Scooby
Thread starter
Thanks guys...kep 'em coming. I'm gonna look into older vw, saturn and suburu.
Most all of them used a Mazda transmission with a Ford engine. I know of a 91 with the Ford 1.9L (the 2.0L SOHC used on the 97-up Escorts is similar to the 1.9L) that went 170,000 miles and to the best of my knowledge it's still being driven somewhere.quote:
Originally posted by 55:
As far as the mid 90's Escort, I think they're a solid little car. They used the powertrain from the Mazda 323/Protege, so you know they've got good reliability.
A belt is quite reliable for it's normal service life. many 100's of 1000s of miles and never had one break.quote:
Originally posted by labman:
You said reliable. A number of the suggestions have timing belts. Oops!
I have a 2000 Kia Sephia and its a good car. I learned its the same engine as the Mazda Miata and the manual tanny is the same as the Escort. You can find a Sephia that has 50k or less miles for less than 1500-2000 bucks. I drive 80 miles a day and i love that car. I get 33 mpg w/ FP.quote:
Originally posted by ToyotaNSaturn:
Brian, IIRC, the 1.8L DOHC Mazda motors from the early 90's had several parts in common with the 87-89 Mercury Tracer/Mazda 323 engines. Is that 1.8L still made or in a different form nowadays?
Due to low residual values, these cars are more likely to be totalled in an accident and end up in a junkyard, so there's often no difficulty finding parts for them there.quote:
Originally posted by AstroVic:
(A complete engine swap shouldn't cost more than $500 if you can find one in a junkyard and do the work yourself.)