I have had a 3dr for 5 years .lots of fun but after these years my dream was to buy a white escort cosworth.so i changed my black 3dr for a white escort light edition. i had the escort for 4 years with lots of traction but lots of proplems in transmission(shafts,diffs,gearbox,etc).my conclusion is that for fun the 3dr is more reliable(both cars 350hp)and you dont have in mind what the hell will brake now after a few launches...i didnt want to spend more money so i sell the escort and now i have two of them (3drs).a red colored and a white street legal.i couldnt live with the fear of braking something.also the lost of grip is something magic on a 3dr.you feel that you ride a wild horse .
think about the budget you have to spent on an escort to make it reliable....because you would love your escort to be near 450 hp .and here the problems begin.both cars are cossies engined but with totally driving feeling.for me the fast street use of a 3dr is the best ever......but listen your heart and not me .