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Post by Blair on Apr 9, 2003 22:15:10 GMT
Not that kind! The Blue Oval kind!   Likely replacement for my Fiesta, trouble is I'm beginning to wonder if a 1.3 or a 1.4 is enough to lug about a car that size, as those sizes are the only affordable ones to insure. Does anyone have any experience of them at all? Would like an Escort for the motorway miles, the Fiesta somehow just doesn't feel safe sometimes hitting 70. That reminds me that it needs balancing! Sometimes it can be scary! |
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Post by NS-R on Apr 10, 2003 7:45:16 GMT
I wouldn't touch an Escort less than a 1.6. I had a 1.6 LX years ago and also a 1.8 Si - the Si is a sound car and picks up really well (that's the black one that I've sold to Jim). I once borrowed my mates 1.4 Lx and it really was pants. OK, so the insurance is cheap but that's because you won't be accelerating fast enough to do any damage!  Take a good look through the autotrader etc as you will be surprised what you can pick up second hand these days. Insurance is always a problem but if you are going for 1.4 or less, choose a smaller car. That's my advice anyway although some may disagree... |
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Post by davefiddes on Apr 10, 2003 9:24:39 GMT
Mate of mine used to borrow his parents 1.4 97 Escort and thought it was dreadful. He couldn't believe it was the same type of car as the 1.8 98 Estate I knock about in which is pretty competent. Suffers from terminal understeer and virtually zilch in the way of feedback through the wheel so is hard to drive briskly. The insurance on the later 1.6 and 1.8 Escorts is pretty horrendous even for an old f*** like me especially compared to new identically engines Focuses. To do motorway miles comfortably you really need something with a bit longer wheelbase than a Fiesta IMHO. Wind does funny things to short cars if it catches it at the wrong angle in my experience. Had a 1.4 Peugeot 306 a few years ago over in France and it did OK on the autoroute. BTW the coolest thing ever was being directed past a huge queue of lager louts from the South East going to Le Mans purely on the basis of this cars Paris licence plate  |
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Post by Dave on Apr 10, 2003 10:34:39 GMT
Thats because of safety and security of the focus! I really want to take mind round the hill sometime it handles really well. If you want a escort, trust me, get a escort turbo! Dave. |
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Post by davefiddes on Apr 10, 2003 12:01:59 GMT
Thats because of safety and security of the focus! I really want to take mine round the hill sometime it handles really well. I keep hearing this. Must bug my work to get one as a hire car next time I'm away. Would be interesting to find out if they really did manage to completely redesign the suspension. Can get much worse than the front end of an Escort thats for sure... Ach. That's just a Sierra in drag...not a real escort  |
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Post by Blair on Apr 10, 2003 20:07:55 GMT
I'll be off to see my 1.4 Escort on Saturday if it's still there, and will be wanting a test drive thats for sure. Guy says it's a really good driving car, it's a 5 door in white. I only ever seem to find white Escorts under 1400cc - did Henry Ford suddenly change his tune in the 1990's?? ;D My brother has 1.8 Escort GTi - it can go good too! Also spotted a couple of Fiesta Si's a few weeks back - I bet that could go some, but I'm really wanting something a bit bigger than it.  |
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Post by speedyV on Apr 10, 2003 23:13:18 GMT
My Ford experience only goes as far as a brief tryout on a 1.6i Escort and a 2 litre Sierra. Won't take a genius to work out which one I preferred From what I've heard, any Fiestas below 1.1, any Escorts/Focuses below 1.6 and any Sierras below 1.8 are a bit wanting on power. Astras and 306's are probably a better bet for a 1.4 |
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Post by NS-R on Apr 11, 2003 8:05:58 GMT
Woah! - white escort - not a good idea. My 1.6 LX was white years ago and apart from being difficult to keep clean, it makes it easier for you to see the rust coming through. I bet you a pint that if it has a spoiler on the boot, there is already rust coming through where it joins the boot! Depending on the year, also make sure that all the electrics work! |
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Post by Blair on Apr 11, 2003 15:30:42 GMT
It's a 1995 N reg with 71,000 on the clock. Nick, it aint got a spoiler..but if I get my hands on it....  My brothers blue Escort already has a lot of visible rust too, and its a 98 car. I think I may well stick to a Fiesta then, there's a 95 N 1.1 Azura in metallic blue with 37,000 on the clock for sale too, body coloured bumpers, alloys, lowered etc, likely to have been thrashed about though. Only 50 quid dearer than the Escort... |
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Post by NS-R on Apr 11, 2003 15:36:42 GMT
Don't jump into buying a car - there's plenty out there. You just have to keep looking and wait until you come across a good bargain.
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Post by Blair on Apr 11, 2003 18:19:53 GMT
Lol Nick, I started looking in January! I'm past the "i've seen it and am getting it no matter what!" stage now gladly - being like that will end in yourself getting a pile of sh... I didn't mention the fact the Fiesta Azura has an MOT till May this year. ALARM bells have went off big time I'm afraid. |
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Post by Blair on Apr 12, 2003 18:00:28 GMT
Went and saw it today with my dad, and according to him it's solid. Ended up buying it. To me it looks good too, its a 95 N reg 1.4 injection and when I drove it it seemed fine to me. I didn't put the foot down but the speed I went at it seemed to have enough go about it. Going to collect it on Monday, and the fact I have (well my mum) a personal reg is going to entail another trip to Glasgow.. |
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Post by mcgarrett on Apr 25, 2003 20:52:56 GMT
I wouldn't touch an Escort less than a 1.6. I had a 1.6 LX years ago and also a 1.8 Si - the Si is a sound car and picks up really well (that's the black one that I've sold to Jim). Heh - he would say that wouldn't he But seriously, yes it's fine - v.pleased with it (it certainly beats the deathtrap I had previously). |
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Post by Blair on Apr 25, 2003 21:24:25 GMT
Well I've had the 'scort since last Monday but only been able to drive it since tuesday as that is how long it took the DVLA to sort stuff out on it.
going out with my mates with it tomorrow night so that's the moment of truth - whether it rates with them (probably not yet) then I'll dump it and get bladdered lol...
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