I do love my Ł200 Sierra. Bought on ebay in 2006 and still going well. Does 130 mile every two weeks from Surrey to Norfolk and so comfortable. Always suspected head gasket from the day I bought it after smelling exhaust smell in coolant so decided to leave coolant cap loose so not too much pressure builds up that might make the exhaust to coolant problem expire sooner than later. Its still a happy bunny but can tell the gasket is getting worse as tends to push out water with exhaust gasses now but ok if I top it up after each motorway run. Temp stays fairly constant and in the normal range. As far as the rest of the shit goes its fine. Top tyres, brakes, steering etc and always sails through the mot. Happiest at midnight on M11 at 75-80 and does around 40MPG. Not going to replace it with another Sierra when it goes as would like air con and power steering. This is the second sierra since 2001. Just not sure what large saloon to buy at this end of the market that will be as comfortable and cheap to run. Considering Mondeo but not keen, old Merc or Jag. any other sensible ideas? Must be really comfortable seats Mark

I do love my Ł200 Sierra. Bought on ebay in 2006 and still going well. Does 130 mile every two weeks from Surrey to Norfolk and so comfortable. Always suspected head gasket from the day I bought it after smelling exhaust smell in coolant so decided to leave coolant cap loose so not too much pressure builds up that might make the exhaust to coolant problem expire sooner than later. Its still a happy bunny but can tell the gasket is getting worse as tends to push out water with exhaust gasses now but ok if I top it up after each motorway run. Temp stays fairly constant and in the normal range. As far as the rest of the shit goes its fine. Top tyres, brakes, steering etc and always sails through the mot. Happiest at midnight on M11 at 75-80 and does around 40MPG. Not going to replace it with another Sierra when it goes as would like air con and power steering. This is the second sierra since 2001. Just not sure what large saloon to buy at this end of the market that will be as comfortable and cheap to run. Considering Mondeo but not keen, old Merc or Jag. any other sensible ideas? Must be really comfortable seats Mark look for a sierra with air con, there are some about.  otherwise move to something like an avensis

Just out of interest, why are you not keen on a Mondeo? Rob Graham

Just out of interest, why are you not keen on a Mondeo? Rob Graham Probably for similar reasons to me, overhyped POS and they don't even drive nicely, a classic case of the kings suit or whatever it was called.  and don't get me started on all the bits that fail or fall off.  For a more reasoned explanation just read the Honest John section on them and look at all the faults, then guesstimate how much they cost to fix.

Just out of interest, why are you not keen on a Mondeo? Rob Graham Probably for similar reasons to me, overhyped POS and they don't even drive nicely, a classic case of the kings suit or whatever it was called. and don't get me started on all the bits that fail or fall off.  For a more reasoned explanation just read the Honest John section on them and look at all the faults, then guesstimate how much they cost to fix. I ask because I have one and it's an excellent car (02 diesel). The only problems have been the DMF (expensive) and the cambelt tensioner. It drives well and holds everything I want to put into it (well, almost) Rob

Just out of interest, why are you not keen on a Mondeo? Rob Graham Probably for similar reasons to me, overhyped POS and they don't even drive nicely, a classic case of the kings suit or whatever it was called. and don't get me started on all the bits that fail or fall off.  For a more reasoned explanation just read the Honest John section on them and look at all the faults, then guesstimate how much they cost to fix. I ask because I have one and it's an excellent car (02 diesel). The only problems have been the DMF (expensive) and the cambelt tensioner. It drives well and holds everything I want to put into it (well, almost) Rob Exactly my point, the two failures you have experienced, on what to me is a very new car are completely unacceptable, the cost of those two failures is more than I would expect to pay out on a car including purchase and maintenance for years on end. I meant of course the story of the king's new clothes. !!