1996 Ford Escort vs. 1971 Mazda 818

To start off, 1996 Ford Escort is newer by 25 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1971 Mazda 818. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1971 Mazda 818 would be higher. At 1,391 cc (4 cylinders), 1996 Ford Escort is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1971 Mazda 818 (80 HP) has 6 more horse power than 1996 Ford Escort. (74 HP) In normal driving conditions, 1971 Mazda 818 should accelerate faster than 1996 Ford Escort. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1996 Ford Escort weights approximately 270 kg more than 1971 Mazda 818.

Because 1971 Mazda 818 is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1971 Mazda 818. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1996 Ford Escort, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1971 Mazda 818 (124 Nm @ 3500 RPM) has 10 more torque (in Nm) than 1996 Ford Escort. (114 Nm @ 2750 RPM). This means 1971 Mazda 818 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1996 Ford Escort.

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