Faults:

Thermostat, alternator.

General Comments:

This is my second Ford Escort. I bought this car in 2010 for my wife to learn to drive with. The car has been great value for the money, and has only needed some minor repairs.

Acceleration is acceptable, considering it's not the cars' highest attribute. Gas mileage and reliability would be the vehicle's highest attributes.

It handles pretty good too, due to its low ground clearance, but when there is lots of snow outside, this car is practically useless.

Faults:

Blown head gasket about 10k after original purchase.

Transmission began to start slipping on 3rd gear at 92000 miles.

Vacuum leak that kept recurring even after fix.

Previous owner had an aftermarket alarm system installed in the vehicle that was not uninstalled correctly prior to my purchase of the vehicle, leading to a myriad of electrical problems that would leave the car sometimes immobilized.

General Comments:

Seeing as it was a first year model, I wasn't that surprised at some of the problems, especially since the previous owner did a shoddy job at installing the alarm system.

Operating costs is GREAT for this vehicle. 22 bucks will fill up the tank, and I usually can ride on that for about a week and a half to two weeks. Parts are cheap, and fixing this car (if you're mechanically inclined) is easy. I would recommend checking out the transmissions on these vehicles before purchase, as they are ridiculously fragile, even though it compliments the engine well, and gives the car a lot of pep.

Faults:

Nothing... literally not a thing!

General Comments:

Cheapest cost to own car ever made! Routine maintenance, brakes, tire, oil, etc. Never broke down or had an issue. Paid $9997.00 brand new on sale.

Faults:

Broken coil spring (80 for pair), parking brake cables (80), balljoint (30), parking light, third brake light for safety.

Downpipe of exhaust had a hole, so I replaced the entire exhaust for about 600 in parts. I replaced the alternator (200) this past summer. The heater blower motor quit (retrofit one from Kia Rio parts car) as well as the speedometer.

Windshield developed a crack running across the bottom (about 2-3 in from the bottom).

Cable hood release broke, so I wired it through the grill. It's handier that way anyway.

Left stabilizer linkage keeps failing (cheap), so I no longer bother to replace it - just check once in a while to make sure that's the only clunk I hear.

The shifter linkage bushings have disintegrated, making shifting gears interesting. I'll have to get around to repairing that sometime soon.

General Comments:

The car has done well, as I only bought it for $400 and have driven it for two full years (about 40-50K km). I have spent $1500 in parts, including the above list, as well as the timing belt and water pump for preventative maintenance.

The car is relatively easy to work on, but is built like an import - because the subframe is Mazda (ie. you have to remove the speedometer sensor in order to check the transaxle oil level).

No complaints. I'll be impressed if it holds together for another year. The roads in this area are pretty rough, particularly in the winter, and I do not take it easy on this thing.

Faults:

Just the timing belt (cost $200 to change at the shop) and the serpentine belt (I changed myself for $20). Parts are cheap.

General Comments:

It's surprising economic in gas.

Is very reliable and cheap to repair.

It handles just fine.

Only complaint: The cabin is somewhat noisy in the highway (engine noises).

Paid $1800 (like u$1900) in 1/2009, believing it would not last much longer, with high km already (230K+), and this thing keeps running and running, and I tow a trailer all the time.