Its a 1992 on a J plate. I'm a Plumber and was looking for a 'new' second hand van 5 years ago for £1500...and this is what I ended up with.
Its about had it now (the exhaust has started to blow today) and has needed some welding doing on the chasis but I think I'll stick with the Escort Van for the next one cause nothing really major has gone wrong with it in 5 Years and its got 130000K on the clock!!!!.
Ok its a recon engine but its just so easy and cheap to maintain. The 1.3 engine here has been around a lifetime and is a doddle to work on.
Petrol consumption seems average about 35mpg for me...thats with all my tools on the back weighing it down, so its not to bad at all really.
I can get baths in the back and old setee's from home. (only the tip don't like you turning up in vans.."trade waste" they grunt, "can't dump that" even when its your own rubbish)
I like the driving postion in this more than my Golf Gti... its a more comfortable and also handles better. Only 4 gears on this Escort though, which makes it more noisy on the motorway..five would have been nice.
The brakes are poo, I don't feel that safe with the COMPLETE lack of safety features and the steering is VERY HEAVy.
Oh yeah...my first car was a Escort Van in 1989...I seem to remember a materess fitted in the back very nicely! That was handy with the back windows blacked out.
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P.S. is it petrol or diesel? Does your van look anything like this : http://www.perrys.co.uk/used_choice?car_id=4859230
Connoisseur_Haggler 18.05.2004 21:21
I'll get Ciao to move this into the Ford van category -no doubt there aren't many vans about Ciao -so this was a useful one to read! And....from the sounds of it looks like you've shifted some pretty heavy stuff in the back of this one! and it stayed ok...have you ever had a cast iron bathtub in this I wonder?! Useful opinion -CH
Advantages: Parts are cheap, and the different types of engine seem endless. Disadvantages: Geting on a bit now and you may have trouble when it comes to your M.O.T
Slylie 29.03.2001 (23.01.2004)
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Review of Ford Escort 1.3
Advantages: No timing belt (1.3 only) - cheaper to maintain, Lots of parts and garages around. Many models, colours to choose from a many different prices/ages. Disadvantages: Common, everyday car
pontyslapper 22.12.2000 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Ford Escort 1.3
May 18th, 2004
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