Daily Drive Escort Cosworth?

[BlueNGT]

Hi All

I will be looking to change the car early next year and a MK5 Golf GTi has been on top of the list for various reasons - not bad insurance, little bit of poke, should be fun to drive and can get stuff in the boot. However recently I have started to think about whether an Escort Cosworth could do the job - insurance is about the same as the Golf, boot will be similar size, will be fun to drive, plus its rarer to see an Escort Cosworth (you dont see them on the road these days) and should prove to be pretty much depreciation proof motoring.

I am looking for something fun now...had a 320d M Sport Auto for 3 years, just bought a Mk5 Zetec S Fiesta for the girlfriend and its reminded me how much fun you can have with not huge amounts of Power. Currently driving a 120i Sport (Girlfriends old car she was bored of) but thats going in the New Year hence looking for something else to replace that.

Have always loved the Escort Cosworth but never driven one. Had a couple of Porsches, last one was 964 RS Clubsport, but sold that 4 years ago and now looking for a bit of fun but not at that kind of expenditure.

I dont do lots of miles as I work from home. Can go a full week without the car even moving and the next week could do a couple of hundred miles.

So the question is does anybody daily drive their Escort Cosworth? If so what are the pitfalls etc?

Thanks in advance

[martycossie]

hi there good fun to use and when people look and say cossie only bad thing i dont like leving it any were out of sight

[AJ-T]

Can't comment on a Cosworth for everyday. I personally would worry about leaving it and also seeing it getting dirty and scratched. For the same sort of money you could buy a FRS mk1, very good car. Think you would be pleasantly surprised!

I've always thought of the cossie as a second car! Just my opinion.

[bazza1000]

Seems a bit crinimal to use a Escort Cosworth as a daily driver. I'd be way too paranoid about leaving it parked up anywhere out of sight.

A mk 1 or mk 2 Focus RS would be a far better choice, modern and reliable (not a cool though!)

[cossievin]

They're great cars, looking at some of your other cars you've had you may be disappointed in a standard one.
If you're going to use it daily, a stage 3 car (330bhp) is still fun while being reliable.

[BlueNGT]

Unfortunately I've had to have a sense check and, at the youngest, a 15 year old car isnt going to be suitable for a daily drive.

Sometimes one just has to be realistic

Thanks for the replies chaps.

[ALY77]

I had one for 18 months and could never suggest it as a daily hack. Far too unreliable, thirsty, conspicuous and as far as depreciation free motoring goes forget it.
The difference in price per say 20k of miles on what would otherwise be the same car is beyond funny.

I you love care and cherish one it will reward you, use or abuse it and it will punish you, usually in the wallet.

p.s. I now have a Mk1 Focus RS, very under rated cars if you can see past the gawdawful interior!

[Baryonyx]

The age shouldn't be an issue. My colleague's Monte Carlo edition is his daily drive. It never fails to start, and never has any issues. It wants for absolutely nothing mechanically, it is his pride and joy. Really, the Escort Cosworth is not that old, I drive a 1994 MR2 Turbo as my daily driver and it feels better put together than many newer cars!

The real issues he faces are security concerns. The car is parked in a secure car park at work and then garaged or left secure on his drive. But that niggling worry must always be in his mind when he parks it anywhere else. You'd worry just popping out to do the shopping in it, simply because it's a Cosworth and it's worth a lot in little pieces, to be sold on to other Cosworth owners.

The Escorts seem to hold up even better than the Sierras as far as rust goes. But a well looked after model of either, with some preventitive treatment, should see off any rust concerns. As an MR2 Turbo driver, I wholeheartedly approve of driving nice 90's performance cars as daily drivers. With a careful owner, they should serve you well. I was looking at Sierras before I bought my MR2 and the main thing that put me off them was security concerns. Listening to tales told by friends of mine who are traffic cops brought home that very real possiblity that my pride and joy Sierra could have been nicked and stripped, and I don't live in a bad area. Sadly, criminal gangs know the value of Cossie parts too.

[BEP]

I own one, my dad used to use it daily...
I wouldn't use one, mainly because the silly standard bits that get easily damaged (lights/indicators/fog lamps/front splitter etc etc) are almost impossible to get hold of.... I've just restored ours (which wasn't rusty or needing mechanical work) and it's cost £8,500 !!