1996 Ford Escort LX Sport review from North America
"Perfect reliability, affordable parts when needed"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Alternator at 260,000 kilometers (no rev limiter on manual Escorts, so easy to do)
Front brake pads, calipers and rotors at 260,000 kilometers.
Front brake pads and rotors again at 291,000 kilometers. This car eats through pads, and then proceeds to score the rotors. I had the rotors machined to minimum thickness, and then had to replace entirely a few weeks later (too much noise and increased stopping distance).
Horn at 270,000 kilometers. Replaced horn pad myself with parts from auto wrecker and instructions from the Internet.
Hose from PCV valve was split (when I bought it), causing a very rough idle and stalling. Replaced the hose and now the car runs like new!
General comments?
Excellent car for the long haul. Though I've only had this car for a year, there was an Escort exactly like mine new in the family from 1997 and 2000 and it was perfectly reliable.
Though high kilometers, the car still sounds like new and is reasonably powerful considering the meagre 110 horsepower.
Not much interior storage and rear legroom is limited, but a very roomy trunk and plenty of headroom.
Watch the hoses for splits and leaks; these affect driving performance greatly, and are actually a cheap and easy fix!
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0L SPI Manual |
| Performance marks | 6/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 257000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 295000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Volvo 740 |
| Date of Entry | 21st June, 2006 |