Faults:

The vents would close by themselves when the A/C was turned on.

When sitting at a red light, sometimes the car would stall out.

It started running like a whipped dog so I replaced the fuel injectors, then it ran fine.

The dealership basically refuses to fix anything.

General Comments:

I love my little car.

It is very fast on the takeoff, I have put a few modifications on it.

I could not have asked for a better car.

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.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

The car goes really well compared to my old 1.1 Fiesta. The best thing about it is the colour - bright red, well smart.

Faults:

Replaced brake discs & pads.

New near-side lower suspension arm.

General Comments:

This is the best car I have ever owned. Well done to Ford for their first ever GTi model car!!

Handles very well and looks great!

Faults:

Transmission, gearbox chewed itself up at 38000 miles. One does not expect to replace a gearbox at this interval!

General Comments:

Very harsh clutch.

Dreadful gear box failure.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I have auto-crossed the car with absolute domination in the 2L and under stock class at my local autocross club.

I have set 2 hill-climb records with it for the stock class of the Northwest Hillclimb Association.

I have used the car at drivers schools and track days for serious club (Cobra, Viper, Audi, etc.) events and it has NEVER been an embarrassment (oh yeah, I am a performance driving instructor, too). Unfortunately, the 104 MPH speed limiter keeps the fun down. Porterfield carbon-kevlar brake pads took car of the poor stock brakes and have given exceptional service.