Yes, the time has come for me to part with this comfortable old bus, it's a 1992 Ford Granada Scorpio, with the 2.0 injected inline four and the A4LD automatic gearbox.
Believe me, I don't want to sell this car. I've never owned a car I've loved as much as this one. But my wife's medical condition means she finds it uncomfortable to travel in it for long distances, and difficult to get into and out of. And as we can't afford to run two cars, this one has to be sold.
I've owned it almost three years, and done just under 20,000 miles. It's always started and always got us where we needed to go. That doesn't mean it doesn't have a few issues, as you might expect from a car that's twenty-three years old. The plan was to do bits as and when I could afford to, so there are a few things it could do with.
I always like to hear bad news first, so on that basis, let's get that out of the way.
What's bad?
Gearbox - it won't go into top, unless on a gentle downhill stretch (e.g. on M11 southbound from M25 junction). It hasn't really bothered me, it just means it uses a bit more fuel. At an indicated 70mph, it runs at 3400 rpm, and having just done 180 miles from Cheshire to London via M6, M1, M25 and M11, it did 29.8mpg. I've been told it could be a few things, which could be cured by an oil and filter change, or maybe a speed sensor, or a rebuild. Or you could swap it for another 'box (I know of one for sale for £50) or change it to a manual. And it does leak oil. Not massively, but keep an eye on it.
Engine - that leaks too. Again, not massively, but it's worth checking the coolant and oil every week.
Suspension - the rear bump stops need changing apparently. There is a noise from the rear on surfaces that are less than perfect. I've not managed to get my hands on a set of bump stops unfortunately.
Brakes - wear warning light is on because I couldn't get the pads with the indicator strips.
Wheels - paint coming off some of the centre caps. I've been meaning to replace them, but they're not easy to come by.
Bodywork - scrapes on each corner, that need rubbing down and repainting. Rear of the sill on the driver's side is in primer where welding has just been done. Having never spray painted anything in my life, I was going to leave these to a professional (or at least a better amateur!). Small scratch on the rear passenger side door. Crack in the rear driver's light cluster. Front and rear bumpers a little loose where they meet the wheelarches. Small rust scab in front of the sunroof.
Interior - driver's heated seat doesn't work, the element needs replacing so I bought a heated seat cushion from Maplin for £30. There is some wear on the driver's seat bolster. The electric recline on the rear seat doesn't work, hopefully it's just the fuse and I'll try and sort that (just not got round to it!). The heater doesn't work and I cannot fathom out why, tried flushing the matrix and changed the thermostat but no luck. The engine temperature gauge is *really* slow too, so there's an issue somewhere, I just can't find it. The radio and CD are still not right. The tape deck works though, so iPod or phone with a cassette adaptor will give you sounds. MW is crackly, FM needs time to warm up, LW is great so you can listen to Radio 4... Rev counter goes a bit weird when the weather's really cold.
What's good?
Engine - pulls fine. It always starts, and is lovely and smooth (well, as much as a 2.0 four-cylinder can be).
Suspension - new track control arms fitted about a month ago. Everything seems good.
Brakes - new discs all round, new pads all round, new flexible hoses all round. Never needed to try the ABS but no reason to believe it won't work.
Tyres - two brand new ones on the front, one brand new one on the rear. The other rear and the spare have about 4mm.
Bodywork - paint in nice condition, polishes up well. New indicator units about six months ago.
Interior - everything else is great. Black leather seats really comfortable, with no splits or tears (the rears barely used) and all the other electrics work. Aircon is lovely and cold. Heated windscreen and rear window work well. Cruise control works perfectly.
Chassis - new exhaust mid-section and back box just fitted. Welding to sills done.
Electrics - all the fuse boxes are dry and with all their covers intact.
MoT - a full year, with no advisories.
Mileage is 158871.
Service history is fully stamped, but I have no receipts. The previous owner had work done at Car Bar in Reading, and another of those things I meant to do was go and see them to get a copy of their servicing file.
None of the stuff that needs doing stops it being a lovely thing to drive.
Photos will follow tomorrow (although there are a few on the Reader's Rides thread in my signature).
I (and the car) am in Forest Gate, East London and happy to go to anyone not too far away, but I also work in Ebbsfleet, near Dartford, so can always meet there if that helps.
