Matt RS

Hi guys and girls

Im new on here and was hoping you would be able to help me out with a dilemma ive been having on which car to get. Im after either a Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 or a Escort S2 RS Turbo.
I have a budget of 5K

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks
Matt

mr_joe0606

iTrader: (1)

how old are you? you would get a mint s2 for 5k

Oranoco

Loads of factors to consider mate. Few more details of your circumstances and what/how you are hoping to use the car

ram

iTrader: (4)

Depends how old and also how experienced driving you are. but id say saph all day!

Matt RS

Thanks guys

Well im 28 I have owned a S1 Turbo when I was 21 and loved it, Ive also Had polo G40s Golf Gti's etc so Ive had a fair bit of experience on faster than average cars I guess, Im not a boy Racer and prefer Nice Clean looking cars but when the right foot goes down Its to get the Smile. I roughly know my way around a car and dont have a problem with getting my hands dirty and replacing parts etc, I know a little bit about RS Turbos but not a lot about Sierra Cosworths Reliability costs etc... I would be using the Car at weekends and sometimes to get me the 8 miles to work and back. id like something that puts a smile on my face when I drive it, like the S1 used to.
Id like it to be a long term car as well.

I have been thinking that id buy a S2 for say 3k and spend 2k Getting it reliable and into a nice condition but the Cosworth was always a boyhood dream and I just cant seem to get away from them when looking around.
Ive checked up on insurance and theres £40 difference between them cost wise so thats neither here nor there.
I don't mind buying a car that needs some work doing but would prefer not going down the whole restoration route.

Hope this helps if you need to know anything else please ask.

Matt

Steve the Plumber

iTrader: (11)

Id go for the Cos if it was me, because if I bought RST id probably always wish id bought the Cos instead!

Rich_bloor

go for the cosworth!

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

Mint S2 or Useable Saph... only you can decide that mate.

Personally, if that was the choice I faced and I couldn't find the extra to buy a mint Saph, then I'd go for the S2 because I'd get more pissed off at rust and shite mechanicals on the faster car than I would at having a minted version of a slower car.


Cheers,
Grant

Matt RS

Which would be more reliable in your opinions, a 3/4K RST or a 5K Saph?

Farmer Giles

With a budget of 'only' 5K I would go for the S2 IMO.

Like you said you can get a clean one and spend a little on making it right and still have change for all the welding LOL...

personally I don't think 5K is enough to buy, fix and run and then fix a Sapphire Cosworth..

2p

Farmer Giles

I'd say they could be equally as bad as each other but the S2 would be cheaper to fix.

Matt_16v

The RST i would say. For 3.5k plus you're getting into the top end of what they're worth, and for that you should expect a very decent example that has been well looked after and should be pretty sound mechanically and in terms of bodywork.

tabetha

Why not drive a 4wd cossie first, you may not like them, you know you like the rst, and fwd is very different from 4wd, of course the REAL people have RWD, or REAL Wheel Drive!!
tabetha

DJMST

iTrader: (1)

I bought my saph because it was a boyhood dream,and don't regret it one bit,spent a few bob on it too,but on upgrades not mechanical and a decent saph can be had for their or their about that money,just won't be concourse though,but if you always wanted one,just do it,I smile without even driving mine

gingeRS

having had both id say the saff is a better car.....you need deep pockets though as parts and tuning the saff is gonna be more expensive

you will also be more paranoid about the cosworth so consider where its being kept. i personally quite liked the 4x4 saff, but mine was a minter and i paid 7k for that 5 years ago (think its up for almost 10k now)

any saff for 5k will be a bit grotty, you can get a really good series 2 for 4k. depends if you want to be a driver or a polisher!

i always found although im very very fond of the series 2 (i had 3) its always seen as a chav car, whereas the cosworth id far more iconic, to many its just an old sierra but to true car enthusiasts they are appreciated. also if you get a good stage 3, there isnt much you cant keep up with on the road!!

your choice

sidewaysdave

iTrader: (3)

ive had s2 turbos but moved up to a 2wd saph and in my opinion the saph is a much better car, really regret selling it

scottyrs

iTrader: (1)

saff im my opinion they do get you pissed off as im learning with mine at the minute but when you get in it the smile you get is from ear to ear lol

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

Cosworth.

saph cos rob

iTrader: (11)

imo i still think you would get a very tidy saph for 5k, and the way the world is at the minute its a buyers market, not many people looking to buy a saph and have the readys ready

scottyrs

iTrader: (1)

totally agree with that bet if you really looked hard and done a bit of hagling youd get a nice motor

Jay-Cosworth

I have also had the pleasure of owning a couple of s2 then move up to the 4x4 saph as i couldnt afford the Escort cosworth, Loved every minute of the 4x4 saph then got the Escort cosworth but glad i kept the saph

Still love driving the saph even over the escort sometimes.

