Tempt me into buying an Escort!

**Polyal** · 28-09-2005, 03:43 PM

Hey guys.

Start of next year I am looking at buying another car. Ive owned a couple of EA's now and I want something a bit smaller. I have never towed or had to many people in the car so I really have no need for something so big.

Also I would want something that is on par, or better preferably, on fuel.

Basically what Ill do is drive it until I finish uni, then garage it and really get into it after that. I want to have a tarmac rally beast within 5-10 years.

Im going to be looking for a coupe, and hopefully a RS.

Am I dreaming? Or can an esky be ok for daily use? obviously Ill give it alot of TLC in the mean time.

Who here drives one regularly?

Mod cons really dont appeal to me that much, my falcon has no air con or electric anything.

So give me some pro's and con's please!

The MaDDeSTMaN · 28-09-2005, 06:10 PM

I'm sure you know what my response is going to be ;)

Give me a little time and I'll come up with a nice long list

Racecraft · 28-09-2005, 06:23 PM

try and find an auto, they have a larger trans tunnel so the choices of 5 speeds is bigger and they fit alot easier

12 · 29-09-2005, 12:48 AM

Can't believe I'm going to say this.. but, do you want to buy my '80 MKII 2 door? I bought it with intent to do it up, but I don't think I can do it now (no time) and I'm loosing interest. 1.6 GT motor, 4 spd, red, 12 months rego and RWC, or minus the price of rego with RWC. Reg'd 'till mid October '05. Starts and runs very good, motor apparently re-built 40K ago by previous owner. Very good daily driver. Standard and unmodified, except for chrome wheels. Has A/C but not hooked up. Tow bar too.. but I doubt the 1.6 Escort can tow anything other than an small empty trailor.. lol. Being one of the last builds, it's the 'sorted' model. I'll get some pic's up in the morning if you're interested.

You in Melbourne?

**Polyal** · 29-09-2005, 09:18 AM

yeah im in geelong....pop some photos up anyway.

To be honest if im going to drive one around for a bit, in not great nice, then I really really want an RS.

I should of got one instead of the falcon but there were none around at the time, and I am impatient.

Does anyone think a RS will be worht something in a few years? I would love a 2 door, but would a 4 door be worth getting (no offense timmy!)

The MaDDeSTMaN · 29-09-2005, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Does anyone think a RS will be worht something in a few years? I would love a 2 door, but would a 4 door be worth getting (no offense timmy!)

Yup, any of the 'hotter' factory models will be worth something in a few years, depending on which one - any of the german Mk II RS2000s are worth a reasonable amount now.

Fuel economy, well it really depends what sort of driving you mainly do. Around town, Escorts are excellent compared to a Falcon, and yes, 10L per 100kms is easily achieved around town, can get better then that depending on driving style and engine tune. On the highway/freeway at 100kms, they're revving higher then 3000rpm in 4th gear, given that there isn't all that much to deaden the sound, if you don't like the sound of the pinto OHC at 3 grand, you'll quickly go nuts. Me, personally, I love it

Handling wise, an Escort with the suspension in good condition will have you wondering why you put up with the boat handling charastics of a Falcon for so long - Escorts are FUN to drive!

Quote:

Am I dreaming? Or can an esky be ok for daily use? obviously Ill give it alot of TLC in the mean time.

Who here drives one regularly?

Mod cons really dont appeal to me that much, my falcon has no air con or electric anything.

Eskys are awesome for daily use, certinly could get something a lot worse as a daily (like an XF :hihi: ). I used to drive one regularly, and they are very reliable cars for their age. If you don't want mod cons, you won't feel like you're missing anything driving an Escort.

