Faults:

The car always worked fine for me, not one breakdown.

General Comments:

The folk who are stating fantastic 0-60 times are either mad or can't use a stop watch, this despite the GTI tag is not a quick car, hell the old RS turbo barely did 0-60 in 8 seconds and an RS would leave a GTI for dust.

The 140 mph top speed some have quoted well, they are lying, you'd need to regear the car, even if it had 1000bhp with ten turbos the gearing would prevent it from reaching 140 mph.

All Ford did with this model and indeed the later RS2000 was damage their reputation.

Faults:

Bought the car with a blowing exhaust, which has since been replaced with a chrome one and this has been fine since.

Since having the car, the only faults have been the air flow system, which was fixed in a matter of hours, and the motor for the drivers window packed up, but was fixed cheaply; I bought a new runner and motor from a scrap yard for £35, and easily fitted it myself.

General Comments:

I find this is the best car I have ever driven. The 1.8 litre engine gives out lots of power, and when tested it gave me 0-60mph in just under 9 seconds. I have never got all of the top speed, but have experienced 110mph in it, which was very easy and still a good ride.

There is lots of room inside, which is important for me being 6ft 4 and 16 stone. The seats also are more than satisfying.

Also when driving sensibly, I get a great return of just over 40mpg.

My car has been lowered by 60mm and is riding on low profile tyres, which give it a very sporty look.

Faults:

Only just bought it.

General Comments:

I have bought this car as a cheap runabout. Sold my Civic Type R, which was an animal and very fast, but for 1200 pounds my fully loaded GTi does all it needs.

Everyone knows they ain't quick; if you want something quick don't get one, but they go OK, and are cheap to buy and run, and don't look too bad.

What else can you get for a grand with all that spec!

Faults:

Blown 2 gearbox's in 2 months.

Had 2 new clutches. These Escorts don't like wheel spinning.

Timing belt should be changed @ 80,000 miles.

General Comments:

This Escort is my pride and joy. It goes OK; not the fastest at 135mph top end, then started to run out of road. Should definitely do the clock (140). Even at high speeds she sticks to the road.

General Comments:

Escort GTi's are great cars. I am about to buy one for around £1900 (3 door). I test drove this car and loved it. The steering felt a little heavier than my 1.6 LX, but I have been told this isn't a problem. The car is quick for its weight. Who really needs a car with over 115bhp? The whole point of a nice car is to drive slow so people see it. Instead of spending money on engine tuning, spend it on a DVD player and a sound system. Once lowered with a set of 16's, this car looks amazing. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know much about car styling. You most likely drive a Saxo or something equally bad.