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Posted: 9/19/2005 4:30:52 PM EDT
[#1]
every teenage boy wants a '95 Escort wagon
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Posted: 9/19/2005 4:32:12 PM EDT
[#2]
I had one for a few years. It was basic transportation and the only problem with it was my fault. I let the timing belt go long enough to break but the valves survived. The water pump went out and it still ran for weeks. The only thing that finally killed it was the young man that I sold it to tried to push down a liveoak at about 25 mph. He was bruised and the car was DOA.
A good first car for a kid or basic, go to work, car. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 4:35:20 PM EDT
[#3]
I had a 94 I bought for 8 bills for my ex wife. Good car till the whore wrecked it.
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Posted: 9/19/2005 4:36:09 PM EDT
[#4]
Pay up your life insurance premium....
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Posted: 9/19/2005 4:36:30 PM EDT
[#5]
If you are looking at one, RUN AWAY.
If you have one, SELL IT. If you are trying to sell it, PRAY FOR AN IDIOT. CJ |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 4:37:17 PM EDT
[#6]
We had an 83 and an 83 wagon, I don't remember what year they changed models or engines....The 83 had about 180K miles on it. Replaced the head gasket once, timing belt a couple of times, couple water pumps, but no real problems with either one. I don't remember how many miles we had on the wagon when we sold it ( got a contour) It was near 140K I believe. Only problems were that the auto tranny was getting slippy, I can't remember doing anything else to it though I'm sure I had to have changed a water pump, alternator, but I think that is probably all....
andy ETA: I just remembered one other thing...with the coupe, I burt a valve seat and had to get the head reseated and a coule of new valves....That was when I was in college, so the car was probable 10 years old at the time. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 5:07:26 PM EDT
[#7]
Why? You impart nothing to this thread. Give reasons. I thought they were crappy too, but everyone I have talked to who actually owns one says it has been pretty good for a cheap car. Most said major problems started at around 150K Miles. All I am looking for is a good 3 year car that gets a bit of milage and the kiddo does not mind a wagon as he is interested in more important things like an education. He does not want to put out a lot of money as he would prefer to save it for college. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 5:22:30 PM EDT
[#8]
I work on cars for a living. Escorts are like Glocks; ugly as hell but cheap and dependable.
They have non-interfence engines which means the pistons won't hit the valves if the timing belt breaks. They are not on the same level as, say, a Honda Accord, but they work and don't cost an arm and a leg to fix when repairs are needed. The problem with most Escorts is that they are driven into the ground by people who don't maintain them and drive them till they literally fall apart. Buy it, get the maintenance caught up, and you should be good to go.  |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 5:36:51 PM EDT
[#9]
+1 |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 5:40:54 PM EDT
[#10]
I had a 91 Escort wagon for a few years. It was a handme down, and I used it all 4 years at college, and a year after. Then I sold it and bought me a truck
Engine was always fine, it got great gas mileage. The alternator went out, and I had to get that fixed. But other than that, I thought it was pretty dependable. Plus, chicks totally dig it! It's a shaggin' wagon! |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 5:41:13 PM EDT
[#11]
My (step)grandfather had one...a '93, nice car, really maintained wel.
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Posted: 9/19/2005 5:57:20 PM EDT
[#12]
+1 You won't help your boy as far as gettin pie, but they are typically pretty reliable and cheap to maintain. You'd be hard pressed to do better for the money. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:16:34 PM EDT
[#13]
The boy don't need pie yet and I would prefer he not mess his life up by getting some girl preggie. I'm just an ass that way.  Besides, pie is better when it's not sampled by everyone.He's taking PSATs this year to get ready for the SATs. 4 college prep classes and starter for football defense, special teams and now offense also. If some girl does not like him for what he is making of himself she DESERVES some slacker with a camaro or fart car. In 10 years we'll see who has it better.  Besides he's just a junior, he already went "steady" for almost 2 years with a girl 2 grades older then him. I don't think I can handle that again for a while. Anyways, back to the car............He [and I] test drove it and he said it was fine, and he felt comfortable driving it. I'll probably call the owner tomorrow and tell him we'll take it. Most vehicles around here go for 3 to 3500 and have 100 to 110 K miles. I do NOT want a "sports car BS insurance car like a grand am to jack my rates up. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:19:59 PM EDT
[#14]
disposable car
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:23:53 PM EDT
[#15]
Buy it, Be sure to change the timing belt, new coolant, do the brakes with fresh fluid. Good basic car.