Just one question, how big are you? If you're over 2 meters tall, I suggest you try taking one for a test drive before commiting yourself to buying one.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 29-09-2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 012

Can't believe I'm going to say this.. but, do you want to buy my '80 MKII 2 door? I bought it with intent to do it up, but I don't think I can do it now (no time) and I'm loosing interest. 1.6 GT motor, 4 spd, red, 12 months rego and RWC, or minus the price of rego with RWC. Reg'd 'till mid October '05. Starts and runs very good, motor apparently re-built 40K ago by previous owner. Very good daily driver. Standard and unmodified, except for chrome wheels. Has A/C but not hooked up. Tow bar too.. but I doubt the 1.6 Escort can tow anything other than an small empty trailor.. lol. Being one of the last builds, it's the 'sorted' model. I'll get some pic's up in the morning if you're interested.

You in Melbourne?

I'd be VERY interested if I had the money, sounds good.

12 · 29-09-2005, 12:07 PM

Here's pic's. It's a GL or XL model, I'm not sure. No vinyl roof (known for hiding rust), bump/chrome stip on the side is stuck on, so if you take it off there's not going to be holes along the side of the car. New round headlights, plus grill for a round headlight conversion with all parts also available. Car is in very good nick, but not perfect by all means, it's 25 years old. Price.. $2'400 with 12 months reg and RWC, less if without reg or RWC. It's got to go before I change my mind.

Click to enlarge.

**Polyal** · 29-09-2005, 12:44 PM

012 - oh looks to be in good nik!

Like i said previously, I wont be buying anything until I get back from OS mid January; so I cant give any definate answers. And I would prefer a RS, but knowing my luck there will be none when I want one.

To answer the height question, I think I am about ~186cm. Is that just 6 foot?

I have test driven a RS2000 a few years back, it was invery ordinary condition and didn't seem to go that well, but I still liked it. Ive regreted not getting it ever since.

Whats the go with fuel? Do I have to do anything special?

I would plan to fit a 5 speed, just for the fact that it would cruise alot better. And depending on what model I get, the egine might need updating aswell. But its all in the sky at the moment.

I was just looking for peoples thoughts, after seeing that thread by Scort its got me going again.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 29-09-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

012 - oh looks to be in good nik!

Like i said previously, I wont be buying anything until I get back from OS mid January; so I cant give any definate answers. And I would prefer a RS, but knowing my luck there will be none when I want one.

To answer the height question, I think I am about ~186cm. Is that just 6 foot?

I have test driven a RS2000 a few years back, it was invery ordinary condition and didn't seem to go that well, but I still liked it. Ive regreted not getting it ever since.

Well, if it didn't seem too small to you for someone your height when you test drove the RS2000, then you shouldn't have any trouble then. Sounds like the RS you test drove needed some TLC, I'd bet it would have went a lot harder with some TLC and a tune up, they probably also had it running on low octane fuel too...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Whats the go with fuel? Do I have to do anything special?

Yes, and no. They're designed to run on leaded (super), so normal unleaded doesn't have enough octane in it, you'd need to run it on at least 95 RON fuel, and you'll have to also add some upper head lubericant (valvemaster or something like it) each time you fill up, which isn't expensive or much bother really. Or you could get hardened valve seats, which if you had any head work done, you'd do at the same time, so it could run without the additive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I would plan to fit a 5 speed, just for the fact that it would cruise alot better. And depending on what model I get, the egine might need updating aswell. But its all in the sky at the moment.

I was just looking for peoples thoughts, after seeing that thread by Scort its got me going again.

Yeah, a 5 speed is something the Escorts really need IMO - put in a 5 speed and the diff from a 1.6 (3.77:1) and you'd have a car with a suprising amount of go, which would still run nicely on the hwy/fwy. If you can get some that already has a 5 speed, you're laughing, otherwise as has already been mentioned, it might be better to get one with a *shudders* auto, so the trans tunnel is bigger for a 5 speed to go into.

I think you might be suprised how well the old pinto can go, particularly with a turbo bolted on, almost 200hp in NA form and close to double that with a turbo (but of course neither would be too friendly to drive daily), and in my opinion, there are very few 4 cyl engines that sound as sweet as a pinto with a nice cam and exhaust...

Mate, I'm sure if you got yourself an Escort you would not regret it - I can't wait to get another one, but next time I'll be a little more selective when it comes to buying one and get one that is in better condition then any of the ones I have owned so far...