I owned a '95 Escort wagon. It's was absolutely the worst car I've ever own! Auto trans (should have stayed with the manual) went out at 17K miles. Front struts had been installed wrong at the factory in Mexico, which meant I had to shell out money for two new front tires. Paint started to peel, and the pwr door locks would lock/unlock without me touching the nob. Got rid of it with a tick over 20K miles on it. Bought a '97 (only kept the Ford 18 mos) Honda Civic and never looked back. So thanks to Ford, I now drive Hondas.
I was in high school in those years. Cars like the Escort GT, Cavalier Z24, Corolla GTS, Civic Si, and Dodge Shadow turbo looked so sporty and felt quick. Looking at these reviews made me realize how slow they were. My base engine Elantra is 145 hp and 0-60 in the 8 to 9 second range. But those 80s economy sporty coupes were fun to toss around because of the light weight and the thrill of wringing every ounce of power from the engine though the stick shift.
@@MistahJigglah You're right about almost no one did. They weren't built to survive, seriously. They were to be kept up to 50K then dumped. By that time, rust would have probably started (if in snow belt)and it would be time for a T-belt change (if the belt lasted to 60K, which probably many did not. Seriously, this car was the start of the downfall of Mercury.
@@zythr9999 Even the US Escorts were just rust buckets. I saw an 87 Escort have the whole floor rust out while an 82 Cutlass Supreme, that lived it's life in the same driveway driving the same roads, still looked basically new. GMs definitely had their issues, but at least they knew how to galvanize a car.
@@MistahJigglah Yes they were. You're right for all it's issues, GM did have a few bright lights. That 82 Cutlass Supreme would be much more wanted then the Escort.
Never looked or thought twice about cars like this back iny high school days in the 90s. The carb versions were crap from what I heard but the later 87/88s with CFI were quite reliable. I worked for a newspaper delivery guy that had one with a 4spd manual. That car was dreadfully slow when loaded with a couple hundred newspapers but it got me around town without issues
I had an 88 1/2 escort GT with that HO 1.9 engine. Great lil car and very peppy But had a tendency to run a lil hot in GA summers if sitting in traffic a Long period of time…and yes there was a 88 1/2. Small body line change swooping up towards the rear I think I put about 140k on it
It what we're used to vs nostalgic for. Back then, that's what every hatchback looked like. Now, every car wants that pointed blob look so an arrow body is striking. It's like supercars, when they first got the over the top styling it seemed futuristic. Now the bonkers style is just getting boring and silly, but a Ferrari 250 or 308 looks better than ever.
It really is amazing how much cheap cars improved during the 80s. My 1986 Mazda 1.6 5 speed 323 SE hatchback was a hoot to drive. Where as just the previous GLC was not bad to drive but really really slow. Ford really improved the Escort too. The fact that they used Mazda manuals made them better. Should have used smoother Mazda engines too- though to be fair the Mazda engines lacked torque so they would have been worse with an automatic.
The carbureted version was simply awful. They had startability and drivability issues which would leave you stranded due to vapor locking. Junkyards were well stocked with these crappers by the late 90s.
This was a rather lackluster quality American small car at that time... with Japanese small cars being superior. The Escort improved in the early 1990s when it became a rebadged Mazda. My 2010 Ford Focus is very reliable ever since I purchased it new.
I was in high school in those years. Cars like the Escort GT, Cavalier Z24, Corolla GTS, Civic Si, and Dodge Shadow turbo looked so sporty and felt quick. Looking at these reviews made me realize how slow they were. My base engine Elantra is 145 hp and 0-60 in the 8 to 9 second range. But those 80s economy sporty coupes were fun to toss around because of the light weight and the thrill of wringing every ounce of power from the engine though the stick shift.
A friend had a Mazda GLC. If you kept the revs up it was a lot of fun. You had to treat cars like that almost like a rally racer. Just remember it doesn't have rally handling and can easily go sideways (or backwards) with little warning. But when you're 18 and indestructible in your mind, that's part of the fun.
Had an 84 lynx gs wagon. Still miss it!
LOL
I had an 84 Escort. Left us stranded on more than 7 or 8 occasions.
Had an 84 that was pretty bad too. I think they were better after the 85 1/2 refresh with new engine
The carbureted version was awful.
The Tempo I had wasn't any better. Slow, extremely slow. The reason I haven't had a Ford in 30+ years.
I owned a '95 Escort wagon.
It's was absolutely the worst car I've ever own!
Auto trans (should have stayed with the manual) went out at 17K miles. Front struts had been installed wrong at the factory in Mexico, which meant I had to shell out money for two new front tires.
Paint started to peel, and the pwr door locks would lock/unlock without me touching the nob.
Got rid of it with a tick over 20K miles on it.
Bought a '97 (only kept the Ford 18 mos) Honda Civic and never looked back.
So thanks to Ford, I now drive Hondas.
