1997 Ford Aspire review from North America

The airbag warning light came on at 25,000 miles and the dealer (not the one I purchased from) replaced the airbag unit in 2 hours at no cost.

Rattle developed in the engine compartment at 33,000 miles. The original dealer fixed it at no cost, although it took 2 trips to the dealer and almost a week to correct.

I had to replace the windshield at 30,000 miles after the truck in front of me went off the road and kicked gravel into me. This was not my car's fault, and I went on to drive 1500 miles afterwards. There was only one long crack that did not impede vision, but what can I say, I demand an intact windshield.

This car has never stranded me (wish I could say the same for my Fiat and Toyota) in almost three years of ownership. Yes it's cheap, but after 3 years, 50,000 miles (and I drive my cars HARD), this car is the only one I've ever owned (out of 5) that I consider bulletproof. Third-world engineering may be simple, but it is also sturdy!

No, this car won't set the road on fire, but if driven well you just might surprise yourself. Not to mention the drivers around you. I regularly shame vastly superior automobiles in city driving. Took out a Corvette 3 days ago without even breaking any speed limits, and it cost me less gas to do so! If you are competitively-minded, this car won't let you down, BUT it will demand the best out of its driver.

On the highway, however, I swallow my pride, break the speed limit, and just get where I wanna go. If anyone wants a piece of me, there's not much I can do about it, except rest secure in the knowledge that they'll spend more on gas than I will.

Despite all my (grudging) respect for this car, nothing changes the fact that it can't handle worth a damn. Handling is on a par with the Lincoln Towncar. Suffice it to say, fine for normal, restrained driving, but if you really want to hang it out there, the lack of tactile response and squirrelly body roll will keep even the most fearless drivers from pressing the issue.