Ford Escort RS Turbo Review

Overall Rating

Styling, power with tuning cababilites, still returning good MPG, exterior/interior, extra's like heated front & rear screens and heated door mirrors that some modern cars yet still don't have! overall I think its a truly great package for the money when then new and still.

Heavy steering, looked & mistaken for a XR3i too often, oil leaks, common on wheels going out of balance rear/front often.

I own a grey H reg Escort RS Turbo had it for 6 years still going well, over the years I've nearly replaced everything you can think of just to get it perfect as new its in show room condition car as I always wanted one being my dream car when I was at high school back in 1991, I bought it bog standard keeping the original looks but uprating the engine, brakes and spax dampers using std springs. Its kicking out only 185 bhp 200 torque and believe me it kills wrx subaru's and I suprisingly killed a brand new BMW M3 doing 140mph lol!!!!
Rs turbo's seem to still be around compared to other cars in its time, there was lots of great styling options back in the early 90's like nice rattlesnake and F40 body kit from germany and many more...which are long gone now but bargin power gains is what keeps them still around to this date. However If your thinking of buying one take somecone down who has experience in these cars as I wouldn't recomend a complete novice to buy these cars as now theres a lot of sheds left around now you have to know what your doing to maintain a car like this and know what to look out for like common rust, piston slap etc...as I learnt the hard way believe I can read them like a book now lol!
By owning one and sorting things out myself and save on labour as what some garages charge only to rip you off.
Don't be put off though its a great car done well even if its 10-15 years old compared to cortina's which fell apart after 5 years, but still here knowing Ford weren't very good in the 80's for reliablity in them days but Ford had styling and looks, better quality than any plastic made French cars of its time. The RS turbo if you remember it was listed as one for the UK's most stolen car in the early 90's which rocketed the insurances sky high.
New Fords don't appeal to me as they lost and lack the styling aspect but known today for great quality and reliablity, I don't think they'll ever make a car like a Escort cossie...............

Members' Comments onrscharger's Review

• mboon on 14th Mar 2006

  Good review but I dont think your telling the hole truth about the M3? I have a RS Turbo on my drive and its standard and yes its still quick, I have a mate who had one with the same brake kicking out as yours and my standard RS stayed with it. I had a cousin who has 232 bhp which is the most I think you can get from the 1.6 CVH engine. That was very very quick off the mark but wouldnt touch the M3 down the motorway. I know this as I have a M3. If anything the RS tuned would have a better chance off the lights. Down the motorways is where the M3 is in its prime. They are higher geared and pretty much cain anything in its class or below. Even evos etc wont keep up with a M3 when they get in the higher gears as I am sure many people on here will tell you. Also the M3 is more than capable of hitting the 155mph limiter which unless you have a 2.0 Cowsworth engine or a totally mad tuned 1.6 i dont think you would hit 155. I had around 130 out of my RS and this car was standard. putting it another point it hasnt had the gear ratio tuned and changed so it goes like a rocket of the lights and lacks in the top half. Basicly I am a great fan of RS Turbos and I love the cars hence why I have one on my drive but if the M3 put his foot down it would blow the RS away. The Cosworth is a diffrent story. But now they are ageing people are finding the engines are not as spritly as they where. Any ways keep the RS in good condition as its guys like you that keep them on the road for people like me to admire. Cheers mate