If you're interested, please drop me a PM.
Believe me, I don't want to sell this car. I've never owned a car I've loved as much as this one. But my wife's medical condition means she finds it uncomfortable to travel in it for long distances, and difficult to get into and out of. And as we can't afford to run two cars, this one has to be sold.
I've owned it almost three years, and done just under 20,000 miles. It's always started and always got us where we needed to go. That doesn't mean it doesn't have a few issues, as you might expect from a car that's twenty-three years old. The plan was to do bits as and when I could afford to, so there are a few things it could do with.
I always like to hear bad news first, so on that basis, let's get that out of the way.
What's bad?
Gearbox - it won't go into top, unless on a gentle downhill stretch (e.g. on M11 southbound from M25 junction). It hasn't really bothered me, it just means it uses a bit more fuel. At an indicated 70mph, it runs at 3400 rpm, and having just done 180 miles from Cheshire to London via M6, M1, M25 and M11, it did 29.8mpg. I've been told it could be a few things, which could be cured by an oil and filter change, or maybe a speed sensor, or a rebuild. Or you could swap it for another 'box (I know of one for sale for £50) or change it to a manual. And it does leak oil. Not massively, but keep an eye on it.
Engine - that leaks too. Again, not massively, but it's worth checking the coolant and oil every week.
Suspension - the rear bump stops need changing apparently. There is a noise from the rear on surfaces that are less than perfect. I've not managed to get my hands on a set of bump stops unfortunately.
Brakes - wear warning light is on because I couldn't get the pads with the indicator strips.
Wheels - paint coming off some of the centre caps. I've been meaning to replace them, but they're not easy to come by.
Bodywork - scrapes on each corner, that need rubbing down and repainting. Rear of the sill on the driver's side is in primer where welding has just been done. Having never spray painted anything in my life, I was going to leave these to a professional (or at least a better amateur!). Small scratch on the rear passenger side door. Crack in the rear driver's light cluster. Front and rear bumpers a little loose where they meet the wheelarches. Small rust scab in front of the sunroof.
Interior - driver's heated seat doesn't work, the element needs replacing so I bought a heated seat cushion from Maplin for £30. There is some wear on the driver's seat bolster. The electric recline on the rear seat doesn't work, hopefully it's just the fuse and I'll try and sort that (just not got round to it!). The heater doesn't work and I cannot fathom out why, tried flushing the matrix and changed the thermostat but no luck. The engine temperature gauge is *really* slow too, so there's an issue somewhere, I just can't find it. The radio and CD are still not right. The tape deck works though, so iPod or phone with a cassette adaptor will give you sounds. MW is crackly, FM needs time to warm up, LW is great so you can listen to Radio 4... Rev counter goes a bit weird when the weather's really cold.
What's good?
Engine - pulls fine. It always starts, and is lovely and smooth (well, as much as a 2.0 four-cylinder can be).
Suspension - new track control arms fitted about a month ago. Everything seems good.
Brakes - new discs all round, new pads all round, new flexible hoses all round. Never needed to try the ABS but no reason to believe it won't work.
Tyres - two brand new ones on the front, one brand new one on the rear. The other rear and the spare have about 4mm.
Bodywork - paint in nice condition, polishes up well. New indicator units about six months ago.
Interior - everything else is great. Black leather seats really comfortable, with no splits or tears (the rears barely used) and all the other electrics work. Aircon is lovely and cold. Heated windscreen and rear window work well. Cruise control works perfectly.
Chassis - new exhaust mid-section and back box just fitted. Welding to sills done.
Electrics - all the fuse boxes are dry and with all their covers intact.
MoT - a full year, with no advisories.
Mileage is 158871.
Service history is fully stamped, but I have no receipts. The previous owner had work done at Car Bar in Reading, and another of those things I meant to do was go and see them to get a copy of their servicing file.
None of the stuff that needs doing stops it being a lovely thing to drive.
Photos will follow tomorrow (although there are a few on the Reader's Rides thread in my signature).
I (and the car) am in Forest Gate, East London and happy to go to anyone not too far away, but I also work in Ebbsfleet, near Dartford, so can always meet there if that helps.
If you're interested, please drop me a PM.
