Summarising the feature in Redline oct'99
Big turbo T3
built :92-94
engine :ford YBT 1993cc inline four
max power:227bhp@6250rpm
max torque:220 lb/ft@3500rpm
brakes:servo assisted with abs:front 278mm vented discs.rear 273mm vented discs
transmission:5 speed manual , 4 wheel drive
wheels 8x16in ford alloys
max speed: 140mph
0-60mph:5.7secs
small turbo T25
built :94-96
engine :ford YBP 1993cc inline four
max power:227bhp@5750rpm
max torque:217 lb/ft@2500rpm
brakes:servo assisted with abs:front 278mm vented discs.rear 273mm vented discs
transmission:5 speed manual , 4 wheel drive
wheels 8x16in ford alloys
max speed: 140mph with rear wing,144mph without
0-60mph:5.7secs
Engine:Robust in standard tune.T25 less tunable so more likely to be standard.
get receipts for any work done on big turbo version.
Pukka (their word, not mine) big tubo engine is finished in blue.a black block ain't the genuine article. Head gasket can go, check for telltale white sludge in the oil.If turbo is on way out, there'll probably be white exahust smoke on idle, particularly wafter a hard run.
Header tanks expand and can crack eventually,so check for damage there.
Suspension. bushes and bearings can take a caning.check both before you buy.
Transmission. standard box can take 375bhp,clutches more fragile, 300bhp can fry it, watch for slipping clutch.
Box replacements are expensive.watch for graunching,snatch or clonking transmission, or gear whine.3rd gear is the one to watch out for, due to the heavy use it gets.
interior.leather on lux models.can suffer from fusebox failure, meaning whole box needs replacing.
Bodywork: check for accident damage (panel gaps, mismatched paint and overspray).Body is hand built by Karmann, and is hard to repair.
Front splitter is so low it can fall foul of speed humps, so may not be still attached.If it's missing, £200 for another one.
Front bumpers should have lamp washers.
The strut holding up the massive rear wing can crack around the base.
Twin headlamp conversions are worth having.
Wheels:18's fit with no mods.tyre life is around 8000miles, and 4x4 means all 4 at once.
Brakes : Standard items are fine, but can warp under extreme abuse. Fit bigger brakes if you uprate the engine. Some owners disconnect the abs in order to get the bigger discs on there.
Rivals:
Impreza turbo
Calibra 4x4 turbo
Sunny gti-r
Saab 900 turbo
There you go. Hope it helps.
[damn, this took me 20mins]