Ford Escorts

silverrat · Jul 15, 2009

My Honda Accord is on its last legs, and I'm looking to get something newer.

I've always liked Ford Escorts. I saw a decent one online, 95 4 door hatch, 5spd, power everything with 170,000km on it. $1000.

Are these cars any good? Ive owned three old Hondas in a row 1991, 1988 and 1993 and they were all good to me. How are these in comparison? Parts prices, labour, reliability?

Ask the average guy and they would say go for Japanese before a Ford, but Escorts are coming really cheap now?

Any comments?

SLCraig · Jul 15, 2009

Sounds like too much money for that to me..

brianl703 · Jul 15, 2009

Around here the general rule is if it can pass an emissions and safety inspection it's automatically worth $1000.

IndyIan · Jul 15, 2009

Is that certified and e tested? It would be worth it then I'd think.
I personally like that Escort version, not a lot of power in the 1.9L but its sort of a scrappy little simple car that can carry alot. I've only had a 91 Escort GT which had a different engine but the same automatic. It handled 127hp just fine.
I'd check it out, in the $1k car market its probably a better bet than most.

03cvpi · Jul 15, 2009

Sounds a little high, if there is any rust on it. Otherwise reasonable. If it has the 1.8 DOHC, check the timing belt, it's an interference engine. If it has the 1.9 SOHC, it is not an interference engine, but still check the belt. If it where the 1.9, I'd buy it.

silverrat · Jul 15, 2009

It is not cert. or etested.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/ctd/1271909077.html

I would love to find one cert and etested for $1000.

oilmaven · Jul 15, 2009

My sister has a 1993 Ford Escort wagon that is essentially the same car. It is without a doubt (despite it's age) the best car she has ever owned. It has about 130,000 miles (belonged to an old couple before she got it about 3 1/2 years ago) and really runs well...original factory air is still ice cold! Aside from routine maintenance (she's particularly good about regular oil changes which explains the cars longevity), she's had almost no problems with this car (except for broken rear springs for which these cars are notorious, particulary the wagons and the driver's side automatic seatbelt [censored] out in the locked position...she simply disconnects and reconnects the belt). I have some concerns about the lack of airbags in the car (driver bag added in 1994 and driver and passenger in 1995). Better yet are the 1997-2001(2?) Ford Escorts. These cars were quite an improvement with more room, a bigger engine and other enhancements. They're a real sleeper...will run forever with a little care and there are a lot of high-mileage examples on the road. Ford may have had some real stinkers back in the 90's but these were great little cars.

daves87rs · Jul 16, 2009

Originally Posted By: oilmaven
My sister has a 1993 Ford Escort wagon that is essentially the same car. It is without a doubt (despite it's age) the best car she has ever owned. It has about 130,000 miles (belonged to an old couple before she got it about 3 1/2 years ago) and really runs well...original factory air is still ice cold! Aside from routine maintenance (she's particularly good about regular oil changes which explains the cars longevity), she's had almost no problems with this car (except for broken rear springs for which these cars are notorious, particulary the wagons and the driver's side automatic seatbelt [censored] out in the locked position...she simply disconnects and reconnects the belt). I have some concerns about the lack of airbags in the car (driver bag added in 1994 and driver and passenger in 1995). Better yet are the 1997-2001(2?) Ford Escorts. These cars were quite an improvement with more room, a bigger engine and other enhancements. They're a real sleeper...will run forever with a little care and there are a lot of high-mileage examples on the road. Ford may have had some real stinkers back in the 90's but these were great little cars.

Agreed. Lots of them around here...

addyguy · Jul 16, 2009

That car is in good shape, and has low mileage for the year. $1k isn't bad for it at all - I'd jump on it!

Escorts are very reliable and tough little cars. Never owned one, but I've seen enough of them abused/neglected to know they will survive alot.

zoomzoomlx · Jul 16, 2009

I've driven a 93 Escort for the last two years and its been nothing but reliable for me. I haven't done more than normal maintenance on it. They are durable, great on gas, can be made to handle decently, parts are cheap, can hold a ton of stuff in the hatch and people won't steal one. It's a shame you are so far from me. Mine is going up for sale since I just brought a new Yaris home.

