1998 Ford Escort GTi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Replaced brake discs & pads.

New near-side lower suspension arm.

This is the best car I have ever owned. Well done to Ford for their first ever GTi model car!!

Handles very well and looks great!

I own a 3 door Ford Escort 1800i Zetec, limited edition "Formula 1, nr 363/500". A sharp-looking, styled car, unlike most escorts, which handles great and can keep up with most 2 liter cars, despite it's modest 85KW/115HP. But I don't understand why you call it a GTi! This car has an DoubelOverHeadCamschaft-engine with directly injected fuel, but no turbo. So why call it a GTi?

A GTI doesn't need a turbo, GT stands for Grand Tourer and the I is for injection. i.e. How the engine is fueled.

Does'nt deserve a gti badge,

Then neither does any Golf built after the the mk2, none are true GTi cars, ie. over weight and bloated. The Escort GTI is a light handling car, even better with suspension mods, and the Zetec engine is highly tuneable. The only weak point is the front suspension arms, after market arms are available with uprated bushes. No manufacturer today produces a true old school GTi, all are twice as big and heavy as cars such as the Escort RS, Peugeot 205 and Golf mk1 and 2.