Ford Orion

Not bad, could try harder.

Advantages: Cheap to buy and run
Disadvantages: Appalling blind spots.

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 ...
...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 ...

BenRobson 27.10.2003 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Ford Orion 1.4

Ford Orion 1990-1993

Advantages: Low Ford parts and service costs; easy for DIY
Disadvantages: Patchy record for reliability

Value 2/5 Less popular than Escort so cheaper; tidy Ghia models have good equipment. And Can Be Found Very Cheaply Costs 3/5 Average fuel economy; cheap parts costs; most DIY work is possible. And Doesnt hold nasty surprises Reliability 2/5 Never better than average; youngest cars are six years old now so it’s unrealistic to expect problem­free ownership. Driving 3/5 Steering fine provided PAS is fitted‚ otherwise heavy when parking; good grip; ...
...3/5 1.3 and 1.4 are underpowered; later Zetec­engined 1.6 16v or 1.8 16v are the best choices. The 1.8 16v, it has not really much kick. Comfort 3/5 Engines noisy; seats unsupportive; long­legged people feel cramped in back. And Head Room Restricted Image 1/5 Looking old now; even a Ghia doesn’t impress much; cheap basic transport. Safety 2/5 ABS optional but not found on many; body not as strong as newer rivals. Security 2/5 Immobiliser and ...

Bluemonkey 09.05.2004 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Ford Orion 1.8

The Ford Orion - No Longer With Us, Thank God!

Advantages: Comfortable, Spacious, Cheap spares
Disadvantages: Dodgy high-speed handling, Poor starting, Corrosion in vital areas

...could not risk having a Ford as my one and only vehicle. The car felt good, solid and comfortable so I bought the Orion (60,000 on the clock) for £750. The problems I inherited with the car were a non-functioning electric window switch (cured with a dose of WD40) and some ancient and rock-hard front tyres, which scared the life out of me the first time I stood on the brakes.The front wheels locked solid sending the car screeching down the road ...
...Anyway, these usually vary from Ford to Ford and each car must be individually set up. I did about 70,000 miles in the car and barely touched the engine, which used a little bit of oil (around about a litre per 1,500 miles). The only engine job I did was to remove and clean out one of the hydraulic tappets which had sometimes rattled . The gearbox was a good unit for Ford but needed to be replaced at 90,000 miles and I did the clutch at the same ...

tel1 02.03.2005 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Ford Orion 1.6

ford orion 1.3 lx

Advantages: more or less an escort
Disadvantages: rot/rust

Well this is a saloon escort at the end of the day with same engines, interiors, body panels etc. if you are looking for a mk 4 orion then you would be alot better of getting alate 1989-f reg onwards. this is because the 1.3 lx cvh changed to the 1.4 lx cvh which is much quieter then the older 1.3 tappety sounding engine which sounds like your dragging a bag of nails down the road. Most fords 1986-89 rot i dont know why but when i say rot i mean ...
...on the road and rot no worse than any other car of this age.they also gave the car better styling aswell with bigger bumpers and side door trims. the cvh engine is quite a reliable lump and when they go wrong they are so cheap to repair ,its definately one of the cars best points. as for driving, these can really be chucked without to much trouble. down sides to point out on all orions is that the rear boot / trunk gets a bit mouldy due to naff ...

jddavies 08.01.2007 · Read Full Review
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Review of Ford Orion 1.3 LX

Ford Orion 1.3 1989/1990

Advantages: Larger than Escort, Cheap to run and maintain
Disadvantages: underpowered, usual old age rust problems.

...this car I had a ford fiesta, going from a 1.1 to this 1.3 I found an increase in power but underpowered for the size of the car. I quite liked this car until the end of its days and wouldn't hesitate in buying one again. It was cheap on insurance being a 1.3, cheap on tax being under 1.4, cheap to maintain as you could use almost any mkIV escort part on it and fuel consumption was fairly good. The engine itself was a 1.3 HCS (high compression swirl) ...
...was average for an old Ford until someone decided to rear end me while putting on her makeup, talking on phone or simply not pay attention. The insurance company offered to pay half or scrap car, I needed car and kept it but started having problems with water leaks in boot. Not long after that I started having problems with engine using too much oil at 96,000 miles on clock. Upon inspecting the carburettor I found that oil and oily sludge was being ...

lostsworld 15.05.2006 · Read Full Review
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Review of Ford Orion 1.3 LX