Faults:
The valve cover gasket kept leaking oil.
Rear end makes a small, but noticeable, clunk when you shift from park to reverse.
Front-left ball joint boot has a cut in it, allowing the grease to keep leaking out which in return makes the car make a blood-curdling bang when you make sharp, fast left turns or you hit something with the left side first.
Rear-left coil spring has begun to droop.
Valve guide seals leak oil into combustion chamber.
Quite a few major dings and dents in the car body.
General Comments:
After fixing most of the problems about a year ago, the engine has returned to putting out almost all 85 horses and 154ft.lbs or torque.
The body is still pretty shoddy, but it can still look good after being washed and having a coat of wax put on.
Even though I haven't repaired the differential yet, it is still only a minor problem.
After putting on a new exhaust system (including a high-flow catalytic converter, aluminized 2 inch pipe from the manifold flange back, and a high-output turbo muffler), this car has serious high and low end torque in all 3 transmission bands, and will take off like it's a cat with its tail on fire!
I just have to say this; I whooped the H-E-double-hockey-sticks out of a Nissan maxima when the idiot wanted to race!!! I love this car!
I wish that Ford had made a new version for the 2000 year on through now.
3rd Mar 2011, 11:05
Bingo! Cheap to operate, and cheap to fix (my "most expensive" repair was $55.00).
BUT... he's right. Forget about passing. The lil' 2.3 is a great in town car, but lacks the punch of a highway model! From what I've heard, get the 200 CI in-line 6-cylinder for that!
I wish I could upgrade to that, but I lack the funds to do so. :-(