Saph all day over the s2.

Turbosimpsons

iTrader: (3)

never had a s2 but driven a few. torque steer city. mind you so is a rwd saff. they just steer fron the rear
saff all day long..

matts1

The head says get a mint S2 for near on the 5k budget and be pretty trouble free if you buy a sorted one.

But, will you always be thinking 'I should have bought a cossie'.

You had the escort Rs in your youth and at 28 your aint old lol but maybe the cossie will feela little more grown up. Plus, do your homework on them, and pounce on a bargain when it pops up and you may get a reasonable cossie for the £5k.

I may be wrong but I would be looking for a car that is pretty solid as rust is a killer and will drink the ££££ so would would be making sure it was as free from rot as possible, you will blow things up anyway so provided it is mechanically sound, fixing it and improving it will be happening over time.

Not so hurtful to hand over £££ and get a car back that goes quicker than when you dropped it off, less fun to hand over £££ for a stack of welding and the car feels no different.

johnandhissaffy

iTrader: (1)

for 5k id wait for the prices of cossies to go down if the petrol goes anymore higher people will sell cheaper and that would be the time to buy one imo
but if your after somthing now id say buy the rst 1st you know what your gona get and 2nd youll get an nice example for the money u have witch ever dissition u make im sure you will be happy with what ever ya discide

Matt RS

Thanks for the advise guys

Its like you say Head or Heart or the other thing the Mrs which is nagging toward a S2 lol

Turbosimpsons

iTrader: (3)

oh dear ! enjoy your s2.

matts zetec s tdci

rs turbo

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

Cossie without doubt

tabetha

Fuel prices ?, some cossies can run on LPG, knew that kit would come in one day, another beaut aspect of triple map ecu, 1 petrol 1 lpg!!
tabetha

jme-rst

Buy a good,looked after rst and then save a little bit more,keep the rst mint and then as the prices of rsts keep going up,sell the rst,put with ur savings and buy a very nice saff,then you have the beat of both

749steve

iTrader: (1)

ive had both
and now have something fast that wont break down every time i drive it
bought a civic type r ,200 brake out of the box with penty of tuning potential

Matt RS

The other trouble ive been having is i have been looking for ages, for both RSTs and Cosworths but there has been nothing which is Mint at the right money, RST Wise id prefer red
Seen a few Cosworths but generally they are asking silly money

jme-rst

I've just been offered a red s2 looks minty mint,zvh looked after,lots of recent new parts,was originally bought of here,is running just under 250bhp with matching torque,am sure it's for sale for under your price range.can supply thread he gave me to when he originally bought it from here and he said he can supply more pics,I turned him down cuz am not in the Market to buy now

Matt RS

Please fella that would be great

jme-rst

Here is the link he sent me.it is now on rs7 softlines so diff to the pics but here's the link of when he bought it a year ago.is what he sent me

https://passionford.com/forum/cars-f...sold-sold.html

Matt RS

That is spot on! really mint car, any idea what he was looking for price wise?

And the fact its on softlines makes it better love those wheels

jme-rst

well he saw I was looking to buy soon for around the 3k mark and offered me this as he lives in my town,I haven't a clue but can pm him and find out bud

Matt RS

Yeah that would be great would appreciate that id be very interested if its still in as good a condition as it is on the old photos

forevaford

iTrader: (2)

this is a easy question, iv got both cars, but the saph is a better car of the 2, u kinda grow out the rsts with age but not the saph,

Tev

iTrader: (2)

personally i would have the saph over the s2!!!!

But and its a big BUT the question is how deep are your pockets, with a budget of 5k you will get a okish example, but the generaly rule of thumb is be preparwed to spend nearly as much as you bought the car for on up keep n keeping it on the road!!

little things like a oil change every 3000 mile is going to cost you over £50 a time!! n thats just keeping it running!!!

That said ive not regrettd buying my saph 1 bit!!!!!!

Buy a good standard example 4x4 n just enjoy it fella, be warned though they become a obsession and a sunday spent fiixing them