Faults:

Body work has a tendency to bubble.

Doors started to creak really badly.

Thumping sound when cornering at high speeds.

General Comments:

The leather interior and air-con make for a nice looking and comfortable interior.

White dials are also a nice touch.

Performance is not earth shattering, but my previous car was quicker so I wasn't expecting much.

Handling is quite nice and the power steering is slightly firmer than the previous motor, which gives a more direct feel.

OK on the twists and turns, but more of a cruising machine.

Nice body-kit, nothing too aggressive.

Faults:

Alternator at 260,000 kilometers (no rev limiter on manual Escorts, so easy to do)

Front brake pads, calipers and rotors at 260,000 kilometers.

Front brake pads and rotors again at 291,000 kilometers. This car eats through pads, and then proceeds to score the rotors. I had the rotors machined to minimum thickness, and then had to replace entirely a few weeks later (too much noise and increased stopping distance).

Horn at 270,000 kilometers. Replaced horn pad myself with parts from auto wrecker and instructions from the Internet.

Hose from PCV valve was split (when I bought it), causing a very rough idle and stalling. Replaced the hose and now the car runs like new!

General Comments:

Excellent car for the long haul. Though I've only had this car for a year, there was an Escort exactly like mine new in the family from 1997 and 2000 and it was perfectly reliable.

Though high kilometers, the car still sounds like new and is reasonably powerful considering the meagre 110 horsepower.

Not much interior storage and rear legroom is limited, but a very roomy trunk and plenty of headroom.

Watch the hoses for splits and leaks; these affect driving performance greatly, and are actually a cheap and easy fix!

Faults:

The car is in great condition. Nothing has happened to it and I think nothing ever will.

General Comments:

This car belonged to my grandfather and he bought it new in 1997. With it he drove to Florida and back to New York about 4 times so the mileage was very high when I got it. I must say even though its my first car my parents have owned many new Ford vehicles and although I love them all, this one really jumps out and says, "Unique!" the exterior is rounded off with no straight edges and to this day the car still shines like its new. the interior is miraculous. The design is beautiful. The dashboard is rounded in certain spots and I've never seen anything like it. (Besides my mom's 1997 Ford Windstar.) The car handles great and is really reliable. I drive to school with it and back and I never have a problem with it. Its great on gas, especially with the expensive gas prices we have today. I would defiantly recommend this car to any one, drivers new and old!

Faults:

Not the best first gear response. But I guess this is a compromise with diesel cars.

My car's AC has reduced effect and needs to be checked.

Only repair till date has been a clutch wheel replacement costing me Rs.800/-

General Comments:

Elegence with high level of comfort!!

Excellent interiors and boot space.

Very impressive mileage:

12-13 km/ltr within city (without AC)

11 km/ltr within city (with AC)

18-19 km/ltr on long runs (without AC)

17 km/ltr on long runs (with AC)

Strong & sturdy body with excellent safety features.

Faults:

Boot lock broken, I currently use the electric release to open it.

Electric boot release became intermittent, had to add an earth strap from the tailgate to the main car body to fix this problem. (The car normally uses the tailgate hinges as an earth connection, bad design idea by Ford!).

Multifunction switch (indicator switch) failed suddenly while driving home one night resulting in no rear tail lights. (£80 from ford for new unit)

Erratic idle speed, varies between about 800-1200 rpm depending on whether there's an 'r' in the month!

PATS led (under the clock) went intermittent, had to remove dashboard just to get at it. Just needed re-soldering.

All 4 tyres keep going down slowly. About 2-10 psi per week depending on which tyre. I guess it may be the alloys corroded around the tyre beading and leaking air.

General Comments:

The car has 115bhp, but dosen't feel very quick at all really. I think it must be a bit too heavy.

All I seem to be doing with this car too is filling it with petrol, Can't seem to get above about 25mpg no matter how careful I drive it. Very poor, its costing me a fortune in fuel!

On the good side though the car is very comfortable and is nice to drive, even though its not a quick or sporty ride.

Has air-con, ABS, leather seats, and nice looking alloy wheels.

Car looks good from all angles except from the front though, where it just looks like a bottom of the range Escort!