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:27:51 PM EDT
[#16]
I agree, all I want is 3 years and out car........at 400 a year and el cheapo insurance, it beats all the ricers paying 3+3. 300 month for car + 300 a month for full coverage. Money is better spent on tuition and books. Hopefully he will get some good scholarship money for his grades and classes, and he already has close to 18K put away for college. I told him long ago I'm not paying for his education. [Yes I'll help him but I figure if it's his money he will study a hell of a lot harder then on my dime.] |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:34:32 PM EDT
[#17]
Escorts with the 1.9 and 2.0 engines are notorius for dropping valve seats in usually number 4 cylinder. The seats are made of powdered metal. The seats crack and drop into the engine, which will cost you to replace the engine.
The Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association has a service bulletin out at automotive machine shops to relace all the valve seats with stainless steel seats. Ford will not admit there is a problem. I have a report about 3 inches thick on my desk from NHTSA that proves otherwise. I have seen these engines drop valve seats at low and high mileage. I have also seen Escorts with 250,000 miles with the origianl valve seats with no problems. I believe the valve seat breakage is tied to overheating problems, but in any case, it is a costly repair. Here is a link to a website thread about the valve seat issue. www.cartrackers.com/Forums/live/Ford/229.html If you need more info, send me an IM. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:34:54 PM EDT
[#18]
Had a 94 that I and my wife loved. Bought it as a "program car" (read leased or rented, then returned to the dealership for sale) and owned it for eight years until it died at the 138K mile mark.
Drove the wheels off the thing. Took it duck and dear hunting many times. It handled well, got great gas mileage, and I could fit in the smaller parking spots. If they still made them, I'd buy another. till in great shape a |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:35:21 PM EDT
[#19]
I owned a 95 Escort Wagon. It got both of my boys through High School. Sold it at 156K miles. It was a low maintenance car. Brakes, water pump, timing belt was about it. Breaks lasted 60K on the front, 120K on the back. Water pump at 85K. I changed the timing belt, plugs, transmission fluid, and fuel filter every 50.
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:38:13 PM EDT
[#20]
Pizza joint I worked at when I was 18 had one for deliveries, an '88. I beat the living hell out of that car. It was great. Keep the maintenence up on it, and it will go, go, and go some more.
If you drive like you are on a go-kart track, it will get through snow too. Forward Rockford files with the e-brake. Reverse Rockford files on the gas were easy too (front wheel drive). You probably don't want to hear that!! Replace the brakes and the tires too. Dry rotted tires will bounce and not stay at the proper pressure. The Escort has minimal suspension already. Tune it up and have a new timing belt installed. Shouldn't have any major issues for a long long time, and will get great mileage. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:46:15 PM EDT
[#21]
My sister has one but not a wagon, just a 2 door auto. My dad bought it for her brand new in 97 and she still drives it to this day. She wrecked it about 1 year after she got it, and it cost 14k to fix a 12k car (long story). It has been a very reliable car.
Make sure you change ALL the belts. Timing belt is probably the original and its now over 10 years old. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:51:56 PM EDT
[#22]
Other then the shame he will face from his friends its basic transportation. It should serve him well. I would really also look into replacing all the hoses and belts besides the brakes.
The long term sitting will rot out the rubber parts. Once replaced the car should run well for a while. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 6:58:11 PM EDT
[#23]
We love the escorts, have a 97 wagon with almost 300K on it and no problems, it has the bigger engine and gets about 35 mpg.
We also have a 92 escort barely broke in with 120k. It averages about 40 mpg and 30 mpg driving back and forth to work. They are great cars cause you can get them for cheap (unlike honda, toyota) and they have been very reliable in my experience. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 7:06:58 PM EDT
[#24]
I own a 98 Honda Civic, 96 Jeep Cherokee, and a 95 Escort hatchback 2dr ... I drive the escort on a daily basis simply because it has better gas milage then the jeep, and the GF drives the Honda. The escort has the coldest A/C out of all three cars. Its at exactly 152,044.8 miles as of 20 minuts ago when i rolled into the drive. Its running on all of its ORIGINAL emmisions components, O2 sensors, EGR valve, Cat converters, and everything else included- it passed E-check last week with extremely low numbers . My sister put a timeing belt on it at 130,00 and its needed nothing since but basic maitnance. I had a vibration and thought maybe the Cv shafts where going bad so i replaved then and the vibration didnt go away. It ended up being two bad front tires. To me its a beater but its cheap to fix unless your looking for a turn signal switch, belive it or not they are 400.00 from your local auto parts store.
