1998 Ford Escort GTi from UK and Ireland - Comments

In response to the last question, these kinds of mods are good, with 115bhp standard, you will only be looking at around 140-150bhp max.

Which if you look at it is the same as an RS2000, I'd rather have that as standard and have the full reliability, then you know you're not going to have any problems. Get an RS2000 mate, you'll have much more fun.

Right the Ford Escort Hatchback (90-01)

0-60 mph 9.2 s and Power Output 113 bhp

Torque 160 NM Top Speed 122 mph.

Citroen, Saxo VT'S Engine Size 1587 cc.

0-60 mph 7.5 s and Power Output 120 bhp.

Torque - 107 lb-ft

Top Speed 127 mph.

The Citroen, Saxo vtr are slower.

0-60 9.9 s Top Speed 116 mph 90 bhp.

I am about to pick up my escort gti 3 door, I am just using this as my run about car so not too bothered about the stats, just like the look of them. some of the comments I've read on here are unbelievable, so inconsistent but hey make a funny read. My mate has a saxo vtr and they are quite nippy but as for everything else they are pants. I also have a civic type r which is just in a different league and when I say the saxo is nippy it feels like driving a golf cart after you've been in the type r.

Ford Escort GTIs are slower than Citroen Saxo VTS, so if a Saxo is nippy and it feels like driving a golf cart, the Ford Escort GTI feels like a bumper car.

I also have a Civic Type R, which is just in a different league.

The difference in opinion is clearly coming from people who own a gti and don't.

I own an R reg GTi, its not the quickest car ever but certainly not slow. People who keep comparing it to Type Rs and the VTS, why bother?? Both cars are quicker, so what, of course they are. The Type R has 200Bhp and is a complete animal and a great car! The VTS, has 120bhp and weighs about the same as a sardine can so its going to hit is 7.7 0-60 time. The VTR, never been in one but its stats are pretty much the same, 0-60 wise, yes the VTR has less bhp but it is also a lot smaller and lighter so they even out about the same.

Seen a few comments about idle problems, if you start the engine and keep the revs to say 1000rpm then take your foot off and the engine cuts out you have an idle problem. Don't get a 2nd opinion from a Garage as they will take you round the houses changing different things costing an arm and a leg. Its the IDLE CONTROL VALVE!! You can either get this replaced, about £70 from any performance garage, or remove it and clean it. (or some are now on ebay for about £20 which have been cleaned) You will need to leave it soaked in brake fluid overnight then give it a good wash out and dry, then put it back in! Easier said than done but if you get under the engine you will see it directly in the middle just to the left of the throttle body. I had this and got it replaced after researching the problem and its been perfect ever since. The Garage advised the cleaning routine and seems to be the general advice given on the Internet.

I had the same idle problem with my GTI. I had the Idle Valve cleaned and now I have no probs at all. As for the speed debate, who cares. My GTI is a good looking solid car which is great to drive. I am gonna keep it standard and hope that one day it will become a classic.

The Escort GTi is slow, and certainly doesn't do 0-60 in 7.6 seconds, or whatever. I have a 206 GTi 180 and that does it in 7 seconds, and a top speed of 135 mph; and it weighs a fraction of what an Escort weighs. There is no way a car with 113bhp that weighs that much is that quick; complete tripe. More like 0-60 in 10 seconds, and top speed of 115 mph.

At the end of the day, why are we comparing a 180bhp (Peugeot 206) motor to a 115bhp motor?? The Escort GTI is a nice car in my opinion. It is nippy and I have had a top end of 130mph - Standard engine.

And as for comparing the RS2000 to a GTI?? You can't - they are group 18 insurance, 2.0 litre engine, and having had both, bearing in mind mine was a 4x4, I still prefer the GTI. As a Ford mechanic, you can upgrade the cam, from the 2.0 mondeo, and chip the engine etc, - But you will pay a lot more for the insurance too.!!

Thanks for reading my post, and any questions, please reply or drop me an email, michaelhammond.cars@fsmail.net.

I agree with the guy above, I have had my R reg black GTi for just a little over 2 years. Yes it has had a few problems, but common ones.

The engine and gearbox are the same ones when the car was built; there is no rust whatsoever. It has now done 147000 miles, and if anything pulls better than when it had 147 miles. Out of the 147000 miles only 10000 have be driven gently, the previous owner a friend of mine nailed it, the one before that nailed it and I have carried on and nailed it.

I love the little motor, whatever abuse you give it, it takes it. If anything needs changing, go to the scrapyard, forget the expensive garages, you can do it yourself.

The 0-60 in mine has been dynoed at 6.2 seconds and on to 138mph top speed, and 125 bhp with 135 lbf of torque. Bearing in mind this is a standard car, so I'm not slating any other cars because we all have different views. No matter as long as you're happy, stick with it as it makes it fun.

DJDECIPLE@AOL.COM any questions feel free to ask

Thanks.

0-60 in 6.2??...LOL.

125bhp and 0-60 in 6.2 seconds?

It's not likely is it? You're saying it's got 10bhp more than the book figures and that it will hit 60 in nearly half the time! The RS Turbos, which were lighter with more power, only hit 60 in a little under 8?

I recently bought a 1.8 GTi, could any one tell me which plugs and leads are the best performers?

This is ridiculous... 125bhp and 6.2 seconds to 60mph? The RS Turbo Escort has just over 130bhp and manages 0-60 in just under 8 seconds. A Saxo VTS weighs far less and has similar power and can't do anything under 7 and a half seconds.

Just buy a car that is actually fast rather than telling everyone how quick your car is.

6.2 would be very impressive for a 125bhp FWD car. A Clio 182 struggles to do 60 in 6 seconds. My friend has one and we could only get 6.5 ish. And that's with 182bhp.

0-60 in 6.2 LOL, that's quicker than a 200bhp Civic Type R. And the same time as a JDM Integra Type R. More like 8.2 seconds.