1988 Ford Escort L 1.3 petrol

Summary:

An excellent first car. Definitely recommend it to new drivers

Faults:

Rear wheel arches needed welding.

Some more welding under the car.

Replaced all the brake pads.

Replaced the fan thermostat as the fan would not switch on when the engine was hot.

General Comments:

This is my first car that I've purchased, but is the best that I have driven by far. It looks like it'll do around the 38 - 40 miles per gallon. Not bad for a car that I picked up for £40 down at a local car auction. Only needed some welding and new brakes to pass the M.O.T.

First gear is hard to find and most people who have driven my car have put it in reverse when pulling off at traffic lights (even those who have driven or own a Ford Escort).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd October, 2001

1988 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet 1.6i

Summary:

A great summer toy that still gets looks

Faults:

Valve stem oil-seals.

General Comments:

I have owned a standard XR3i before, but the build quality of the Cabriolet is far superior due mainly to the fact they were built by Karman in Germany, not Dagenham.

The close ratio gear box helps make the relatively small engine a bit more fun, but it's still pretty sluggish compared to most other cars.

The handling is superb and the feedback from the car is perfect, but it this is let down by the stopping abilities which are nowhere near as good as a modern car with electronic ABS.

At the end of the day it's a fun summer toy which is cheap to run and pretty cheap to buy, but being a group 16 they aren't cheap to insure!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th September, 2001

1988 Ford Escort GL+ 1.6 CVH petrol

Summary:

A good workhorse for an older motor

Faults:

Starter motor sticks now and again even though a new one was fitted when bought.

O/S front brake binding at about 12,000 miles which required removal of the caliper to overhaul.

Clutch at 115,000 miles (from new?).

Exhaust system and back box at 122,000.

Most major fault was a badly worn hydraulic cam follower causing a misfire, but simple and cheap to sort.

General Comments:

For £700 this car has worked well for me, reasonable perfomance although a little thirsty for a 1600 (due to high mileage).

Central locking a bit tempramental ever since an attempted break-in, although all the original equipment is in full working order.

Chassis and running gear are getting a bit loose and rattly so I'm trading it in this week, but for the money it was a good buy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2001

1988 Ford Escort RS Turbo

Summary:

The quickest 1600 car you will find

Faults:

New engine.

LSD.

Gearbox.

Turbo.

Steering.

General Comments:

Good car as long as it has been well maintained, no good if it has been abused.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th December, 2000

8th Apr 2001, 17:41

Fastest 1600 you can buy?

How about the Honda CRX VTec. 160Bhp Normally Aspirated!

13th Apr 2001, 13:08

I agree with the guy above. I was about to write the same thing! a 1991 CRX v-tec will do 0-60 in 7 seconds, marching on to 137 mph - completely bone standard. An RS turbo 1.6 is not the quickest 1.6 car.

9th Dec 2003, 07:02

A Saxo VTS is also much faster. I have a mate with a standard RS Turbo and a mate with a Saxo VTS. The VTS takes the RS to pieces!

21st Jul 2004, 14:36

Couldnt agree more!

I know lads that have had a fair few... from white, g/m grey, red and black they have not performed as expected!!

Even if one of them had a few mods done!

A Golf GTI 16v is quicker, same goes for a Corolla GT Coupe and an Integra XSI 1.6 VTEC!!

They aint all that great at all... sure look at the badge!

23rd Mar 2005, 09:32

HMMM Interesting points raised above. I agree with the golf GTI being a good solid car and good performance wise, but very basic interior, very basic exterior can't tell it apart from any other golf? Old mans wheels really!! Honda CRX? Says it all, where's the excitement in driving a car that sounds like a strimmer? Honda should stick to bikes!! Which leaves the Citroen sack-o-rubbish. Can anyone honestly say that these heaps will still be alive in 17+ years time? Engines die @ 60000 and they cost a fortune to repair. If you want good clean fun in an inexpensive package, stick with the escort. It still turns heads and dirt cheap to run or repair.

3rd Jul 2008, 02:50

Honda are becoming like loose change, so common. Nobody thinks: Oh look, there's a Honda! People probably count Hondas instead of sheep to fall a sleep at night.

3rd Jul 2008, 13:34

Ford Escort ant common total garbage, you always see them.

The ford cars all they like to do is Rust, rust and rust!

You can't compare a Honda with a ford the (Honda, is a well beater car.