[denisond3]

I have two Escorts; one has the automatic transmission, the other is a 5-speed tranny. Both of them have had an issue with the key not coming out easily. But... I plan to keep both cars for many years. I like to put a drop of 3-in-1 oil onto the key, and put it into the ignition lock. Ten minutes later I do it again. If you do this a couple of times a year, the key may work more easily.
On our Escort having the automatic transmission, there in an interlock to keep the transmission from being taken out of Park if the key is not in the ignition and turned to 'on'. This same interlock will keep the key from being turned back far enough to come out - if the transmission is not in Park. There is a shift-lock cable that does this. It may have gotten sticky or need adjustment. The bottom end of the "shift-lock cable" is under the console around the shifter lever. The top end goes to the ignition switch. Ours had gotten doused a couple of time with spilled soft drinks, and finally the muck had to be cleaned out....because it was getting harder to get the ignition key turned all the way back to where it would come out.
On our 5-speed Escort its different. The last thing I (must) do before the key will turn that last bit and be free to come out, is to push the key 'in' slightly & turn it a few more degrees. Its meant to be this way, so you wont pull the key out without thinking about it. Having the key out means the steering wheel will lock - and they really really want you to have the car Stopped before you do that.
I would advise keeping the old car - until it gets rusty underneath. On one of our Escorts I myself replaced the brake lines to the rear of the car, due to severe rust; one of the lines had begun to leak. For most owners this would have been when the car when to the scrapyard, as the repairs were labor intensive. It took me a week to do the replacment, and $20 worth of parts. (The new brake lines.)
My Escorts may 'nickel and dime' me a lot - but I dont have car payments, only carry liability insurance, and I dont worry about it being stolen. On the open road we get 37 mpg on the Escort with the automatic transmission, and 38.5 mpg on the Escort with the manual transmission.
I also like the fact that getting a replacement copy of the ignition key for my Escort costs $2 at any hardware store. With later model cars (2000 & later?), if you lose the original key, you need to get a replacement key with the 'chip' in it and have the auto dealer program your car's computer to recognize it. On some cars, the replacement key will cost you almost $1000. On a 99 Avalon I know the price for a key is $150.