The Zetec should last you a long time with no problems. The duratec will do you good, but it's worth babying them a little. They have 'some' issues with rod knock ... but not enough IMO to put me off buying three of the things
If you get the manual version, change your manual tranny fluid straight away. The manual trans aren't the best for taking a real pounding. I'd also recommend getting hold of
BAT and ordering a metal impellor water pump. OEM pumps tend to blow around 60k miles (on duratecs) due to plastic impellor fragmenting and the BAT pump not only has metal impellor, but is cheaper (from my experience) than an OEM version. From my experience, in two vehicles over 3 years I've gone through 4 water pumps. Two broke, one leaked through the seal, and the other one was replaced before we bought the car under my instructions, and I was told it had a 'minor' leak when they did it.
Other than that, in my experience, these cars don't really need more maintenance than any other used vehicle. When comparing to my friends I have spent less in a three year period than they have on various GM's and other Fords, that's including mods (except exhaust).
Oh yes ... nearly forgot ... with the A/C the accumulator is wrapped in foam if it's older OEM ... rip this off immediately, it can rot.
... and GrooveNerd ... Escorts are indestructible so they don't count
