Mk6 Escorts

[Rod/b]

That, to me, is a hateful pile of shit just like the hateful pile of shit i once had.

[bunglebus]

I forgot to mention the stupid design of the front suspension, where you're supposed to drop the sub frame (and pay to get it re-aligned) to change the anti roll bar bushes, which wear out along with all the other components with regular boredom. You can do it by removing the front bolt on the bracket and grinding a 10mm spanner down, then turning the bolt one tedious 6th of a turn at a time until it tops out against the floor of the car. Then slide out the old bush and repeat the entire process in reverse.

[twosmoke300]

Subframe has alignment pins and is only about 3 bolts per side ! Easier to do the job properly

[Lacquer Peel]

The late Zetec-powered Escorts are supposed to be alright, if you must buy one, buy one of them.

 

I forgot about the weird lingering 90s Ford mass produced plastic smell but Cavcraft's post reminded me, that's enough to put me off them.

 

My Mk5 Escort 1.8 D was a mingebag version but still had nice plush velour seats, the only redeeming feature.

[egg]

I believe the Fusion is also a 'drop the sub-frame' job for front ARB bushes, so I expect the Mk6 Fiesta is too...so an ongoing Ford issue!

[twosmoke300]

It's only a half subframe - suck it up buttercups

[Yoss]

To me, that is a mk5b.

That's the bit you're picking up on? Not the fact it's parked unlocked in a layby with the key on the dash? Does no one else find that just a little strange?

[Captain Furious]

That they're so shit even thieves don't want them?

 

Nah, I dunno what all the hatred is about tbh, I've had several Mk6 1.6/1.8 zetecs and they were all perfectly fine until they started to dissolve. Not a bad drive at all.

[chaseracer]

I can vouch for good crash protection of the van

 

I retain a great fondness for that ex-Royal Fail POS.  I don't like losing good friends.

[chaseracer]

Have a look at a Mark 2 estate and a Mark 1 estate and you won't find a lot of difference, other than at the front.

 

Mark 2 saloons had a lot more new body panels, but still not a totally new car.

 

The runout mk1s used the mk2 floorpan, with modified (but still cart-spring) rear suspension.

 

Mk2 estates & vans kept the mk1 shells, but with the new front end.  Not the same panels as the saloons though.

[overrun]

02 I think. I saw it while waiting at the bus stop today.

Knew it would be as late as they come.

[overrun]

That's the bit you're picking up on? Not the fact it's parked unlocked in a layby with the key on the dash? Does no one else find that just a little strange?

I don't really care lol. It's worthless and may well be fucked.

[AnthonyG]

The Escort Mk5 was a pretty terrible car to drive but seemed to be better built than the Mk6. What Car did a test in 1990 where the newly launched Mk5 came last, behind Rover 214, Tipo, Golf Mk2 and Mk2 Astra 2!

 

Mk6s were reasonable to drive in 1995 but only comparison to cars like Mk3 Astras, 309s and Mk3 Golfs. Anything mainstream launched after about 1998 will piss all over one. Mk6s had a lot of revisions in all areas to make them more competitive and came out in early 95. I think the earliest was on a M plate.

 

Hendry - if you want one go for it as rust and minimal values mean they are getting harder to find. A petrol Zetec one will be best. Don't pay more than a few hundred, and expect to purchase a car from outside Scotland if you want one to have actual metal in the sills, wheel arches and floors!

[sierraman]

Subframe has alignment pins and is only about 3 bolts per side ! Easier to do the job properly

I found you didn't need to remove the bolts, just undo a few threads gave enough clearance on the Fiesta.

[Hendry]

Here is a MK something something that I found 'doon the watter' yesterday. On SORN but in a lay bay seemingly abandoned, open and with the key on top of the dash.

 

Wonder what the script with that is, its a strange one!

 

Nevertheless id love something like that, and that one has the added bonus of being an original Glasgow registered one with its Premier Ford Anniesland plates.

 

I forgot to mention folks this wouldnt just be a cheap runner, Id like something thats not too old that I could tidy up, make it a good condition car again, tinker with, a hobby car if you like, but not one that would be completely beyond my capabilities like a 70s/80s car, dont know why but ive only ever wanted to do this with 90s Fords, and as such it would need to be a local one, ideally one that was originally sold new by Clanford, Wylies, Strathford, Dalblair, Premier, Peoples, Alexanders, Trust Motors, or basically any Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire or Glasgow Ford dealer thats not Arnold Clark or Reg Vardy, luckily most werent those 2 when the mk6 was around. I think this could be influenced by pretty much everyone around here owning Fords, my parents, family, friends parents, neighbours, mum and dads workmates, school teachers, everyone, it seemed pretty much every car round here in the 90s was a Ford of some description. 

[Split_Pin]

Well the MOT history on that one isn't too bad and it only ran out in May. Keys there!

[Lacquer Peel]

I can vouch for good crash protection of the van

 

I'm glad you and chompy are still here, but I put that down to good luck given the circumstances. I drive a slightly flimsier van than the Escort, quite aggressively too, accepting I will be getting in a grave if I hit anything.

