90's Escorts Reliability / mpg

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caloo calay - 19 Sep 2008 19:15 GMT

Hi,

How are the 90's Escorts for reliability?

I'm looking at a 97 Escort wagon, 121,000 miles, auto trans, engine
size unknown. Ad says 32 mpg hiway.

Will a 90's Escort be able to go up to 200,000 miles without major
problems ???I

Thanks

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Caesar Romano - 19 Sep 2008 23:58 GMT

>Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>Will a 90's Escort be able to go up to 200,000 miles without major
>problems ???I

I had a '97 Escort LX 5-speed from new to 150k miles with never a
problem other than scheduled maintenance. I usually got 32/36 mpg. It
was one of the best cars I ever owned.

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Jeff - 20 Sep 2008 05:42 GMT

> >Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> problem other than scheduled maintenance. I usually got 32/36 mpg. It
> was one of the best cars I ever owned.

That car should go a long time. Of course, you will be recharging the
A/C, replacing brakes, bearings, CV joints or similar things.

Still, it is cheaper than a new car.

Jeff

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Caesar Romano - 20 Sep 2008 13:47 GMT

>> >Hi,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>Still, it is cheaper than a new car.

Much cheaper than a new car. However I did trade it in at 151k miles
for a new 2004 Focus ZX4. So far the Focus is great. No problems and
very peppy; but as expected, not as good gas mileage (29/32 mpg) as
the '97 Escort.

In the past 30 years I have found that I get the best value out of a
car by buying it new and keeping it for 150k -200k miles. I would have
kept the Escort longer, but while helping my son search for a car I
found the Focus at a very good price because it had a 5-speed trans.
and the dealer had trouble selling it (so he said) because it didn't
have an auto trans. It was too good a price to pass up.

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Bob Bailin - 20 Sep 2008 13:12 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Will a 90's Escort be able to go up to 200,000 miles without major
> problems ???I

The 97 model year was a complete redesign of the Escort with a
2.0L engine. If the car had regular maintenance and has no rust,
it should be a good choice. 32 mpg is about right if you don't
baby it on the highway.

The timing belt on the 2.0L engine has to be replaced at 120K miles.
While you're at it, replace the water pump and tensioner, too.

I got my 97 Escort 4 years ago at 110K miles. It now has 235K miles.
It has done well except for one major problem: This engine is susceptible
to dropping its #4 or #3 valve seats, especially if the engine has ever
overheated. In my case it was the #1 valve seat due to a leaky fuel inj.
at 218K miles. You can get professionally rebuilt heads relatively
inexpensive, and have the head replaced as preventative maintenance
if you're really, really worried.

Check out www.feoa.net for all things and all questions Ford Escort.

Bob

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