to escort or not to escort

[55BS]

My '94 escort wagon is dying. It lasted me 9 years with very few problems but, everything is going at once and it's just not worth putting the money into it. So, now I need to decide what to buy...a newer escort with lower miles or a toyota camry wagon. Any suggestions or experience are welcome. My biggest question about the newer escort wagons is, are the 2.0L engine as good as the 1.9L? Is there a loss of gas milage? And also, what are the major failings of the '97-'99's. I've heard of bad valves and transmissions. I know little about the camry other than a toyota will last a long time. Thanks.

[55BS]

Oops. I meant to say toyota corolla wagon not camry.

[mightymoose_22]

Get a Goat... that's what I did

[chrisanthony]

I think you should go with the corolla, longer lasting/less problems then a ford no offence haha.

[Arnoldtheskier]

I did what you are doing. (93) BUT! I KNEW!! I would get another Escort when I had the old one.
The 91-6 and 97 on are barely related.
97 on have so much more power..per se..125vs88..it is unbelievable. Most noticeable when hwy cruising.
97 on are WAAY better riding..(sw) anyway. My 97 weighs 400lbs more than my 93(0ver weigh scales)
97 on are WAAY better in snow..I think the weight must be more over the front.
The a/c,heat/defrost of 97 on puts the early ones in the dark ages. Although the fan runs almost all the time.
My 93 had 13" wheels. The larger wheels..14" plus brakes and wider profile tires of the 97 make a LOT! of difference in ride,handling and braking.

The 97 on seem to go a lot further..based on the mileage of components in bone yards.

Many say the 97 on are better on gas. Sometimes my 97 is better sometimes not quite as good. Too close to call. Very,very close..even when I drove my 93 at the speed limit and my 97 at 15 over. About the same mileage. LOl I never tried the 97 at the speed limit.

Are the Toyota's better? Probablly. You won't feel that way WHEN you do have to fix it though. All cars need to be fixed. My family and a few friends LOVE! their Toyota's!. THEN they have to service or fix them and then they sing a completely different story. Some Toyota parts are scarce..even at bone yards..and PRICEY!. Escort parts are cheap and everywhere. The Escort wagon easily,easily beats the Corolla wagon in fuel efficiency by quite a bit. Especially in cold weather. I know 2 people that have them (Toyota's)

91-6 Escorts are great cars..were..no question about that.
97 and on are better.

Weakness..YA THE REAR SPRINGS!..common problem.
My 93's broke..replaced with oem broke again..replaced with aftermarket..fine.
My 97's broke..dealer warranty replaced..broke again..replaced with oem..fine.