Low performance
Brake pads and discs needed changing immiditly.
Alarm and immobilizer were very dodgy.
Alternator and automatic choke was weak.
This car is very weak and I think it should be illegal for anyone to drive it.
Comfort isn't too bad, but it is very unreliable.
Parts for the car is available almost anywhere and its cheap too.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 1st May, 2002
Not bad for the money you pay for them
My battery played up a little bit so I replaced it.
Fuel consumption is a little on the heavy side. Mind you all XR3i's are.
I have put a nice set of 16 inch Cosworth wheels on it with 205/45 tyres which increased the handling, but slowed the car down a bit.
The interior is very clean half leather.
No rust as it has been looked after and cared for.
It has full electrics and everything is working fine, even the hood after being used a lot.
I like it and am going to hang on to it for a few more years.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th April, 2001
Economical, comfortable, unreliable
The engine started to burn oil instead of petrol and had to be replaced (£900).
Bad starter in cold and/or damp.
Very cheap to run.
Comfortable.
Looked good.
However, things kept going wrong.
It was not that quick.
I suffered from 2 attempted thefts and 1 actual theft.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 9th April, 2001
Don't even go there......
Electrics, electrics, electrics, everything from the windows packing up, to the rev counter not working.
The car "dying" whilst pulling 90 mph on the M25, and then not coming back to life for 30 minutes.
Leaky sunroof.
4 fuel pumps in the last 100,000 miles.
Central locking decided to lock up all by itself, the list goes on and on...
Diesel, nice enough idea, but forget it if you don't have a turbo. This car "accelerates" from 0-60 mph in... (wait for it..) 17.4 seconds!
Trouble is, when you thrash it (in order to keep up with normal traffic) it's no more economical than a petrol car. So, it's true, there's no point in diesel motoring. I'm off to buy a nice petrol Rover or something......
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 3rd November, 2000
Quite simply people don't think you look good! As some stupid kids assume...
Not a lot to be honest, although I only had the car about 5 months!
I only brought the car off a trader friend of mine as it was cheap. The car is a complete heap of rubbish.
Boy racer car, looks crap, interior is rubbish and you simply don't get any slower than this thing.
Why do kids think these are good, they ARE NOT!
I'm now a little older and wiser and am running a Ford Mondeo ST24 which is spectacular.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th September, 2000
Not bad at all, but find a good one!
2 x starter motors.
Engine blew up (piston disappeared into the sump!)
New battery.
Seat mounts on the driver's side broken twice.
New wishbones.
New engine (Vege branded).
New clutch.
New wheels.
New brakes all round.
Leaks a bit.
Seam rust.
Rear arch rust.
Speakers broke.
Alternator needed replacing.
Steering rack needs replacing.
Ok, so this car has cost me a shed load to keep on the road.
The steering rack has a too low ratio, and the steering wheel a bit too big. Would be ideal to manouvere around town, but not much fun to drive on twisty roads.
Performance not too bad with a brand new engine, car needs a 5th gear, but acceleration is OK due to the low gearing of the 4 speed box.
Ride is too high and soft, car affected by crosswinds, i.e. when overtaking lorries etc. you can really feel the car getting blown across the road. When it's sorted though after a restoration project, it will be a nice car!
I would steer clear of the UK built Escorts - look for German or Belgian - VIN # starts with WF0 for German/Belgian, or SFA for UK. UK ones rust far too early!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th September, 2000