Shedding in an... Escort?

[Deluded]

Been seeing Escorts around quite a bit recently and whenever I do, I admire at how they actually look a lot better now than they did 10 years ago, IMO of course.

Not being desirable cars, they are dirt cheap, but is there an underlying reason for this? Are they rubbish?

Something like this has caught my eye - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-FORD-ESCORT-1-8-GTI...

It would be perfect for running the dogs and the daughter around in. Plus I think it looks pretty good.

Whats the general opinion on this mark Escort? Reliable motoring for shed money or not worth the effort?

[Changedmyname]

Hell yeah.Why not?

[4key]

Suprisingly less rusty than you think that they would be, normally the arches that go first so if theyre clean the underside will probably be too. Almost any part for them can be bought for pocket money, either new or second hand. Ive driven a couple until death and they are really hard to completely destroy, most could be brought back to life for less than buying another one.

[Rickyy]

They weren't terrible. Same engine that came in the Focus I believe, 115bhp 1.8 16v. Not going to set the world alight, but revved quite happily and made a decent noise in the Focus.

Should get A/C and half leather seats in a GTI too.

[MH82]

Drive a lot better than a lot of people would have you believe. The MK5 (1990 - 1993) didn't help the image as the normal versions didn't drive well at all, but the mk6s were much improved and if I remember correctly - they did quite well in group tests finishing above the Astra and a shade behind the 306.

[anonymous-user]

I bought a 1.6 'W' reg as a first car at 103,000m. Got rid of it at 120,000 and it's now past 140,000 and still going. Could do with a new clutch really, but that was the case back when I bought it too so it's held up well. If they haven't rusted by now then they're unlikely to start anytime soon. Get either a Finesse, or a GTI as they both have the most kit (Ghia too I think, but they have some pretty minging "Wood-you-believe it" interiors), there's so many around that you can afford to be picky and don't settle for one without A/C.

Not the most exciting car in the world, but they're pretty solid and dirt cheap motoring.