Ford Scorpio
Those people who want a reasonably cheap executive car that’s reliable, well built, and kitted out nicely should seriously think about the Ford Scorpio. In its day it was the famous American company’s flagship in the ‘up market’ niche, and offers affordable luxury and a good overall package for a small price. While it’s rather strange in terms of design, there’s still a lot to like about it.
Unveiled in 1985, original models were intended to replace the popular Grenada, although were still sold under that name up to 1994. Available in hatchback, saloon and estate versions, the Scorpio was solid, and did its job very well. 2 main generations and several facelifts were released over the years until production ended in 1998, and could be found in a plethora of trims- Cosworth V6 versions being particularly tasty.
In terms of design, earlier variants were hardy and unremarkable, however this changed with the 1994 Mark II which was totally unique and very eye catching- some may say for all the wrong reasons. The front grille is akin to a frog’s mouth, and overall it looks like something the FBI would drive around trying to be inconspicuous, especially in black. The interior however is spacious and comfortable, with top spec models being very well equipped indeed. Uncluttered and intuitive, you don’t have to be a genius to work out what everything does and there is certainly some style to the cabin. You get the most amount of room in the estate version, and overall there’s no issue with practicality.
The Scorpio is rather docile to drive and cruises around in an effortless sort of way. Predictable steering and a good balance means it’s composed through the corners, but you wouldn’t want to give it the full beans in poor conditions. Ideal for motorway driving, there’s little drama in a straight line and you really do ride in comfort. There are loads of different engines on offer, from 2.3 litre petrols to 2.5 litre turbo diesels and the 2.9 litre Cosworth V6 that can really get a move on. The choice is yours, but all work well.
The fact that this car was never really that popular means there’s a lot of potential to pick up a great deal on the second hand market. Here at Motors.co.uk you’ll find thousands of different pre owned cars for sale at very low prices, so getting a bargain is incredibly straightforward. Whether you go for the older, more ‘normal’ versions or the modern fly catchers, a used Ford Scorpio will deliver a lot for very little.
Plainly then, while it might not be super stylish like the big name brands out there, the Ford Scorpio still has a lot to offer. Comfort, interior space and quite a luxurious feel mean it’s a sensible approach for executives who know a thing or two about bargain hunting. Get the Cosworth engines if you want the most fun, but in general you’ll be idling along in a laid back kind of way.