Faults:

Air conditioning leaked year I got the car. Had to find a black market freon guy to refill it and patch the hole.

Prior to me getting the car, the original owner had to get the steering column tightened or something (on warranty).

At about 100,000km had all the braked and struts done, front and back.

Lived in a cold climate this year (2002-03)(got as cold as -35 C) and locking device on driver side broke when I put key in lock due to frozen weather. Locks always were a bit sticky on cool weather, but now I cannot open driver door from outside with key. Once unlocked, handle works perfectly fine. Lock de-ice or WD40 did not help. (I will have to take door panel off and fix).

Interior immaculate (cloth seats). Heat/AC works perfectly, cigarette lighter (tho I never use it) perfect, vent in perfect shape (not broken), windows open perfect, tho driver side can get sticky sometimes.

General Comments:

Will I ever find such a decent reliable and mostly _inexpensive car_ again? I doubt it!

Excellent on gas. Comfortable on highway. Does not burn oil. Runs like new.

Faults:

The driver side window motor failed and was replaced at 95000 miles.

The A/C evaporator was replaced at 137000 miles.

The air flow sensor was replaced at 167000 miles.

The struts and shocks were replaced at 173000 miles.

The wheel bearings were replaced at 182000 miles.

General Comments:

To date the total cost of the vehicle is less the US $.17 per mile. The costs include purchase price, insurance, fuel and maintenance.

My daily commute is 120 miles per day which I have been doing since Jan of 1999.

The care is quick and handles well in tight spaces.

Parking is never a problem with this vehicle.

To date the car gets better than 31 miles to the gallon.

Faults:

Has gone through brakes more than most other cars I have driven.

There are always little problems occurring, most have been with interior components.

The visors have broken, the seatbelt sensor has broken, and the key-lock alert will not turn off. (i.e. When there is no key in the ignition and the door is open with the lights off it still beeps.)

Have had many problems with the ventilation fan, mostly with the electrical contacts for it.

General Comments:

Good little car. Handles really well.

I have not had any major engine problems, nor any problems with the frame or other major components.

Great mileage. I still get the 33mpg that Consumer Guide said it had back when it was new. (30/37 City/Highway)

Faults:

Needed New clutch at 285,000 Km

Timing Belt broke at around 320,000 Km.

Needed new radiator at 350,000 Km.

New rear shocks at around 370,000 Km.

Have changed the battery only once.

Gone through 2 starters.

Brakes have had to be replaced far too often. (Worst problem with this vehicle)

Problem with locks seizing in spring 2002.

General Comments:

At 431,000 Km and still on original engine.

Still does not burn any oil. Uses about 1 Liter of Oil for about 5000 Km.

Oil Changed Every 5000 Kilometers.

Faults:

I've replaced the brakes a few times.

I've replaced the alternator.

Many things have broken on the interior including the tape player, the cigarette lighter, the automatic seat belts and some panel lights.

My fuel pump just went right before I got a new car.

General Comments:

This car was overall, a very decent and reliable vehicle. I had no major problems with the engine except for things that are expected to break and be replaced on any older vehicle. For example, the fuel pump and alternator.

It had awesome gas mileage and handled extremely well because of it's small size. It was also very ease to park.

I will hate to see it go. I drove this escort a lot of miles and it was always very good to me and reliable.