1994 Ford Escort LX 1.6i 16v Zetec from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good quality engine, nice looking car

Faults:

Connection snapped off of alternator.

Battery needed replacing.

Wishbone needed replacing.

CV boot needed replacing.

Wheel bearings wear very quickly.

Lights on dashboard stopped working (fan controllers).

General Comments:

The escort has been the best car I have ever owned. I owned a Fiesta previously and it was very unreliable.

The zetec engine is marvellous. It needs regular servicing for it to be at it's best performance, but I think the same can be said for all cars.

For a big car, it is quite nippy.

It looks sporty and takes well to modifications.

The driver's seat tilts and slides, and is really comfortable.

It gets 100 miles to £10 of petrol, and is really good for cruising along the motorway or dual carriageway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th September, 2002

1994 Ford Escort Si 1.6 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Worth the 4k I paid for it, and easy to modify and manage!

Faults:

I have dealt with the same problems as the GTI model (Gearbox diffs, Arm bushes, Clutch etc..). It is recommended to buy a sports clutch which is better quality, long-term, and only £90 more.

The differentials noise within the gear box was noticeable at 65,000 miles.

The tracking will need to be re-aligned every year to prevent uneven tyre wear.

General Comments:

I have the 94' Si 16v model and have never experienced engine problems. It is essential to give the Zetec engine oil & filter changes every 6-7 months. With the 'Magnatec' oil you will notice the difference after the second oil change!

Other things to watch out for are, small rust areas, faulty boot key barrel (Use in-car boot button), and most importantly the main fuse-box. These are known to partially fail from damp in the air over time. You will know when the 'Air Blower' fails to work.

This car is 'slick' when lowered and drives superb for a 1.6 manual. This car is better than my last Peugeot 306 1.4 1998 model!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd August, 2002

1994 Ford Escort GS 1.9 from North America

Summary:

A curse!

Faults:

My drivers side power seat belt was broken when I got it.

My check engine light was on when I bought the car and eventually burnt out.

My passenger side door does not unlock on the outside.

My heater doesn't work.

My air conditioner doesn't work.

I have to replace my headlight bulbs about once every 3 weeks.

I have to replace the tire once every 2,000 miles.

Any key can unlock my doors.

It shuts off every time I come to a stop, if I don't put it in neutrual.

It has a hard time going into reverse.

The car starts to shake if you get over 50 miles per hour.

I know I am forgetting things.

General Comments:

I have been in 6 accidents with the car, before I bought it it was in 4. I don't think I am a bad driver at all (only 1 accident was my fault). I think the car is cursed. Also all my accidents were on Fridays. That's just weird.

I don't have anything nice to say it barely gets me from point A to B.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th July, 2002

22nd Aug 2002, 14:20

To get in six accidents. Well, how well does a car run after that? Or the question is how do you take car of your car?

20th Dec 2005, 18:30

Did you change your transmission fluid with the correct fluid (for the transmission problem)? Also, remember, the transmission won't shift out of park unless the brake is applied.

Did you have your idle and O2 sensors checked (for the stalling problem)?

Did you get your radiator, heater core and thermostat checked (for the heat problem)?

Did you get a 4 wheel alignment done (to fix the tire wear problems)?

It sounds like you have problems, but you don't seem to do anything to deal with them, let alone avoid future problems.

As for whether you're a good driver... well I've had one collision and two tickets in 15.5 years/200,000 miles of driving. I think I'm a pretty good driver and my low insurance premium seems to confirm this.

How can you reasonably think you're a good driver if you've had two collisions in less than 25,000 miles (since you bought the car)... and SIX collisions in less than 11 years.

Sorry... not only do you need to educate yourself in maintaining a car, you would probably do well to get yourself some extra driver training.

30th Apr 2009, 01:38

I know Escorts can take a beating, but even they have limits, maintenance is always key to long life. I have had many Escorts over the years, and they keep right on going, but one thing was true of each one, I took care of it. As a former Ford mechanic, read the manual if it has one, they have some good stuff in there on intervals.

12th Jul 2009, 04:47

WOW. It never ceases to amaze me how some owners blame THE CAR for owner abuse! Let me make sure I have this correct... this car has been in TEN ACCIDENTS? Four before you got it and six while it was yours??

I am amazed ANYTHING works! But the problems you are having are hardly Ford's fault. Find a well-maintained Escort and I suspect you will not have any trouble.