Escy

I've never really been a huge fan of the Mk4 RST (prefered the S1 and the insurance was always too high) but there is something about them thats attracting me recently, I think they are starting to become modern classics now that they are a rare sight on the roads. I'm toying with the idea of getting one as a daily drive.

I currently have an E36 BMW M3 3.0. I'm thinking about selling that and replacing it with an RST. My sensible head is telling me the M3 is the better car, but I fancy the Escort. Would have a budget of around 3k for an RST. Is that enough to get a tidy car? I don't want anything that has visible rust (I know the sunroof area can be bad)

Ideally i'd want something 100% original on the outside but wouldn't mind something with a few decent engine parts, say about 200bhp.

My dad had a ropey Mk3 Cabriolet and it was horrible to drive. Are the Mk4's any better? Will it become a grind to use one as a daily driver after a while?

Mr S1

iTrader: (2)

Stick with the M3 man ! Are you mad ?

dangerousbrian

^^^^ as above...ive got a s1 and def would not like to rely on it to be a daily driver

Mr S1

iTrader: (2)

I love my S1, don't get me wrong and as a toy she's huge fun on a sunny weekend...but as a daily driver ? No ta. I'll stick with my diesel Focus !

RstAaron.

I use my s2 daily! You people are wimps!! Mine is 100% standard Rust free and cost just over 3k. I've not had any trouble with it even driving it in the snow recently... well except the fact I need a new starter! lol

Mr S1

iTrader: (2)

If you use it in all weathers with the salt about it won't be for long mate....and besides no air-con, no PAS, no heated front screen (on most anyways), no 50 to the gallon like my diesel, can't leave it wherever you like....like I said, as a daily driver I'll stick with my Focus !

RstAaron.

Looked after properly and fully undersealed you shouldn't have many problems! Don't like air-con, not fussed about power steering and mine does have a heated front windscreen! 30+mpg too after being set up. Lucky round my way, don't have any trouble with jealous c*nts either. I can understand why people wouldn't want to use them as a daily though.

kosman

i wouldnt have one as a daily now,a few years ago no myther but not now,if you get a nice one unless you wash and polish it everynight will go downhill quick,saying that my mate had one and used it everyday,apart from blowing the engine a couple of times because he was boost happy it never gave him any real problems.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

if thats what you want fella go for it. Ive seen 2 S1s where i live on the roads all of the time

ben_frst

i drive my frst every day and have done for a year and im yet to need recovering the battery has been flat once and i changed it lol

not alot of ppl run them everyday as they dont think there reliable but if you keep up on the maintinace there just the same as every other 20year old car..........shit lol

imo stick with the m3 buy an rst as a toy

Escy

Thinking about it, maybe I should get a rough one. I've only washed my M3 once since I bought it, 4 months ago.

Would one be reliable at about 200bhp?

I like the M3 alot but its a bit expensive on fuel and I don't get to drive it properly as my trip back and fore to work isn't that far and all around town. I had more enjoyment from a Starlet GT Turbo I had before.

Tombra

I used my s2 RST as a daily drive. about 180 hk, no problems!

bil_s2

I've been using my s2 every day for the last few weeks to get to work as my usual car is rwd and didn't work in the snow. After getting used to the lack of power steering, Im now enjoying it. I was a bit unsure about how reliable it would be, but after getting it setup, new heavy duty battery, plugs, leads, distibutor cap, rotor arm - turns first turn of the key and I don't think about it now.

Darylc.

iTrader: (1)

the reason people dont use theirs everyday is because they're used to modern (read as dull) car's. My uncle, in 1996, used an Austin 1300 as a daily (older and not as well built) and it didn't break down (until someone ploughed a tranit into it) at all.

IMO any car can be used as a daily if maintained properly, how do you think people managed in the days when there was no modern alternatives they could afford

Escy

I know that but I think you need a certain amount of comfort and reliability otherwise the attraction will wear off.

Do Fiesta RS Turbo's have power steering?

Darylc.

iTrader: (1)

I suppose, but put it this way. My landlords son uses a caterham as a daily.

For me it depends on how dedicated you are to driving it daily. I read in RF of a bloke using a mk1 capri in tatty condition as a daily.

Xr2iTurbo

I used to use my fez turbo as my daily for the same reason,got it tucked away til summer though now i didnt like leaving it anywhere there are lots of jealous people about

Dar-rst

i used mine everyday i had it, whether it be for a purpose or just a drive to clear the old cobwebs cost a bit in fuel but it was crying for a set up i think lol

id prob choose the m3 tho, but im thinking i want a skyline next

Chris69

I used mine daily for a couple of years and it was great, no problem with it and made the journey more fun for sure.
they will rust even when well protected though and mpg if still on mfi would be pretty rubbish with 200bhp
get one tuned to stage 1(approx 170/180bhp) and that would make a good daily drive with decent mpg.
more individual, yes but you will have to get to know the car and give it regular tlc/attention unlike the m3 so its a choice if you have the time to do it imo.