I'm still rocking a 1997 Wagon. Independent rear suspension was/is unheard of in cars of this class, so it rides really nice for a small car, and the wagon can hold a lot of crap with the seats down. I use it mostly as a parts fetcher and cardboard to the recycler hauler.
Got a 98 wagon myself, 230k on the clock and still gets about 40mpg on the highway. I’ve had 5 or so Escorts over the years but the wagons are the best.
My family used to have a 99 Escort LX sedan. My dad bought it in 2000 with a rebuilt salvage title, it had been totaled in a front end collision previously (I believe to the right front corner specifically) but airbags did not deploy. It was believed to be a rental car originally. Overall, very few problems mechanically, but it had the typical characteristics of a cheap car interior falling apart, and things that quit working included the original horn (which we replaced), the cassette player, trunk release button and the trunk light (which evidently burned out but it seems the wires also got cut somehow, as replacing the bulb didn’t work and there were cut wires in the trunk). The car was my dad’s daily driver for years, and then I drove it to high school throughout junior year and first half of senior year until we decided it was time to sell it after my grandparents handed over a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero.
I have one and I'm in highschool, 97 tracer 5 speed, my dad had it laying around and it had the notorious dropped valve seat so I rebuilt the engine and it runs
I thought that was strange too, I can't see any financial savings for Ford at all - I can see how Dodge probably saved a couple bucks per car giving the Neon optional power windows for only the front doors, but not this lol.
From the review it sounds like this generation was an improvement over its predecessor which was already a good car. However, I always thought this generation looked downright cheap from an aesthetic standpoint both in and out. Not sure if it's just me or if others feel the same way.
For some this generation of the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer looked cheap in terms of aesthetics; but for me it looks fresh and modern and more in line with the bold, boundary pushing curvaceous exterior styling on vehicles during this time period. With regards to exterior styling of vehicles during this time period; it was a welcome breath of fresh air from the dull and drab boxy exterior styling of the 1980s and early to mid 1990s.
Had a 1995 Escort Station Wagon. Without a doubt, it was the ABSOLUTE WORST car I have ever owned. Between 17K to 20K, I replaced, the automatic trans, replaced the front struts (had to buy 2 new front tires out of my own pocket), paint started to peel, pwr door locks would lock/unlock without me touching the lock. Got rid of it at 20K miles (owned it for only 18 months) and bought a Honda (Civic), which I kept for 10 years (175K) and now I'm on my second Honda (2007 Fit) with 252K and the only item I replaced was the clutch cable (216K). So, thanks Ford for introducing me to Honda!😊
@Jonathan-mp7xg Facts - Although Ford stopped retail sales of the Escort sedan after the 1999 model year - All new 2000-2002 models were sold as commercial fleet/rental cars.
When I first moved to the US from Canada for a new job I was shopping for a sedan. I test drove the LX Escort but found it very noisy and unrefined compared the the LX Civic I cross shopped so bought the Civic instead.
The base Ford Escort cost quite a bit less than the Civic DX around this time, over a grand difference I believe, and dealers typically made deals even sweeter, so I'm not surprised there were some compromises in refinement.
In an alternate universe Ford developed a modern EV version of this with no frills but 250 miles of range for $20k-25k and they flew off the lots. If only Ford didn't throw in the towel on good, affordable cars. I've had 5 of this generation (and a 92) over the years and wish I could find another but sadly I wouldn't stand a chance in the way of a pickup these days with respect to safety.
I had a 1997 Ford Escort LX and I loved it. One of the most economical cars I had
Ford EXscort and Mercury Tracer waqons is my favorites and solid cars. Economy this cars
Ford was firing on all cylinders in this era.
I'm still rocking a 1997 Wagon. Independent rear suspension was/is unheard of in cars of this class, so it rides really nice for a small car, and the wagon can hold a lot of crap with the seats down.
I use it mostly as a parts fetcher and cardboard to the recycler hauler.
I love Ford Escort and Mercury Trazer wagon
I still have my 99 sedan as a daily and love it I just hit 203 k been one of my most reliable cars
Got a 98 wagon myself, 230k on the clock and still gets about 40mpg on the highway. I’ve had 5 or so Escorts over the years but the wagons are the best.
