Im on my 3rd Escort now, got to be one of the easiest cars to drive. They have so much character in comparison to the Focus or Fiesta. Ive driven BMW's, Benz's, VW's, Vauxhall's, Nissan's and Honda's but none have been more fun than my Ford Escorts. Each one I have bought has been better than the one before. The first was a 1.3 Mk3 and was really basic, it makes you forget why anyone would need air-con, electrics, etc......
Next up was a Mk5 Si 130 Cabriolet, and I think it is possibly the best value for money soft top you can buy, it has 5 seats for your mates, recaro interior for when you want to abuse the country roads and then you have the roof down in the summer for long road trips.
I sold the car as I didnt need to drive to work and I reverted to a Vauxhall Corsa several months later for a cheap run around. It had to be the most boring drive, steering was too light, interior was really plain and the car felt too heavy with modern day luxuries. So that got sold to a mate's missus.
Then I went car hunting, this time a Mk6 GTi. It had part leather seats,, sun-roof, full electrics, sports seats and tidy alloys. Not that any of that matters, the true test was the drive. The torque was brilliant for a car of that calibre, it really leaves the Citroen Saxos and your Renault Clios for dead. The handling round corners is an absolute joy, the steering isnt too light, and there isnt a computer trying to correct every single movement which means YOU actually drive the car. People drive in new Focus's and new Astra's and think they can drive like The Stig but really its the car doing all the hard work.
If you want a car that's cheap, easily sourced parts, a great ride and something that will do 150k plus, then look no further than the Escort. One day I'll be upgrading to a Cosworth Lux, but until then, I'll be smiling in my Gti.
Fun, torquey, cheap, loads of spares
Some rust, boot leaks, theres too many badly modified examples out there
Reviewing a 1998 model.
Ford Escort Gti
Owned for 1 year.
I don't know, some people... I have a 1998 Escort Ghia 1.6, there is no rust on it, and I've had no electrical problems whatsoever...it has been totally reliable. As standard the car does not inspire, but modified it begins to make more sense. Do not try to modify the 1.6 zetec engine for power as the small valve size means you waste your money, cutting for bigger valves just means you cut into the waterways and ruin the head. The 1.8 has a better head and responds well to standard modifications. Yes the design of the lower suspension arm bushes leaves a lot to be desired, but if you fit the lower arms designed for an escort van which have uprated bushes, they last far better. Lowering the car will usually kill tired bushes, so if you do that then change the lower arms at the same time...Use ford arms only...pattern parts will have you changing them again within a year, this is one part where cheap is a false economy...
My car is running on GMax -40mm suspension, Black diamond combi discs, mintex m1144 pads, toyo proxes T1-s tyres and cornering is a breeze, where many people with faster cars back off for a bend I just turn the wheel and round I go...
A 2.0 litre throttlebody from a mondeo will fit the 1.6- 1.8 plastic manifold escort simply by changing over the cable bracket from your standard throttlebody to the 2.0 one, this will improve breathing in and a less restrictive exhaust (I chose a powerflow custom stainless) will sort the breathing out...It will not go much faster but it will pick up far more smartly, than the sluggish standard parts allow...
I got my car at 14k miles, it is now at 44k in that time apart from normal servicing I have had to replace, 1 clutch, 2 wiper arms, both rear wheel bearings, and the front suspension lower arms...hardly expensive to run...
As for those who've had problems I can only say if you buy the right car in the first place, then this doesnt have to happen, bottom line is, I like this car so much that I'm having a new 0 miles zetec 1.8 130Bhp (£800) engine fitted and for that my insurance group will go up from group 7 to group 9...bargain....try doing that with a lot of other cars.
This is the third Ford car I have had (previously Granada, then Sierra)as with all of them there have been problems, electrical, belts, tracking etc. I do like my escort 1.6 ghia, but had it two years and spent nearly £1,000 on a car that cost £2,400...one thing after another on things that I would expect to last longer like 2 tailgate switches,2 brake compensators,suspension front and back, ignition barrell, front pads and disks, cam belt(own choice one went on sierra)and now misfiring replaced leads and some other piece of electrical thingy, thermostat, battery.
