Superb, excellent starter car
Tracking needs adjusting.
This car is quick.
Looks great.
Pulls women easily.
Acres of space.
Interior needs brightening up, which also gives me an excuse to modify it!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th April, 2002
A great little car with some spice to it
Bad tie rod end was replaced at 65000 miles.
Struts needed to be replaced at 65000 miles. (dealer said "they were approaching the end of their useful life" and I noticed them creaking and squealing as the car bounced with a thud over small bumps)
Spark plugs (tune-up) at 63500 miles (routine)
Breaks needed to be tightened (original owner added new brake pads) 63,500 miles.
Original owner replaced timing belt at approximately 45000 miles (routine)
Headlights and taillights go out occasionally, and I put a new flasher into the turn signals.
Muffler rusted out. (62,000)
Warning LED comes on when braking although no one finds a problem with the brake lights or flashers anymore.
Had to replace worn wiper blades.
(Body work with two accidents, too -- neither my fault -- a deer the first and a guy pulled out in front the second... I digress)
Air Conditioner needs a clutch (will be replaced with updated non-CFC emitting A/C system)
Tires replaced several times.
- Michelin Roadhandler Sport (wore out due to misalignment and bad tie-rod end)
- Michelin MX4 Rainforce just mounted after alignment and tie rod ends and struts were replaced.
This has been my first car, and I am very pleased with it considering its age.
It is very responsive - especially after it was tuned up.
With Michelin MX4 Rainforce tires, it holds the road amazingly well. With new front struts and tie rod ends as well as an alignment, the car is amazingly well-footed and is easy to maneuver at almost any speed.
The seats are soft and comfortable, yet the design of the car is narrow leaving limited elbow room for passengers.
ONLY 3 passengers in addition to the driver!
Great hatchback is good for hauling anything. The rear seats fold down flat for additional space.
1.9L HO 4-cylinder is surprizingly quick. When passengers are also in the car, however, the car becomes somewhat lagging in performance, which is understandable. Manual 5-speed provides more than adequate acceleration.
Rack and pinion power-assisted steering is precise.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th April, 2002
Cheap to buy, reliable and fun
Goes through exhausts - replaced every section now!
Rust in back wheel arches, getting worse all the time. Lot of welding to pass its MOT.
Quick, reliable and smart looking hatch.
Good stereo and sunroof add to the quality feel.
Sits on the motorway, and can be thrown around corners (even if the handling is not great, the engine has torque enough to catch the slide and slingshot you forwards).
Watch the insurance though...
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th February, 2002
A sporty, reliable, very quick hatchback
Absolutely nothing, it has been very reliable.
This car is very quick for its engine size giving plenty of torque. Its sprightly performance makes sure it holds it own against newer bigger hatch-backs, not to mention the standard extras you got with the 1990 model like, electric windows, mirrors, front spotlights, sunroof, adjustable speed wipers & heated mirrors. A list that really puts a lot of modern cars to shame.
Despite the fact the Mk4 Escort is getting on a bit now, the XR3i model still turns heads with its distinctive, aggressive sporty looks that really make it stand out from other models.
If you can look past the modern perception of this car being a 'boy racer mobile or hairdressers car' and cope with the high insurance cost, what you will find is a real bargain both in terms of performance, looks & reliability.
If you're looking for a nostalgia trip to the eighties, just jump in an XR3i, put a simple minds tape in and off you go! You'd be quite surprised at how many heads turn!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 17th January, 2002
I have a '90 XR3 EFI and previously owned a '90 205 1.6GTi.
I find that the 205 was much more fun to drive, handled better and felt faster that the escort. The main advantages in the XR3i is that it is much quieter, smoother and more reliable.
I own a 1990 ford escort xr3i EFI, I have owned it for 2 years and find it has been very reliable even though at times I have driven it like a maniac. Never has it let me down and surprising still turns heads. All in all find it a great car and complete fun to drive. I hope to own this car for a few years longer as it is cheap to run and no bother to me.
1st May 2005, 09:43
I have a 1990 Escort GT and I love it. I recently was in a accident and did some damage to my front bumper and I was wondering what the difference is in the GT bunper and the regular Excort bumper, because I am having trouble finding another bumper for my car.
This car is great and it gets wonderful gas mileage. It is my first 5 speed and I am 38 years old. It has been easy to adapt to and I find I like the little extra umph it gives me.