Mk3 escorts, will they ever be old skool?

[RS_Fiesta]

There's not a lot smarter than a mint S1 imo,mk1/2 escort RS cars are the best and always will be though imo

[brotherhood]

I do like the Mk3 especially a G3.

In standard form I would have an RST or an RS1600i but it would stop

there. In my opinion (which obviously counts for bugger all) Ford gave up

on character after the Mk3. The Mk4 is just crap.

[Lee R]

I do like the Mk3 especially a G3.

In standard form I would have an RST or an RS1600i but it would stop

there. In my opinion (which obviously counts for bugger all) Ford gave up

on character after the Mk3. The Mk4 is just crap.

I totally agree on the character issue although I have had a couple of S2's. I also think they got it spot on with the Escort Cosworth and to this day I think it is one of Fords finest and have owned a couple of those too, but I totally agree with RS Fiesta, the Mk1 and Mk2 are THE best escorts out of the lot by far. Lets face it, all classic cars have shed loads more character then modern cars. As much as I do love the Mk3 I would like to own a 1 or 2 one day but the longer I leave it the harder they are to get £££££££££££££££

[RUDDY]

Think the 16i's are closer to the MK1/2's , had a bit of motorsport heritage, limited numbers etc. Never liked the S1 Turbos, dont know why they just never appealed to me at all. Sat in an Escort Cos a few weeks ago, just felt like an old 90's nacker, not old in a classic car sense just old, sorry cos owners.

Have had 4 16i's and would have another but would have to be a mint low mileage late one, I think they look rough quick and theres nothing worse to see than saggy grey trim on the seats and big exhausts sticking out the back.

This was my favourite, I bought it at 5 years old with 40k on the clock.

[Lee R]

Think the 16i's are closer to the MK1/2's , had a bit of motorsport heritage, limited numbers etc. Never liked the S1 Turbos, dont know why they just never appealed to me at all. Sat in an Escort Cos a few weeks ago, just felt like an old 90's nacker, not old in a classic car sense just old, sorry cos owners.

Have had 4 16i's and would have another but would have to be a mint low mileage late one, I think they look rough quick and theres nothing worse to see than saggy grey trim on the seats and big exhausts sticking out the back.

This was my favourite, I bought it at 5 years old with 40k on the clock.

Paul you have had some nice ones mate I know, especially the red one you concours restored I forget the reg its early lol! I know Tony owned it at some point. Mine has a big bloody exhaust I hate it and intend going quicksilver if I keep it standard.

[sharks]

I like the mk3 always have done.

I have a series one turbo and have been looking for the right RS1600i in white to come up for the last year or so.

If they never made the mk3 then maybe Ford would never of moved on to Escort Cosworth which is another great car

[Troll]

Lee,

Not sure the MK3 will ever be classed as "old skool", maybe "mid skool" lol

I do like the RS1600i, I have owned 2 now plus a S1 RST which was manic with 230 BHP at the front wheels, totally unusable but good fun.

But for me and probably like at lot of guy's on this site who are of acertain age we were bought up on RWD MK1 & MK2 as our first cars, so its in our blood..

M@rk

[Lee R]

Lee,

Not sure the MK3 will ever be classed as "old skool", maybe "mid skool" lol

I do like the RS1600i, I have owned 2 now plus a S1 RST which was manic with 230 BHP at the front wheels, totally unusable but good fun.

But for me and probably like at lot of guy's on this site who are of acertain age we were bought up on RWD MK1 & MK2 as our first cars, so its in our blood..

M@rk

Mark, I think a lot of it is to do with what you were brought up with, I was brought up with mk3s! Nostalgia plays a big part I guess. Ive wanted a 1 or 2 for years but always thought they were before my time so to speak and worried that I may not gell with one but after years of wanting one the craving is still there so I guess one day I will have to at some point. I think it will have to sit alongside the Mk3 though There was a nice green mk2 2k for sale on here about a year ago(Rallye News cover car at one point) and I was going to view it but like an idiot I chose to buy a Saff cos instead

Im glad to read that some people do like and own them on here, I though I would get a barage of abuse lol!

