1997 Escort

I am looking for a car and saw a 1997 Escort that runs great, very good body, good interior, good AC 5 speed, but it has 212,000 miles.

Question: Is under $2000 a good price for it and how long can I expect it to run if properly cared for?

Thanks

Love the site.

A 97 under $2000 sounds like a good deal, but you should have someone who knows what to look for to check it out for you. Good body and interior are one thing, condition of the motor and trans are another.
Find out from the owner the last time the timing belt and the clutch were replaced. These, if done at a shop, could cost up to $500 each. You should aslo ask if the braked have ever been done.
If you do buy the car, get a written statement from him that says approximately when each repair was done... that way he is less likely to lie to you, and if he does you have something to fall back on if it turns out the work was not done. Don't by the car AS IS... buy it under the conditions in the written statement.

don't buy it. A car with 212,000 miles it's not worth it. Soon you'll have to replace something, and then something else.....

I agree, I would not buy it. You will soon have transmission problems and engine problems. Are the engine and tansmission original? If they are they you should set the money aside to replace them because I am surprised the car remains in existence with that many miles on it. That is a lot of miles for an escort.

I've had my car priced at about 4 shops to have a clutch kit installed (parts bought myself) and the timing belt changed (bought myself) and the cheapest I was quoted was about $812.....WAY TOO MUCH!!!

check out 1998 or 1999 Ford (Escort) Zx2s they are awesome for a sport compact and are quite cheap to buy if you find the right one. Low Miles too.

Never buy anything with high miles.

i bought my 97 escort lx with 92k for only 2000.