Faults:

Annoying ticking noise coming from engine - dealer said it was normal, but still replaced the drivebelt anyway. Made no difference.

30000 miles brakes shuddering. Needed new front pads and disks. Fault returned at 35000 miles.

Drivers seat very saggy.

Power steering problems developed at 40000 miles.

General Comments:

Fairly nice to drive and has a reasonable amount of power.

Very uncomfortable when driving at 50/60 mph on motorway - shudders and feels every bump in the road.

Seats not the easiest in the world to keep clean.

Quality of dashboard plastic poor - a spilt air freshener burnt a hole in mine!

Finesse with alloys and spoiler looks really good.

Niggling faults developed after 35000 miles - didn't expect this to happen.

This is my third Escort, and no where near as good as the last one (1989 Popular 1.3). Will be glad to see the back of this one.

Faults:

Thermostat failed after 2000 miles (at 32,000 total miles) and thus was replaced.

Rear windscreen brake light began to let water through.

Parcel shelf suspenders snapped a few days after the car was purchased.

General Comments:

A respectable looking car from the outside; when issued with the standard boot spoiler.

A smart looking interior, although it is incredibly uncomfortable.

Fuel efficiency is impressive, especially during a cruise on the motorway.

Faults:

Not much at all. Known the car since 2000 and nothing has failed since then. I will regret saying the above.

Ford built the last few escorts very well.

General Comments:

The zetec engine is smooth and quick for its size. Drawback is that it's a bit juicy unless driven carefully.

Good options and spec.

CD player is of a good quality for the manufacturer fit.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong since purchase.

Brakes don't seem to have much bite compared to my previous mondeo.

General Comments:

Economical and fairly quick for only 90HP.

It is very noisy when cold.

Slightly uncomfortable on long journeys.

Faults:

Nothing to speak of.

General Comments:

This car is a great car to travel in as it is very comfortable. It has 15" Ford Alloys which add to the looks of the car. Even though it is only a 1.4i it has a good turn of speed if you know how to drive it properly. Handling in my car is very good and I have great fun driving it on the twisty back roads of Ireland. All mod cons help also like sunroof and electric mirrors.

Faults:

Nothing had or has gone wrong with it since I bought it.

For a 1.6 GT limited edition though, it is slow from 0 to 60, but has good mid range torgue all the way up the gears. Does tend to loose revs between gear changes.

It has good comfortable seats and leather interior with white dials and all the other usual styling for a GT or GTi.

General Comments:

The 1.6i GT does not handle too well on its own springs, so they were changed and handling really improved. The original shocks are not able to handle the lowering, bushings started to soften and there was a little play in the movement of the shocks as a result. Cracking and banging noises can be heard driving into and out of corners. Problem solved by upgrading the bushings and replacing the shocks.

Oversized steering wheel is a pain in the ass and with no height or rack adjustment, it had power assisted steering so there is no need for the big steering wheel.

If I was to buy another Escort it would have to be an RS model as the Honda 1.5i SOHC I have would leave this one for dust.

Otherwise a good car, but really does not deserve the GT badge. A standard Zetec engine and coloured coded bumpers, white dials, alloys and leather interior does not class it as a GT if it does not have the BHP and torque to match the older XR3i models. I have raced against an 89 XR3i and it was lacking grunt even though there was 9 years between the cars. The 8 valve XR3i had a stronger and better engine in my opinion.