A couple of hoses split under the bonnet, nothing much else as of yet...
This car is an excellent platform for tuning, and will easily shame many a so-called high-performance cars. I'm currently running 20PSI of boost, and with many other mods, it's putting out over 200 BHP.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th February, 2001
Good for the looks, but nothing else
Distributor and rotor arm breaking and then breaking again after they had just been fixed.
Different fuses blowing.
Nice huggable ride, but edgy at high speeds.
Not as quick as I thought it would have been.
Very vague handling and plenty of understeer when entering corners at speed.
Very expensive on tyres.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th February, 2001
Cheap reliable first car
Nothing.
Burns a bit of oil at first, but perfect after, needs a lot of choke though when the engine is cold.
Sorted car, 1.3 is pretty good through the power sapping Ford 4 speed manual, but after a custom air filter, it sounds great and goes well.
Suspension is way too soft for the 1300kg it has to carry though.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 21st January, 2001
I wouldn't wish this car on my worst enemy!
Alternator lit itself on fire, then decided it didn't like the replacement much and that went too.
5 serpentine belts.
1 head gasket.
It was a common occurrence to have any piece of metal attached to the car shock anyone at any time.
Driver's side automatic seat belt was known to not release, even when emergency release was pulled.
Lights would work when they felt the need to.
It handled kind of the way a brick would in water.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 20th January, 2001
A cheap economical car for running around town
Worn piston rings.
Broken handbrake cable (front end).
Rocker jumped from the pushrod.
Rusting rear arches.
Connectors for the heated rear mirror broken.
I have a fondness of the MK4 Escort since it was my first car, but having an Escort with an HCS engine has proved to be a mistake, the ignition system when working is great, but have found replacement parts to be expensive, the 1.1 engine lacks any power and is poor on hills when loaded. Generally it is good on motorways with fantastic fuel economy, it is also very comfortable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th January, 2001
Trash to treasure
Needed a new battery.
New inside wall panels.
New seats.
New dash.
New tires.
New engine.
New exhaust system.
I like to work on cars a lot. So when I saw this car I had to buy it. The only thing that was really good on it was the body - mint condition with shiny red paint, no knicks or scratches.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th December, 2000
Got my '89 Escort with 55000 on the odometer. Only needed the ignition module, serpentine belt, and tires replaced since.
Where can I buy a new replacement dash though? Mine cracked and I dunno where to get one. If any of you guys know where, email me at balmo@mailcity.com
I just bought an 89 Escort with 313000Km, but I think it runs, but I am not sure, but am I wondering if anyone knows what goes on them, then email me at a_decicco@hotmail.com.
There is another thing I would like to ask and that is that is anyone knows where the cheapest place to go and buy a clutch for it... (but I live in Ontario).
Ditto on that clutch, previous owner messed up the wiring, and burnt up the clutch, aside from needing the rear floor boards patched and the clutch replaced, my '89 Escort LX runs great and is in good shape for it's age (and I think 157,000 miles on it)
Cheap to run and maintain
Droped a piston and had to have a reconditioned engine put in.
Shocks wore out and had to be replaced.
It's a good car, it runs very well since the reconditioned engine was installed.
I replaced seats and suspension with those from an XR3i I was given. Good ride quality and handling.
You can get very cheap ones on the market that can made good spares, all you need is a car to break and a workshop manual, it's an easy car to work on.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th December, 2000
26th Dec 2000, 23:57
VERY good choice in project cars.