BOARDROOM BARGAIN (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

Introductionword count: 149

Looking for a big car on a small budget? Then you'll probably already know where to look first. Ford's Granada offers a lot of car for the money - no question. Nor is there any lack of choice. The Granada was replaced by the questionably styled Scorpio. In its heyday, however, a trip along Britain's motorways could easily have convinced you that the blue oval's flagship was Britain's best selling car. Back in the late Eighties and early Nineties, a Granada was a mark of faithful service for the middle management reps whose daily task was to pound around round to Potters Bar. A mild (or not so mild according to model) pat on the back for years of successful sales targets. Even today, Henry's big saloon is a common sight. However, the drivers at the wheel are second-hand buyers who've bought into big car motoring for supermini money.

Modelsword count: 92

Models Covered: Third generation Granada: (Granada 1.8 5dr Hatchback [L, GL] / Granada 2.0 5dr Hatchback, Saloon, Estate [LX, GL, GLX, Executive, Ghia, Ghia X, Scorpio] / Granada 2.4 6cy 5dr Hatchback [GL, Ghia, Ghia X] / Granada 2.9 6cy 5dr Hatchback, Saloon, Estate [GLX, Executive, Ghia, Ghia X, Scorpio, 24v Ghia, 24v Scorpio] / Granada 2.9 6cy 5dr 4x4 Hatchback, Saloon [Scorpio, Ghia, Ghia X] / Granada 2.5 TD 5dr Hatchback, Saloon, Estate [Turbo LX, Turbo Ghia, L, Turbo L, Turbo LX, Turbo GL, Turbo GLX, Turbo Ghia, Executive, Ghia, Scorpio]

Historyword count: 154

The 'rounded shape' Granada, with its flush-fitting glass, made its debut in 1985, a large five-door car with a huge interior. Initially, the engine line-up was unremarkable; underpowered 1.8 and 2.0-litre four cylinder units; 2.4 and 2.9-litre V6s. Plus a nasty, noisy 2.5-litre diesel. The 1.8 and 2.4-litre variants didn't last long fortunately, and the carburettor 2.0-litre gave way to a fuel-injected engine of similar size in 1990, when a saloon was also added to the line-up. There was also a 4x4 option on 2.9-litre models, which lasted between 1987 and 1990. At the beginning of 1992, design specialists IAD masterminded a restyle which actually looked quite handsome. An estate was also announced at the same time and a 2.5-litre turbo diesel launched a year later. The range was replaced by the bug-eyed Scorpio (essentially a Granada with new nose, tail and cabin styling) in 1994 but you'll find lots of 1995-registered Granadas about.

What You Getword count: 37

A rather dowdy image but a lot of car. Arguably, the later Granadas were pretty good looking; they were certainly huge inside and very well equipped. The major drawback is the fuel consumption and high insurance premiums.

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