Fords are reliable cars.
In 20 years if driving them i only once had a breakdown.
(Busted fuelpump on my then 15 years old Granada)

Compare that to 2 years driving in a Golf mk2...
(That broke down a lot....)

Since the Golf debacle,never had a problem .
So that's when i needed another car it was not the brand,but the model to choose from.
Since i wanted a turbocharged one,the choice was between a Focus or a Fiesta.

Never regretted choosing the Fiesta

Also don't expect the old mk2 escort to have any problems.
It has made the trip twice already..