1992 Ford Escort LX 1.8 diesel
Summary:
The original jack of all trades!
Faults:
The front suspension wishbones were replaced soon after I got the car.
The fuel cut off solenoid stuck open about a month ago. Then started working again just recently.
Rust! The arch enemy of every escort!
General Comments:
The Ford Escort is a car that does everything it's supposed to, but doesn't actually do anything really well.
My particluar model is a 1992 k reg 1.8 normally aspirated Diesel LX.
Is it quick? Well no, with only 60bhp under the bonnet it could be embarrassed by a fully loaded HGV. Then speed wasn't what I bought it for. I'm looking to keep points off my license at least until my insurance premium comes down.
Is It refined? Nope, what's under the bonnet is a very old diesel engine. It's clattery when cold (so much so the bodywork physically shakes!) and really not that much better when warm either. But really that wasn't what I bought it for either. The engine is absolutely bullet proof and extremely reliable, it also pulls like a train (a very slow british rail one) exactly what I need!
Does it look good? Well it looks better than many of the cars on the road in it's day. It takes design cues from both it's previous model (The front end) and the latest (and last) escort model (the back end!) It even has a deceptively sporty rear wing. However it is still an escort, and no cossie at that. Oh well.
Is it spacious? It's neither the most cramped nor the most spacious car in it's class. Then again it is classed as a small family car, not an MPV. Not many cars of this class can swallow up 3 adults, a baby, a dog, a wheelchair, and a buggy, and still have enough room for a weeks worth of shopping. (Wait is that a good point? Oohh!)
How does it handle? Actually it's another plus point for the escort. With a 1.8 litre lump over the front wheels given good tyres it grips like it's on rails. It can take corners at a fairly high speed (if you can get to that speed before the corner!)
Equipment levels are also quite good for what is quite a baseline spec escort. It has electric windows, a sunroof, power steering, seat height adjustment, ford's equivalent of deadlocks, and a rather loud (if basic) alarm system.
Do I like this car? Yes actually I do. It does nothing badly and does exactly what it says on the tin. An honest and unassuming car, but likable in it's own way. Parts are cheap and easy to find (one of the advantages of owning such a hugely popular car.) I would buy another escort, but maybe a petrol or turbo-diesel model.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th October, 2004
4th Feb 2005, 04:23
Uh oh, I've now hit some fairly hefty problems with my old car. As cheap and cheerful as it was there was bound to be some underlying problems just waiting to appear.
I got it serviced last month and the garage owner that I took it to pointed out 2 very expensive faults with the car. Firstly the water pump is leaking, not too much of a problem as it's not leaking very much... However, it's leaking onto the timing belt. To replace the water pump however, due to it's position on the car it's gonna take 5 hours and 247 pounds to fix. The other fault is leaking cam shaft seals, leaving nice patches of oil underneath the car. To fix this the engine has to be taken out, I didn't even ask for a quote on that, but it'll be about 10 times more than the car's worth. In short this faithful car is gonna be replaced in a month or two. See my review on the Ford Mondeo (when I get it!)