2000 Ford Ranger 4x4 LXT ...kid across the street wrecked it(i’m sure alcohol had NOTHING to do with that), all his friends told him it couldn’t be fixed. I gave him $500 for it and got a lower control arm from the junk yard for $50..driving it everywhere...great truck...kid needs friends who are better mechanics.
my wife’s ‘97 Escort has 225,000 mi. on it and you still can’t hear it when it’s running...great car for a cheapie.
Your wife’s Escort is a rebadged Mazda 323.