1987 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet 1.6i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A little gem

Faults:

Vacuum advance unit.

Water pump (leak revealed on cambelt change).

Poor MPG.

Heater matrix.

Battery.

Failed central locking (caused by a cowboy alarm fitter).

General Comments:

At first I had poor MPG (30) so I called out a mobile tune-up specialist who diagnosed that the Vac advance unit had failed. After replacement, together with new leads and a full service and oil flush it now runs excellent returning 40 MPG on my daily commute to work.

Roll on Summer!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd November, 2000

20th Mar 2001, 09:17

I wish mine did even 30 mpg.

In reply to 20th Mar 2001, 09:17

24th Jul 2023, 14:59

30 mpg or more out of any 1980's petrol car is good going, the reviewer is doing well to get 40 mpg (if genuinely calculated correctly) from a car from this time.

35 - 37 mpg sounds a more realistic average for a 1.6 petrol Escort from the time period. I had a 1.8 then a 2.0 petrol Sierra in 1988, and both did 35 mpg at very best motorway cruising. 40 mpg might be possible with an endless road and cruise set at 60 mph...

1987 Ford Escort XR3i 1.6i petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good cheap fun!

Faults:

Steering rack.

Hydraulic tappets and crank shaft.

Valve stem oil seals.

Front bottom arms.

Brake discs.

Clutch.

Exhaust.

Crankshaft oil seal.

Noisy fuel pump.

General Comments:

I find the car very reliable. It requires constant attention to keep in good order.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th September, 2000

1987 Ford Escort L diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very good economy, cheap parts

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Excellent cheap motoring, very reliable, got to Malaga, Spain and back no problems at 50+ mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 2000

1987 Ford Escort GT 1.9L from North America

Summary:

Exceeded all my expectations

Faults:

Fuel pump (loose wire tabs on pump).

Left front caliper (1).

TFI ignition module.

Starter (1).

Alternator (1).

Tie rod and end.

General Comments:

I have only spent about $1000 on car repairs in 160K miles and 13 years. I didn't expect this from an economy car. A workhorse (hatchback) and very reliable.

Stiff suspension is jarring on bad roads.

Superb OEM Eagle GT tires made it to 99K miles.

Struts, clutch, brake drums, radiator, engine and tranny are original.

No engine or transmission work short of 60K mile timing belt changes.

It was never a solid 'one-piece' car like so many are today. Getting clunkier as time goes on.

Eats exhaust components.

Acid rain etched silver paint.

Some rust, but not bad.

Waiting for a $500 repair so I can get a new car. Focus ZX3?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2000

1987 Ford Escort EXP 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Stay away from all 80's American cars

Faults:

Water pump, fuel pump, steering column, loose belts, alternator, air conditioning, rear view mirror, RPM gauge, radiator, all went bad and had to be replaced. Put way too much money into the car given what I paid.

General Comments:

The car pretty much went bad after 5-6 years. All electronic parts had to be replaced. But I did love its looks and I think it worked great for a first car out of high school.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2000

1987 Ford Escort GT 1.9 liter from North America

Summary:

Sporty, fun, reliable car

Faults:

- 2 head gaskets

- AC broke twice, did not fix 2 times

- O2 sensor

- Passenger window

- 3 exhaust systems

- Starter motor

General Comments:

Ran great, good gas mileage, 34 mpg (until about 140,000 then dropped to 23). Fast, handled well. Very fun and affordable to drive. Got money's worth easily.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th June, 2000

1987 Ford Escort RS Turbo 1.6 turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Replacing the front two tyres are a common problem and also the back end of the exhaust on sleeping police men (speed bumps).

General Comments:

A fantasic car with spot on interior, looks and performance, it's a real girl magnet. What more does a young lad want!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 1999

20th Apr 2004, 14:18

It is a fantastic car. It relieves stress when the accelerator pedal is pressed! Don't go for cheap front tyres as mine last between 5 and 10 weeks! Spend a little extra and get a harder compound. I have replaced a lot of items on the car, but I think it is just due to neglect by previous owners. It is a fun car to drive and a brilliant head-turner.

14th Sep 2005, 09:14

From an era when a "sporty" version of a car was a bit more than sticking big wheels and "Sport" stickers on a normal LX model.

Genuinely quick and fun car, and now getting rare. Enjoy!

14th Nov 2005, 06:55

As to the comment on the tyre's I'd just like to point out that generally the more money tyres cost you, the softer the compound. That's why you get superior grip with expensive tyres rather than budgets, but the budgets will last longer than a softer compound tyre like yoko's.

1987 Ford Escort RS Turbo 1.6 CVH turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Hybrid turbo blew, Bailey evo dump valve went a month after I bought it.

General Comments:

All in all, it is a top performance motor and I am the envy of all my boyfriends mates! After all, it pulls 7000 rpm in fifth.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th February, 1999

1987 Ford Escort GLS 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Failed alternator.

Rust in rear wheel arches and sills.

General Comments:

Would have been a better car if Ford had used a twin-carb instead of a variable venturi type.

Rust a bit of a problem.

Handling and suspension could be better.

Generally speaking a reliable and economical car.

I have never used a Ford dealer but I am told that they are inefficient and arrogant and this may put me off buying a new Ford.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th November, 1998