Original XR3 was 96 bhp or thereabouts. The 1.6 CVH engine was a real flyer at the time, but notorious for cambelt failure and if I remember correctly, carb gremlins. But I'd go for it, good ones will be collectable, get a good anti-theft device though.
Baz
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I think Renault Family is being a bit harsh (sure the original XR3i will get soundly spanked by a Leon Cupra, but it's a damn site better than the hot hatch con trick called a 2.0 Golf GTI) but agree that all things being equal, and if the XR3 in question is totally honest, go for it, and appreciate it for what it is!
I rememeber when I drove my aunt's (X-reg, I recall) example for the first time, having owned a Mitsubishi Colt 1410 GLX and an Austin Aggro 1750 ahem, 'Sport', as my first two cars. The biggest impressions were the weighty steering - with chunky small wheel and fat spokes - the 'awesome' horsepower, and the telephone dial wheels. Okay, the 'awesome' horsepower was totally put in to perspective a year later when I drove a Porsche 911 for the first time, and my current family man's Volvo estate would murder an XR3 too, fully laden, but it was still usefully pokey, and I had a lot of fun on the B-roads near Winchcombe and the A road to Cheltenham. (Yes, she was in the passenger seat at the time!)
Enjoy!
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I think what you need to understand here is what you are looking for from a car.
If you're looking at something that can give the modern 16 valves hot hatches a run for their money, then this is probably not the car for you, given some of the comments above.
However, if you're looking for a classic example and enjoy the ride etc, then get a good look at it and progress the enquiry.
You need to consider why you are buying this car as opposed to a more modern car or even a basic Mk 4 Escort 1.6 Ghia. What is the difference?
Hugo
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it is broke, blame someone else!"
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i remember being a spotty 13 year old at school back in late 1980 when the school secretary bought a brand new bright yellow XR3.
i remember everyone crowding around it to get a better look in the car park. i think it was 'that' spoiler that did the trick. i'd seen nothing like it at the time this side of a lamborghini countach.
although they are cheap as chips now (if you see one) i do think they have maybe not classic status but definatly cult status.
yes i'd buy it, cherish it, who cares if it not state of the art and a bit essex boyish, if you don't in a few months (i.e. summer) you'll regret it
just don't use it as day to day transport 'cos it'll probably break down.
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You can make these cars really rather fast if you want to, with big valve heads cams and carbs these can be seriously quick. Best to think of the cam shaft on one of these as a disposeable item. They wear at the best or times. Excellent info here: www.pumaracing.co.uk/cvh.htm
Will you be able to do a lot of the work on the car yourself? If you will rely on a garage mechanic for all jobs that may need doing i can forsee quite serious running costs. the more you can do yourself the better. If you like the car that much and are prepared to spend the cash, go for it.
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The car's not in Bristol is it?
About five years ago I knew a chap who had one of the first XR3s. W or X reg in white with black decals it was with the big black polyurethane rear spoiler. It had a low mileage and was clearly cherished.
I say they are a classic, you should still be able to get all of the service items you will need for this car. It will be trim items, such as interior, that will be hard to come by now - but there's bound to be an owners club who can help.
And yes, one of my old teachers also used to buy these cars new (in black) around 1983 until she moved onto Orion 1.6 Ghias.
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Buy it - enjoy it. Life is too short.
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tinyurl.com/yv7d8
buy it buy it!!!
just don't modify it and ruin it, keep it original.
out of curiosity, how much is it up for?
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Go for it! My friend used to have a 1985 C reg RS Turbo Escort in white about five years ago - mint, full dealer history. I will always remember the whistle of that turbo and chunky 80's dashboard. These old Fords are serious nostalgia trips now and they need preserving. I think rust must have got to them all by now, you see very few Mk3 or even Mk4 Escorts these days.
Can't beat reading the 1980's editions of Ford 'Cars' brochures with the model breakdowns and photos of RS1600, XR3i and Sierra XR4X4 ! Of course there was always the Astra GTE rivalry.
Those were the days before catalysts, air bags and computer ECU madness. I was thinking the other day how everyone used to pull on a choke know on a cold morning but even that has gone forever.
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A word of warning. Although it may look rust free, watch out for the rear spring hangars (sp?) which are prone to rusting through from the inside. Can be welded up of course but distinctly dangerous if you corner it as it should be:-)
madf
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Ah, nostalgia! I had a 1982 XR3i in Caspian blue; I ordered an XR3 but timed it nicely cos production switched to the injected model. That had a lower ride height than the carb version and absolutely looked the business.
