1998 Ford Escort Ghia X from UK and Ireland - Comments

Hi all I've just read everyones comments about the ford escort and I have the ford escort 1.8i ghia x on an R reg with full electrics leather seats great sound system 14inch allows metallic blue and I love it to bits best car I've ever had in the 6 years I've been driving and I've had a corsa, fiesta, audi 80E, focus and now the escort and its the best car along side the audi I can't fault it the car is 10 years old with only a few cheap faults to fix, but I've just put a K & N upgrade induction kit on and and even before that I was leaving everyone at the lights watching my dust, but now its twice as great just need to fit some 15" wheels on it now the give it better traction/grip on the roads and bends, but I agree with the others FANTASTIC CAR NO REGRETS WITH IT AT ALL VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

A GHIA X HAS LEATHER SEATS and a GHIA DOES NOT.

I own a 1998 ghia x (ac) 5door had it 6mmonths after a bit of searching. It does not have leather seats does have drivers electric seat. the handling is good but I feel it could be better. mine is on 84000mile`s and it still goes well without drinking oil. getting a new belt and service this week, then a new clutch and shocks cause I don't know how long the ones have been on my car. I am hoping to stick the gti kit on and get hold of the full leathers. I recommend this car a a cheap comfy nippy wee car. Anybody know if the 15" alloys would cause a problem let me know. cheers.

I have a 1997 P reg 1.8 Ghia X in aubergine (purple pearl colour). It has done 81k has full history, 6 CD changer in passenger seat and is stunning.

To clarify about the Ghia X trim level, it adds over the Ghia the electric height adjustable seat and headlights, alloys, front fogs as standard and improved sound deadening. Leather was a cost option, so not all have it. Mine does not, and I prefer cloth seats as leather gets too hot and sticky in summer.

I also like the fact Ford makes no distinction between engines on the outside, as the boot just has 16v on it, so could be 1.6 or 1.8.

The escort is a wonderful car, and if people find standard stereo a bit pants, then spend a bit and buy a better one. I have fitted in mine a Sony Gigapanel head unit with Sony MP3 CD changer and changed the speakers (I now have a total of 5.9 GB of music in my car). I will be fitting the boot spoiler and the GTI alloys just to improve the looks a bit.

A word of caution to anyone buying an Escort - SERVICE HISTORY. Double check it and even ring garages to confirm work done, as poorly serviced Escorts don't work well. 3 years ago my brother had a 1.6 LX Escort that hadn't been well looked after, and he spent a further £800 servicing it just so it would start in cold weather, which it wouldn't (mine does). He got shot of it after 3 months.

All in all, this is best car I've owned, and I had a 2001 1.6 vvti GLS spec Corolla, a 2000 Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 CD, and a Rover 214sei. The Vectra cost me £1300, the Corolla £1750 and the Rover £675, and the Escort only £700. Best car to date.

Hi there guys after carefully looking through all your messages, I agree that Escorts are good cars if you can look after them. I just bought a Ghia P reg for £320 in fab condition. It has cloth interior, A/C and standard alloy wheels. It only has service history from 50,0000 miles, not any since and it is on 98,000 miles. Does anyone have any advice, as I'm not sure of all the ins and outs, cos I ain't collecting it til tomorrow. Cheers guys. Oh and the Saxo is rubbish LOL hehehehe.