Faults:

The brake pads needed changing.

It needed a new clutch!

General Comments:

Pretty good car, which is value for money to keep on the road. Does quite a few miles to the gallon, looks good considering it's 12 years old, pretty sporty.

There's lots of room for other passengers etc. The only problem really is the excessive engine noise (sounds like a tractor when it's in traffic). Oh and the really deadly boring interior!

The 1.6 and 1.8 model is definitely a better buy, although the 1.4 is economical, especially for younger drivers.

Faults:

The gate on the gearbox had slipped - This wasn't a necessary job, as the gearbox still operated fine.

New shock absorbers all round - This again wasn't completely necessary. They weren't completely worn.

Minor Welding on rear wheel arch.

General Comments:

This car has been in the family for 2 years now, and there has not been a single mechanical fault in it. The engine has always started first time.

It is seriously competitive with my friends 1.3 Ford Fiesta.

It is also not far off a Nova 1.4 Luxe, which to me is quite impressive.

It thrashes a Vauxhall Astra 1.3 with no problem.

I have recently fitted some 185/13 steel wheels to the car for improved handling, and I was surprised at just how much difference it made.

Although people argue it isn't a particularly nice looking car, I still think it has aged very well, particularly the bodywork, as there is not a patch of rust anywhere on the car.

This is an ideal first car, for insurance purposes and also for speed.

I'm not looking forward to the day I have to part with it!

Faults:

Nothing much went wrong with the car. On the whole it was very reliable.

Replaced the exhaust from top to bottom.

Wiper blades needed replacing more regularly than I thought they would.

Clutch made a strange whining noise at the biting point until 50 000 miles, but I have heard this on similar models also until that mileage.

Occasionally the battery dumped its charge for no good or apparent reason, but a jump start soon had it going again.

General Comments:

For a basic car I was thoroughly impressed with it. As with any car, if you look after it and service it regularly, it will last you forever.

It was comfortable, easy to drive, reliable, economical, as good on long distance trips fully loaded as it was buzzing round town.

I regret getting rid of it now. Should have kept it. A friend's has just completed 130 000 miles and only the body work underneath is making him get rid - for another Escort.

You cannot beat them.

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Seriously fast, not just an upgrade from my XR3i.

Quite comfy.

Very reliable, only let me down twice in 6 years of owning it.

The turbo was also very reliable.

Faults:

Rear coil spring broken.

Rear suspension wishbone rusted through.

Throttle cable snapped.

Rotten boot floor and wheel arches.

General Comments:

Well this is my third Mk3 Escort, and this one must rank as the most reliable of them all. Even in -15C temperatures, the engine kicks into life first time. Apart from oil changes and routine maintenance, it's given me very little trouble. It is a friendly car to run around in, if a bit basic.

Performance is not much cop, and the engine sounds like a load of bolts being shaken in a tin can, but it's a Ford, and that means dirt cheap spares and low running costs, and at the end of the day that's what matters.

My main gripe is rust. This car will be heading for the scrap yard within the next year; this is the rustiest Escort I have ever had. What is it with European Fords in the late 80's? They disintegrate if the weather man even mentions rain.