Ford's Escort has been the mainstay of the small hatch market for years, and with good reason. My rare edition of the 1.8 saloon has been a reliable and comfortable friend for the last couple of years.
Whilst a Golf might have more badge appeal, and the 306 probably better to drive, you just can't knock the value of the Escort. I picked up mine just as the Focus arrived and secured a very good deal on it.
This Ghia Si model has all the bells and whistles, including 15" wheels, RS2000 front bumper with fog lights, full velour trim, all electrics plus ABS.
Whilst the 1.8 (105PS) Zetec is not what you'd call refined, it does produce a lot of low down torque, handy for quick getaways at roundabouts. Provoke it a little more and there's an admirable amount of surge, but being quite a heavy car it's no hooligan.
In 45,000 miles of ownership, it has let me down, however. The worst was the head gasket blowing, quite expensive to repair. Plus two bearings (one letting go at 80mph on the A12, not much fun) and a couple of electrical faults. But even with servicing aside, it's been pretty cheap motoring.
This is the biggest virtue of owning a Ford. Parts cost next to nothing, and there's a dealer on every street corner. I'm also quite light-footed on the gas and can easily make over 40mpg on my 52-mile daily commute. Insurance, although in group 11, costs me just 450 pounds. As a 24-year-old male, that's quite reasonable.
I'd heartily recommend any variant of this car to anyone, particularly those on a budget. A car that's nice to drive, fairly reliable and extremely cheap to run.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
yeah , i had one, bloody good cars!!!!! I also had a Golf at ame time, escort takes the biscuit!
timmyotoole 29.06.2001 22:00
A very good first op, more detasil on features, extras, reliability, service, insurance, mileage? Just minor things that will improve as you write more ops. Well done on a good first op thouhg, I certainly found it interesting and helpful. Timmy (BTW I am a notoroiusly stingy rater!).
willgould 29.06.2001 21:50
im going to start driving soon so thankyou that was very helpful. cheers!
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Jun 29th, 2001
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