1995 Ford Escort LX Wagon review from North America

Camshaft belt broke, but it was about 10,000km over the service interval so I can't blame the car.

Ignition switch failed - contacts were stuck together and engine would not turn off. I was able to replace it without pulling the steering wheel, a good thing as there is an airbag.

Rear defroster switch failed, replaced it with one from a breaker within an afternoon.

It had a bad miss for a while around 80,000km. Took a while to get sorted out - tried new plug wires, Bosch platinum spark plugs. Turns out it only runs well with original Motorcraft spark plugs.

Replaced the clutch at 90,000km - a bit early, but gearing is tall and this causes extra wear.

Overall, our Escort has been a reliable if unexciting performer. We have all the options, and they all work fine after seven years.

It is a comfortable car for adults or kids, front seats and back, around town and on longer trips.

Economy is good, but the car is a bit underpowered. I would think the automatics would be rather slow.

It is not too hard to do your own servicing, and it doesn't ask for much.

The biggest problem is the gearing: first is much too tall, and you have to be very careful not to slip the clutch too much. Clutch shudder and shortened life has always been a problem as a result. Every now and then I drive another manual shift car and I am reminded how it should be. Fifth could be a bit shorter too: you have to be about 15km/hr over the limit on the freeway to be in the powerband so the car holds speed on grades.

Overall, it is a good, but not perfect car. It doesn't make me smile, but it is not maddening or disappointing, either.