I have decided not to buy a FORD again. Henry T Ford once said "you can have any colour as long as it's black" he should have said "Hi my names Ford...Fix Or Repair Daily
hi i have just bought a modified Escort 94, but its the first ever MK 6. I bought it fairly cheap because the Cam Belt snapped at 70,000 and decided to get a recon engine. That cost a grand. And i found that there are so many niggly things wrong with the car. Like the other day i came home from Uni and found the full beams were on, i had not left these on. Lucly the battery was not run down, i had to dissconnect the battery and its like going to cost me about £150 to fix. Also the rear wiper was playing up. This car i a bloody pain. I have always hated ford, i dont know why i bought it. I cant wait to get rid of it, and will NEVER buy a ford again. Good ridence!
Had a 1996 1.8Si, was quite good fun, fairly fast, ok handling but this was at the expense of an uncomfortably hard ride.
Got rid of it at 65,000 miles as it was starting to get lots of nigly problems, wheel arches were rusting, rear wash wipe packed in, air con stoped working, front suspension worn, bits of trim kept falling off, fanbelt broke, exhaust mountings falling off. these things should not happen to a 6 year old car.
In conclusion Ford parts may be cheap, but you will need lots of them! Better to buy a car that is better put together.
I have an LX estate 1.6 - runs rough, rusted, terrible fuel efficiency, handles like a pregnant dinosaur, needed a new engine and gearbox at 100,000m. Locking system is poor. Can't wait to get something else.
i've enjoyed my 1.6 Escort for 4 1/2 years now apart from standard parts replacement the only problem i had since new was the rear wiper motor going which was replaced by Ford and been fine ever since, i just wish it cornered better(i live in a town filled with roundabouts)
Owned for 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2004.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
This is the third Ford car I have had (previously Granada, then Sierra)as with all of them there have been problems, electrical, belts, tracking etc. I do like my escort 1.6 ghia, but had it two years and spent nearly £1,000 on a car that cost £2,400...one thing after another on things that I would expect to last longer like 2 tailgate switches,2 brake compensators,suspension front and back, ignition barrell, front pads and disks, cam belt(own choice one went on sierra)and now misfiring replaced leads and some other piece of electrical thingy, thermostat, battery.
I have decided not to buy a FORD again. Henry T Ford once said "you can have any colour as long as it's black" he should have said "Hi my names Ford...Fix Or Repair Daily
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed January 2004.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
I own a '96 1.8 Si. To date it's had (in no particular order)a lower suspension arm, a bush in the other, thermostat, temperature sender, rear hub, complete gear linkage and the head gasket blew. All this is on a genuine 55000 miler! The car is pampered and over-serviced and yet still causes me grief. And yesterday the front wipers started playing up. In fairness though, apart from the head gasket, everything has been cheap to fix as long as you don't use the dealer network. I'm now looking to buy a Golf GTi instead.......
Owned for 4 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed July 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Run a 1.6LX (1998) with Aircon. Not as Robust as a MK2, not as pokey as the MK3 1.6. Disapointed with the Zetech Engine, the old CVH was much better. Still love Eccy's though. Had all usual problems (fuel sensor, tracking, rear wiper. Bit crap for a 5 year old car though. Love Hate relationship!
I HAVE A 1995 FORD ESCORT THE PARTS ARE VARY HARD TO LOOK FOR. I AM TRYING TO AD SOME PERFORMANCE TO IT LIKE A DTM DUAL MUFFLER,ALUM SPOLIR, DOHC ENGINE, PERFORMANCE CHIP, MOMO STRERING WHEEL, CLUCH KIT, AND SEAT COVERS.
1.4 LX never manager more than 24 MPG, and thats taking is steady on a run. I keep the car serviced better than the service schedule and also use Mobil.1 oil. When I contacted Ford they said it was a fault with the management system.THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO CHANGE THIS. Thats a Joke - Just Like all mickey mouse companies, dont care about after sales service!!!!!!!!
Owned for 4 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed March 2002.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
my 97 1.8td 90ps has got exellent performance and is very underated. no common problems except for the dated ford locks, but overall a very good all round car.
Owned for 2 years.
Showing reviews 1
to 13
of
13.
Important Note
All ratings and reviews are submitted by visitors to this web site, and represent their own personal opinion. They do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Preloved.
You use this information at your own risk. Preloved can not be held responsible for any damages or loss resulting from the use of this site. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.
