1994 Ford Escort LX review from UK and Ireland

Heater matrix went at 71,000 miles.

Car pulls to one side.

Speedometer woefully inaccurate (says 10mph when flying down the motorway)

Cooling fan packed up causing car to overheat and boil over.

Central locking motors malfunctioned causing me to get locked out of my car on a freezing day.

Interior panels falling apart.

Lots of rust on the wheel arches.

Thermostat causing car to overheat.

Oil warning light constantly illuminated when plenty oil is in the car.

Oil leaking all over engine and black oil spurting out of exhaust.

Excessive vibrations at high and low speeds.

Engine idling erratically at 3000rpm, replaced automatic choke.

Engine would sometimes not start, problem never diagnosed.

Almost total loss of power at 100,00 miles.

Loud scraping noises coming from left front wheel.

Gearbox almost impossible to engage, 1st and 2nd finally packed in and gearbox finally broke completely.

Replaced gearbox and clutch at 109,000 miles.

Finally less than 1000 miles later engine engulfed in flames whilst driving on a hot day due to a leaking petrol pipe, (I was lucky to escape with minor burns)

This was my first and last ford.

The quality is woeful.

The handling is atrocious (too much over steer).

The reliablility is nothing short of a cruel joke.

The ride is like being inside a pneumatic drill.

The interior is plastic and cheap.

The seats are misshaped and leave your back aching.

Dump trucks can get better acceleration (although top speed was not too bad).

Massive lack of power, car almost goes back wards when on a steep hill.

All in all I found out one valuable lesson in this car 'never buy or accept a Ford' they make cheap cars that are cheaply made and cheaply built! I'm know going to give my hard earned cash to top quality like Toyota.