long running models - Avant
Just a word of thanks to Ian (Cape Town) for the link to www.motoring.co.za. I hadn't seem it before, and there was a lot to read there, including a very fair test of the Mercedes B-class.

We go to Cape Town every November and love it - it seems a long time ahead just at the moment!
long running models - Imagos
Just worth saying that the 74 facelift Mk III was a much greater update (inc new dash etc) than was the 80 facelift Mk IV>>

74MY Cortina facelift was.. er, a new dash and er..

80MY Cortina had new seats, revised carbs, new wraparound bumpers front and rear, new rear lights, new indicator design, new seats, new center console, new side mouldings, new front grille, revised plastics for glovebox and facia, air intake slots under front bumper and so on..

So there!
long running models - Number_Cruncher
I think there is even more difference Imagos - I'm fairly sure the area of glass was increased from MKIV to MKV (or Cortina 80). I don't know if this was done by slimming the pillars, or by raising the roofline, but there is a subtle yet noticable difference.


Number_Cruncher
long running models - Engineer Andy
Also worth adding to the list of long-running models - the K11 Nissan Micra (I owned one for 8 years), from 1992 - 2003. There were relatively minor body-styling changes, and a small change in engine capacity/power (1.3-1.4), but was essentially the same car underneath all the way through its lifetime.
long running models - Vansboy
& the old Micra is a Perodua Kelissia now, isn't it?

VB
long running models - jlc
No... and it's Kelisa, I believe.

Anyway, just been trawling through this thread and came across a few references to the Sierra's independent rear suspension being revolutionary for a cheap car at the time. Tell that to a Triumph Herald owner! 1959 was slightly before 1982, I think.
long running models - Number_Cruncher
Yes, but it worked *well* on the Sierra!

From the horses mouth (a *very* senior Ford engineer at the time), Ford were trying quite hard to produce a rear suspension like that of the 3 series BMW of the time.

Number_Cruncher
long running models - Pugugly {P}
ear suspension like that of the 3 series BMW of the time.

! The original 3 Series of that era was a vicious beast in the wrong hands !
long running models - Number_Cruncher
Oh, I quite agree ;-)

A well sorted 323i of that era was a real joy to drive hard - excellent engine response and tail-happy behaviour which could be easily controlled with the throttle - excellent!

Of course, driven by a throttle happy dullard, they would bite back!

Number_Cruncher
long running models - Pugugly {P}
Exactly. So I wonder why Ford wanted to emulate them ?
long running models - Altea Ego
The sierra never had the power to unsettle it so it was no problem.


------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
long running models - cheddar
The sierra never had the power to unsettle it so it
was no problem.


XR4, Cosworth, RS500, Sapphire Cosworth? Also the 88 on 125 bhp twin cams (GLS etc) were fairly lively.
long running models - Altea Ego
cobblers.

cosworths were not sierras. the xr4 was dog poo,

the xr4x4 xr6 and xr8 were something else however.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
long running models - cheddar
cobblers.
cosworths were not sierras. the xr4 was dog poo,
the xr4x4 xr6 and xr8 were something else however.


The XR4 looked like dog poo, would have been much better with the "L" 3dr shell as the Cosworth later used (which was of course a Sierra) however it handled very tidily and could have done with another 30 bhp or so.

The XR4x4 had the most sophisticated 4x4 system of the time, all viscous coupled.
long running models - Altea Ego
The xr4x4 was a very sweetly balanced machine indeed. How it never got developed into other ford ranges in the future is beyond me.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
long running models - cheddar
The xr4x4 was a very sweetly balanced machine indeed. How it
never got developed into other ford ranges in the future is
beyond me.



It did, there was a 4x4 Sierra estate and a 4x4 Granada / Scorpio all using the same system, after which they went FWD, there was also 4x4 MkI Mondeo though a different system due the FWD plaftorm.
long running models - bell boy
i thought they were dangerous especially if you hit a pothole mid corner i did,
i picked one up an auto 1600 and was returning to work in the thing and it fair caught me out
--
\"a little man in a big world/\"
long running models - Number_Cruncher
The engineering team initially set the Sierra up to handle in a sharp way, but they were over-ruled (I don't know which department), and had to detune the suspension and steering to make it more palatable for Joe and Jane public.

They also found out along the way how BMW's materials choices weren't always technically superior - or even appropriate!

Number_Cruncher
long running models - cheddar
74MY Cortina facelift was.. er, a new dash and er..
80MY Cortina had new seats, revised carbs, new wraparound bumpers front and rear, new rear lights, new indicator design, new seats, new center console, new side mouldings, new front grille, revised plastics for glovebox and facia, air intake slots under front bumper and so on..
So there!


The MkIII facelift had a completely new dash assembly that was carried forward into the Mk IV and Mk IV facelift (80's if you prefer), plus new seats, door trims, lights, front grill and a new engine!, the 1.6 xflow was replaced by a 1.6 version of the 2.0 Pinto, these engines were carried forward until the Sierra came along in 82 and beyond.

Ner ner na ner ner!

long running models - Civic8
Only two half decent Cortinas they made was MK2 and 3,Sierra was biggest load of rubbish they made.
IMO they could have produced better than that,but IIRc cosworth was based on sierra spec but upgraded body suspension chassis to take engine and drive.
Cosworth based cars were better than Sierra for drive and drivability but still lacked in handling,not forgetting high accident rates with these cars,but would put that down to driver not car?
--
Steve
long running models - mrmender
what you been drinking?
long running models - cheddar
2WD Cosworths handled very well, 4WD Sapphire was superb.
long running models - Altea Ego
2wd cosworths handled like, well I would have called it a sierra fifi. Like my dog.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
long running models - cheddar
2wd cosworths handled like, well I would have called it a
sierra fifi. Like my dog.


What have you been drinking?
long running models - Imagos
Sierra was biggest load of rubbish they made.>>

cobblers.
long running models - blue_haddock
I can't believe how wound up you lot are getting over cortina's and sierra's!

Anyone would think your discussing mondeo TDCi's!
long running models - Altea Ego
cobblers
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
long running models - cheddar
Wound up?, no idle musing over distant memories.
long running models - Adam {P}
Very distant.
long running models - Altea Ego
I see the baby has woken up for his evening feed
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
long running models - Imagos
I can't believe how wound up you lot are getting over cortina's and sierra's!
>>>

I'm a 70's/80's child. I grew up with these and have owned several of both. When someone quotes the Sierra being rubbish I do get annoyed. I'd be quite happy to own either again. I trawl eBay freqently waiting for the right one to come along.

long running models - Altea Ego
In truth the sierra was a poorly sorted wagon when it first hit the streets. It was a an old car in fancy clothes. The fancy clothes were an aerodynamic mess (so bad it have to have bits tacked on later), and ugly (in basic trims) to boot.

and yes I had one and drove loads of variants.




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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
long running models - Civic8
>>Wound up?, no idle musing over distant memories

having had a few cups of tea tonight,I was musing over distant memories of this awful car,But as most seem to like em,probably why secondhand prices dropped so fast as no one would buy secondhand..pause for thought on that one...........paused, was a load of rubbish
--
Steve
long running models - blue_haddock
My dad had a few sierra's - a couple of nasty 2.3 diesels and a 1.8 TD Sapphire and to me they just seemed like run of the mill family/rep cars. The only one i ever really liked (apart from 3dr Cossies) was the rather smart looking 2000E Sapphire which our neighbour had from new.
long running models - Adam {P}
>>I see the baby has woken up for his evening feed<<

I didn't want you to think I'd gone or anything.