Talk to me about the 97+ Ford Escort

[b0mbrman]

Howdy,

Here in Texas, my current daily driver is taking a beating. As I'd like to keep my current car in good condition and its miles low, I'm looking into beaters.

Previously, I'd only considered things like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and late model Chevy Metro (a rebadged Corolla), but I came across a Consumer Reports list of "Good Bets" that also listed the Escort (and its Mercury clone, the Tracer) as one of them. Like most of you, I doubt any article that praises domestic reliability but CR knows its stuff.

What's more, most of the Escorts I'm looking up in Autotrader are about half the price of the comparable Civic/Corolla

Anyhow, what are your thoughts on this car? I'm not looking for something to be fast or look pretty (My other car suits me well for those things ), just something to get me to work and the grocery store without making a fuss and costing a whole lot for gas and maintenance.

Alright...ready?

Go!

[Edit] Link to the article

 

[DanTMWTMP]

hey, there's a honda s2000 in that list as well..why not that?

 

[BigSmooth]

My fiancee used to drive a '99 Escort SE. It was not much fun to drive and the interior quality was rather shoddy. But it was solid mechanically, never had a single problem with it. For a low-cost commuter car, I think it's actually a good choice.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Howdy,

Here in Texas, my current daily driver is taking a beating. As I'd like to keep my current car in good condition and its miles low, I'm looking into beaters.

Previously, I'd only considered things like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and late model Chevy Metro (a rebadged Corolla), but I came across a Consumer Reports list of "Good Bets" that also listed the Escort (and its Mercury clone, the Tracer) as one of them. Like most of you, I doubt any article that praises domestic reliability but CR knows its stuff.

What's more, most of the Escorts I'm looking up in Autotrader are about half the price of the comparable Civic/Corolla

Anyhow, what are your thoughts on this car? I'm not looking for something to be fast or look pretty (My other car suits me well for those things ), just something to get me to work and the grocery store without making a fuss and costing a whole lot for gas and maintenance.

Alright...ready?

Go!

[Edit] Link to the article

I think you meant Chevy Prizm. The Chevy Metro is a rebadged piece of sh|t death trap. The Prizm is a rebadged corrolla.

My girl has a prizm, and I must say...its a solid little car for what it is.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
CR knows its stuff.

heh. heh.....



BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!


I forget who said it, but there's a quote that goes "Consumer Reports is made of reports from consumers. Your average consumer is an idiot. Therefore..."

Frankly, if you're looking for a cheap, reliable car, get an early '90s Geo Prizm, it's EXACTLY the same car as the Corolla but cheaper.

 

PM Quixfire, he's a Ford fanatic, err, I mean auto tech.

 

[Jzero]

As much as I hate Ford, my parents' 1998 Escort has never given them a lick of trouble.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

we need pics of your current car cuz i remember it being so badass...and very red

 

[jagec]

All I know is that a friend has a Toyota Corolla with 260,000 miles on it (stock engine, never rebuilt, maintained OK but not great) and I have a Toyota Celica with 226,000 miles on it (stock engine, never rebuilt, maintained very very poorly by previous owner.)

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
we need pics of your current car cuz i remember it being so badass...and very red

It's alright...nothing special

Oops, it doesn't look like I can because my work blocks that site and I don't have the link memorized

 

[thomsbrain]

eh, if it's supposed to be a beater, an escort is probably an ok car. i think i'd still feel bad if i messed up a civic or corolla, but i might actually enjoy punishing an escort.

 

[acemcmac]

my dad had 6 new ones, throwing them out every 4 years before they ever got to having problems. He had something major blow on his second to last one... I think it was the fuel pump... while he was on the highway... scary...

He switched to toyota. I have one other friend who totaled his mustang and got an older escort. He hates it with all of his soul, but it has never had any mechanical problems... so....

IMHO, YMMV on these cars.... id reccomend a toyota corolla instead, a new one should have no problem doing 180k miles.... YMMV on the maintanance done to used ones.....

 

[waggy]

My wife has a 97 escort. not a bad little car. its cheap and gets good gas milage.

 

[boomdart]

I love the repeat offenders, might as well read "GM"

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: boomdart
I love the repeat offenders, might as well read "GM"

BTW, the Escort isn't some rebadged Mazda is it? Not that I'd mind of course, just wondering as to the source of it's unique reliability among a sea of repeat offendin' domestics

 

[RgrPark]

there's this guy near me selling his 98 escort with 44k miles for $1750...been looking to replace my 89 nissan sentra...should i jump on it if it's mechanically sound?
'

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: RgrPark
there's this guy near me selling his 98 escort with 44k miles for $1750...been looking to replace my 89 nissan sentra...should i jump on it if it's mechanically sound?
'

With nothing but positive replies in this thread so far, I would

 

[woowoo]

Originally posted by: RgrPark
should i jump on it if it's mechanically sound?
'

No
You may still dent the hood!

 

[nageov3t]

I drive a 97 escort. pushing 78,000 miles.

like someone mentioned, the interior is kinda shoddy, and it scratches if you even look at it the wrong way. the pick-up on highway driving is pretty crappy as well.

but no major mechanical problems that I know of (I've only had it for a year, but it was my dad's car before it was mine and I can't remember him ever complaining of having to get major work done).

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: loki8481
I drive a 97 escort. pushing 78,000 miles.

like someone mentioned, the interior is kinda shoddy, and it scratches if you even look at it the wrong way

Is this the interior or exterior that does this?

 

[Thump553]

I've also heard they are rebadged Mazdas. I always had good luck with Mazdas and it sounds ideal for someone in your situation.

 

[Turkey22]

I own a 97 escort with roughly 116,000 miles on it. Bought it from my sister and she had it from around 50,000. It has made a somewhat disturbing noise since she owned it (still does), but it has not translated into any problems. As far as I know and problems that its had came from her sliding it into a ditch, which crunched part of the front end. The only complaint I can think of is it has a really small gas tank compared to what I'm used to. I havent really calculated my mileage lately but its reasonable. Mostly city driving and I get roughly 250 miles to a tank (probably a bit more, but I dont like running out of gas). All in all a nice car, but I'd be happy with pretty much anything.