1998 Ford Escort GTi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing!

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

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

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

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...

Hi mate I've had a dozen escort GTi's things to look out for rusty rear archers silver go the worst floor the car make sure the 16v is responsive listen out for wheel bearings. look if air con works 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)

1998 escort gti.

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

Weight: 1138 kg has 113bhp From parkers.

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!

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???

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!