1998 Ford Escort Consumer Reviews Page 3
Fuel Economy
25 - 28 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(99 Total Reviews)
Great Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe
Review
I bought this car in '02 with 29000 miles on it. It now has 106000 and I have had to replace the water pump, timing belt, tie rods 3x, serpentine belt a few times and the ac is out on it right now, but other than that it has been a reliable car to get me through college. Excellent gas mileage and sound system.
Favorite Features
The zippiness of it, sporty look, and gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Inside trunk release, passenger keyless entry, more horsepower.
No more Fords!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Wagon
Review
Had an 87 Escort wagon made in New Jersey, got good basic A-to-B transportation & made it to 250,000 mi. So I got this newer 1998 replacement but only made it to 150,000 & had to junk it. Was made in Mexico & had many poor quality problems (rust, bad dash & dome lights, replaced P/S, etc & finally internal engine damage). Have had other Fords before & know they're generally lesser quality than other brands, but this was worst experience. Now I'm an angry ex-Ford customer.
Favorite Features
Cheap to buy. Gas mileage 27 to 30 MPG. Interior space of wagon model
Suggested Improvements
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
1998 Escort SE - A great, reliable car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan
Review
Bought this car new in '98 for my wife to drive around town, an SE Sport model that's still fun to drive. After 9 years and only 31,000 miles, the engine still has a lot of pep and gets GREAT gas mileage. No major repairs other than a serpentine belt and A/C work (common to Escorts). Most problems due to age rather that normal wear and tear. Routine maintenance was as expected. Will be a great car to pass on down to the kids!
Favorite Features
Sporty look, fuel economy, roomy interior, good size trunk, A/C, all power w/ tilt-steering and cruise control.
Suggested Improvements
Improve interior seating for better comfort, fit and finish needs work, need to reduce engine and road noise.
15 out 15 people found this review helpful
A great small car value
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan
Review
We bought our Escort SE new in January 1998. This car was going to be a commuter car for my wife. Well, nine and a half years and 100,000 miles later it is still commuting! It has been a very reliable car. The only thing we have done is change the oil and replace items as they wore out. We replaced the struts/springs in 2005 and the clutch in Sept of 2006. Overall cost of ownership has been low and the gas mileage is still good (30mpg+). Other than a dent on the left rear quarter panel from a parking lot fender bender the body is still in good shape.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
6 out 6 people found this review helpful
10 years and still going strong!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan
Review
We have owned this car for 10 years and we can't complain. We've never had to replace anything except for a brake, the alternator, and some tires. This car has been on 3 long road trips (about 650 miles each way with a dog) and we had no major breakdowns. The car is still running (even with over 200,000 miles on it) but we're finally going to purchase a new 2007 Elantra so we will donate it to charity. BTW: We have the bare bones model-5 speed manual, cassete player (no cd), power nothing, no spoiler, basically just a shell with an engine and some tires.
Favorite Features
Durability- it's like the little engine that could! Outside styling- I always thought the front looked like bugs bunny.
Suggested Improvements
Standard CD player and get rid of that ugly mocha frost color. Air vents in the back and more than 1 cupholder.
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
Useful & reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan
Review
Bought this car new in 98. It's been very reliable and a great city car for maneuvering and parking and mileage. Decent pickup with the five-speed manual. Wet-road handling got better with new tires at 50k. The trunk opening is very small, but with the back seats down you can stuff a lot in. E- brake is starting to fail at 73k.
Favorite Features
Pickup and gas mileage. A/C works great.
Suggested Improvements
You can only open the trunk with the key or the keyring clicker (no in-car lever), and the clicker won't work with the engine running, so you have to shut the engine off to open the trunk, which is annoying.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
158,000 miles so far
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe
Review
Great car! My wife and I have been driving this one for a few years now. Bought it at 70,000 miles and have driven it nearly trouble free to 158,000 miles presently. I have no complaints about this car. Here are the few small repairs. Water pump replacement, some small A/C module to restore normal ac function, serpentine belt of course, radiator leaked a little when it was real cold outside, I finally replaced it after watching it drip during startup for two winters and a small water leak in the cab and trunk. Lastly, emergency brake cables are sticking some, the rubber is breaking on them and the weather has gotten to them. This is normal STUFF. THIS CAR IS GREAT! I used to be a mechanic.
Favorite Features
Reliable as they come. The five speed still doesn't need a new clutch at 158,000 miles!
Suggested Improvements
I'm satisfied.
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
Highly Recommended!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe
Review
I really love this car--it's the second one I have owned (totaled the first one). It has great pickup considering it's a 4-cyl. The exterior design is fabulous! (I have the 2-dr coupe with spoiler on the back). I love looking at it, even after all these years! Bought both of my ZX2s used, and had minimal repair...until I hit the 90K mark. Then, every inspection has been a $500+ ordeal, but had no emergency repairs. I had to replace the E-brake cable, the thermostat, needed to add freon for A/C, replaced the CAM shaft, and one of the control arms, etc. over a period of about two years. It does get a little uncomfortable for long trips--the interior is small, and the seats are FIRM.
Favorite Features
Exterior styling is great--so sporty!, tight handling, keyless entry, overall size, good sound system. Reliable car!
Suggested Improvements
Interior trunk release is needed! Drives me nuts to have to turn the car off to get in the trunk. Car vibrates excessively at idle, not too bad in snow/rain, but not great either. Transmission seems to shift oddly--may be due to high mileage. At 105K, time to think about trading it in.
Amazx2ing
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Hot Coupe
Review
I purchased this car used in 9/03 from a private party. I have all original receipts from this car since new including the window sticker. I lucked out big time. I have a 1998 5 speed and at the time I didn't want red nor did I want a Ford. After three years of owning this car I must say it is without a doubt mint. I love everything about this car except the fact that Ford canceled it and replaced it with junk. I must say that I am so happy that I got a stick rather than the automatic which is terrible and boring in this car. This is not a sport or racing car rather a sporty little economical car that if treated right with go head to head with any Toyota, Honda, or Madza (lol). Amazing!
Favorite Features
Handling turns, fog lights, moonroof, reliability, the heat/ ac, park it anywhere, gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Continue making them, trunk cd player, braking system, interior.
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
Unexpectedly decent car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan
Review
We bought a used 98 model in late 2002. Since then we made a round trip to Canada (about 1500 miles) made a trip to Virginia twice and so far has put on mileage of 60k. The car runs great. No mechanical problems so far. Hope it would keep running, since I am a JDM fan, so astonished by its performance.
Favorite Features
Nice exterior and interior for a small car. Comfy.
Suggested Improvements
The handling is really questionable. Have strong doubts about its handling in rain and snow as it skids a lot.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2003 Ford Escort
- 2002 Ford Escort
- 2001 Ford Escort
- 2000 Ford Escort
- 1999 Ford Escort
- 1998 Ford Escort
Research the 1998 Ford Escort
- 1998 Ford Escort Prices
- 1998 Ford Escort Review
- 1998 Ford Escort Road Test Review
- 1998 Ford Escort Consumer Reviews
- 1998 Ford Escort Consumer Discussions
- 1998 Ford Escort Pictures
Buying & Selling
Vehicle Details
Multimedia
Ratings & Reviews
- Model Review
- Road Test Ratings
- Road Test Reviews
- Consumer Reviews
- Awards History
- Reliability
- Consumer Discussions
Payment Calculators
Helpful Tools
