dennis (10/12/82)
My Escort was showing much the same cloud of smoke on startup. However, I didn't do anything about it, at least in the short term. There are many just plain idiocies about the car (for instance, when you took your foot off the gas or put it on, in a curve, the wheels change position, changing the radius of the curve you were tracing; this is DANGEROUS. Also, the clutch action was pretty skittish -- all the action takes place in a small area of pedal travel). Anyway, I took the only honorable way out. I traded it for a 1982 Saab. Now, there's a car for you! Five-speed stick, front-wheel drive, luxurious interior, superior road handling (I can take curves many MPH faster than I ever dared in the Escort: body stays flat, tires don't screech), and it can hold its speed going up a hill (the Escort can't do that under 70MPH). For you speed buffs, the redline in fifth gear is at 140 MPH.
markm (10/12/82)
Thats the prblem with buying a new 'new' car. I had a similar problem with a Dodge Omni 024 I bought 4 years ago. It was the first year they were out. When I started driving to and from school and home on weekends (about 100 mile round trip) things started happening. The electrical system blew out three separate times. Just died. The dealership was great. They sent a tow out no charge even when it died about 20 miles from them. They kept fixing what they though was the problem, but it kept breaking anayway. Finally I 'swapped' it for something on the lot - a Dodge Aspen with a 2bbl slant 6. This car has been through everything (including car rallyes) and is doing great. I did get several recall notices on the 024's electrical system over the past few years even though I no longer own the car. My advise would be to try to negotiate with the dealership for either the repairs or a swap. If this fails, local TV stations ussually have consumer assist departments where you could get help (and possibly leaverage if others have similar problems). Remember when GM put Chevette transmissions into TransAms and 'Vettes!! Got onto network news. The last alternatives would be the Better Business Bureau to find the locale of FOMOCO's management. If you do decide to get rid of the car, give Chrysler a shot. The Charger 2.2 can beat anything in it's class. And if something does go wrong, the dealerships (at least the ones I've dealt with) are first rate. MSMiller GR Concord, MA