1997 Ford Escort GTi 1.8 16v

Summary:

Good car, will keep it for a long time

Faults:

Rear brake cylinders, both sides.

Interior lights for the heat don't turn on unless I hit it, and can't switch the front demister on; something wrong with the cable that runs to the dial.

Rust on the back arches, both sides.

General Comments:

The car is nippy, but not break neck quick. Handles nicely but has been lowered 40mm all round.

This is my first car, I'm 18, and it was a nightmare to insure, but all is good now.

I did a 0-60 run in it. My friend was in the passenger seat, and said it was around the late 7, nearly 8; about 7.9 seconds, and did do a ton 30 down a slight hill. I know it's only got a 115bhp, but it does do 130. I know because it's the fastest I've ever driven in a car, and I made a mess of my trousers LOL.

The Saxo and Escort thing is doing my head in. Saxo VTR is slower than a GTi, Saxo VTS faster than a GTi, end of.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2010

1997 Ford Escort Ghia x 1.8 zetec petrol

Summary:

A well loved car and always reliable

Faults:

Bought as spares or repairs.

Interior lights didn't work (fuse now sorted).

Creaking from the steering rack (rack gaitor renewed & greased so now no longer creaks).

One side of the car lights didn't work on the outer (fuse).

Revs dropped and went up constantly (idle control valve and mass air flow sensor both changed now fixed).

Car juddered constantly when driving. This was due to the car really needing servicing and the mass air flow sensor changing. Now drives brilliantly.

General Comments:

A really nice car. This one had leather seats, electric drivers seat, air con, full service history, 6 CD changer everything!

It had 185,000 miles and never even smoked or used oil.

Buy a good one with low mileage and service history.

These engines can hit 300,000 if looked after!

This had the same engine as the GTI and the si (115 BHP)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th June, 2010

16th Nov 2025, 12:56

Good review.

I always liked this car for being practical, inexpensive, and even better than many of its competitors on the market (Megane, Kadett, Astra, 306, etc.). But there's something I'll always remember that will make me think this car was truly well-made. My music teacher had one exactly like the one in your review, a sky-blue Ghia 1.8; her son was in a very serious accident in it that left him in the hospital for almost a year. The Escort was totaled, but it saved her son's life.

My teacher's family will surely be grateful for this reliable car. It's no wonder it was Ford's best-selling model in Europe for over 30 years.

In reply to 16th Nov 2025, 12:56

23rd Nov 2025, 14:02

These are opinions; we all have them and they should be respected. But I think the Escort (at least the Mk6) wasn't better than the 306 or the Megane. Perhaps it was superior to the latter, but the 306 was more modern and consumed less fuel.

The Mk6 was a significant improvement in safety and reliability compared to the previous generation Escort, that's true, and it remained a cheap and reasonable alternative in its segment.

1997 Ford Escort Ghia X 1.8L

Summary:

Good cheap reliable car - but watch out for corrosion

Faults:

Thermostat stuck open at 90,000.

Corrosion on rear arches and seals, which I had to removed and undersealed. I caught it early enough for it not to cause problems.

Rear chassis rails corroded badly and will need to be repaired before its next annual MOT test.

General Comments:

Very cheap to buy. Did not require any mechanical repair apart from thermostat. Service parts were very cheap.

Handling is not great but comfortable. Just don't try to push it through corners fast.

Biggest problem with Escorts is corrosion. Ford did not do a good job on this car. You need to keep on top of it or it can get bad quickly.

If you want a cheap run around, then it is perfect, but watch out for corrosion.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th September, 2009