Yet another car that I bought on the eastern edge of the M25, this was actually a good one. A 1994 M plate ford escort 1.6 LX. Coming from a very basic 1984 1.3 golf, it was amazing.
It had a fews toys - power steering, electric windows. It had a 5 speed gearbox, decent headlights, proper electrics, reasonable speakers. It didn't smell of death. It accelerated. All these things my old golf didn't do.
I ran this car for 6 months - 5000 miles. It was subjected to my usual servicing schedule of a 10000 mile service with a 5000 mile interim oil change, and fully synthetic oil. It responded very well to this, the oil I was dropping out at 5000 miles was still quite clear and light brown.
Fuel economy was constant at 30mpg, no matter how I drove it. Even on a motorway journey to bristol and back from kent.
This is also probably the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. The only notable fault in 5000 miles was the central locking ECU giving up the ghost. It cost me £75 to get it diagnosed, but the part was only 15 quid from a local breakers. It had to be done, because the car wouldn't lock otherwise.
So. Driving it. I was 18, so to be driving a 1.6 escort was pretty cool. I must admit that I drove it like an 18 year old most of the time, and I found that when it broke traction, which was often, it slid very predictably and regained traction with no excess wobble or slide. The gearbox was smooth, but couldn't be rushed. I held the lever in position with a little pressure and waited for the gearbox to take it up, instead of ramming it home. The clutch had the usual clutch judder. As far as I know its just how fords from this time period are, you learn to drive around it.
There was a slight rattle from the front of the engine or exhaust when coasting along in 2nd gear at just below 30. No idea what it was, but a friend with the same car found the same thing.
I made a profit on this one too. Bought it for £900 with 30k miles, and no proof of mileage. Sold it for £925, in much the same state with 35k on the clock.
So why did I sell it? The clutch and driving position. The drivers seat is slightly offset from the pedal box, which causes you to twist a bit. I was also getting a lot of trouble with my left knee from operating a clutch, so I had to turn to automatics, which is a shame.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: it's a ford Disadvantages: it's a ford
trigger_mike 02.12.2003 (02.12.2003)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Ford Escort 1.6 Hatchback
very helpful by (44%):
helpful by (56%):
