1985 Ford Escort XR3i 1.6 Injection

Summary:

Boy Racer, grown old. Like me!

Faults:

Replaced the disk brakes after a couple of heart stopping moments.

Wiper switch suspect, I expect the light switch to burn out soon.

Replaced the seats as the paddings was long gone in both front seats.

Replaced a few hydraulic followers.

General Comments:

No where near as comfortable as the MK4 XR3i.

German built, Original battery tray!

Nervous handling on all, but the perfect roads. (not many of them around)

Noisy and uncomfortable.

GREAT FUN to drive!!

On that good bit of road, NOTHING would go round the corner faster!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th December, 2004

1985 Ford Escort L 1.3

Summary:

Watch out for that rust!

Faults:

Engine is sound, but unfortunately my passenger side door pillar has been killed by rust, so a bit of welding is needed.

Old Escorts are very prone to the brown stuff.

General Comments:

Not the quickest of machines, but sound as a first car or cheap runabout.

Nice inside for its age.

Very stable at speed, good for 110mph with a bit of a tail wind!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th February, 2001

6th Jul 2001, 20:58

I also own an.85 Escort L. The rust isn't that bad on mine. The only really wrong with it right now is the idle needs a bit of work. Any ideas how to adjust the timing? Is it possible? I have an automatic transmission, 2 barrel carb. I've been trying to figure this one out, but can't seem to find the right bolt to turn, ya know? Any help would be appreciated :) Thanks!!

1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo Series 1 1.6 turbo petrol

Summary:

A beautiful performance pocket rocket

Faults:

Nothing at all, the car has been 100% reliable since the day I purchased.

General Comments:

Great fun and lovely to drive. Steering can be heavy for parking and town driving but that is not what the car is about. Performance is outstanding with the few modifications I have done, the car will go as quick as you want to go without skipping a beat. They certainly still turn heads, even after 15 years. How many other cars still do that?

Cannot recommend highly enough, but make sure you buy a good one. These cars are now 15 years old and most have seen better days. Be prepared to spend a bit more to buy a proper, straight example.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2000

31st Mar 2001, 12:53

I don't believe the car has never missed a beat, I've had loads of them, there a good laugh but always go wrong...

22nd Apr 2001, 12:40

I've had one for fifteen years, mine isn't always going wrong. Maybe you know something I don't. Tell me more?

7th Dec 2003, 04:38

I owned one for 13 years, and the only thing that went wrong was the switch for the boot interior light.

They might not have the build integrity of VWs of similar vintage, but look after them and they're fine.

Problem is, far too many have been thrashed and abused.

I had to look at 21 cars (twenty-one) before I found one I was happy with, and this was when they were just 3 years old.

God help you now.

5th Jan 2004, 14:24

I've had my S1 For over a Year now, A true rare classic, She's had her fair share of problems though and bits are hard to find, Even with the niggly problems I wouldn't swap her for the world.

Series 1 The one and only 1 :)

10th Jun 2005, 14:30

Good S1 RS Turbo's are still around. I had first refusal on a friends car and had to wait 4 years before it was sold to me.

The main thing is to get one with as little rust as possible as they are prone to rust in a couple of MOT testable areas.

The body kit can also hide rust behind it.

1985 Ford Escort XR3i (RS Replica) 1.6 CVH petrol

Summary:

Go for RS looks, or don't bother

Faults:

Recently killed the cylinder head, due to excess pressure in coolant hose caused by a blocked outlet from the header tank.

Hole in exhaust led the way for a Mongoose stainless.

General Comments:

Shortly after the car was bought, it was fitted with a S1 RS Turbo bodykit,and a set of RS 7 spoke alloys, opening rear 1/4 windows and a Mongoose exhaust. Now all that was required was to have the car painted as mine was red, and Series 1s were always white.

When the car returned I was very impressed with the looks of the car, a Recaro interior was added and much much more.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th August, 2000

1985 Ford Escort GL 1.3 petrol

Faults:

I bust the timing belt about two years ago but that was my fault for not changing it. The odd bit of welding and a few odds and sods since I bought it 4 years ago.

General Comments:

It is a great first time car, you can trash it and it is cheap to repair and to get parts for. It isn't much in the performance stakes but that's not why I bought it.

Always starts.

A great basic town runner.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 1999

1985 Ford Escort Estate Laser 1.3 petrol

Faults:

New engine at 120,000 and normal repairs, replacements parts.

General Comments:

Excellent vehicle bought when two years old and still going strong. Mileage now 230,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st October, 1997