Overview & Reviews

The Ford Escort is totally redesigned this year with improvements across the board. The most noticeable improvements are in the powertrain and ride quality. New sheet metal gives the Escort a rounder, more aerodynamic appearance as well. The GT hatchback version is dropped.

• Attractive new design. Good cargo space. Zippy new engine makes driving this car fun.

• Not much rear seat room.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 93.00

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  Great First Car - 1997 Ford Escort
  By futuremarine16a2 - April 19 - 12:45 am

  Good little car. I was more interested in something with a big engine v6 or v8 but my parents made me test drive this one and as soon as I pulled back into the dealership I looked right at my mom and told her to sign for it. Good gas mileage.

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  Reliable but cheap - 1997 Ford Escort
  By kris - March 30 - 2:40 pm

  We have had this car now for three years. It is reliable and easy to fix ourselves when it breaks down. It accelerates fairly nicely and the steering is nice and easy. The ride is rough you really feel every bump and sometimes it feels like we are riding inside of a bouncing ball. The interior quality is lacking, but it was never meant to be a top of the line car. The seats are uncomfortable for long drives.

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  A good little car. - 1997 Ford Escort
  By FlyByPC - March 16 - 2:41 pm

  Although a big step down in size for me, (from a Chevy G20 van, and a Mercury Colony Park wagon which I really miss), the Escort has been a good little car, so far. OK (but not outstanding) economy, good reliability, and acceptable performance. From the reviews, I hear the 97 is significantly more responsive than the 96. I would hate to drive the 96 model, as I find the 97 performance acceptable, but far from impressive. As a fairly big guy (6, 240lb), I was surprised how much room there is up front. It holds quite a bit of cargo, too. The lack of cruise, power locks and windows is quaint, but at least it has A/C! The one truly BAD feature is the USELESS front cupholder. (See below).

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  American-made reliability! - 1997 Ford Escort
  By Eric - March 1 - 11:29 am

  Absolutely reliable. Not the most quiet or refined automobile in its class, but VERY cheap to fix and maintain. The perfect utility-type vehicle for work/students/grocery chasing. Excellent mileage. The standard for dependability! This is my third Escort. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.

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  Great inexpensive car - 1997 Ford Escort
  By brianl703 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This 1997 Ford Escort has aged pretty well. It drives pretty much as it did when we got it 5 years ago. Gas mileage is good, it handles pretty well (the chassis is much more rigid than previous year Ford Escorts). With 81,000 miles, the engine barely uses 1/3 quart of Mobil 1 5W-30 in 4500 miles. The check engine light had been on for a couple of years (with a P1443 trouble code), I finally got around to fixing it by replacing the purge flow solenoid with a $5 wrecking yard part. It turned out the rubber hose had started deteriorating, and the solenoid got clogged with debris.

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  My lil red car - 1997 Ford Escort
  By NurseNell - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Fun to Drive. Dependable car. Good in snow. Attracts deer lol! Had a deer riding on my hood and windshield.Windshield never broke- mechanically sound vehicle--gas gage stuck on full at 89000 miles--regular oil changes done and replacement of y pipe a year ago. Thinking of trading to Dodge Stratus but will miss my little escort!

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  Damn Asphalt - 1997 Ford Escort
  By zipzow319 - July 10 - 2:00 am

  My 97 Escort was a fun little car w/just enough character to make me look like I was having fun. The highway miles were impecable, and the city miles werent bad either. I made an average of two trips to Mn. from K.C. a year, and the car got me there and back w/no problems. Last time in Mn. I hit a piece of construction asphalt on the highway and totaled the car. All in all though, the car did me well and I had to shed a tear when the insurance company took it away from me.

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  It really is okay... - 1997 Ford Escort
  By Husoni - June 12 - 2:00 am

  At first I had some issues with look of the vehicle as well as my experience with the dealership, but over the years I trully can not complain. I have backed into poles, other cars, spun out on the free way and still I have not had any injuries or had any repairs required. "it takes a lickin and keeps on tickin..." really. Gas is great as well. Its like my own private bumper car.

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  A fun car with reliability - 1997 Ford Escort
  By BTA - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Our second car. Fuel efficient and low cost to maintain. Our first Ford and a pleasant surprise. Dont put many miles on it. Reminds me of our dog always starts up immediately and is ready to go when we are. Used much to drive and leave at airport, and we know that it will start in all weather to get us home.

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  cant complain - 1997 Ford Escort
  By Ben Smith - March 31 - 2:00 am

  i purchased this car from a family member with 105k on it. At that time, the car had never broken down, and ran like a dream (especially w/105k). Every 3k, the oil had been changed and all maintance recommendations were followed. I would average 28+ MPG, even while i was driving like an idiot. After 130k, the transmission begin slipping quite often and fuel economy began to fall off quickly. I cant complain about the cheap parts and quality when an escort makes it to 135k.