[bub2006]

We all know it was lucky I think! That van was far from structurally sound in all honesty

[cpjitservices]

Not mk6 I know .... But

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB9ei46O1Ok

[cpjitservices]

However, my Sons godfather has a red mk6 Y reg Escort Van - he's had it 3 years now and has had 0 issues. I cant see him getting rid any time soon. 

 

And it's in no way crispy

[sierraman]

Difficult to say which one to buy, the fact it's still roadworthy might be a big ask, so you might find even a 1.3 is worth having. I'd buy with as long an MOT as possible and expect welding for the next one.

 

They get a bit of a slating but in reality they were no worse or better than the Astra.

[Vince70]

We had an 1.6 lx one at work as a pool car about 8 years ago on a R plate which my mate bought for £100 with a long ticket from work and I kid you not it had done close to 300000 neglected miles on the original engine which was a zetec.

 

It used more oil than petrol and only fired on 3 but I thought it was an achievement none the less for any petrol car.

It was a crap drive though but he did manage to get £300 on it as a part ex on another newer Escort so he must of had a soft spot for them.

 

Also another mate of mine bought a new Mk5 1.4 lx when they first came out around 1991 and kept it a few years till the rust bug finished it off but we were all impressed by the stereo as the name of the radio stations would show up across the front which was very space age but apart from that it was quite mediocre.

 

At the time he bought it he could of bought a new XR3 or it might of even been an RS2000 for the same money from the dealership as they had real trouble selling them due to the insurance hike on hot hatches at the time and Dave was always a bit too sensible to worry about the insurance later.

[Hendry]

Right troops, who can tell me about all the various mk6 special editions and what spec they had, what was better than what.

 

Im too young to know much about them other than the model badges I saw on them given I was between 8 and 13 years old when they were new.

 

Also did CL spec get central locking, the brochure seems to suggest it didnt, but then it only refers to the other models having central double locking, so its possible it did. 

So far ive got:

 

Masquerade (mainly saloons?)

Silhouette

Chicane (have also seen/heard these referred to as CL Chicanes, was that their proper title or were they just based on CL spec?)

Cabaret

Osprey (these all seem to be registered as Encores which I know they were based on but it was an official special edition and not a dealer special wasnt it?) 

Mexico (shocking name for a Escort that appears to have only the GTi bumper without fogs in unpainted black plastic and a boot spoiler, have been told that interior spec was equivalant to Si?)

 

I know Flight and Finesse became the run out specs after the Focus was launched, and replaced all the normal models, but were they special editions at any point before this? Googling seems to suggest they were but cant find any info, also my pal has a R reg Finesse which was new when ordinary models like Encore, LX, Ghia were still available new. Also why did Finesse change spec, mates doesnt have a rev counter, front fogs, sports bumper or the later triangle style or RS 7 spoke style wheels. But does have the Halewood stickers on the rear door triangles, one down by the electric window switches, and has gel domed Finesse wing badges as opposed to the later plastic ones. 

 

Did GTi spec replace Si spec or was it an addition and higher or lower spec? 

 

Also seem to remember Encore from R reg onwards got colour coded bumpers and rear head rests but nothing else added, I may be wrong though. 

 

Did LX from R reg get heated screen and air con? Seem to remember the Rs had the GTi front bumper with fog lights and no sunroof where the P and older ones had a sunroof and poverty front bumper but in body colour. 

 

Were there any other special editions ive forgot/havent mentioned?

 

Figured if Im going to get one of these, may as well be fussy about getting looking for one I actually want in decent nick than buying a decent condition one thats not what I want, as I wouldnt want to ruin an original, tidy Escort tampering with it and pulling it to bits or starting adding retrofits. 

[sierraman]

Good luck there then. Finding one worth having might be your challenge, I wouldn't worry about specs or 'not very special' Special editions.

 

I'd just put £500 aside then trawl EBay for one that doesn't need much welding before the next MOT. 90% will be rotten round the arches and rear chassis legs, I'd say you'd be doing well if you found one with something to weld to.

[Captain Furious]

I know of one that will be for sale imminently, engine wise its spot on and it's not too shabby on the body work either (I used to own it). W reg 1.6 'finesse' a previous owner has enhanced* it with half leather seats from a GTi and beautiful (ghastly) wood effect trim from a Ghia. It's in that dark metallic red, nouveau red? And has 15 inch softline alloys

 

Good points

It's had a new clutch, according to the receipts around 30k miles ago, it's currently on 96k ish I think

Cambelt, tensioner and waterpump around 15k ago

Bodywork is tidy, rear arches solid

It's likely to be very cheap

 

Bad points

MOT has just expired - last year just required some minor welding to the N/S sill

The cat has had its insides knocked out so it will need one of those

It's likely to need some welding on the rear chassis legs

Something is a bit 'wayward' on the back end, I have no idea what, feels like there is some lateral movement in the suspension that should not be there.

It's nowhere near Scotland.

A/C does not work

[Rusty_Rocket]

As above. These are not cars to be fannying around choosing your ideal spec.  You'll be lucky to find one that'll go through another MoT, let alone have plastic wood on the dash/ illuminated sun visors etc.

