1999 Ford Escort Consumer Reviews

Look Good for Cheap

Written by: Subaroid! on 09/02/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe

Review

This is a good, cheap piece of transportation. There's not much to this car, just the bare necessities. Crank windows, no CD player, no A/C. It's got 108,000 miles on it, and has done well for a Ford. Only replaced the alternator and an idler pulley so far (relatively cheap fixes, $400, $100), have done the brakes; rotors and pads front for $50. It's got the 2.0 liter engine and a 5 speed manual so it gets good mileage (25 or so with me driving it hard), has good handling, and is fun to drive. It's due for a clutch, and there are squeaks, rattles, and oil leaks. Interior trim pieces are also falling off.

Favorite Features

Good performance, handling. Good mileage (25-28). Cheap to own. Looks cool!

Suggested Improvements

Where's the CD player and A/C? Uncomfortable seats, noisy inside, choppy ride and noisy, buzzy engine. Cheap interior.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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174000

Written by: lchandler on 07/18/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

My car has 174000 and it still runs. This is great I know people that did drive Hunda Toyota Dodge and other makers and their cars did not last as long.

Favorite Features

relability small good mpg

Suggested Improvements

CD player

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Don't buy

Written by: HC on 07/11/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Wagon

Review

I was the 3rd owner and bought this car for every day use. The car condition was considered “clean” and previous 2 owners kept excellent valid maintenance records. This is my first car so I stick tightly to check up schedule to reduce any mechanical problems. I got around 28-30 mpg highway and 18-21 mpg in town. There were many problems with this car. The biggest two were tranny and engine. This car sucked too much money form me. At ~94,000 miles the transmission slipped (after 20,000 miles used). Sometimes, it stuck at low gear and won’t shift up when I gassed it up or slipped, shift down and lost speed, very dangerous if it happens when I pass a car. I got it fixed. At ~130,000 miles, the

Favorite Features

It has a lot of space comparable to SUV and doesn't break your bank for car insurance like SUV does.

Suggested Improvements

Please, make a more reliable car. On the highway at night light form cars behind would blind you because the car was so low.

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Great 1st car!

Written by: Christine on 07/10/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

Bought this as my very first car. My stepdad fixed it up for me and it runs like a charm! The inside is pretty comfy and it hasn't given me any problems yet. I definitely would purchase another ford in the future :)

Favorite Features

radio is a cool style for a 90's

Suggested Improvements

better speakers! they stunk if turned up (will buy some in the future) and the car is very loud and a little shaky above 60 haha

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best car to learn how to drive on!

Written by: Nikki on 06/09/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

My parents bought this car for me to learn how to drive on in 2005. 4 years later, we've put about 20K miles on it and it still runs great. It gets me back and forth between school and home whenever I need it to, and even survived large tree branches falling on it during an intense wind storm with just a few dents and a broken windshield. It has its quirks, but it's an old car at this point and will. My parents bought my sister another escort after I got my license so I could drive this one, never had any problems!

Favorite Features

Drives well, great MPG, reliable

Suggested Improvements

Radio fuzzy, the speedometer sticks at 55 MPH sometimes.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Stayed in the Family

Written by: Commuter Scooter on 05/19/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

Car was purchased very inexpensively as a commuter scooter. I needed cheap miles and this car fit the bill. Only 8400 miles at the time of purchase but with hail damage that didn't affect operation. Issues have been easy to fix (relay module, tie rod end and vacuum hose) but otherwise no problems in over 100,000 miles. It has never left anyone stranded. Great gas mileage city or open road. Easy to work on by a shade tree mechanic. Now my daughter considers it "her" car for use at college. I see it several times a year now and keep the maintenance up for her. She understands the economics of inexpensive, reliable transportation instead of a fashion statement.

Favorite Features

She likes keyless remote, easy to drive and park, and it won't leave her stranded. Cold AC.

Suggested Improvements

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chopped

Written by: Duck on 04/06/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought my escort from a shoty used car guy after I wrecked my Neon. I've been into modding cars since I was 16 so the thought of getting an Escourt didnt thrill me in the least. Big time surprise to me swapped the original motor for a 2000 DOHC Ztec ZX2 w/ 74k miles then began the work on this car, my feul economy is sorta my fault....:P but other than that no real complaints with the new ZX2 motor and upgrades its quick, still great for long trips.....not only that but I'm killin mustangs off the line and putting 140 easy on the speedo and 11.6 on the board

Favorite Features

Easy to moddify...if you have a welder, easy to access the engine bay great car to mod but you gotta get a tad bit creative ((case in point a '98 RX-7 throtle body))

Suggested Improvements

Release some specs Ford I need more parts

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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engine idle vibration

Written by: Lynn on 03/07/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought a salvage 1998 Ford Escort SE Sedan with 63,000 miles and LOVED it. I had it for almost seven years and parted with it because of a rusted frame. It had 138,000 miles and was running strong. I loved it so much that I recently bought a 1999 Ford Escort with 65,000 miles. I'm sorry to say the engine idle vibration and a constant exhaust-like noise has forced me to ask for a replacement vehicle. My 1998 Escort never had this problem though it did have broken coil springs. I found the TSB 031515 but the local Ford dealership said the problem may or may not be resolved with mount replacements and such so my GM dealership didn't take the chance on the costs of repairs.

Favorite Features

A completely reliable car for travel and it has a nice roomy trunk.

Suggested Improvements

None other than the fact Ford should have recalled some of their defects. I certainly believe broken coil springs were a safety concern. The engine idle vibration creates a miserable driving experience.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I love my car!

Written by: syne on 03/01/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

This was my first car and I purchased it with 83k miles on it. Five years later and we're up to 160k, and the timing belt just broke. But it's okay because my model has a non interference engine so it didn't do any other damage besides leaving me in a parking lot. I've done little to no maintenance in the last 80k miles and its been so good to me! I hope I can get this past 200k, and am planning on keeping it until it it dies. Fuel economy slowly shrinking, now its about 26mpg combined.

Favorite Features

Auto windows, key-less entry, auto locks, cruise, non interference engine!!

Suggested Improvements

Its pretty ugly, and the seats do get uncomfortable but only on 1k+ mile journeys. Spark plug wires rub on radiator belt which cause them to melt and malfunction; zip ties should fix this set (#3 in 2 years)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Going strong

Written by: michigan91 on 01/02/2009

Vehicle

1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I have always been a fan of Escorts and was excited to get one as my first car. It was purchased in July of 2006 with 79,000 miles and I'm almost to 91,000. When I bought the car the radio had stuff spilled in it so that was replaced. My check engine light gave me trouble for an idle speed thing, fixed and it idles very well. Other than that I blew one rusty trans line, the CEL is on again for the EGR valve (im ignoring it) and my blower motor just went, but other than the trans line which is expected in a winter climate, all my repairs have been cheap and have not been detrimental to the car in terms of running. Hasn't left me stranded, and we're almost to 91,000 miles.

Favorite Features

Reliable, radio panel is actually very ergonomic, predictable handling, timeless looks, cheap parts, throaty 4 cylinder, ful economy (about 25 in the city).

Suggested Improvements

Better seats (they have no side support) a little bit more pick up (passing can be a pain), and fuel economy (25 is good but I'm hearing much better than that on here.)

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