1998 Ford Escort GT review from UK and Ireland

Nothing had or has gone wrong with it since I bought it.

For a 1.6 GT limited edition though, it is slow from 0 to 60, but has good mid range torgue all the way up the gears. Does tend to loose revs between gear changes.

It has good comfortable seats and leather interior with white dials and all the other usual styling for a GT or GTi.

The 1.6i GT does not handle too well on its own springs, so they were changed and handling really improved. The original shocks are not able to handle the lowering, bushings started to soften and there was a little play in the movement of the shocks as a result. Cracking and banging noises can be heard driving into and out of corners. Problem solved by upgrading the bushings and replacing the shocks.

Oversized steering wheel is a pain in the ass and with no height or rack adjustment, it had power assisted steering so there is no need for the big steering wheel.

If I was to buy another Escort it would have to be an RS model as the Honda 1.5i SOHC I have would leave this one for dust.

Otherwise a good car, but really does not deserve the GT badge. A standard Zetec engine and coloured coded bumpers, white dials, alloys and leather interior does not class it as a GT if it does not have the BHP and torque to match the older XR3i models. I have raced against an 89 XR3i and it was lacking grunt even though there was 9 years between the cars. The 8 valve XR3i had a stronger and better engine in my opinion.