Ford Orion 1.4

Thr Ford Orion is basically an 1980's Ford Escort with a boot. Thats nto to say its bad, just that its average with a boot. As Ford stopped making Orions some time ago you won't be able to purchase one new, so you'll obviously be looking at getting a second hand one. Mine has done 67,000 relatively trouble free miles in 14 years, and, while slightly rusting in places, is still structurally sound. Recent problems i've encountered have been:
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...the locks, but my local Ford Dealer were very helpful and gave me another key free of charge.
Lost petrol cap, but again this was replaced.
Worn distributor rotor arm, only a £12 part (from the AA) but quite important.

Other than that i've not had any problems, as long as you look after it, like any car it should last for a good few more years.

Handling isn't too bad, occassionally i've skidded a little ... more

Thr Ford Orion is basically an 1980's Ford Escort with a boot. Thats nto to say its bad, just that its average with a boot. As Ford stopped making Orions some time ago you won't be able to purchase one new, so you'll obviously be looking at getting a second hand one. Mine has done 67,000 relatively trouble free miles in 14 years, and, while slightly rusting in places, is still structurally sound. Recent problems i've encountered have been:

Key so worn that it no longer operated the locks, but my local Ford Dealer were very helpful and gave me another key free of charge.
Lost petrol cap, but again this was replaced.
Worn distributor rotor arm, only a £12 part (from the AA) but quite important.

Other than that i've not had any problems, as long as you look after it, like any car it should last for a good few more years.

Handling isn't too bad, occassionally i've skidded a little around roundabouts at not-especially-high speeds, but never lost control. It is very important to keep and eye on tyre pressures as they do effect the handling hugely.

One thing the Orion doesn't like is cold mornings, so give it a few minutes to get up to temperature, but this is fairly standard for a 15 year old car anyway.

I would thoroughly recommend an Orion to any learner, as while its not as easy to drive as a brand new car, it teaches you a little about Real cars, very few people will be driving Vauxhall Corsas for the rest of their lives.

Inside it's pretty spacious, the massive boot being either a disadvantage or advantage depending on how you look at it (wait until your mates want to go to IKEA!), and pretty comfortable, rear leg room is good compared to other cars of a similar age.

Overall - a thumbs up, though its not without problems. 

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