Ive had it now for about 4 years and its ot failed me yet. i literaly used it to break ice/plor down some snow in my parents drive last christmas when i went to visit. There 95 dodge ram wouldnt move thru the stuff but the little escort cleared the way. It is in no way a pretty car, its fairly beat up but its still running strong. ill drive it till it dies, part it out on Ebay and have the shell carted away to a salvage yard. Hopefully she has another 50,000 in her. |
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Posted: 9/19/2005 7:08:13 PM EDT
[#25]
Hey, it's a wagon - he can put a small mattress back there! 
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Posted: 9/19/2005 7:14:28 PM EDT
[#26]
93' waggon. 188,113 mi. before she threw a rod.
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Posted: 9/19/2005 7:17:24 PM EDT
[#27]
An Escort? My advice...
DON'T DO IT!!! |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 6:24:20 AM EDT
[#28]
Not a bad car, and not a bad price.
Real low miles, and sounds like its in good shape for how old it is. MY buddy had one, and it was pretty easy to work on, and ran like a top for a long time. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 6:26:09 AM EDT
[#29]
Good car, it was dependable for me. But you'll replace the timing belt at least once.
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Posted: 9/20/2005 6:29:26 AM EDT
[#30]
I would think that would be a decent little car. Mileage is low, sounds like you know a little history on the car, and the price is right.
vmax84 |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 6:36:15 AM EDT
[#31]
My friends father put over 200k (rebuilt engine once though) on his. My Dad has an escort, (not wagon) and its a 95 and he has 140k on it. The predicable annoying crap problems you woudl expct from a domestic but over al its pretty decent all things considered. Same engine, same tranny, most windows still go up and down. All it needed was a water pump, alternator, and all teh related wear and tear items that domestics just seem to always be going through. Like I said, its a decent little car for what it is.
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Posted: 9/20/2005 6:50:36 AM EDT
[#32]
Bought a '93 wagon in '95 with 60K miles. Clutch went out right away. Had to replace oxygen sensor 4 times, and clean fuel injection system a couple of times. Began to burn oil in earnet and the front seal began to leak at around 120k. The rear suspension was very bouncy and noisy after 75k miles. Replaced clutch a second time at 120k. Finally died at 140k.
Overall was a decent purchase at the time. I have had alot better cars, and I have sure as hell had worse! |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 7:04:07 AM EDT
[#33]
Only thing that really sticks in my head from back in the wrench turning days, is on the wagons the factory rear springs usually cracked on them. Usually right on the bottom coil. It wasnt a huge deal to replace, and are cheap.
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Posted: 9/20/2005 7:20:01 AM EDT
[#34]
Well, your ARFCOM name is appropriate for someone that owns a Ford Escort. It's Fixntime! My brother had one and over a period of one year he had replaced almost every single part on that damn car. New engine, new transmission, new clutch, you name it. I wouldn't touch one of those cars if you paid me to take it.
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Posted: 9/20/2005 7:32:45 AM EDT
[#35]
As having a little Ford Escort experience myself, I would say to make sure the timing belt is replaced because if it breaks, the valves will collide with the pistons. Also make sure all the fluids are fresh or freshened up and you should be good to go. I still have my Escort btw, a GT that I bought new back in 1987. I've done a few modifications to it over the years but I haven't really messed around with it in quite sometime.
 I know that I'll get a few laughs for the Escort but here are my other two rides that more than make-up for any Escort jokes:  
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Posted: 9/20/2005 7:38:08 AM EDT
[#36]
My wife drives a 94 wagon with the 1.9 liter engine. 200,000++++ miles. My sons Den Leader sold hers when it hit 250k, 95 with the 1.9, it was still running fine. As the mechanic I met said "they run pissa'"
Just the usual stuff-timing belt, tires, struts, oil. (knock wood!) Sounds like a deal. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 7:45:07 AM EDT
[#37]
 Seriously, if it runs good and it's cheap on gas then buy it. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 7:49:30 AM EDT
[#38]
i had a '93 wagon and still wish i had it: a no-frills but goood to get around in. My mom has it know with (i think) a 140 on it.
