mk2 xr2
mk2 xr2
got an itch i need to scratch, wanted one of these since i was 17 (long time ago) still like the look of them, prices seem to be around 2-3 grand for a nice one, apart from the obvious rust issues what are they like to own? was thinking modified head/cam, twin 40's, nice suspension kit poly bushes etc etc, like the idea of small car and go cart handling with old school power. anyone had one or got one?
got an itch i need to scratch, wanted one of these since i was 17 (long time ago) still like the look of them, prices seem to be around 2-3 grand for a nice one, apart from the obvious rust issues what are they like to own? was thinking modified head/cam, twin 40's, nice suspension kit poly bushes etc etc, like the idea of small car and go cart handling with old school power. anyone had one or got one?
Scooby Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
From: Here, There, Everywhere
Always loved the XR2, but was too young to afford the insurance on one.
Had a similar itch like the OP a couple years ago, and looked about for one. Some were pretty decent, but most were scrap. Think if you can get a cherished one you'll end up paying big bucks for it.
Avoid `D` regs XR2's (if you find one) as this is when there was a strike on within Ford and all the shells were left outside untreated. They all rusted away.
Had a similar itch like the OP a couple years ago, and looked about for one. Some were pretty decent, but most were scrap. Think if you can get a cherished one you'll end up paying big bucks for it.
Avoid `D` regs XR2's (if you find one) as this is when there was a strike on within Ford and all the shells were left outside untreated. They all rusted away.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 21,825
Likes: 0
From: Disco, Disco!
valve stem seals perish - usually lots of blue smoke is an indicator
Rust and damage are likely to be killers, avoid anything modified and get an unmolsted minter - you will pay through the nose and TBH there are plenty of modern GTI's that are much better drives ans have mod cons like a/c.
Fine for a weekend car but there are so many more weekend cars for the money that are just plain better
Rust and damage are likely to be killers, avoid anything modified and get an unmolsted minter - you will pay through the nose and TBH there are plenty of modern GTI's that are much better drives ans have mod cons like a/c.
Fine for a weekend car but there are so many more weekend cars for the money that are just plain better
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: Northants. 22B sold, as-new Lotus Omega instead.
Let's face it they were pretty poor even back then and never fared well in head-to-head comparisons with their rivals. Sure they handled like a go-kart, but so did most other lightweight hot hatches of the time, many of which had 16 valves, fuel injection or even a turbocharger and all of which were much quicker. I'd have one over an MG Metro, but that's about all! 
Trending Topics
for the money i suppose i could also get a really nice clio williams, had one a few years back which was immaculate, sold it to buy my first uk turbo impreza, boy i sold it to came up from london to edinburgh to buy it it was that nice, then wrote it off.............
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: Northants. 22B sold, as-new Lotus Omega instead.
always been a ford man really, XRs RS fiesta sierra,s and escorts dont get me wrong love my subaru but there something about an old ford and if you look there are still bargains to be had, 18 months ago i found a mk3 escort for sale in dorset, 1983 model 50,000 miles full history, every reciept, bought off the first owner a bloke in his 70,s only selling as he couldnt turn the steering wheel anymore (no power steering) £300 bargain!!! it was near mint never welded!!!! as i told the wife its a future investment!!!! old fords never die!!!!
always been a ford man really, XRs RS fiesta sierra,s and escorts dont get me wrong love my subaru but there something about an old ford and if you look there are still bargains to be had, 18 months ago i found a mk3 escort for sale in dorset, 1983 model 50,000 miles full history, every reciept, bought off the first owner a bloke in his 70,s only selling as he couldnt turn the steering wheel anymore (no power steering) £300 bargain!!! it was near mint never welded!!!! as i told the wife its a future investment!!!! old fords never die!!!!
old fords never die
Scooby Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,278
Likes: 0
I had a brand new Rosso Red XR2 in 1989 F, cost me £8k. Had to have new valve stem oil seals at about 3k miles.
I only kept it about 6 months and traded it for an XR4x4 which I thought was a much better car.
