1981 Ford Escort Wagon FWD

We lived 17 miles form Kalispell and we decided that it was time to conserve on gasoline and get an economy car. I found a cute white Escort SS wagon at Roy Stanley. It was used and had a few issues. In the purchase contract I asked for the power steering. rear blinker and rear wiper to be fixed and they agreed and added a 3 month warrantee on their work.

The power steering repair made it 3 days and failed. After each failure we had to wait several days for an appointment. Roy Stanley replaced the power steering pump, 3 days later it failed so they said there was in issue with the rack and replaced that then it blew a hose and ruined the pump which was replaced. All in all there 5 power steering pumps, 2 rack and pinion assemblies and all the power steering hoses. In the first 60 days the power steering worked 6 days.

Finally I asked for a refund and I can still hear them laugh. The truth about Roy Stanly was true and I was screwed. I determined that the best way to deal with the issue was to trade up to a new car so Roy Stanly could make a little and I would loose less so I spoke with Roy Stanley and he assured me that his sales manager Jim Dowen would make it right and give me the best deal ever!! I sat down with Jim Dowen and worked out a deal on a new factory ordered 1984 Celebrity. It was the best deal ever for Roy Stanly as they were willing to give me top trade in dollar for the escort of 25% of my purchase price for a car that only worked for 6 days and they were never able to repair. That was the second time Jim Dowen had tried to screw me.

To see how bad Roy Stanly was screwing me I made a trip to Hank Olson Chevrolet in Whitefish and asked for the same deal. Trade in the Escort and purchase the exact same factory ordered 1984 Celebrity. To my amazement Hank Olson’s price was $2500 less than Roy Stanley. We got 75% of the purchase price of the Escort and Hank gave me a $1500 discount all on a $12,000 car.

I celebrated when Roy Stanly closed and I never shopped in any car lot that I knew Jim Dowen was affiliated with.

Why did this car have power steering????????