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.

Faults:

So far nothing.

General Comments:

I like this car as opposed to the 1990 Escort 1.3 Eclipse that I previously owned.

This LX was the last facelift version. I purchased it from my brother, who had decided to get a Fiat Punto 1.6.

It isn't the fastest car I've owned (previously Rover 1.8 diesel turbo intercooled), but it moves quite sharpish. The 1.4i engine gives 74bhp, which is adequate.

As soon as I got it, I did a 89 mile ' Personal Road Test'.

In town, it is a dream. 30mph in 4th gear. On normal B roads it handles well at 60 mph, and on dual carriageways at 70mph, you can hear slight engine noise, but with the smooth ride, you hardly notice.

89 miles of that type of driving, & the fuel gauge read from 1/4 to the top of red. So is quite economical.

Exterior is good. Colour coded bumpers etc. Interior is comfortable & modern.

Overall, if you want a economical shed, go for the standard 1.3 option. Or for the much quicker version, 1.6i - 1.8i. But the 1.4i LX version isn't mega quick, but still has a bit of oomph under the bonnet.

Faults:

Full exhaust system required (including catalytic converter).

Failed MOT on emissions, serious hard driving and engine flush seemed to clear this.

Headlights turned off when I was driving down a dark road - common fault with these due to a dodgy connection on the indicator stalk unit (bought a complete new unit from Ebay for £30.) Very dangerous!!

My fault - drove over a fallen tree branch at 50/60mph and ripped a rather large hole in the back bumper.

Gets very hot when sat in traffic (apparently this is normal with Escorts, but keep an eye on the temperature gauge!)

General Comments:

A very common sight on the roads, but very comfortable in top spec Ghia X form, with all mod cons and nice wood-effect dashboard.

Drives smoothly, soft suspension setup means that you don't ever feel like you're going quickly, and also means you really don't get much feedback on usually fun country roads. Steering feedback is virtually zero. Having said that, it's fantastically comfy and good on long trips (I took mine to the south coast of France no problem).

Very practical - I could get tonnes of stuff in the back as the seats fold fully flat.

The main reason I got rid of the car is that, although nicer inside, mechanically the Escort is many leagues below the Japanese cars I usually buy, and it really doesn't feel like it will last the distance. Also feels very dated in every aspect, and is not exactly a stylish option.

But as a cheap to buy, cheap to run, practical family car, it makes sense.