Faults:

Auto Trans x2

Auto Trans Mounts

Ball Joints x2

Front Sway Bar Links x2

Timing Belt & Tensioner

O2 Sensor

Exhaust Flex Pipe

Front Brakes (Rotors/Pads/Hardware)

General Comments:

I bought this car with a bad transmission in early 2004. The transmission was completely locked up and the car would not even roll. I replaced the Auto trans with a used one, and did the install myself.

About 6 months later the trans cracked in 2 pieces due to faulty trans mounts. I replaced both transmission mounts with dealer parts ($150 Total), and installed another used trans. No problem since.

The timing belt jumped time at about 132,000 miles. Luckily I was rolling into my driveway at the time. Tore the timing cover off and found a fairly new belt with a new water pump. The tensioner was faulty causing the belt to jump. The tensioner was only $50 at the dealer along with a $20 belt from the local auto parts store.

Currently the flex pipe has rusted/broken and is leaking. The part alone is $200. I am searching out a cheaper way to fix this problem than shelling out that kind of money for the part.

The Front Brakes on these cars are TERRIBLE. Within the past year I have done 4 front brake jobs on Escorts (including this one). The Caliper pins severly stick and cause the calipers not to slide freely like they should. This causes the inner pad to severely wear, warps the rotors, and gets quite expensive to fix. Calipers, pads, hardware, and rotors are the way to go.

The A/c works very well, and the car drives nice. Parts are reasonable and the car is very easy to work on.

Faults:

The timing belt was replaced at 130 000km.

The engine belt was also replaced at 145 000 km.

The ball joint on the left front wheel was replaced at 145 000 km.

Water leaked into the driver compartment during rain, a mechanic welded a metal plate above the pedals, the problem disappeared.

General Comments:

Overall this is a very good car, very few problems experienced with it, the performance is decent, handles well, acceleration could be better, but is good enough to keep up with traffic and merge onto the freeway. Fuel economy is pretty good also, in the city I averaged about

9L/km, on the freeway about 7-8L/km, at speeds of 80-90km/h about 6.5L/km.

Faults:

Gas Gage doesn't work, stuck at 1/2 tank.

Door locks break (all locks on the car have had to be replaced).

Replaced clutch.

Idle surges (850-1200rpm)

Noise from front wheels.

Stock stereo costly to replace ($250+ cost of stereo)

Minor emissions problems.

General Comments:

Haven't put a lot of miles on this car yet, and I bought it with high miles. Most the things that are wrong with the car were that way when I got it. the gas gage is a very annyoing problem. It costs a lot to fix, and I just don't have $900 sitting around after buying a car.

The seats are the worst I have ever sat in. 15mins and I have to start shifting positions. they have held up great, but a wooden bench would have been better.

The 5speed was a great choice, this car does have plenty of power, and will hold 80mph without a problem.

The simple things in this car are what bother me the most.

Cruise control works, but doesn't have a light to let you know its on.

Cup holders are poorly placed and designed... especially for a 5speed

I would rank the headlights a 0/10 I can see better with the parking lights, HID bulbs help, but only make it equal to any-other car.

2 weeks after replacing the locks they broke again.

Over all not a bad buy... I will keep this updated as my miles increase.