I have a 1998 escort lx, I am about to turn 17 and this car is now passed down to me, It has a little over 200,000 miles on it. I've been having issues with it lately, my main question is... Am i better off having a rebuild or an engine swap? Wich would cost less and how do i get about it? Do i just call a local garage or what?

 

Hello and good day to you Michaela:

AAAAHHHHH 98 Escort LX....one of my favorite Escorts.
I would strongly suggest that you consider a Engine Swap with low mileage on it. And that you Make sure that you go to a trusted Local Auto Mechanic.

This would be your best option... Buying a good use Engine with low mileage is allot cheaper than Rebuilding the Engine...Rebuilding the Engine takes in the fact that you have to replace a lot of parts, Gasket Seal Kits,,,etc...Not to mention the LABOR....(Taking the Engine out...rebuilding it...replacing it....etc)

So Find the Trusted Mechanic as advised above...and see if he can locate one for you at a reasonable cost.

HOWEVER....I would like to Recommend you take the the money you would spend for this project...( $1,200.00 to $1,500.00) to Buy other Reliable Escort.....say a 1995 to 1999 you can find some really good deals out there....look on line...first look at the Vaule...go to these links:

http://www.kbb.com/kbb/default.aspx?...FQwNGgodFCYBUw

http://www.edmunds.com/?mktcat=edmun...FQxKGgodFy3_Ug

Try your local News Paper, or go online to http://www.autotrader.com/ or to http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites


Good luck and Good repairing...