1999 Ford Escort ZX2 Sport 2.0L

Summary:

For the money this is a great car

Faults:

First and foremost, I bought the car with a busted head gasket seal and a broken timing chain, and it cost me 420 dollars in repair at a repair shop.

I gave the car a tune up for 50 dollars, and spent 15 dollars on interior bulbs and headlamp sockets. I also purchased new tires for it that cost me about 330 dollars.

I also purchased a used I.A.C. valve for 15 dollars and installed it.

The total of all things needed was 830 dollars.

I have had no further problems with the car since I bought it.

General Comments:

Now that that's out of the way, the car is decent with fuel mileage (27 city/31 highway) and is very easy to track because I have only a 10 gallon fuel tank. I took a trip from Jackson, MI all the way to Sault Ste. Marie and back, and the car was very comfortable for a coupe.

I had enough space for me and my things with no problem.

This car is NOT a family car. It is (my opinion) aimed toward college students, local commuters, a small family (man and wife), or just a single person like myself.

Maintenance costs are very low, but then again I do most of the work on the car myself because it's easy enough to do.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd September, 2013

1999 Ford Escort SE 2.0

Summary:

Good little car, a few problems but still satisfied

Faults:

Had to replace gas tank, as it was leaking at the seam.

General Comments:

I like the car, I bought it from my grandfather's girlfriend, and I only paid $600 for it (it had no problems by the way).

But I've noticed I'm been having bad gas mileage. I don't know if it's normal or what, but I'm only getting about 320-350 kilometers to a full tank of gas, and I'm constantly filling up... people tell me I should be getting more than that. I recently did a tune up, so I don't know why it's doing this... I've come to the conclusion that it could be the MAF sensor, oxygen sensor, PCV valve or vacuum leaks, but I haven't had my mechanic check yet. Does anybody know which it would be?

Engine light is on, P1506 (Idle overspeed error) and I don't know how to fix it... Could this have to do with the bad gas mileage I'm getting? (PCV valve, vacuum leaks possibly??)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th June, 2012

1999 Ford Escort LX station wagon 2.0

Summary:

Don't

Faults:

I got the wagon for 1,000 used with a salvage title; apparently a baseball sized hole in the bumper was enough to total it. Past that, all the springs and shocks needed replaced in the 20,000 miles I owned it, along with a head gasket.

General Comments:

Liked the luggage rack and the space in the wagon. It also took a head on wreck with 1990's Ford Ranger going 80 very well; I only had one scratch afterward. However it needed more unscheduled maintenance than anything else I've owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th June, 2011

16th Jun 2011, 09:23

Sure. The previous owner deferred all maintenance then sold it or traded it in. 100K is pretty much the upper limit of struts. The head gasket may have failed because the coolant had never been flushed.

When buying a car of that mileage, expect to perform the deferred maintenance, and keep the vehicle long enough to get your money's worth.

1999 Ford Escort SE 2.0

Summary:

Best car for a 1000 that I could find

Faults:

Alternator is bad.

Driver side window regulator is bad.

Headliner is hanging down.

General Comments:

I bought the car 1 month ago for a 1000 dollars. Have had no problems with it, except what I have already stated.

I am still driving with a bad alternator, but it is still charging enough to work.

I get about 400 miles per tankful, driving a city and highway mix.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2011

25th Apr 2011, 15:14

2 cents of wisdom just for you (above poster).

GET THE ALT FIXED ASAP!

You are about to be inconvenienced by sitting around either in rush hour traffic or on the side of a lonely highway waiting for a tow truck.. when alt's START to go, they just go..

You can throw in buying a new battery ($100-ish) also for playing with this dying alternator issue + add another $100-ish for the tow!

5th Jun 2011, 07:34

I was just updating the review. I have put on over 4000 miles in the past month. Still haven't put a alternator in yet, but it is still charging. I get about 30 to 32 in the city with the A/C on, and 38 to 42 on the highway. I absolutely love the car.

In reply to 5th Jun 2011, 07:34

6th Jun 2011, 08:37

If you absolutely love this car, you will certainly heed the 2 cents of wisdom above, because that guy is absolutely right. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

In reply to 6th Jun 2011, 08:37

9th Sep 2011, 20:30

Still driving with a bad alternator. Still no problems. Had to replace a wheel bearing 3 weeks ago.

In reply to 9th Sep 2011, 20:30

27th Aug 2012, 21:38

5 months of driving with a bad alternator?? And how did you figure out it was bad again? Have you put a gauge on the battery while the car is running and revved the engine up a bit to see if it was charging?? 5 months of driving on a bad alternator sounds like you don't have a bad alternator.

You get maybe a week of driving and charging the battery every night... then your alternator is toast. Not 5 months LOL.