I only kept it about 6 months and traded it for an XR4x4 which I thought was a much better car.
pure ****
i had a d reg 4x4 called daisey 2 years ago minter in blue wish i had kept her
looking to buy one again now or a beloved xr2 in white on a dreg mine was brand new in 1987 d179tdm she is no longer with us there is a one owner one on ebay 51k lady owner 3k
look what i found local to me, minter.......................... shame about the price
http://edinburgh.gumtree.com/edinburgh/16/59350916.html
http://edinburgh.gumtree.com/edinburgh/16/59350916.html
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Nuneaton
The XR2 was a great little car and as posted above its a definate investment.The engine and gearbox are bomb proff provided its been looked after.The usual rust spots to watch out for on a Mk 2 Fiesta are the sills,boot floor,inner wings and the good old Ford favourite the battery tray.Also post '86 cars came fitted with plastic wheelarch liners which helped the rust problems that afflicted pre '86 cars.I owned an original 1981 4 speed XR3 with the Weber carb fitted when I was 18 it had never seen a welder in its life and I always regret selling it.Mine didn't stay standard for long and ended up with an 1800 CVH Sierra block,ported and polished 1600 head,RS Turbo group A head gasket and bolts and straight through stainless steel exhaust.Can't think why the neighbours didn't like it!Nowadays you could slot in an 1800 Zetec 16V motor with throttle bodies quite easily
Last edited by Oilburner; Sep 8, 2010 at 09:10 PM.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
A 1987 Fiesta XR2 was my first car, bought from the local Ford dealer in 1991 when i was 19. It was in mercury grey and i have many fond memories of the car which i had for 6 years!
It seemed so fast having been driving my dads Volvo 340 for a couple years! In reality, it wasnt but great fun although the red line should have been set at 3000 rpm as that CVH engine is a rough old thing!
Lost count of the number of young ladies i had fun with in that car, as well!!
It seemed so fast having been driving my dads Volvo 340 for a couple years! In reality, it wasnt but great fun although the red line should have been set at 3000 rpm as that CVH engine is a rough old thing!
Lost count of the number of young ladies i had fun with in that car, as well!!
A 1987 Fiesta XR2 was my first car, bought from the local Ford dealer in 1991 when i was 19. It was in mercury grey and i have many fond memories of the car which i had for 6 years!
It seemed so fast having been driving my dads Volvo 340 for a couple years! In reality, it wasnt but great fun although the red line should have been set at 3000 rpm as that CVH engine is a rough old thing!
Lost count of the number of young ladies i had fun with in that car, as well!!
It seemed so fast having been driving my dads Volvo 340 for a couple years! In reality, it wasnt but great fun although the red line should have been set at 3000 rpm as that CVH engine is a rough old thing!
Lost count of the number of young ladies i had fun with in that car, as well!!
Scooby Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: here an there,,,
i had a f-reg mk2 xr2 in red,, i put the earlier DFT square twin weber on it with a k&n filter lool, scorpion exhaust etc was bomb proof and lasted me forever and i sold it on too, proper go kart handling, goes where you want it to go wen u want it to go
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 59
From: in the woods...........555 Wagon Sqn
I used to like them, then I drove a Mk1 Golf GTI.
Worked at a garage and the boss used to buy as many as he could lay his fat greedy fingers on, six or eight at a time, Nova SR's as well and they flew away, we used to get dispatched to pick them up three at a time and would come back at some pace, good fun but a the Golf was way better, then it was more expensive.
Worked at a garage and the boss used to buy as many as he could lay his fat greedy fingers on, six or eight at a time, Nova SR's as well and they flew away, we used to get dispatched to pick them up three at a time and would come back at some pace, good fun but a the Golf was way better, then it was more expensive.
I used to like them, then I drove a Mk1 Golf GTI.
Worked at a garage and the boss used to buy as many as he could lay his fat greedy fingers on, six or eight at a time, Nova SR's as well and they flew away, we used to get dispatched to pick them up three at a time and would come back at some pace, good fun but a the Golf was way better, then it was more expensive.
Worked at a garage and the boss used to buy as many as he could lay his fat greedy fingers on, six or eight at a time, Nova SR's as well and they flew away, we used to get dispatched to pick them up three at a time and would come back at some pace, good fun but a the Golf was way better, then it was more expensive.
loved my white xr2 though