Heres the big thing; a guy at work has a '93 with over 300K on it. Hes pretty good about maintenance tho. ETA: Good rounded post, turbok. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 7:56:52 AM EDT
[#39]
Hondas and toyotas have em too. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 9:44:11 AM EDT
[#40]
We have a '95 LX coupe that we bought new. We keep the fluids changed, do the maintenance, and have never spent a dime on it outside of the maintenance. Do change the timing belt as stated above. We're at about 110,000 miles so far, and it shows no signs of quitting.
Bob |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 9:54:22 AM EDT
[#41]
Happened on the sedans as well....my 94 needed them replaced. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 10:33:19 AM EDT
[#42]
Off topic, but I bet you have some war stories to tell about that SHO!  All the ones I've worked on either leaked oil, had electrical problems, or vacuum leaks on that massive plenum which usually involved replacing the little grommets on the intake manifold runner control (IMRC). |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 2:21:20 PM EDT
[#43]
Damn good little car. We had an 87 wagon that we ran for over 150,000 miles. The rear shock tower rusted out, and the wheel started to cant. The person we sold it to fixed it, and ran it another 75,000 miles.
We still have an 87 hatch back, that has 50,000 miles on it, zero rust, and runs like a top. \ Word of advice though. If you buy it, and run it in the winter time with the salt mixture on the road, wash it often. That will go along way to prevent the rusted out shock tower. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 2:28:13 PM EDT
[#44]
FWIW.
I drove the 87 wagon in high school, and didn't have a problem getting pussy, and the car was baby blue. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 4:33:21 PM EDT
[#45]
Thanks all. Decided to get it. Will take it off the road for a few weeks and go thru it. For 1200 bucks and 47K miles on it I can afford to put a bit of time in it. Will be a good lesson in learning car maintainance for the kiddo. Will do Timing belt, belt, new antifreeze, thermostat, plugs, check resistance in wires, check brakes, do front brakes and probably rotors. [I don't even bother with checking them anymore, new ones are cheap]. Rust mort the bottom [think POR15] change hoses. I'll run a compression check and if #4 seems low, pull the head and have new SS valve inserts put in.
Car looks EASY to work on, worst one I ever owned was a VW Corrado with the supercharged 4 banger. OMG what a POS. Parts were NOT cheap or readily available. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 5:41:23 PM EDT
[#46]
Believe it or not, the SHO has been one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Of course I upkeep it and do a lot of the maintenance on it myself which takes out some of the costs. But someone with no or little mechanical experience or even knowledge about it, I could see where it could get expensive. For instance, there are stories going around about how Ford dealerships couldn't even work on them doing more damage than good. Plus, the local shop usually doesn't know that these engines have over 800 individual pieces to them and so that's why a SHO owner has to be carefull where the car is taken for service. Specialized outfits like Ford Performance Specialists and Performance Plus have cropped up and taken the fright out of owning one because they know how to service them and they do it well. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 5:53:50 PM EDT
[#47]
What happened to your Escort? Can you relate some personal experience or are you talking out of your ass? My wife has a 98 ZX2 that has required minimal repair. If the trend continues we will get several more years out of it. I expect to reach 150,000 miles out of this car.
Why would someone need an "id10t" to sell it to? Bob
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Posted: 9/20/2005 5:57:34 PM EDT
[#48]
Drive it to Bulletfest.
Sacrifice it to the hot lead gods. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 6:14:49 PM EDT
[#49]
I drove a 91 escort sedan from new to 305,000 miles with no problems, just normal maintanace.
I think I replaced the altenator twice. Timing belt every 60K or so, water pump every other time. It is a free wheeling engine so if the belt breaks it usually don't hurt anything. I did replace the radiator around 300K (clogged) and the guy I sold it to had the trans. die after about 1 month. Junkyard $400 trans= good to go. The car is still going along pretty good as I understand. These cars will give good service for a long time with proper care and not abused. |
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Posted: 9/20/2005 6:15:24 PM EDT
[#50]
My wife owned one once. Her advice:
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