It's not just a matter of driving them either, because if you drove a standard Escort and compared it to a Stage III Sierra, you would be extremely disappointed with the performance (even though the Escort naturally drives like a much more modern car and feels a bit more special inside).

You need to realise that they will each have their own attributes, but a good Escort will run rings around a doggy 3dr and a good 3dr will run rings around a doggy Escort .

A 3dr feels more twitchy on the front end due to it's geometry set up, where an Escort feels glued to the road and more planted due to the fact that it is one of the first ever cars to have downforce at speed (rather than lift). However, the aero package has a downside in that the acceleration slows dramatically above 100mph compared to a Sapphire and the 4x4 transmission means that you need around 40bhp more for it to feel as fast as a 2wd to compensate for these losses.

So it's basically swings and roundabouts, and you just need to chose the car that appeals to you. However, if you're going to use the car all year round, then the 4wd comes into it's own, and it's only when you drive a car that hasn't got this in slippery conditions that you realise how much it helps.

I personally think a 3dr looks unfinished and that it needs the RS500 additions for it to look good enough for me to hanker after one, where the Escort looks just right IMO. Unfortunately RS500s are even more stupidly priced than good Escorts LOL.