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Grex Cars Item 26: Super-Escort One of a kind?
Entered by jeffk on Sat Jul 18 01:20:13 UTC 1992:

I have a 1988 Ford Escort LX that was purchase in August of 1988.  I have
put one set of tires on it, a set of front and a set of rear brakes, a new
fuel pump, give it a tune up once a year and oil changes every 3000 miles.

It has 138,250 miles on it and doesn't show signs of stopping.

Am I an isolated case, or it this car really exceptional?

(by the way, I work in Detroit and live west of the AA city limit)

9 responses total.

#1 of 9 by danr on Sat Jul 18 01:27:28 1992:

I don't think so.  Ford (and maybe the other automakers) are making
better cars.  I have a five-year old Taurus with 106,000 miles on it,
and I've never even had to have a brake job.  It did need struts,
but that was the most expensive repair it's needed.

#2 of 9 by dam on Sun Jul 19 05:15:13 1992:

I have found that time can have a greater impact on a car than miles.
regular maintenance and not-so-hard driving really does wonders, as
opposed to waiting for a part to go bad so it can damage other parts
as it fails, sometimes over a period of time.  (like your oil, for
instance)

#3 of 9 by jeffk on Tue Jul 21 02:42:54 1992:

60,000:  rear brakes
86,000:  set of tires
115,000: front brakes
128,000: front end alignment (bad potholes this winter)
131,000: fuel pump died

Other than that, I've just done regular maintenace and have had a
few annoyances fixed.  Oh yeah, at the 131,000 mark, my shifter
assembly was replaced...I guess it had just about worn through.

I've only had 1 reoccuring problem, but its fixed free by my dealer...
Fix it Once Or Fix it Free policy.  There is a tie-rod end that wears
prematurely if you use Ford brand parts.  They keep replacing both of
them each year, so as long as I get them free, I'll keep going to my
dealer.  Pounds of paperwork, though.  The front end people all say
that its a common problem with domestic brands, and that I'm lucky I
have a good dealer.  Ya!

#4 of 9 by tcc on Fri Jul 31 16:31:32 1992:

 I was gonna say, "Has it eaten 12 tie rods yet?"

#5 of 9 by jeffk on Thu Aug 6 03:32:55 1992:

Actually, only 4.  All repaired for-free by Ford Motor Company via Friendly
Ford in Monroe.

#6 of 9 by volvo on Sun Aug 21 02:11:44 1994:

Well I'd say you run the top .5% (thats POINT five) of people to own
and praise(still praise) an escort.  be fore i forget..... be warned that
many a 4 banger , esp es (death courts) corts have been condemmed for 
a siezed motor when only the water pump haz locked up.  the timing belt
WILL hold it all tight, if itself has not been trashed.   Words to the wise;
no matter what the manufacturer says, replace the T-belt AND the water pump-
every 60k miles, sooner if all you do is groceries--which you are not.
I would say from a proffesional point of view that it sounds like you 
are good to your car, dont kick it or put chewing gum under seat and 
basically are good to it.  You are getting what you deserve! I 
worked many times on a "gentlemans" mercedes 190e that was only a few years
old.  ALL front end parts were loose inckuding the gearbox which is 
indestructible.... headlights cracked tires slipped belts, drive shaft 
unions torn loose, wheel bearings loose.   why????
1, only "free" maintenance, and warranty vwas done.
2, he BEAT the car hard, so did his 17 yr old son.
3, oil was changed when the "light" came on.
4, he didnt know it had an oil press gauge.
5, he thought his car would last forever. big suprise.

well, enough ranting........
remember if they dont find you good looking........
wes, ase and state certified master auto & truck technician.
so there

#7 of 9 by shf on Sun Aug 21 12:38:00 1994:

Cool, a Car Guy(tm)

#8 of 9 by volvo on Thu Sep 1 03:23:40 1994:

I think this collomn, or co9nf is now old enough to delete?

#9 of 9 by volvo on Sat Dec 10 02:01:13 1994:

please blow up this item before his escort dies, love volvo.
lot's of drive space left?

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