77 Ford Escort

Page 1 / 4
b_unit101, Oct 19, 9:23am
Spot the person who knows not a lot about cars lol
So Ive been thinking lately that Id like to get myself an old car, to keep, take out on weekends here and there, slowly tidy it up, etc etc.
It would have to be a Ford, and under 3 or 4g, and auto.
I wouldnt consider anything withouta current wof. Not a rust bucket.
So I had a quick browse on here and an escort jumped out at me.
Would I lose money keeping a tidy escort for years! With my budget I cant afford an old falcon or mustang that would obviously gain money, but how about old escorts and cortinas!
Please dont flame my ignorance lol I am a girl and all the car stuff is a bit foreign to me, I just know what I like and I think I would get some enjoyment out of an old car of my own.

tuttyclan, Oct 19, 9:53am
Sounds like a good idea,unlike newer cars they dont depreciate they can only appreciate depending on the market at the time.Just make sure you get a sound one with virtually no rust.
Just remember that there will be on going costs like any other car and really at the end of the day there is no gaurantee of profit but lots of fun in driving and maintaining.I should know,I own a 1960 Vauxhall Victor and a 1965 Vauxhall Viva HA.
If you can get a car around the 1971 and older vintage you will save on registration costs that are $111.00 instead of $287.00 for a year.
Next year 1972 cars will be cheaper too.
If the car is 30 years and over it will qualify for cheaper classic type insurance.Mine costs around $100 per car a year for full cover.
Goodluck in finding your classic car, they have great character and fun to drive.

tigertim20, Oct 19, 9:54am
at 3 or 4 grand, forget about losing money, it sounds like you want a car to tinker with, and enjoy driving.
Get a mechanical inspection done to make sure theres nothing major about to go wrong with it, then go ahead and buy it if its whats jumping out at you, and just enjoy the thing.
Only a moron buys ANY car with the expectation of sustaining or increasing its value. only a handful of cars gain in value - and its a bet that can swing the other way if those vehicles go out of favour anyway.

b_unit101, Oct 19, 10:17am
Thankyou for your replies :)
I didnt realise classic cars had cheaper insurance, thats a bonus.
Yes Tigertim I am after something I can enjoy, and keep for a long time not worrying that its getting older and time to upgrade, like I would with my daily runner (a 2001 mondeo which I love)
Tuttyclan, my mums first car was a Vauxhall Viva :)
Im definately wouldnt buy it to make a profit, I thought it could be my little asset that I get some fun out of, knowing its more special with each year and not something that every every 2nd person around town has (i guess thats the appeal with anything old, classic and vintage)

b_unit101, Oct 19, 10:21am
I think Ill talk to my dad tomorrow and see what he thinks, (even if i dont get the car that jumped out at me, it could be something that I work towards and keep an eye out for the perfect one. I definately am in love with the 77 shape of escort :) )

unclejake, Oct 19, 10:27am
LOL. This is a sensational question and one few think about. The answer is almost definitely no.

Have fun, and don't just buy the shiniest one :-)

b_unit101, Oct 19, 10:32am
Hehe but this ones a shiny red one :P Im distracted by shiny things! lol.

franc123, Oct 19, 10:39am
I am a big fan of the older UK and Aussie Fords too and am used to them, but in your case I strongly suggest that before getting too "in love with the shape" you go and drive one and ask if you could live with one on a daily basis.If you are used to a 2001 Mondeo (or indeed modern cars in general)you are going to find an auto Mk2 Escort a rude shock by comparison to drive, especially if you plan on doing much highway driving. they are very basic, noisy, slow, uncomfortable, not particularly fuel economic, don't get along too well with unleaded fuel, don't have aircon or power steering/windows or central locking etc, have next to no safety features and it will require more ongoing attention to keep it running smoothly.They are and were good cars for their time but times and standards change.Theres also still I think the security aspect to consider if you end up with a mint one.A Mk5 Cortina could perhaps be a good option, these are still a basic car and a little better in the comfort department and clearly more powerful and better on the open road.You might of course feel like having a more basic car in your life but be prepared!

b_unit101, Oct 19, 10:52am
Thanks for your advice Franc, Im keen to hear the pros and cons. I would definately do a test drive first, as you are right, I have never personally driven an old car (older than 1990 anyway! lol) this is why I would only get an auto, as I am not overly comfy driving a manual at the best of times.
At the moment I dont often need to go out of town, so the car wouldnt be a regular open road driver. Id also still have my mondeo which I would use for longer trips. Definately gives me another angle to consider, so thankyou for that.
My last car was a 92 diesel corona, which was slow so would be interesting to see the speed comparison between that and an escort.

