Faults:

Replaced tires when purchased at 80k.

Blew a head gasket within the first month of ownership. It then blew another head gasket the following summer.

Starter relay switch replaced at 85k.

Car's engine caught on fire at 90k; it burnt to a crisp.

Automatic seat belts worked when they wanted to.

General Comments:

I wanted to like this car, it was sort of cute and the seats were fairly comfortable for a small car.

Unfortunately, it was yet another terrible purchase. As stated above, the engine blew a head gasket twice, costing me US $1100 to fix the first time and $900 to fix the second time. The Escort would overheat very frequently, I worried every time I got into the car that I would be stranded somewhere.

Finally, after parking the car in my driveway, I turned around to see the whole front of the car engulfed in flames. The engine caught fire and burned to a crisp. Shrug, good riddance.

I have owned three Fords in my lifetime; all of which tended to overheat (why do Fords have this problem?!).

I will NEVER buy a Ford again, should have learned my lesson the first time.

Faults:

Does seem to eat exhaust systems.

General Comments:

I've had this car since new. Drove it for 2 winters, and have put it away for the winter ever since.

I can't wait to drive her each spring. Such a fun little car to drive. Quick, responsive, and reliable.

It's first spring, I had installed, a color matched, silk-screened sunroof, imported from Las Vegas. Makes it totally unique.

Only tires, and exhaust have been replaced. Everything else is original.

Faults:

Transaxle leaked, tightened gasket bolts after it was serviced by Transmission repair shop.

Water pump went bad at 69000 miles, replaced with new- 20 bucks.

A/C did not work when purchased, has since been removed.

Rear wheel bearings replaced at 63000.

Radio replaced with CD player at 64000.

Uses a slight amount of oil, mostly dripping from possibly the oil pan gasket.

Rear Springs sagging, using 'spring helpers' to raise rear end ride height.

General Comments:

Overall for a car 19 yrs old I can't complain. I'm the 3rd owner and I know both previous owners. I purchased the car for the sole purpose of reducing the miles I put on my other car. The $200 I spent to buy it was well worth it.

This is the 4th Escort that I have owned (the others were '84, '85 and '86). The only complaint is that it is an automatic, all my others were 4 or 5 speeds, and this transmission is a bit on the slow side. I can't complain at all, especially since it sat idle for over two years in the HOT southern/central Florida sun. I doesn't look like much, but it runs and that's all that matters.