A high school classmate had a Lynx, it wouldn't start when he wanted to leave school
I was in high school in those years. Cars like the Escort GT, Cavalier Z24, Corolla GTS, Civic Si, and Dodge Shadow turbo looked so sporty and felt quick. Looking at these reviews made me realize how slow they were. My base engine Elantra is 145 hp and 0-60 in the 8 to 9 second range. But those 80s economy sporty coupes were fun to toss around because of the light weight and the thrill of wringing every ounce of power from the engine though the stick shift.
I love the Mercury Lynx and XR3 1985
I love the look of the weird little Lynx LN7, even if almost no one else did.
Too bad so few of them survived.
@@MistahJigglah You're right about almost no one did. They weren't built to survive, seriously. They were to be kept up to 50K then dumped. By that time, rust would have probably started (if in snow belt)and it would be time for a T-belt change (if the belt lasted to 60K, which probably many did not.
Seriously, this car was the start of the downfall of Mercury.
@@zythr9999
Even the US Escorts were just rust buckets.
I saw an 87 Escort have the whole floor rust out while an 82 Cutlass Supreme, that lived it's life in the same driveway driving the same roads, still looked basically new.
GMs definitely had their issues, but at least they knew how to galvanize a car.
@@MistahJigglah Yes they were. You're right for all it's issues, GM did have a few bright lights. That 82 Cutlass Supreme would be much more wanted then the Escort.
Never looked or thought twice about cars like this back iny high school days in the 90s. The carb versions were crap from what I heard but the later 87/88s with CFI were quite reliable. I worked for a newspaper delivery guy that had one with a 4spd manual. That car was dreadfully slow when loaded with a couple hundred newspapers but it got me around town without issues
LOL
Was it dumped before 50K miles, highly recommended by many?
Wish they tested this car with the 5 speed manual instead of the automatic.
Very nice and beautiful the Mercury Lynx
with the added noise of the fuel sloshing in the tank of base wagons.
Ford and Mercury sold a lot of these during the 80's.Had 2 Escorts and 2 EXP's back then.Loved them
I had an 88 1/2 escort GT with that HO 1.9 engine. Great lil car and very peppy But had a tendency to run a lil hot in GA summers if sitting in traffic a Long period of time…and yes there was a 88 1/2. Small body line change swooping up towards the rear I think I put about 140k on it
It needs a turbocharger on the Lynx XR3 really bad. Same goes for the Escort GT and the EXP.
to wear out the engine sooner? It sure does LOL
Had a white 88 Escort GT twin to this and it was an absolute blast. Other than a turn stalk that broke on me twice it gave me no trouble.
Those were actually comfortable and handled nicely. Not powerful but within the 80's stamdards
Unless you were on a rough road, or trying to make a turn and hitting a bump.
Ma had one of these
These look prettier now than they did back then for some reason.
It what we're used to vs nostalgic for.
Back then, that's what every hatchback looked like.
Now, every car wants that pointed blob look so an arrow body is striking.
It's like supercars, when they first got the over the top styling it seemed futuristic. Now the bonkers style is just getting boring and silly, but a Ferrari 250 or 308 looks better than ever.
Great and beautiful this Mercury Lyn 85
love the sarcasm Lol
This cost more then the Corolla and Civic?
It really is amazing how much cheap cars improved during the 80s. My 1986 Mazda 1.6 5 speed 323 SE hatchback was a hoot to drive. Where as just the previous GLC was not bad to drive but really really slow. Ford really improved the Escort too. The fact that they used Mazda manuals made them better. Should have used smoother Mazda engines too- though to be fair the Mazda engines lacked torque so they would have been worse with an automatic.
if improved you mean the 91 and later, then yes, otherwise... Mazda tried with the base 1.9 but there was only so much they could do.
Gonna search for the elusive Escort GT turbo
What the hell is "front tire scrub"I've never heard that on motor week!
The carbureted version was simply awful. They had startability and drivability issues which would leave you stranded due to vapor locking. Junkyards were well stocked with these crappers by the late 90s.
Umm that XR3 is not an 85 but and 86
This was a rather lackluster quality American small car at that time... with Japanese small cars being superior. The Escort improved in the early 1990s when it became a rebadged Mazda. My 2010 Ford Focus is very reliable ever since I purchased it new.
Too little too late, by then the Corolla and Civic were in firm control.
Too bad they rusted out basically immediately
Great example of disposable, 1 and done.
I was in high school in those years. Cars like the Escort GT, Cavalier Z24, Corolla GTS, Civic Si, and Dodge Shadow turbo looked so sporty and felt quick. Looking at these reviews made me realize how slow they were. My base engine Elantra is 145 hp and 0-60 in the 8 to 9 second range. But those 80s economy sporty coupes were fun to toss around because of the light weight and the thrill of wringing every ounce of power from the engine though the stick shift.
A friend had a Mazda GLC. If you kept the revs up it was a lot of fun. You had to treat cars like that almost like a rally racer. Just remember it doesn't have rally handling and can easily go sideways (or backwards) with little warning. But when you're 18 and indestructible in your mind, that's part of the fun.
Probably true, Corolla GTS is still desirable. Ironically so is most if not all of Toyota's vintage RWD vehicles.