1998 Ford Escort Consumer Reviews Page 2

Cheap, affordable, and great

Written by: Nambow on 12/31/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I got this car after it had been sitting for 1-2 yrs. I had to replace the tires and tie rods. It drives good, and is a manual. I average anywhere from 31-35mpg. My car has 119k and shows no sign of giving up.

Favorite Features

5 speed, good mpg

Suggested Improvements

None, since they do not make it anymore.

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What a good little car

Written by: redgirl on 12/30/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe

Review

Bought car 11 months ago it now has 134,000 miles and I think with a new clutch. It will make it to 150,000. Only thing is it is beat up looking. The person who owned it last scratched it all up. So I am selling her. It took me to Gainseville, and Orlando. I live in Stuart and that's a hike. Again great little car

Favorite Features

Stick shift

Suggested Improvements

Leg room for driver

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Original satisfied owner.

Written by: Joe on 12/04/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Wagon

Review

98 SE Wagon. This has been a good economical vehicle. Simple interior design. 24 to 34 mpg. Scheduled maintenance routines were followed for normal usage. Fair to good handling in moderate snow conditions. Final assembly, U.S.A. (I purposely avoided the non-U.S.A. assemblies). Original tires, Uniroyal Tiger Paw, lasted 70K. OEM battery, 8 yrs. Uncomfortable seating on long drives.

Favorite Features

Reliable & economical. Good exterior & interior apearance. No warranty issues. Competitive & reasonable cost.

Suggested Improvements

Improve finish at weld points on roof area above rear doors. Rear suspension springs failed (broken at top ends) at about 25K (3+yrs.). Engine noise at hwy. speeds. Engine oil & filter change is more inconvenient if done by owner. Constant contol relay assy.& fuel pump assembly failed at 88k/10 yrs.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I love this car

Written by: chris on 11/06/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe

Review

I bought this car with 165k on it in jan of 08. It now has 200k on it. I have replaced the wheel bearings, the serpentine belt, and tires. It is by far the cheapest and most reliable car I have ever owned. I would recommend it to anyone. I'm kinda upset they stopped making them. When or if this one dies I will be buying another one.

Favorite Features

I own the 5 speed. I love the performance. i Put a lot of bolt on parts and for what it is it's pretty fast. And I love the gas mileage. I consistantly get low 40's. Easily keeps up with a stock Honda v-tech.

Suggested Improvements

Larger interior. Maybe make it a 6 speed transmission. It runs at a kinda high rpm at 60 mph.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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1998 ZX2 Escort

Written by: 87irocZ28camaro on 09/13/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Hot Coupe

Review

The Escort isn't the best car but for the price come on. It never had trouble only needed a new pair of cheap tires and some cheap brakes and that was right before I sold it. It's a great car. Family look but great performance. Get one if you want a reliable cheap sport car.

Favorite Features

Performance, spoiler, traction, miles, and mpg.

Suggested Improvements

Interior, rims, cargo area

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My First Car

Written by: Dre on 09/07/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I just resently got a 98 Ford Escort LX as my first car. When I first saw it I wasn't very happy with it. It just didn't look quite right. Now that I have it I really like it. My Escort only has 74,950 miles on it! Not bad for a 98.

Favorite Features

I really like the power windows, locks, and mirrors. The front is very roomy and even the back too, and I am 5'10".

Suggested Improvements

A inside trunk release would be nice and a standard CD player.

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It Could Be Worse (but not much)

Written by: Justin on 08/07/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

Do not get this car if you enjoy driving or like cars even a little bit. You'll be dissapointed with the performance, handling and just about everything. Fuel economy is great as long as you don't touch the gas and don't look at the A/C. I don't think the designers even knew what fun-to-drive meant. Interior is basic. Not even a tach or cd player. If you stare at the exterior long enough it starts to look alright. It's only broken down on me once because of a bad alternator but there are a few parts that have needed replacing in the two years I've had it. (Motor mounts twice and A/C.) The trunk leaks on the right too. Summary: If you're old or don't like cars, the Escort is for you.

Favorite Features

The only things I like about the car are the few things I've done to it. The sound system, intake and wheels. And it was free from the grandparents.Obviously I wouldn't have bought the car.

Suggested Improvements

Where do I start? Power, handling, cd player, more MPGs when using the A/C or the gas pedal the slightest bit, and a tachometer even though it's an automatic.

10 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Very trusty, reliable car

Written by: artbkward on 04/11/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I've driven my 98 Escort since I turned 16 (8 years ago), it has never required any more than routine repair. It's got 147,000 miles on it now and still has alot of life left in it. Gets good fuel mileage although does have small spot of rust on the door. I added a CD player since it came with AM/FM radio only. It's been a great little car for me, I would highly recommend.

Favorite Features

Roomy interior despite small size, reliablity, fuel mileage,

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder doesn't fit large drink while car is in park. Rear cup holder isn't deep enough: drink spills when going around turns. CD player should be standard. Rear defrost.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Sturdy, Strong, Roomy, Great

Written by: Andrew on 03/27/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe

Review

I bought this car two years ago and although had some mainenence done on it, it has not let me down once. I changed the timing belt, water pump and an O2 sensor. Engine at 143k going strong, with a lot of life left in it. An air filter was missing and a bug got caugth in the idle air flow solenoid. I drove from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas with idle at 4000 rpm. Engine is still going strong without a problem. These ZTEC engines are fantastic. Team Ford at Las Vegas did rip me off with a 1000 dollars to change the solenoid! Never go to the dealers! This car is fun to drive, I hauled our whole house with it, big cargo, nice space in the trunk. Very fun to drive the manual!

Favorite Features

Drivability, 35 MPG at 75 mph highway speeds, sound system, reliability, sporty looks, the whole packet. Job well done, you could still make this model.

Suggested Improvements

Internal trunk release! Everything else is as should be for a car this size!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Reliable!

Written by: Diane on 03/18/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I have 190K miles on this car and it is still going strong! It serves its purpose, but now I am feeling that it may be on its last leg (the gas mileage is lowering and it struggles a little to get up certain hills), but I haven't had any major breakdowns or work done to it - just a timing belt and the e-brake chain. Brakes are worn easily, but I stop and go a lot. A fine little car that does a decent job.

Favorite Features

There is no one outstanding feature - - it is just that everything is good, and there hasn't been any big problems. The reliability of this car is the best feature I guess. 3 cup holders!

Suggested Improvements

Can't open the trunk when the car is running (maybe it is safer though, that it doesn't). Can't use cigarette lighter plug thing while using one cup holder. Also, position of steering wheel in relation to seat is a little awkward - no tilt wheel. Seems like wheel is too far away.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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