# If you're hankering for one of the "wonderful" cars of the '90s **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** ford\ **Created:** [July 15, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363 "2024-07-15T18:18:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/1 "2024-07-15T18:18:43Z")
… make an offer! > **[This Impeccably Clean Ford Escort Wagon Parked After Just 358 Miles Is Now Up...](https://jalopnik.com/this-impeccably-clean-ford-escort-wagon-parked-after-ju-1851592904)** > > Yesterday's simple, economic family car is today's rare collectors item ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/2 "2024-07-15T18:55:07Z")
I had a '91 hatchback. It was awesome. Great on gas. Easy to work on. Readily available and inexpensive parts. But it rarely needed any work. The only trick with those was the Ford SPI valve seat insert problem, though that didn’t get mine. I never got the full story, but my niece ended up with it and the manual trans locked up or something like that. It eventually did go to scrap. It had something like 250K on it. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/3 "2024-07-15T19:00:37Z")
No airbags, no structure, no ABS, no power, No Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/4 "2024-07-15T19:11:02Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > No airbags, no structure, no ABS, no power, No Thanks! ![LaughingEmojiGIF](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/b/3b29a778c7703eaae6772ce33216b1f36d8f8155.gif) ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/5 "2024-07-15T19:21:12Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > No airbags, no structure, no ABS, no power, No Thanks! But, it doesn’t have power windows, A/C, or key fobs, all of which are the bane of mankind… according to _some_ people. Aren’t those omissions a huge advantage? 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/6 "2024-07-15T19:23:03Z")
No power windows? Again, no thanks! 😆 ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/7 "2024-07-15T19:24:54Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > But, it doesn’t have power windows, A/C, or key fobs, all of which are the bane of mankind… according to _some_ people. Aren’t those omissions a huge advantage? I always thought just being an Escort was enough of a bane! But what do I know? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/8 "2024-07-15T19:28:26Z")
The GT hatchback version that year was pretty good, DOHC/16 valve, lots of Mazda influence. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/9 "2024-07-15T20:14:31Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > Great on gas For its time, yes, but if you check the EPA’s rating for that car’s fuel economy, it includes the following verbiage: **You SPEND $1,000** **more in fuel costs over 5 years compared to the average new vehicle**. And, it should go without saying that the modern cars that easily beat it in fuel economy would also leave the Escort in the dust if they decided to do a drag race. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/10 "2024-07-15T20:34:15Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > **You SPEND $1,000** **more in fuel costs over 5 years compared to the average new vehicle**. Fuel cost is $200 more per year compared to the average new vehicle. The average new vehicle in 2024 costs $48,000. People take pity on me because I drive old economy cars, what they don’t know… ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/11 "2024-07-15T20:38:30Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > The average new vehicle in 2024 costs $48,000. But there are some really nice new vehicles for a lot less than that . ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/12 "2024-07-15T20:49:19Z")
It was a 5 speed and I got upper thirties to 40 out of it. Leaving aside hybrids, that compares favorably with today’s ICEs. (And it DID have A/C, though I never spent any time trying to figure it’s effect on MPGs). > [@Nevada\_545](#): > > The average new vehicle in 2024 costs $48,000. And I paid about $10K for it as a demo with about 10K on the clock. I did fine even by today’s standards. _Edit that:_ I remembered it as a “$10K” car - but that was new off the floor. I think I got it for like $6.5-7K. IDK. It was over 30 years ago. I was on my way to grad school and needed a cheap econobox. It served it’s purpose well. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/13 "2024-07-15T21:01:16Z")
I think Ford’s adverts from the early 90’s went something like : Ford’s new technology means their cars will accommodate the driver. Ford believes the driver shouldn’t have to make accommodations for the car. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/14 "2024-07-15T22:24:33Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > No airbags, no structure, no ABS, no power, No Thanks! No structure? What are you referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/15 "2024-07-15T22:33:13Z")
Cars from the 90s don’t have much structural rigidity. Like an aluminim beer can compared to a steel soup can. I’d rather drive a 2020 Corolla than that 90s Escort. I’d survive an accident in far better shape. The structure makes it ride better, too. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/16 "2024-07-16T02:25:30Z")
We looked at these when they first came out but ended up with a 90 Mazda Protoge which shares the same platform. Could have had the same engine as the 91+ Escort GT but could only swiing the base SE trim with a 1.8 Sohc. Had about double the power of our previous Diesel Rabbit but could still get up to 40mpg on long freeway trips. That car was a lot of fun to drive even on 13in wheels and only brakes and robo belts for safety features. Back when you had to pay extra for a radio or go dealer installed on compact cars. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 2:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/17 "2024-07-16T02:48:06Z")
Well, you’ve given me something to drool over. Unfortunately, this is more of a museum piece than a vehicle for transportation, and it’s priced accordingly. For _at least_ $12k, _plus_ Bring a Trailer’s commission, _plus_ the cost to actually ship this thing home, _plus_ the cost of new tires, etc, we’re talking almost $20k. As much as I’d like a classic Ford Escort, especially one that’s in excellent condition, this is just too far out of my wallet’s range. Not only that, but once you start using this for its intended purpose, it _rapidly_ depreciates to under $3k. Therefore, a well-used, but still-running example of this car, which could be had for $3k or less is by far the better value. It would come with serviceable tires, the belts and hoses would have presumably been changed, and it won’t depreciate like a rock when you drive it. Even if the well-used one ends up needing expensive repairs, such as a costly transmission rebuild, you’re still way ahead to fix it, rather than buy this museum piece. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 11:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/18 "2024-07-16T11:48:14Z")
Jalopnik, compared to Curbside Classic, etc, seems geared toward readers want to “flip through the pictures”. It’s laden down with pop-op ads, some embedded videos, and the “search” function yields irrelevant results. Basically, an automotive website for the m’asses… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/19 "2024-07-16T15:53:51Z")
Yes, Jalopnik has a woefully inadequate coverage of tire pressure issues. Even so, I check it daily, good site for automotive news. No worse ‘yield’ of worthwhile info than most sites. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363/20 "2024-07-16T15:55:10Z")
> [@texases](#): > > Jalopnik has a woefully inadequate coverage of tire pressure issues. 😆 You beat me to it! [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/if-youre-hankering-for-one-of-the-wonderful-cars-of-the-90s/195363.md?page=2)