My family used to have a 99 Escort LX sedan. My dad bought it in 2000 with a rebuilt salvage title, it had been totaled in a front end collision previously (I believe to the right front corner specifically) but airbags did not deploy. It was believed to be a rental car originally. Overall, very few problems mechanically, but it had the typical characteristics of a cheap car interior falling apart, and things that quit working included the original horn (which we replaced), the cassette player, trunk release button and the trunk light (which evidently burned out but it seems the wires also got cut somehow, as replacing the bulb didn’t work and there were cut wires in the trunk). The car was my dad’s daily driver for years, and then I drove it to high school throughout junior year and first half of senior year until we decided it was time to sell it after my grandparents handed over a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero.
Solid cars my friend had one as her first car in high school back in 2013 still ran good and was a comfy car.
I love this Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer, wagon is my favorite
I have one and I'm in highschool, 97 tracer 5 speed, my dad had it laying around and it had the notorious dropped valve seat so I rebuilt the engine and it runs
I remember in april of ‘99 my mother brought a new ford escort se . Loved that car
I don't think I ever saw a this gen Tracer wagon in the wild.
Someone I know has one for sale 😂
5 years ago i seen these cars everywhere. now i hardly see them.
Always liked these, no clue why. I’d much rather have the sedan over the wagon though.
A keyless system that doesn’t unlock the back doors. How many more cents would it cost to integrate that?
I thought that was strange too, I can't see any financial savings for Ford at all - I can see how Dodge probably saved a couple bucks per car giving the Neon optional power windows for only the front doors, but not this lol.
own two , a 98 lx with 386,000 miles and a SE sport with 17o,000 paid under 1200 for both. today looking at 5000 for another,
I’m always on the lookout for another one myself
From the review it sounds like this generation was an improvement over its predecessor which was already a good car.
However, I always thought this generation looked downright cheap from an aesthetic standpoint both in and out. Not sure if it's just me or if others feel the same way.
For some this generation of the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer looked cheap in terms of aesthetics; but for me it looks fresh and modern and more in line with the bold, boundary pushing curvaceous exterior styling on vehicles during this time period. With regards to exterior styling of vehicles during this time period; it was a welcome breath of fresh air from the dull and drab boxy exterior styling of the 1980s and early to mid 1990s.
Had a 1995 Escort Station Wagon.
Without a doubt, it was the ABSOLUTE WORST car I have ever owned.
Between 17K to 20K, I replaced, the automatic trans, replaced the front struts (had to buy 2 new front tires out of my own pocket), paint started to peel, pwr door locks would lock/unlock without me touching the lock.
Got rid of it at 20K miles (owned it for only 18 months) and bought a Honda (Civic), which I kept for 10 years (175K) and now I'm on my second Honda (2007 Fit) with 252K and the only item I replaced was the clutch cable (216K).
So, thanks Ford for introducing me to Honda!😊
I keep my old 1997 Mercury Tracer as a backup car, but I don't drive it much because I'm convinced that airbags have an expiration date. 😆
Kinda strange that they redesigned this for 97 then immediately replaced it with the focus in 2000
@Jonathan-mp7xg only the 2 door
@Jonathan-mp7xg Facts - Although Ford stopped retail sales of the Escort sedan after the 1999 model year - All new 2000-2002 models were sold as commercial fleet/rental cars.
CVH - Constant Vibration and Harshness. 😃
When I first moved to the US from Canada for a new job I was shopping for a sedan. I test drove the LX Escort but found it very noisy and unrefined compared the the LX Civic I cross shopped so bought the Civic instead.
The base Ford Escort cost quite a bit less than the Civic DX around this time, over a grand difference I believe, and dealers typically made deals even sweeter, so I'm not surprised there were some compromises in refinement.
The Civic was probably $3-$5k more expensive, no dealer would have let you walk out with a new Honda Civic for anywhere near $12k. @@Stressless2023
In an alternate universe Ford developed a modern EV version of this with no frills but 250 miles of range for $20k-25k and they flew off the lots. If only Ford didn't throw in the towel on good, affordable cars. I've had 5 of this generation (and a 92) over the years and wish I could find another but sadly I wouldn't stand a chance in the way of a pickup these days with respect to safety.