1998 Ford Escort GTi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166-180, 181-195, 196-210, 211-225, 226-240, 241-255, 256-270, 271-285, 286-296

10th Jun 2000, 09:43

"Great car for the money... A little quicker would be nice!"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Nothing!

Actually there was a really annoying whistling from the air vent(?) when new but it went away!!

General comments?

A fantastic car for the money. Great looks, great drive (sticks to the road like...), air con...

My only gripe is with performance. I had a 2.0 Sierra prior to this car and although the Escort is faster(?) it really needs to be pushed. I was actually quite disappointed when test driving the car (where you feel guilty going much over 4K revs :-> ).

The car does kick in after 4.5 K in most gears though (The benefit of 16V I presume).

If anyone can tell me a bit more history about the car I would appreciate it (I know it's got a different exhaust to the Si and the suspension/steering MUST be better... Anyone know the full facts?... craigp@email.com if you do


18th Nov 2005, 04:47

Suspension on GTi is the same as the Si, so are brakes.

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30th Dec 2005, 05:48

I am thinking about buying an Escort GTi. Any tips of what to look out for when buying one? Also, has anyone got the full spec on one of these cars 'ie' 0 to 60 etc...

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31st Dec 2005, 17:58

Hi mate I've had a dozen Escort GTis. Things to look out for; rusty rear arches, silver go the worst. Floor the car and make sure the 16v is responsive; listen out for wheel bearings. Look if air con works, and also look for rust under the rear spoiler; these are the key areas for rust.

Spec list.

0-60 7.8 seconds

Top speed off the clock 140mph

Air con

Half leather

Full body kit

Rear spoiler

White dials

Electric seat (drivers)

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1st Jan 2006, 07:02

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1998 escort gti.

0-60mph (not 0-62mph) in 9.5sec. top speed 120mph.

Weight: 1138 kg has 113bhp From parkers.

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3rd Jan 2006, 03:08

Reason the escort gti is so slow it because it has only 113bhp and weighs quite a lot.

I owned one, but sold it after 2 months, as it was slower than a saxo vtr. It has less bhp per ton than the vtr also!

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3rd Jan 2006, 18:19

I have and Escort GTI and have had a top speed of 130, just with K&N filter.

I have heard recently that there is a low pressure turbo that you can buy, from ford to bolt on, anyone else heard of it???

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5th Jan 2006, 05:25

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Don't bother, sell the car as even a 1.8 focus is quicker than the patheticaly slow escort gti. I agree with the person about the vtr comment.

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5th Jan 2006, 09:00

Top speed is 140mph. Put your foot all the way down, it will do it. I had a VTS and the Escort GTi matched the performance. There is a turbo, you can buy for it £350 from a Ford main dealer. Very easy to fit.

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6th Jan 2006, 06:25

Escort gti fast?!? Everyone knows the Escort gti is "SLOW"!

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6th Jan 2006, 14:51

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Has any of you owned a gti? there NOT slow there fast a 1.8 16v cannot be slow can it?

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6th Jan 2006, 14:53

The escort gti is a lovely looking car very nippy the 1.8 16v go's well enough.

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6th Jan 2006, 15:05

A comfortable, reliable and cheap to maintain car that still looks good in 2006.

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7th Jan 2006, 15:34

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I agree the Escort GTi still turns heads. Even today the Escort GTi is a lovely looking car and doesn't looked dated. It's still amazing, even in 2006, a really nice looking car, and the engine, being a 1.8i 16v, is enough to do 0-60 in just under 8 seconds, and hit 140mph flat out.

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7th Jan 2006, 17:39

Its slow. Have owned one in the past, the car is to heavy and the engine doesn't produce much power. The car isn't worthy of a gti badge.

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12th Jan 2006, 10:13

Both the focus 1.8 and the escort GTi have a 115bhp zetec engine, the focus is actually marginally slower being a little heavier.

The GTi is quicker than it feels, a VTR may well feel quicker lower down being an 8-valve engine, but the GTi will perform well if you aren't shy with the revvs - peak power is a smidge under 6,000 rpm.

The great thing about the 1.8 zetec is that it can be very easily (and cheaply) modified to increase performance; using cams and throttle bodies from a 2.0 mondeo engine (ready available for next to nothing from any scrap yard) should take the power to at least 130bhp, and adding a chip and induction kit improve things further. Myself and a friend have both done this; his has been on the rolling road and produced a dyno-proven 144bhp. Granted, this is at high revvs, but it has surprised a few supposedly more powerful cars.

How many other engines can you add nearly 30bhp to with mods costing under £300 in total - got to be woeth a go!

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