The best escort to drive on the road is 1600 with dual Throat carby and extractors. the car is well balanced goes ok stops well and is economical and fun to drive.
If you want to do anything with it upgrade the suspension ie. mainly good gas shocks.
Learn to drive the car properly and then give it more power when you can drive it.
I have rallied 2litre escorts, owned an RS2000 and a few other escorts but the most funto drive was a 1300GT.