I didn't know these came in Diesel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercury-Lynx-Ford-Escort-Diesel-Station-Wagon-Nice-/220775783428?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3367431c04

Wierd. I actually saw a 1st gen Ranger on the road the other day that was a diesel too. I have to imagine it's the same engine. Probably the slowest car ever created too.

There's good reason you didn't know it Dan, and if gas wasn't so expensive these obscure diesels would still be tucked away for good reason!

And according to www.fueleconomy.gov they only came with a 5 speed manual - can you imagine such a thing?
As new, rated at 37/44 mpg

Sure is clean, except for rust around rear window frame. .

I remember seeing one before. I don't know if it was released in the states. Reminds me of my dads old escort. The floor fell out of it once. Fun times.

It' just what I need. But too far away.

N Sperlo wrote: I remember seeing one before. I don't know if it was released in the states. .

Just Nebraska....

Girl in my HS had an old Escort Diesel, had the electric plug hanging out the radiator too!

The seller lists it as having 28,000 miles but in the text, he says he believes that it might be 128,000 miles. You'd think he would have some way of finding out this information, as it is a fairly critical selling point. For example, when we renew our registration here in Florida, we have to list the current mileage on the renewal.

Perhaps GRM can do a Chevette diesel vs Escort diesel comparison

There was a scort diesel in the junkyard a few years back. I contemplated getting the motor out of it for one reason or another, but my stronger mind prevailed.

Slowest. Car. Ever.

They aren't a nice diesel, either. They're the kind that make the worst sounds on the face of the planet, and don't really go anywhere.

Nissan sold a Sentra diesel stateside, and I believe Toyota imported the diesel Camry as well.

You never see them because they're all gutless non-turbo diesels with 0-60 times measurable in integer values of minutes.

I knew somene who had the Escort diesel and lived in ND. Not an impressive car

ArthurDent wrote: Perhaps GRM can do a Chevette diesel vs Escort diesel comparison

Let's not forget the '84 Tempo/Topaz that was offered with the same engine (but with more body to make it slower.)

'84 was a big years for diesel cars. You could also get the GM cars like Chevy Celebrity in diesel. As well as a Chevette, Monte Carlo and Impala in diesel (include all the twins.)

VW had the A1 cars and Volvo had 240's and 760's.
Toyota had the Corolla and Camry.
Peugeot 505's were still sold here.
Isuzu had the I-Mark

The Lincoln Mark VII had a BMW diesel. Talk about weird.

I posted about one of these sitting in a field in VA not long ago. At the time, it was news to me and the negative reaction regarding it was nearly identical to what you've seen here.

Apparently, the engine in there is a Mazda RF diesel with 52 horsepower.

I know of a diesel Chevette in mint condition sitting in a barn. I guess it would be a pretty underwhelming barn find.

those are the cars that gave diesels a bad name..

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Slowest. Car. Ever. They aren't a nice diesel, either. They're the kind that make the worst sounds on the face of the planet, and don't really go anywhere.

Not true. One of my best friends in HS had a diesel wagon 5-spd. Her car was almost as "quick" as my gas tempo 5-spd

Bobzilla wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Slowest. Car. Ever. They aren't a nice diesel, either. They're the kind that make the worst sounds on the face of the planet, and don't really go anywhere.

Not true. One of my best friends in HS had a diesel wagon 5-spd. Her car was almost as "quick" as my gas tempo 5-spd

Your Honor, the defense rests.

Good point.... but it was uber reliable. Change the filters every other oil change and that was it. She had 190k miles on hers when she left for college.

You'd think he would have some way of finding out this information, as it is a fairly critical selling point.

Is it? Ive bought a LOT of cars with 5 digit odos and i cant remember ever caring about what the numbers said MORE than i cared about what my eyes saw. Maybe if someone doesnt plan on doing their own work, mileage is sorta kinda important, but if anyone buying an 84 isnt doing their own are work then they ARE 'doing it wrong'.

As a side note.. That intake manifold is the sexiest OEM diesel intake ive seen in a long time. Most diesels are really held back by their intake designs.. on this one it might be the best-flowing piece on the top end! (needs turbo).

Vigo wrote:

You'd think he would have some way of finding out this information, as it is a fairly critical selling point.

Is it? Ive bought a LOT of cars with 5 digit odos and i cant remember ever caring about what the numbers said MORE than i cared about what my eyes saw. Maybe if someone doesnt plan on doing their own work, mileage is sorta kinda important, but if anyone buying an 84 isnt doing their own are work then they ARE 'doing it wrong'. As a side note.. That intake manifold is the sexiest OEM diesel intake ive seen in a long time. Most diesels are really held back by their intake designs.. on this one it might be the best-flowing piece on the top end! (needs turbo).

Looks surprisingly similar to the manifold on the pos 1.9 motor in the 91-96 Escorts.

Ok, despite all the hating... i have to admit i would drive this car gladly. It's clean, it's got wood sides, i dig the fact that it's a diesel with a 5000rpm redline (the 1.9 gas motor didn't do much better), and i'm a sucker for old crapcans.

I would too. Add a turbo and more fuel and enjoy. My friend got 45-50mpg on most tanks.

Now the Diesel Shovette that my grandmother had (auto) was a pile. It was lucky to crack 38 mpg and with the slushbox was an absolute nightmare to drive...wait, I think that's part of the Chevette ownership experience. So it was normal.