Looking at a Ford Escort tomorrow - what to look out for?
Discussion
OH's friend is selling a P-reg Ford Escort dirt cheap, needs a new back box but that's it. Cheap enough that if it is a pear, it's worth FAR more in parts. Also it's top of the range, with just about every option by the sounds of it.
Looks pretty good in the pictures, but obviously they aren't always true to real life. Queried my garage and they seem to think that rust around the rear chassis is the only major problem. Out of interest, are there any others to look out for?
And to the inevitable "Buy a Focus/something else entirely instead blah blah" it's purely because it's a price I can't refuse (unless it really is a POS, which I really don't think it is
)
Looks pretty good in the pictures, but obviously they aren't always true to real life. Queried my garage and they seem to think that rust around the rear chassis is the only major problem. Out of interest, are there any others to look out for?
And to the inevitable "Buy a Focus/something else entirely instead blah blah" it's purely because it's a price I can't refuse (unless it really is a POS, which I really don't think it is
)
How cheap are we talking?
It would have to be pocket change to get me in a late 90s Escort. Is it burgundy? I bet it's burgundy.
Main thing to check is rust. Epic rust. I remember them at 2 years old having terminal rust. Also check keys - they have crap keys and are easily broken in to. Make sure keys all match, no damage to locks etc.
Only other problem is the crap, terrible, unbelievably bad handling. Seriously terrible.
Like I said, pocket money, maybe.
It would have to be pocket change to get me in a late 90s Escort. Is it burgundy? I bet it's burgundy.
Main thing to check is rust. Epic rust. I remember them at 2 years old having terminal rust. Also check keys - they have crap keys and are easily broken in to. Make sure keys all match, no damage to locks etc.
Only other problem is the crap, terrible, unbelievably bad handling. Seriously terrible.
Like I said, pocket money, maybe.
HereBeMonsters said:
How cheap are we talking?
It would have to be pocket change to get me in a late 90s Escort. Is it burgundy? I bet it's burgundy.
Main thing to check is rust. Epic rust. I remember them at 2 years old having terminal rust. Also check keys - they have crap keys and are easily broken in to. Make sure keys all match, no damage to locks etc.
Only other problem is the crap, terrible, unbelievably bad handling. Seriously terrible.
Like I said, pocket money, maybe.
It's purple It would have to be pocket change to get me in a late 90s Escort. Is it burgundy? I bet it's burgundy.
Main thing to check is rust. Epic rust. I remember them at 2 years old having terminal rust. Also check keys - they have crap keys and are easily broken in to. Make sure keys all match, no damage to locks etc.
Only other problem is the crap, terrible, unbelievably bad handling. Seriously terrible.
Like I said, pocket money, maybe.
and it is dirt, dirt cheap. I wouldn't even consider it if it wasn't. I take it you're not a fan then? 
Ok, so unanimous opinions that rust is the big thing to look out for.
Regarding keys, it's got the original spare etc, but will check the locks. Cheers As mentioned - rust on the rear chassis rails is the major thing.
As for the handling, yes the mk5 (1990 - 1995) model was horrid and a step back from the mk4 but the mk6 (1995 - 2000) was much improved, in road tests it trounced the Astra and was a step behind the 306. This was the 16v models as the 8v models had poor shocks
The mechanicals are reliable - I know of a 1.4 Encore that has gone to 340 thousand miles with only servicables needed.
The other thing to look out for are the bottom arms, if the bushes become worn then the handling can suffer, the car can feel like it is floaty and can wonder. These are £20 from motorfactors although some makes are cheap and nasty - stick with QH
As for the handling, yes the mk5 (1990 - 1995) model was horrid and a step back from the mk4 but the mk6 (1995 - 2000) was much improved, in road tests it trounced the Astra and was a step behind the 306. This was the 16v models as the 8v models had poor shocks
The mechanicals are reliable - I know of a 1.4 Encore that has gone to 340 thousand miles with only servicables needed.
The other thing to look out for are the bottom arms, if the bushes become worn then the handling can suffer, the car can feel like it is floaty and can wonder. These are £20 from motorfactors although some makes are cheap and nasty - stick with QH
Edited by MH82 on Sunday 13th March 09:26
Not sure if it's been mentioned before but rust - definitely check for that.
Oh and did I mention rust?
Like most 90,s Fords it's likely to be riddled with the stuff but you might be lucky.
To be honest if you are heading for a bit of bangernomics there are probably better alternatives
Oh and did I mention rust?
Like most 90,s Fords it's likely to be riddled with the stuff but you might be lucky.
To be honest if you are heading for a bit of bangernomics there are probably better alternatives
nottyash said:
Yes but thats all its worth to be "cheap"
Nortons in Liverpool are paying £170 per ton at the moment so the car is unlikely to be on sale for less than that.If the car is known to the OP for a period of time, is reliable and has a good MOT and a little tax, it's got to be worth upto £250 I'd have thought? Run it for a year and weigh it in if you get a long fail sheet.
MJK 24 said:
Nortons in Liverpool are paying £170 per ton at the moment so the car is unlikely to be on sale for less than that.
If the car is known to the OP for a period of time, is reliable and has a good MOT and a little tax, it's got to be worth upto £250 I'd have thought? Run it for a year and weigh it in if you get a long fail sheet.
Exactly.If the car is known to the OP for a period of time, is reliable and has a good MOT and a little tax, it's got to be worth upto £250 I'd have thought? Run it for a year and weigh it in if you get a long fail sheet.
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