Can someone give me their .02 on a Escort ?

[Rusty Marina]

Im considering a 92 Escort for my mobile business, I think I can fit everything it; the bonus would be increased fuel economy : my 2.5 4 banger Caravan has been doing 25-27 with the air conditioner on.
But, I drive many miles to some jobs and if this Escort can do 35 (with careful driving) it can cut my operating expenses.

So, I can get this 92 Escort with the 1.9 Ford CHV motor & auto trans (124K orig miles; and not the Mazda engine) for pretty cheap

I know the earlier Escort CHV motors cracked heads, but that was the early 80s models.

Are these Escorts in that era worth a damn or junk ?

Any comments/opinions are appreciated

[Arragonis]

You've already seen 500k's thread on his, er, 500k mile Escort

At least if the CVH does go pop then there are loads around to do a quick engine swap.

[Rusty Marina]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

You've already seen 500k's thread on his, er, 500k mile Escort

At least if the CVH does go pop then there are loads around to do a quick engine swap.

The engine seems good, but it's the rest of the car I wonder about. It's a damn automatic also so I wonder if it's a decent transmission. Some of the FWD autos here in the States are junk; especially minivans with overdrives

[dcb]

what town are you in rusty? I might be able to help you locate a stick wagon/hatchback nearby.

[Rusty Marina]

Originally Posted by dcb

what town are you in rusty? I might be able to help you locate a stick wagon/hatchback nearby.

Not too far from Paducah, KY

I'd prefer a stick for fuel economy.

Seen a few wagons (which would be better) but they always seem to be autos

[dcb]

hmm, not much near you in a stick wagon/hatch. Looks like the small and practical and efficient ones are getting snatched up.

ebay list by distance from paduca, under $2k, stick shift
Used Not Specified | eBay

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Rusty Marina

The engine seems good, but it's the rest of the car I wonder about. It's a damn automatic also so I wonder if it's a decent transmission. Some of the FWD autos here in the States are junk; especially minivans with overdrives

The Escort we got here at the same time was different from the one in the US and very much worse. Plus we didn't get many autos and none of the 1.9s - the larges CVH we ever got was the 1.8 and that went into the Sierra (aka Murkur XR4 your side of the pond).

[Ford Man]

The worst issue I know of with the 2nd and 3rd generation Escorts is a pretty common track record of dropping valve seats. My dad had a '94 Escort (I now own it) that dropped a valve seat at around 150K miles, the head was removed and replaced with a head with upgraded valve seats and there hasn't been anymore problems. It's an automatic and has over 180K miles on the original transmission and still shifts fine. I have 2 3rd generation Escorts a '97 wagon and an '02 SE and haven't had any issues with either of them. All Escorts seem to wear out tie rod ends faster than most cars, but I have lifetime warranty tie rod ends on the '88 that usually have to be replaced about every 100K miles. If you want to learn more about Escorts go to Ford Escort Owners Association and you should be able to find out about anything you want to know. Another thing you need to check on older Escorts is the condition of the rear strut towers. I don't think this would be an issue here in KY, but in areas that have lots of salt put on the roads in the winter this is a common area for them to rust out making them unsafe.