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.

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)

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.

Faults:

I have had no major problems with this car. I have only had to replace the usual service parts and wishbones.

General Comments:

The car is a good reliable and fun car to drive, which is capable of 135 mph.

Faults:

All locks stopped working.

Rear lamp units had really bad earths so would flicker (if they worked at all).

Rear wheel bearings twice from towing something quite reasonable in weight.

Starter motor.

Clutch cable.

General Comments:

Very reliable engine. The problem was everything around it either stopped working, fell off or exploded.

Around 40 litres of diesel/vegie oil would last a good 600-700 miles. Unbelievable MPG figure.

Mine was non turbo so 0-60 was 22 seconds!!!

I definitely recommend the turbo diesel or petrol if you can find one.

Considering it is a van, a Mondeo or Vectra sized car with the seats down could carry a lot more things.

I recommend you buy an estate instead as they are same size, then when you have finished your job, 5 people can be seated in it, it's a lot more comfier/warmer, and you'll have side windows therefore no killer blind spots.