We bought it because we didn't like the Escorts. We needed a larger car, since we were planning on having kids in the next few years.
We haven't regretted it. It has +112,000 miles on it now, and in the past year or so, it has had some problems/ things wear out, but nothing crazy. Wheel bearings, timing chain tensioners and guides, clutch... I have been aggressively maintaining it the past year plus, which I believe has helped.
We did own a '96 for a while, because we needed a used car, and the price was right. It was a high mileage Zetec that hadn't been maintained well and died/ got too many problems.
Good luck. They are good looking, nice cars. IMO make sure you get the Duratec engine, but some have good luck with the Zetecs.