If my hand were forced, I'd only want to invest in an early-ish RS2000 like my pal had.  It was a good looking car for sure, with it's silver paint and diamond cut alloys.  The thing rusted to nothing before it's 10th birthday (2001) and was scrapped, so good luck finding a reasonably priced one now..

[egg]

See if you can get any you look at on a ramp, low miles doesn't seem to be much advantage here with rear end rust.

[Hendry]

Good luck there then. Finding one worth having might be your challenge, I wouldn't worry about specs or 'not very special' Special editions.

 

I'd just put £500 aside then trawl EBay for one that doesn't need much welding before the next MOT. 90% will be rotten round the arches and rear chassis legs, I'd say you'd be doing well if you found one with something to weld to.

 

I am actually genuinely interested in the specs and more information on them, notwithstanding wanting to buy one, after a chat me and my mk6 owning mate whos younger than me had earlier, I thought you lot with your mine of useless trivia on old cars would be the boys to ask.

 

It will be a Scottish registered one I buy, I want one thats local reg, get some DMB plates made up if it doesnt have originals, ideally itll be owned by the same person for a long time and looked after with some provinence, and I can make it mint and like Its 1998 again and Ive just driven it out the local Ford dealer, something I wished I could do in 1998 but was too young to be able to drive or afford one, no idea why an Escort mk6, but something ive witnessed growing up has made me have an itch for one for the past almost 20years. i always wanted an R-X reg Escort with Clanford or Wylies plates and so on, all the original sales invoices, history, a story behind it, to own for as long as I can remember. Now Im a bit older and know what im doing and what to look for I can do what I wished I could do 11years ago and look at one and have half a clue what Im looking at and not be blinded by shiny paintwork, original alloys, a good spec and a Ford dealer sticker in the back window and get ripped off for a fortune for some lemming that belongs in a breakers yard. 

[sierraman]

I'd give all of about £3 for it. Unless scraping underseal off and welding laid on your back in January is your thing I'd find something with some test on it.

 

Welding the rear chassis legs up will be a big job.

 

Honestly, I'd say find one with some test on it cheap.

[Snipes]

Right troops, who can tell me about all the various mk6 special editions and what spec they had, what was better than what.

 

Im too young to know much about them other than the model badges I saw on them given I was between 8 and 13 years old when they were new.

 

Also did CL spec get central locking, the brochure seems to suggest it didnt, but then it only refers to the other models having central double locking, so its possible it did. 

So far ive got:

 

Masquerade (mainly saloons?)

Silhouette

Chicane (have also seen/heard these referred to as CL Chicanes, was that their proper title or were they just based on CL spec?)

Cabaret

Osprey (these all seem to be registered as Encores which I know they were based on but it was an official special edition and not a dealer special wasnt it?) 

Mexico (shocking name for a Escort that appears to have only the GTi bumper without fogs in unpainted black plastic and a boot spoiler, have been told that interior spec was equivalant to Si?)

 

I know Flight and Finesse became the run out specs after the Focus was launched, and replaced all the normal models, but were they special editions at any point before this? Googling seems to suggest they were but cant find any info, also my pal has a R reg Finesse which was new when ordinary models like Encore, LX, Ghia were still available new. Also why did Finesse change spec, mates doesnt have a rev counter, front fogs, sports bumper or the later triangle style or RS 7 spoke style wheels. But does have the Halewood stickers on the rear door triangles, one down by the electric window switches, and has gel domed Finesse wing badges as opposed to the later plastic ones. 

 

Did GTi spec replace Si spec or was it an addition and higher or lower spec? 

 

Also seem to remember Encore from R reg onwards got colour coded bumpers and rear head rests but nothing else added, I may be wrong though. 

 

Did LX from R reg get heated screen and air con? Seem to remember the Rs had the GTi front bumper with fog lights and no sunroof where the P and older ones had a sunroof and poverty front bumper but in body colour. 

 

Were there any other special editions ive forgot/havent mentioned?

 

Figured if Im going to get one of these, may as well be fussy about getting looking for one I actually want in decent nick than buying a decent condition one thats not what I want, as I wouldnt want to ruin an original, tidy Escort tampering with it and pulling it to bits or starting adding retrofits. 

 

I'm not 100% sure but from the cars I've owned I think Flight is a poverty spec with a couple of extras. My 99 Fiesta Flight is very basic inside but has Alloys, a Sunroof and body coloured bumpers. 

Previously I had  a '97 16v LX Escort. It had a manual sunroof and air-con (still working!), front electric windows, Ford 6 CD Changer, Rev Counter and Temp gauge, Front Fog-lights and a boot spoiler but did without a heated front screen and alloys - I had it on Mondeo Mk2 trims after losing one of the originals and being unable to find a replacement.

I think the heated screen was only an option. I thought it was Ghia specific but I've seen them for sale without.

 

I did eventually scrap mine due to personal and financial circumstances but it'd had several advisories for rear body rust. I'd have another but I be much more careful about checking the rear body for corrosion. My LX was cheap and I didn't check it over too hard when i got it.