Totally agree with Dan. There's nowt wrong with the S2 at all, but the cars are totally different beasts. First of all there are of course more S2's available, and you can get serious power from them for not a lot of money. They are fast and reliable.

The S1's are more of a classic - limited numbers on production (as basically it came along at the end of the MK3 Escort lifespan) meaning even fewer on the road today. Much harder to find a nice example of an S1 than an S2 (as Dan and others are finding out).

Modifying an S2 seems to be the norm, whilst having a standard S1 seems to be preferred.

All down to which you like. I've had a love affair with the S1 since I was a teenager back in the 80's. Of course back then I could never afford one. I have owned a S2 - a 1989 "G" plater, and it was devilishly fast, but I always wanted an S1 and therefore sold on the S2 pretty quickly.

Go for whichever you prefer mate.