What do you think of this car?

[chuckywang]

1999 Ford Escort SE

High mileage, low miles, automatic, 4 door, 8 records on Carfax (haven't bought it yet), and below KBB private party value.

Thoughts from the ATOT public more knowledgable about makes and models than me?

 

[Baked]

That car takes a minute to get up to 60mph.

 

[Ktulu]

We've got a '98, complete POS, but then again it's been seriously abused. I'd stay away.

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: Baked
That car takes a minute to get up to 60mph.

on a steep hill

 

[jlbenedict]

Find a Saturn SC series, same year.. or similiar.

 

[vi edit]

I'm thinking that if you want a cheap and reliable little econobox, take a look at a 98'ish Nissan Altima.

The 2.4L they put in there is much more spunky than the gutless one in the Ford, the Altima is built much more sturdy, and it's not that much more expensive for much better options/room.

My friend has a 99 escort. To call it spartan would be a compliment. It's as no-frills as you can get. Hell, it doesn't even have a tilt steering wheel.

 

[vi edit]

The Saturn option was a good suggestion. Take a look at those. Also, the Mazda Protege's were pretty nice cars and have good reliablity.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
The Saturn option was a good suggestion. Take a look at those. Also, the Mazda Protege's were pretty nice cars and have good reliablity.

Just hit 105,000 miles.. all that has to be done is change the oil regularily every 3000 miles.. Still gets 40mpg to this day

 

[krunchykrome]

My daily driver is a 1998 Ford Escort SE. It needed a new engine at 100K miles. It needed a new clutch at 220K total car miles.

It's currently on it's 2nd engine, 2nd clutch, about 240K total car miles, and it is perfect. the body and interior is still in great shape. No complaints with it besides that fact that it is in fact a Ford Escort (a cheap econo car.)

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

Originally posted by: vi_edit
The Saturn option was a good suggestion. Take a look at those. Also, the Mazda Protege's were pretty nice cars and have good reliablity.

Just hit 105,000 miles.. all that has to be done is change the oil regularily every 3000 miles.. Still gets 40mpg to this day

Protege was another one of the cars I was considering....it's just that they're few and overpriced where I am. Example.