USED Ford Escort Hatchback (90 - 01)

My car

brought car as a stop gap after losing a fortune on a renault megane was really cheap but not as bad as expected ok to drive being a 1.8 petrol was quite nippy even though bodywork was tatty interior was immaculate and has everything you need power steering elec windows air con which works and a sunroof cd player home servicing was very cheap oil filter leads plugs air filter all for around 50 pounds needed new bottom arm but only 17 pounds not the best car or most relible but still going strong considering second time round the clock

My car

i have owned this car for over 2 years and what a car. i use to have a saxo vtr and the gti is a much better car. The gti is better to drive and its alot smoother.The running costs are just as much as the vtr.i still have the car and cant find a much better car for the money

The only problem i,ve had, was to put two new lower arms onto it and thats about it,i think alot of the escorts have the same problem.

Its a fast car,very good off the mark and in 2nd gear. Top speed is around 130mph and will go on more

If anyone was looking for a fast car and which you can put 4/5 people into, go for a escort gti and not a small little saxo vtr

My car

This is a spot on car when you consider the cost to buy and maintain. I have had my 1.8 si for 3 years and I have loved driving every mile in it. I have had a few small modifications which have made the car drive, handle and sound superb.

The fuel consumption is very high for the car and I have found it soon needs retracking.

Cheap to maintain with no major faults, I have had to have a new clutch at 70,000 miles.

I drive the new ford focus at work all day and it is a pleasure to take the driving seat in mine at the end of the day. The focus handles like a boat and the 1.8 diesel hits the rev limiter in low gear before you have chance to even think about changing. Not to mention the horific looks. I would pick the hatchback escort over a focus anyday. I'm waiting for the day ford realise this and relaunch the escort and my name would be top of the list for the first model.

Also put the back seats down and you have the same room as a small van.

My car

I owned my Escort GTI for three and a half years (bought it in 2002)and overal it was a really good car, RS body kit looked nice.Interior was a good all round design, nice dash layout seats very comfortable looked nice with the half leather as well, but they can have some annoying rattles.

Driving the car i think the handling was pretty sharp even driving a Focus TDCI sport (car i replaced this with) i could hardly tell the difference on twisty roads. Ride could be a bit rattly.

Fuel economy was'nt bad on the motorway about 350miles to a tank, car performed well, these 1.8 zetec engines seemed very willing for some reason,their noticable quicker than the 1.8 zetec focus, very good 1st and 2nd gear pull.

Main problems had to replace the idle control valve, the clutche suffered with a high biting point till replaced this was only at 58k, alot of escorts i've drove have had the same issue. I also had an electric window motor break, £200 to fix, and electric window switch.

To some it up the Escort was very reliable, think these cars are under estimated, Escorts aren't as bad as people make them out, generally cheap to maintain parts are cheap and available. The car i sold a year and a half ago is still going strong i wish i never sold it. Oh the GTI was the only spec with ABS standard.