1985 Ford Escort GL 1.3

Summary:

Popular, and I'll never know why

Faults:

Carburetor.

Rust!

Gearbox was noisy when I was done with it.

General Comments:

The Escort was such a popular sight in the UK during the 1980's and 1990's. It was a really basic but affordable car, so I guess maybe that is why. Cheap running costs.

Basic models like the GL one I had were nothing special. Dull interior. Boring drive. Not bad to look at however - my car was bright red with bright silver wheels. Looking back at photos it looks amazing and retro now. Would have loved an XR3i though, instead of this GL model!

The 1.3 was economical enough for petrol, but not a fast car. Seats were comfortable. Handling was OK.

Space was good, visibility was good.

In 1996 when it was eleven years old and had over 100K on it, I scrapped it due to failing MOT's with bad rust. Not a bad car, but not a great car either, I just do not get why they were soo popular!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th November, 2024

5th Oct 2026, 13:32

Regarding your last paragraph about why this car was so popular in the UK and in other parts of Central and Northern Europe, I think it came down to two things:

It was cheap to maintain and generally reliable, at least when compared to similar cars from that era.

The same could be said of the Opel Kadett, which also saw record sales in the 70s and 80s. They were simple cars with straightforward mechanics and uncomplicated components that were easy to repair.

Those who wanted, and could afford, a more expensive vehicle would buy a premium brand or a luxury model from a mainstream manufacturer, such as a Granada, a 605, or an R25. But for the middle class, these were the ideal cars.

You only have to compare an Escort or a Kadett with a Fiat from that same period, sharing similar specifications, to understand why the Escorts were more popular. Or did Escorts perhaps rust much more than the Ritmo, Golf, or other similar cars? I don't think so.

1985 Ford Escort XR3i 1.6 CVH

Summary:

Great fun, and handles like it's on rails

Faults:

Bought the car quite cheap at eight-hundred pounds and spent two-hundred on a new head gasket. Other than that, nothing major, just 'old car' loose parts etc.

General Comments:

This is a late MKIII XR3i in absolutely fantastic condition. Less rust than my previous 1999 Vectra! I absolutely love this car. It could do with a little more power at times, but still keeps up with the traffic.

By far the best handling car I have ever driven bar-none. The more modern than some cars which were built ten years after my Escort. I have used the car as a daily driver and it is as reliable as any other car I have owned - loads of fun - buy one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2006

1985 Ford Escort Laser-2 1.3 petrol

Summary:

Disappointing

Faults:

The bodywork developed major rusting after just 5 years.

The diaphragm in the carb was always breaking, causing the car to stall when declutching.

The cam belt blew after 50000 miles, leaving the driver stranded in morning rush-hour traffic at a busy town junction.

It needed new dampers all round after 5 years.

Engine began to smoke like an old hack not too long after the cam belt blew. It needed valve seals, rings, and bearings. It also needed a new distributor and carburetor.

General Comments:

The car was bought from new and stayed in the family for 7 years.

It was quite a pleasant car to look at, both inside and out, and drove reasonably well. Running costs were modest, and would have continued to be if it hadn't started to fall apart at the seams.

Unfortunately, the pleasant experiences of its early years were overshadowed by the succession of failures and deterioration.

I would never have bought another Escort after this, and replaced it with a Peugeot 205.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th October, 2005

13th Dec 2006, 16:36

The 1.3 litre engine fitted to your Escort was an overhead valve unit.

It does not have a cambelt.

12th Mar 2007, 15:00

I beg to differ with the above comment. The 1.3 fitted to escorts between 1980 and 1985 were CVH overhead cam engines and DO have a cam belt, therefore the author of this review is indeed correct.

It was only 1986 onwards Mk4 escorts which were fitted with the overhead valve engine. Sorry, but the comment writer is mistaken!

In reply to 12th Mar 2007, 15:00

27th Aug 2015, 01:41

1983 through 1985.5 were 1.6L CVH engines. In 1985.5+ they were the 1.9L CVH engines.

I believe the 1.3L engines were used in the Festivas.

In reply to 12th Mar 2007, 15:00

7th Apr 2024, 17:12

I beg to differ. My 1985 1.3L was timing chain, I know because we replaced it.

In reply to 7th Apr 2024, 17:12

9th Apr 2024, 17:41

Did it still have the original engine in the car? Might have been replaced already by the time you owned it. Should be a belt as the other person said.