found a local garage which had just had a R reg red escort GTI in. Went to look at it he wanted £1200 for it, got him down to £1100. It has 25000 (must be 125000) on clock, mot til october. Body work is mint, totally standard everything, 2 owners from new. I can see welding been done on underneath sill area, engine no signs of leaks. When i rev it the revs drop down low then come back up to idle, is that idle control valve needs cleaning? Theres a little ticking/ratteling noise now and again which he said is the cat, does that sound common? He said because its a R reg they aint needed for mot's, is that correct? Its local so no traveling needed to buy one now, which i was going to have to do to get one. What you guys think?

Right well being an R reg, 1998 car it WILL need a CAT. Only cars prior to 1992 dont.

I would say 125,000 if its been welded.

Yea i would imagine the ICV may need cleaning

CAT's are a common thing on these but just keep an eye on it.

Common probs on these are

ICV

CAT

Rusty Arches

Indicator/Wiper Stalks

Rusty Chassis Legs

Lots of info over on www.fordescortclub.co.uk too

yeh it has had welding on the rear chassis legs from what i can see. I was very impressead with how good the arches are, and the rest of the body work, and also sitting in them front seats, they hold you very tight...one thing i noticed is no remote central locking? 2 key, 1 red and 1 black..always worry a bit when buying a car of this age..wil get timing belt done and a full service as soon as i get it...any idea on what a cat costs for these?

Around the £50 mark i think.

Postage is high on them because of the weight. I have one on a scrap Ghia X i have. Thing is they are worth £30 scrap value, so if you can find one cheaper grab it. EBay is probably a good bet

Around the £50 mark i think.

Postage is high on them because of the weight. I have one on a scrap Ghia X i have. Thing is they are worth £30 scrap value, so if you can find one cheaper grab it. EBay is probably a good bet

once they been welded they always need welded unless you get some dinitrol or waxoyl underseal on the underside and yeah youll need the cat if it is the cat thats rattling and not just a baffle in the pipe thats loose

i cant remember if it had the heated front screen. Do they all come with the heated front screen as standard?