Guys,

Just wondering if there is any guide for buying a sierra cosworth?

Im aiming to buy one at somepoint this year (money permitting) and need to know what to look out for, i guess theres a lot of information about on here - but i did a search and it returned 60 pages

cheers guys

Nate

 

First of all how much are you looking to spend. And then what do you want a 2wd, fun on the road. Or 4wd, safer on the road and good for track days.

You can look out for a standard one which would be around:

2wd - Ł3500 - 204 BHP
4wd - Ł4500 - 220 BHP

for a decent one. although standard ones are getting harder to find.

If your looking for more power, it would probably be cost effective to buy one which has a few mods already done. The price will start to go up though.

Ive just bought a completely standard 4wd for Ł4500. Its a mint car but im planning on stage 2/3. so a few mods already done, like stainless exhaust and induction kit, would have been nice.

When buying one look out for rust, they all have rust, its just how bad.
And then blue and white smoke is bad. Etc....

 

firstly - im after a cheap one, not worried if its standard or not - to get used to a cossie and not be to afraid if I do make a slight error in driving and write it off

and secondly - RWD all the way

 

You can get quite a decent cheap one for about Ł3k. For some reason white ones are quite common and go quite cheap.

Look for rust in the rear arches, they all have it, its just how bad.

Again you probably know about looking for smoke. Black is ok its just fuel, blue is bad. It will mean the turbo, stem seals or rings Etc. White is bad, this will be water getting in.

A good cossie engine will need a rebuild around the 120k mark (latest). Its good to get one which has just had a rebuild or lower mileage. Also the engines do sound a little tappy on start up.

Watch out for crunching when you change gears especially 2nd - 3rd. The syncro mesh is quite a common problem, quite expensive.

look out for any creases, incase its had a bump.
Look out for a big weld going through the middle of the car. cut and shuts are out there. I would always recomend a HPI check.


(full lock and 2 smokin tyres!)

 

so basically any normal sierra fault + the syncros and cut n shuts

glad i know about the tappy startup sound now - otherwise that would have put me off - especially on a high perfomance (read expensive) engine

any other serious concerns? i always get a HPI done on any car i want to buy - they cost me next to nothing

 

I would say, buy the best you can afford but save a bit back as you will want to spend a bit here and there to get things to your taste / standard. Then you'll be happy for a while.... Then you'll want to spend more.....and more and more. Its all part of owning a cossie!

 

more like owning a car

I owne a 1.8 GLX - and thats had a few modification to make it what i want

front and rear electric windows (need reconnecting up)
Fuel Computer fitted (again needs connecting up)
2.0 DOHC engine and full wiring loom car wiring loom (hence it all need wiring up again )
electric sunroof
RS Spoiler

 

Cossies are old though and need special attention!

owning a cossie is like making love to a beautiful woman....

 

if you can get the May issue of Fast Ford, there is a buyers guide to the 4x4 Sapphire in there at the back....

 

my 1.8 GLX is a J reg sierra saph

but ur right - cossies also need my special attention

making love to a beautiful woman - oh christ - this cossie is gonna get broke

 

4x4 are for gays lol
but as above you get what you pay for there are a lot of bad cars out there now because owners buy them and think there a cheap car to run fix there not its still a 17 year old car and engine

 

LOL@DAN..P

 

what 4x4s are gay lol

 

I agree

4x4 for a daily drive - not for a fun car

oh and can you guess one of the next mods for my DOHC saph

it will be cosworth powered - just not YB

 

well some arnt lol i would love my m8s 400 bhp saff goes well
and 2.9v6