Ed_T · Jul 16, 2009

I know a fellow who bought a used one from a private party, a wagon. I am not sure of the year, I think it's late 90's. He told me at a recent gathering that up until some very late model year, there is a defect in the rear suspension requiring a mechanical fix, that causes the edge of the tires to wear unevenly.

He said the local Ford dealer tried to scam him with a $600 quote for measuring, welding [censored]. He had found the repair parts online for like $35. and was checking out how to get them installed.

That's all the detail I have.

Solo2driver · Jul 16, 2009

I loved my '91 Escort GT--

IndyIan · Jul 16, 2009

Originally Posted By: 03cvpi
Sounds a little high, if there is any rust on it. Otherwise reasonable. If it has the 1.8 DOHC, check the timing belt, it's an interference engine. If it has the 1.9 SOHC, it is not an interference engine, but still check the belt. If it where the 1.9, I'd buy it.

The 1.8 is not an interference engine, its the same engine as the sporty protege of the time came with as well as the 94-99? miata.

IndyIan · Jul 16, 2009

Was that with stock sway bars? I only autoX'd mine a few times and never with sticky rubber so I don't think it ever tipped up like that. For a long time I looked to get one but now they are mostly rust buckets here...

eljefino · Jul 16, 2009

Look for rust where the rear suspension attaches to the undercarriage.

I like the 5 speed ones better, my dad had a wagon that pulled 40 mpg. The non-sport ones are quiet and cushy for small cars.

ViragoBry · Jul 16, 2009

I've only seen 2 dead Escorts in my life. A 1986 with soft cam lobes, and a 1987 with a bad alternator. I think one of the secrets to their success is that in stock form, they didn't have enough power to hurt themselves. ;-)

addyguy · Jul 17, 2009

Originally Posted By: ViragoBry
I've only seen 2 dead Escorts in my life. A 1986 with soft cam lobes, and a 1987 with a bad alternator. I think one of the secrets to their success is that in stock form, they didn't have enough power to hurt themselves. ;-)

A bit O/T, but that is my EXACT thought about almost any year of
Toyota Tercel - highest HP rating was 92!

Solo2driver · Jul 20, 2009

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Was that with stock sway bars? I only autoX'd mine a few times and never with sticky rubber so I don't think it ever tipped up like that. For a long time I looked to get one but now they are mostly rust buckets here...

Car was 100% stock, did not want to spend money on it...still good enough to win a ProSolo and Super Challenge last year (before I sold it).

re: bolded, you're not a former National Champion

IndyIan · Jul 21, 2009

Originally Posted By: Solo2driver
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Was that with stock sway bars? I only autoX'd mine a few times and never with sticky rubber so I don't think it ever tipped up like that. For a long time I looked to get one but now they are mostly rust buckets here...

Car was 100% stock, did not want to spend money on it...still good enough to win a ProSolo and Super Challenge last year (before I sold it).

re: bolded, you're not a former National Champion

Well, since I'm not a national champ I'd have the back end hanging out abit more from overdriving!

I am amazed though that you could do so well with the old Escort, I'd think a 99 SiR would kill it or the old Civic Si.
My poor Neon is in G-stock and I do win the class, but a couple of my H-stock buddies beat me after paxing... I can't see an old Escort GT being any slower than my Neon so I might start looking again for one.

Solo2driver · Jul 21, 2009

Neon is now in FSP, something to think about? I still think the Neon could get it done in GS now that the MINI Cooper S is going to D-Stock in 2010. BUT...but but but, the turbocharged Neon SRT-4 ACR is in the same class as the base model non-turbo...yeah, like that makes sense. Maybe some letters to get the non-turbo Neon moved to HS would be appropriate.

Ford Escorts

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