Ford Escort Mk5 1.8i with 16 valves. 92 model
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The Ford Escort was produced in two slightly different variants during the period from 1990 to 2001. The car underwent some modifications in 1995 and was launched as the MK6. It's hard work telling the difference between the mark 5 and 6 Fords Escort models though.
Ford has been making Escorts since the 1960s when it launched the now classic MK1 rear wheel drive saloon. In 1980 they radically changed the design to a front wheel drive hatchback in the form of the MK3.
Escorts since then have been a development from this design, gradually becoming more refined.
In 1995 the last version was launched. This would remain available until 2001 when the Ford Focus that was launched in 98 effectively became it's replacement thus ending over 30 years of Escort production.
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The last of the Ford Escorts was manufactured in many variations. 2 door hatches and cabriolets, 5 door hatches, 5 door estates and 4 door saloons (Ford Orion).
Engines powering the Ford Escort MK6 vary from the underpowered 1.3 litre 60 BHP unit to the 2 litre 227 BHP engine fitted to the RS Cosworth Escort.
Between these extremes you can get the following;
1.4 litre 71 BHP
1.6 injection 16 valve 90 BHP
1.8 injection 16 valve 115 BHP
RS2000 150 BHP 2 litre
Three variations of 1.8 diesel varying from 60 to 90 BHP.
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1992 models of the 1.8i produce around 100 BHP
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Escorts have proved one of the car industries biggest sellers over the years. This is despite constantly doing poorly in customer opinion poll such as the well known Top Gear one. I've always suspected that the Escort is a victim of it's own success in this regard, as if more people buy them then more people will have problems. It's commercial success probably has a lot to
do with the ease of ownership that surrounds a Ford. Parts both new and second hand are easy to get and cheap to fit and because so many were made, keeping a Escort on the road will not be a problem for a great many years. Breakers and scrapyard will
be full of donor vehicles. Maintainance is easier than on many modern cars, though the latest Escorts like all their modernday counterparts have the complicated electronics systems that give many a DIY mechanic nightmares.
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General ride and performance of the Escort are considered below par by todays standards. This is all relative though and it's a perfectly fine drive with easy going forgiving characteristics. Fuel economy is about average for a small family car though the smaller engines (1.3 and 1.4) could be better in this regard.
Overall if you can pick a good one up at the right price then the Escort is a perfectly good practical set of wheels that's easy to insure, safe to drive and shouldn't cost you the Earth to keep on the road. Try to get the 1.6 or 1.8 injection models if you can, in preference to the inferior 1.3 or 1.4 engined Escorts.
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