The motoring mags of the days said it was inferior to the Golf GTI but I was dead impressed. Great looks, great interior (seats especially), sounded good, ride was fine. I thought the engine was torquey enough too, despite what the press said.
In fact, the XR3i replaced a Mk1 Golf LS that was tinny and cheapo in comparison (and a great disappointment after the Beetle that preceded it); with the XR I felt I'd gone UPmarket. Later, brother-in-law (at the time) bought a new C-reg RS Turbo. Great car.
OK, so cars have moved on over the last 20-years plus, and later XR3is looked rubbish. But I'd feel good seeing or even being in a mint XR3 now. Fine car in its day; a minor classic now. Go for it.
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"The motoring mags of the days said it was inferior to the Golf GTI "
I think there were more comparison tests of the XR3 and GTi than any other cars - they were natural rivals - sometimes the Astra was included.
Given the number of Mk1 GTis still on the road in comparison to XR3s it would seem that the motoring mags got it right at least as far as quality was concerned.
The Ford was a good car and would have been an even bigger success but for the VW which was exceptional for the time. My 1600cc 110bhp Mk1 felt faster in every way than my Mk4 1.8t with 150bhp. The latter being so much heavier - but then again so am I!!
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Yeah, you're right about durability. Though (at least until now) VWs heve held their value better. So an XR3i was always a cheaper (the only?) option for boy racers and general low-life, with all that implies for type of usage, servicing and general care.
(Not that I look down on the lower socio-economic classes, you understand...)
You're right about corpulent Golfs though. The worst IMO was the MkIII GTI: gutless 2.0 litre dragging round a load of excess weight. MkII invigorating. MkIII mind-numbing. And the build quality of the early ones at least (like mine) was rubbish.
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If you do go for it, let me know and I may be able sort you out a workshop manual for £9.95 including post to UK address.
Hugo
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Thanks for everyones help - but it appears i've missed the boat on this one. It was going for £350, and has gone! a bit of a bargain when in the back of classic ford mag good ones go for £900+
Ah well, if anyone could let me know if they see another good MKIII XR3 or XR3i in the north I would be grateful.
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Consider an XR4i as well.
There are a few minters about and the insurance is suprisingly cheap. More space, pace and a nice V6 sound. If you're not doing a lot of miles then fuel economy is not a major factor. Mine averaged 25mpg.
Charles
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Unless you really, really love XR3, leave it. Look for a Mk1 Golf GTi instead, it's well screwed together, has some real performance, it's reliable beyond it's age and also it will be a classic car.
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Very true 3500S, but even a half decent Mk1 will cost a lot more than the £350 that the XR3 was going for! You need about a grand for a Golf that's not a complete wreck.
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If we're suggesting alternatives, the 205 GTi cannot get much cheaper. They're gonna be classics. They say the 1.6 is as fast as the 1.9.
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True, 205's are definitely starting to go up in value. There's a specialist website (just GTis or something) that has mint ones on sale for 3-4K! Still a lot around for peanuts though, you just have to wade through all the rubbish before you can find a good one!
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1.6 205 is not nearly as fast as the 1.9. A few journalists did think the handling of the 1.6 was better with its slightly softer suspension.
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I'm going to give away my age a little here, but what the hell. I drove both of these when they first came out. The very early XR3's were NOT up to scratch: the original chassis tuning had been done on smooth continental surfaces and Ford had to do a rapid re-tune for the UK market as the first cars were worse than the (rear drive) RS2000's they effectively succeeded.
Ford did eventually get it right, but the blunt truth was that the XR3 was, for all its style, little better than average in the handling department. Race tracks are never very flattering to road cars, but I raced a production XR3 round Mallory Park and it was plough-on understeer everywhere and a four-speed transmission with a yawning gap between third and top. Safe yes, fast no.
The 205 GTi 1.6 was a revelation when it first came out: far sharper than the XR3, even nervous hints of tail-happy in some circumstances. And much prettier - its shape still stands the test of time.
If we're reminiscing about hot hatches then don't forget the original Renault 5 GT Turbo either. In terms of acceleration this was the quickest of the lot, but crude with it: it got so hot under the bonnet that the fuel evaporated, causing chronic stall/hot start problems.
Yep, those were the days...
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I was tempted by the XR3 cos of it's low price and possible appreciation in value. Plus I like the way they look.
Maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a 1.9 205 GTI too - I drive a bog standard 306 daily and the handling of that blew me away at first over previous cars (astra tipo etc).
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