Faults:

Ignition switch had several problems when I bought the car; I purchased a new switch for $90 and have had no further fault with it.

I had a bad misfire develop which turned out to be the fault of the coil pack, I installed an aftermarket part and it now works great.

The driver's side outer CV joint boot broke which let dirt and other contaminants into the joint. By the time I know of it, it was too late. I had to replace the half shaft.

There have been many small problems due to previous owner neglect as far as cosmetic things go. All mechanical problems seem to be basic maintenance that any car of this mileage would require.

General Comments:

The Escort is really good cheap transportation, although it seems to require continuous tweaking to keep it in good shape.

The engine is somewhat underpowered and seems to run rather fast at highway speeds. At 70 miles per hour I am running at 3300 rpm, and the car feels like it is not in overdrive.

The transmission shifts are harsh (in particular first gear to second) under certain conditions like when the engine is hot and is let sit and then run again. I suspect that it needs some work, however I don't have the money to get it looked at.

Overall I like the car, it has a certain appeal to it, and although it feels underpowered on the highway, the 4-cylinder engine has quite a lot of pep, and that is really brought out on windy roads. The steering and suspension feel really close to the road and make the driver feel very connected to the road.

I like the car, but would consider buying something with a V6 and sacrifice some of that gas mileage (32 mpg) for more power.

Faults:

For as many miles that this little beauty has on it, I've had the minimal amount of problems. The tie-rod end had to be replaced somewhere around 105,000 miles. The switch for the four way lights is missing and the horn doesn't work, but that's more due to one of the previous owners, not the car. A friend of mine managed to destroy the automatic seatbelt on the driver's side, which, as a poor college student, I haven't had the money to fix yet.

Currently, it's developed a short somewhere in the electrical system that has been draining the battery whenever it's not being driven. I haven't yet found out where the problem is, but I'm hoping that it isn't something major.

General Comments:

For the way I drive, this little car is perfect for me.

It's quick, with a lot of pep.

It handles sharp turns and winding roads well at high speeds.

It's cute, flashy, with plenty of room for a small sedan.

The gas mileage is excellent.

Plus, it has more pickup and power than most people would think.

Faults:

The defroster switch went at 78,000 miles.

The serpentine belt needed to be replaced at 77,000 miles.

The tie rod end needed to be replaced at 77,00 miles.

The window crank had to be replaced, along with a new ignition at 79,000 miles.

General Comments:

My ford escort was my first car. I only had it 4 months, because just 3 days ago I was hit in the side by another car.

The escort was totaled, but I would highly recommend this model if you are a first-time buyer.

The seats are comfortable, but the cabin noise is very loud.

I will be replacing the escort with a 1995 Honda Civic 2 door sedan. I will install numerous performance parts into it.