Back in the 1980s, the Fiesta XR2 was Ford’s answer to the Peugeot 205 GTI. Surely that alone is enough to catapult it towards high prices today – particularly now that production of the Fiesta has finished, with no replacement in sight.
Then again, maybe not. The XR2 never enjoyed the same critical acclaim as the Peugeot, or indeed the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Instead, it was seen as a bit uncouth; a car for people who wore baseball caps and Reebok Classic trainers.
Nostalgia is a powerful thing, though, and prices for the XR2 have been creeping upwards. Is now the time to buy one?
How does it drive?
For the Mk2 Fiesta XR2 (the one we’re driving here), Ford slotted in the 1.6-litre CVH engine from the larger Escort XR3.
With a lowly 97hp, today’s Fiesta ST drivers have little to fear. However, combine that output with a kerb weight of 893kg and you’ve got plenty of potential for fun. Not rocketship speed, admittedly – 0-62mph takes 10.2 seconds and a top speed is 112mph – but still a spirited drive.
Sitting in the Fiesta XR2 on a rainy day, it feels tiny. There’s an upright, very 1980s and rather low-rent dashboard in front of me, then a short, near-horizontal bonnet. I feel that, if the windscreen wasn’t there, I could almost lean forward and touch the car in front of me.
That feeling of vulnerability doesn’t fade when I start driving. Other cars seem huge, and the XR2’s feeble brakes take more than a few minutes to get used to.
Threading it around narrow Sussex lanes, I’m also conscious of how quickly things could go wrong if an oversized modern SUV comes hurtling around the corner.
But that vulnerability adds to the feeling of fun, right? It’s the same reason people braver than me enjoy roller coasters. And once I get into the spirit of the XR2, I begin to thoroughly enjoy it.
Its rorty exhaust note adds to the feeling that the carburettor-fed engine is working hard, and it feels quick at legal speeds. This is a car that’ll take you back to being a 17-year-old.
The brakes (discs at the front, drums at the rear) really are woeful by today’s standards and the Fiesta rolls around a lot in corners. In truth, I can see why the 205 GTI and Renault 5 GT Turbo enjoyed a much better reputation in their day.
The XR2 isn’t a polished hot hatch, then, but it’s brimful of enthusiasm – and offers a very different experience to a sanitised modern car.
Tell me about buying one
Not so long ago, a couple of grand would have got you a servicable Fiesta XR2. You’ve missed the boat if that’s your budget today, sadly. Even ropey examples can fetch close to £10,000 at auction, and we’d want £15,000 in the bank for a good one.
Still, when you compare that to other fast Ford prices – or indeed 205 GTI prices – it seems more acceptable. Perhaps even good value.
Corrosion is the biggest issue for Fords of this era, so have a good poke around before handing over any cash. Check the sills and wheelarches, as dirt and moisture can get trapped behind the plastic bodykit. The bulkhead (the area below the windscreen) is another rust-trap, as are the front suspension turrets.
As usual, we’d suggest checking the fluid levels under the bonnet and watching out for blue smoke from the exhaust on start-up. A weighty history folder is desirable, too. Most will have been restored at least once by now, so check any work has been done to a high standard.
Other than that, look out for general cosmetic wear and tear. These cars were built to a price, and parts can be hard to find today.
Ford Fiesta XR2: Verdict
French hot hatchback fans will turn up their noses up at the little Fiesta, and with some justification. As a driver’s car, it falls short. Nonetheless, it’s the 1980s hot hatch I’d spend my money on.
Those pepperpot alloys, the front spotlights, that noisy exhaust note… it all adds up to a slice of nostalgia that seems ever more appealing.
If you’re seriously thinking about buying an XR2, just take your time and choose carefully. A rotten one could lead to headaches and heartaches.
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Why the sporty Ford XR was so big in the 80s
Just to let you know that the early Mk2 Ford Fiesta XR2’s with the CVH engine actually had 96PS at 6,000 RPM and did 0-60 in a quicker 8.7 seconds and had a higher top speed of 112 mph. These figures are printed in the April 1986 Ford catalogue of which I have a copy. I also had an XR2 of that era and know that Ford detuned it later on in 1986, likely as t was embarrassingly close performance to the non injection XR3. As the October 1986 Ford brochure states it then has a lower 95 Ps at 5750 RPM and a 0-60 of 9.3 seconds with a top speed of 109 mph. I know that they changed the exhaust design for instance.