I needed a sensible modern daily driver...

Lopéz · 25 Nov 2018 at 13:26

So I bought this

Saw it for sale, he wanted more, I offered less, did a firm deal over email, got the train up to meet the seller, picked me up from the station, took him home, paid him, signed paperwork, drove home.

Bish bash bosh!

It's slow, it's old fashioned, the wind noise has to be heard to be believed, it's not economical, it doesn't ride well, it makes an assortment of noises and I couldn't be happier with it.

theone8181 · 25 Nov 2018 at 14:05

How much was it out of interest, also is that rear wheel drive then?

GarethSouthpete · 25 Nov 2018 at 14:05

The Running Man · 25 Nov 2018 at 14:09

Nice, out if curiosity how far did you travel.and any qualms about driving it back ?

Housey · 25 Nov 2018 at 14:12

Now that takes me back. The very early non 'I' version too.

joey1211 · 25 Nov 2018 at 14:14

You bought it without a test drive? Brave.

Frozennova · 25 Nov 2018 at 14:48

theone8181 said:
How much was it out of interest, also is that rear wheel drive then?

XR3 is a mk3 so FWD

theone8181 · 25 Nov 2018 at 14:58

I'm quite impressed that it's not turned pink, seems to be quite common with older Vauxhall's at least.

Housey · 25 Nov 2018 at 15:00

joey1211 said:
You bought it without a test drive? Brave.

Wise. They were always better parked and washed than driven

Lopéz · 25 Nov 2018 at 15:11

How much was it?
About ballpark for one of these. Too much for what the car actually is on paper.

RWD?
No, these were the first FWD Escorts

LHD?
Yep, it's from France. It was a genuine barn find. LHD is a non-issue to be honest.
Here it is when it was pulled out of storage in France, sorry about the rubbish pic:

Travel far?
About 200 miles. No qualms about driving it back. It didn't miss a beat. I stopped twice on the way home for food and fuel, both times I had people approach me to talk about it, second bloke offered me near enough 3 grand more than I just paid for it.

No test drive?
Nope, sometimes when you buy from an enthusiast you can get a mutual sense of trust on a long distance deal like this. I could have backed out and took the next train home.

Pink?
Nah, Sunburst Red Fords last pretty well, they go a bit orange if anything. This one was painted in 2015.

No "i"
Oh yes! Late enough to have the revised front suspension and 5 speed gearbox, early enough to be fitted with a twin choke Weber and the nice seats with the red stripes

Lopéz · 25 Nov 2018 at 15:13

Scania · 25 Nov 2018 at 15:28

Nice, brings back memory’s of my XR3i and Series 1 RS Turbo.

Knew it was a 3 not a 3i, the suspension camber is noticeably different between the two.

Only going up in good condition, enjoy it.

GarethSouthpete · 25 Nov 2018 at 16:11

Ah, so it's had a full resto... bit different than the picture you painted in the OP.

Lopéz · 25 Nov 2018 at 16:13

sigma said:
Ah, so it's had a full resto... bit different than the picture you painted in the OP.

No, it's had an outside respray. What picture did I paint in the OP?!

GarethSouthpete · 25 Nov 2018 at 16:13

Scania said:
Nice, brings back memory’s of my XR3i and Series 1 RS Turbo.

Knew it was a 3 not a 3i, the suspension camber is noticeably different between the two.

Only going up in good condition, enjoy it.

The badge helps too

GarethSouthpete · 25 Nov 2018 at 16:14

Lopéz said:
No, it's had an outside respray.

Surely it's had bushes etc changed? Brakes? If not, then are you planning a resto?

I guess that's why it doesn't ride well and is making noises (as per OP).

Lopéz · 25 Nov 2018 at 16:16

It's had new dampers at the front recently, top mounts and tyres. I would imagine it has had some bushes replaced during it's life, they are service items.

GarethSouthpete · 25 Nov 2018 at 16:21

Lopéz said:
It's had new dampers at the front recently, top mounts and tyres. I would imagine it has had some bushes replaced during it's life, they are service items.

I guess they're at the age now where parts aren't cheap. Do you have any plans for it? Any rust (hopefully they treated it when painting)?

Lopéz · 25 Nov 2018 at 17:07

The outer body has no rust at all.

I can see small amounts of corrosion in the spare wheel well, and the battery tray. Other than that I'll just replace the engine mounts and bushes over time to tighten it up.

Scania · 25 Nov 2018 at 17:20

sigma said:
I guess they're at the age now where parts aren't cheap. Do you have any plans for it? Any rust (hopefully they treated it when painting)?

The majority of parts are still available freely from Ford - I’ve got a mate with a beautiful 1984 XR3i which is a daily (!) - although he has got an f10 M5 to accompany it - despite being on its third (!) time around the clock - it’s ride is poor by modern standards but fine given they were never great when new (my family had a few XR and RS Fords from new) my XR3i was always a smooth drive the harshness comes from the engine - a CVH which many regarded as meaning Chronic Noise, Vibration and Harshness! - the RS Turbo was better but not much tbh!

It’s all part of the package to be honest and adds to the character of the car.

You’ve got to have had ownership experience to fully appreciate it imo.

I’d have another tomorrow.