1988 Ford Escort GL from North America

Summary:

I love my car

Faults:

The sensors for the emission system went out at about 150,000 miles and that was the first and only time the car broke down.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2000

1988 Ford Escort XR3i 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Clutch at 140,000, various breather and water hoses, and starter motor at 120,000 as well as standard service parts like plugs and filters etc every 6,000 miles.

General Comments:

A good all round car that is very cheap to run. Change the oil every 6,000 and it will go on for ever! Mines on 150,000 now and still going strong - not as fast as a XR2i or 205GTi but still a good peformer. Be sure to check history of the car before you buy!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 1999

1988 Ford Escort Ghia 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

New exhaust.

Overhead cam knacked.

Leaks oil.

General Comments:

Only recently has it started playing up.

Quite reliable, always starts on a cold morning.

10 years old and over 100,000 miles so I suppose it's done well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 1998

1988 Ford Escort L 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Windscreen Wipers disintegrated.

Unleaded caused flatspots and lots of black smoke so I used 4 star and this solved the problem.

General Comments:

Sorted out handling by fitting RS1600 alloys with low profile tyres.

Performance is poor unless you thrash it and on a sunny day it runs well.

Good first car although I would like a rev counter.

MPG 30 - 38 urban which is really good for a car this old.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th September, 1998

1988 Ford Escort Popular 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

One of the front brake calipers seized.

Exhaust need to be replaced.

A bit of welding on the floors to get through the MOT.

Water Pump needed to be replaced.

General Comments:

I've had the car for 1 1/2 years. In that time I've covered over 30 thousand miles (it's got 120 k on the clock). It's a cheap car to run and fairly reliable. It does about 38 mpg. All in all I'm pretty happy with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th April, 1998

1988 Ford Escort LX 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Autochoke stuck on. Had to replace a tyre.

General Comments:

Very good all round car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th November, 1997

1988 Ford Escort Popular 1.1 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Welding needed to get through last MOT.

Rear lights connectors need regular cleaning or else you get the famous Ford disco (ie you indicate and the brake lights flash or the reverse light comes on!).

General Comments:

A poor engine - not strong enough to give the car any power.

Good second car however, and cheap to run and insure.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th August, 1997