1996 Ford Escort Consumer Reviews

I miss my escort!

Written by: killthebananas on 09/29/2009

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

This car was given to me by my dad. It has been the most reliable car ever. I loved (and still do, really) this car and everything about it. The hatchback is super spacious, comfy seats, and nice looking interior. I performed regular maint on it and it treated me VERY well until about a week ago when it died at about 170k due to a bent valve. If properly diagnosed from the get go (it made noises for a while that no one would take seriously), I am positive my car would still be going strong right now. If not for that I would still be driving it and would NEVER give it up. I always said I would drive it til it died...I guess I should have kept my trap shut!!

Favorite Features

EVERYTHING. I never felt like I was driving a 1996 vehicle. The interior was very nice looking. It had plenty of power and plenty of cargo room..to give you an idea..my bf was in a band and it fit his all of his gear, all of his guitarists gear and still room to spare!! No back passenger, of course.

Suggested Improvements

My only suggestion would be that Ford start making the escort again because it's the best car ever made.

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the best

Written by: patas on 03/19/2009

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

this car are the best on gas,cheap parts easy to fix i love my ford escort i dont need i new car

Favorite Features

durability

Suggested Improvements

the seats need be more comfortable

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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12 years and still running

Written by: Drew on 04/06/2008

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr STD Hatchback

Review

I bought a new, base model April, 1996 with automatic transmission. It did not come with AC, or a radio. I have 118,000 miles on it. Pretty good runner. I put a radio in it. With basic mainatanence it has been pretty dependable. It did have to be towed away the first day I bought it though, but was repaired in two weeks and really, no major problems since. I have put new brake lines, new master cylinder, new catalytic converter, new radiator on the care. Only in the last year or so have the Ohio winters started to cause the body to rust (I didn't have it rust proofed when I bought it).

Favorite Features

Gas mileage (about 30 MPG), relatively dependable. Plus it holds a ton of stuff with the back seat folded down! 12 years old and counting

Suggested Improvements

Automatic seat belts stink(replaced twice so far), speedometer bounces all over the place, blower motor on the heater died in the middle of winter

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Bad car

Written by: Gail on 03/31/2008

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

Since I brought this car, it left me sit for belts going, I had the a/c fixed. Now I cannot even drive it started with 200.00 tune-up now up to 1,400, something about the number 4 cylinder, had head fixed, went again without leaving the garage, still not working. Might send it to the bone yard. All this at 84,000 miles I expected better.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My second chance Escort

Written by: Matt Burkart on 03/24/2008

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

This is my 2nd Escort, my first one was a builder car. At the time the car was still pretty new so I liked it, but it had it's problems. My second one is identical to the first and I love it. But what is not to love about great gas mileage, and pretty much just general maintainence. It has 154,000 on it and just had plugs, wires, and an alternator put on it.

Favorite Features

Very comfortable, 5-speed, cheaper tires than most newer cars. Overall a very sharp looking car.

Suggested Improvements

Automatic seatbelt swiches that last longer, and speedometers that outlast the car.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Reliable

Written by: Mila on 03/14/2008

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

Bought the car w/ 26 000 miles in 2000. It now has 210 000). I have been a stickler in term of regular maintenance (oil lube etc.). I have alos changed a few things. I treat the car like a great car and it has been a great car. I commute a lot mostly freeway. I am very sentimental about the car - my first in the US (I am from Europe) and got me through grad school. People now tell me I need to buy something that matches my lifestyle more but I do not want to. There is nothing wrong with the car. When I go for oil change/tire work, they look for other things to do on the car and say - there is nothing wrong with the car. The mechanics tell me

Favorite Features

Reliability

Suggested Improvements

N/A - they do not make them anymore

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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This is my 2nd Escort

Written by: Ford Escort Wagon on 04/01/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 4 Dr LX Wagon

Review

This is my second Escort, loved my first one, very reliable, both the drive tyrain and chasis was bulit by Mazda. Ford built the body. I had a 4 door 1.9 now a wagon 1.9 i seem to have lost a bit of power. The wagon only has 50kgs of more weight, but lacks of power accelerating. I would love a 5 speed but very rare. This car is very pratical and reliable. I love my Escorts. My 1991 had 250,000k's on it and was still going strong. That's why I bought an another one. My opinion? Buy an Escort, good and reliable cars.

Favorite Features

Comfort, rear wiper. Cheap tires, 13 or 14 depending on rims. All options are easy to access but rear wiper. Space with rear seat down 60/40 split. Lots of cargo room for a small car. Power options are good. Seating is good and comforatble for long trips. Overall I love my Escort.

Suggested Improvements

Just one, better access to rear wiper on/off/washer.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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no regrets

Written by: Jay on 02/11/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

I bought my Escort brand new over 10 years ago. It had a whopping 76 miles on it. After the initial nit picking during the warranty period, it has done well. It still gets over 30 mpg. I have replaced the struts, heater core, radiator, and the timing belt (twice). All these repairs happened after the warranty and I did the work myself. Parts are cheap for this car. I have never balked at its reliability during its now 172,000 miles. This car has seen a lot of my life, it's almost sentimental. My main regret is that I got the sunset red (pink) color. It was cool at the time, but not so now.

Favorite Features

Factory freon is still in the a/c and it still is cold. Fuel economy is still good. Parts are cheap.

Suggested Improvements

The Escort is now extinct. I wish that it had about 20 more horses. A shorter shift throw. And more value.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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like a rock

Written by: Mark on 02/23/2006

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

I got my 96 Escort new 10 years ago. This car just wont die. I now have 131,000 miles on it and it still drives and looks like a new car. I have looked at new cars but I cant find any as nice as my Escort. I have had few problems and the oil is still at the full mark when I change the oil every 7000 miles. The body is rust free even after 10 Wisconsin winters. I still have cold ac. I keep it washed and waxed and the paint still looks like a new car. This has been the best car I have ever owned and I only hope my future cars are as good as this one (the car that keeps going and going and going).

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great econo-box

Written by: missouri_escort on 02/14/2006

Vehicle

1996 Ford Escort 4 Dr LX Wagon

Review

I purchased the car new on April Fool's day of 1996. It has been great with no major problems. I replaced the speedometer at 84,000 miles, a weak point with all Fords of this era; miles and timing belt, it will happen to all of them, at 100000+ miles. I replaced the ignition pack at 110,000. It will do 30+MPG on trips and 26 MPH town and country. With 113,000+ miles it still runs like new on original tune and spark plugs.

Favorite Features

1) Gas mileage. 2) The 1.9L engine is a great improvement over the original 1.6 Escort engine of the early 80's. It should outlast the rest of the car by a long shot.

Suggested Improvements

Ford should have made the a/c vents easier to adjust. The tiny handles are just too small. The speedometer needs better bearings for the needle to allow it operate properly for the life of the car.

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