fryan1962, Oct 19, 10:57am
escort have spot welded guard like capris.falcons are bolt on much easier for repairs

franc123, Oct 19, 10:57am
Oh OK you might not find it so bad then!If its supplementary to your current car then what I said above isn't quite so important.I wish you luck in finding one should you decide to go ahead with it.

b_unit101, Oct 19, 11:21am
Thanks, A few moons ago an ex partner had a 1975 Corona or corolla wagon (i just cant remember) and that was his main car for a while, so I do remember the 'rattling around in a big old car' feeling as we were driving anywhere lol. I dont look back on it with hate or anything so It cant have been too bad lol.
Haha Fryan, I would LOVE an old Falcon, but alas, my funds dont allow for it :( My Uncle has an awesome old GT, quite a tidy one red with the black stripes, worth a mint now, its such a big tough looking car, and sounds awesome. Gotta look for something in my reach is all :)

bitsy_boffin, Oct 19, 1:45pm
Really, you want to get a modern-classic car, but limit yourself to automatics, that's like saying, you want to go to a fancy restaurant, but only buy a hamburger!

I could understand if it was due to some disability, but you say it's just because you are not "comfy" driving a manual.Well get comfy I say and open yourself to a world of classic motoring!

As for the modern-classic idea itself, go for it.Escorts and Capris are hot and fairly plentiful, but don't forget about modern Japanese classics,soft top series 5 RX7's appear occasionally they'd be interesting and they are not turbos so unlikely to have been munted by some hoodlum with a penchant for burning tyres.

tuttyclan, Oct 19, 6:08pm
I would consider a manual, as a automatic classic car might be a bit too slow and use more fuel over a manual.Specially in 1300 or 1600 form.Autos have come a long way since then.Manuals are more fun specially with small engines and cheaper to fix if they break.Resale would be better with a manual too.Comes down to personal choice though.

lovemore_mbigi, Oct 19, 6:24pm
Escort = excellent car.Has no notable faults other than a tendency to rust in the C pillars under the vents.Rock solid mechanicals.Good economy - fuel and operating.Looked after,you will get your money back on resale provided you don't "customise" it.

Ford autoboxes were good on the 1600cc - but targeted nannas and low-on-the-foodchain sales reps.

Just remember that you won't get all the modcons associated with a late model cars: air con, electric etc.

franko171, Oct 19, 6:33pm
escort sport or giha or hillman avenger

sifty, Oct 19, 7:16pm
You sound like a cool chick, good luck.

(and I second the manual suggestion, you will have far more choice, it will be more reliable/fuel efficient/have better resale, and you will learn to love going through the gears).

morrisjvan, Oct 19, 7:32pm
an old escort will be a good option ,get a 2 door and keep it under cover ,don't keep it out side,'tis the kiss of death.

scoobeey, Oct 19, 8:26pm
Hillman avenger HELL NO lol

the_don_61, Oct 19, 8:54pm
They cost more now than they did 10 years ago.

b_unit101, Oct 19, 9:01pm
I did think about broadening the criteria to a manual, but ive never owned one before, so therefore am not very good at it! Lol. So my thinking was yes I realise manuals are more sought after, but Id rather have something I can enjoy straight away, not be having to reteach myself in an older harder to drive car lol.
Im quite fussy so would definately be on the look out for rust, Id much rather a straight tidy example in the first place, than buying a real cheap one and having to do a lot of work iykwim.
I think im quite decided on an escort now, Itll be much easier keeping an eye out for a good one when I know what Im looking for!
when I was looking for my current car I didnt know exactly what I wanted, and there was so much choice about! Very pleased with my mondeo, paid cash for her and got a bargain, such a great car for me for the $.

b_unit101, Oct 19, 9:03pm
Hehe well thats a good start!
As I said its not something Im looking at to make money off.
Just something to hold roughly its value while I have fun with it, be more of an asset than an old pile of junk sitting in the garage if you know what I mean :)

b_unit101, Oct 19, 9:05pm
hehe i got that on my watchlist! :) I like it, Id probably get it painted red if I had it (red Fords are a family thing :) bet you can guess the colour of my Mondeo lol)
Il post a link of another one I like on here, that I like better but its not an MK!
Whats the difference between a plain one and an MK!

the_don_61, Oct 19, 9:06pm
that 6K one RED.wouldnt touch it with a barge pole.

the_don_61, Oct 19, 9:08pm
thats a mk2 model. they all are.if you want to spend 6K that white van is a go.Vans have escort sport bits in them and they handle good.