[vinny]

now i.m sober i will reply again

love the 16i/s1 for me its a hard decision between mk1 or 16i and i think to many people dismiss then because they dont drive from the rear without giving them a chance.
i know its a personel choice and the crack from the rwd boys is great and maybe thats what keeps some people coming back to old school

[Lee R]

You come back as the Mk3 is too modern for a chap of your vintage, Vinny! Is that what Vinny is short for, Vintage?

[KelvinS1965]

Mark, I think a lot of it is to do with what you were brought up with, I was brought up with mk3s! Nostalgia plays a big part I guess.

I think that's 'nail on head' there. I was brought up with a Mk2 RS2000 in the family (now mine) and my first car was a Mk2 as well, but I moved onto a succession of Mk3s. I had an XR3i look a like and eventually managed to buy a light damaged real XR3i and repaired it. I always fancied an RS1600i or original RSTurbo (back then the colour coded trim was something special, which is hard to explain these days I suppose as it's so 'everyday' now). I guess this means I can understand the nostalgia view point for both models, though I doubt the Mk3 would be accepted on here as old skool, I imagine that it would be viewed as such by more modern car owners.

As someone elsesaid though, this forum is as much about the people as there are TR7, Dolomite and various other non Ford (let alone whether considered 'old skool') cars on here which I think is part of the attraction.

[steven f]

wrong forum to ask this q son, to many blinked people on here, fwd blah blah blah, skater shite blah blah blah.
16i is a lovely looking car.

always been worriede about having another mk3 and not fitting in with the rwd boys but can honestly say the crack from this site is from the people etc and not the cars

i love em and still the 1st car (16i) that i really wanted after i first saw one.

jimmer - always taking out of his arse - mr ****in opinated, have we ever seen any of your cars

yes i 've had a few drink, if you dont like it then tuff tities fellas

now i.m sober i will reply again

love the 16i/s1 for me its a hard decision between mk1 or 16i and i think to many people dismiss then because they dont drive from the rear without giving them a chance.
i know its a personel choice and the crack from the rwd boys is great and maybe thats what keeps some people coming back to old school

good luck but please buy one thats done as you have had to many unfinished projects on here for sale with one day special offers on the short time i have been on this site

[RUDDY]

Paul you have had some nice ones mate I know, especially the red one you concours restored I forget the reg its early lol! I know Tony owned it at some point.

A54BRM, owned it twice, restored it the second time I bought it.

[rwdrs]

What's the point? Surely the MkI & II were virtually the same car. These were "old fashioned" style front engined, rear wheel drive cars of the period.

These were a dying breed of low tech cars, with ultra simple cart spring suspension (not even the axle location of a Cortina or Chevette). The MkIII was Ford's attempt to catch up with the rest of the motor manufacturers and build a car that included (innovative?) features like electronic ignition and 5-speed gearboxes etc for the masses.

I always felt the MkIII to be a bit soul-less, the 16i and RST aside. It was never going to be the same as a MkI or MkII though. I grew up being driven around in cars like MkI Escorts, Lotus Elans or Cortinas, I thought these were great fun, these cars also made better noises than the Henries that came afterwards.

Add to that, that the FWD era was when all the Cosworth and bling-brigade came on to the scene, that's really when "RS" just became a sales gimmick in my eyes, especially the use of names like Harrier and Mexico in the late 90's and even to some extent the resurrection of the RS2000 (i.e. the MkV).

I agree with Ruddy, the Escort Cosworth just feels like an early 90's car, mind you loads better than the standard MkV (possibly the worst European Ford ever built).

There are plenty of forums and groups for these cars (I suppose the cars are the lifeblood of the RSOC these days) but will these cars ever be considered "old skool" whatever that's supposed to be? I doubt it.

[mk1gaz]

Yes they're classic cars now and oldskool . I'm not a big fan of MK3 Escorts , they are ok i supose but i don't like driving them as they are hatefull things with horrible engines etc .
As said by others though , different generations like different cars so others will love them (unlucky) .