Only 28,000 miles? That's unbelievable after 22 years. That alone makes me suspicious. How are the strut mountings? This is what kills escorts with age. The body is the frame and when the fenders rust out, the suspension is gone forever.
I've had the kind of car you're talking about, and in good shape it's a car worth having. My 86 Escort Pony was very dependable, roomy and economical. A fair price could be from $500 to $1,500 depending on condition. But 28,000 miles? That would really be a plus if it were well maintained, but that's a hundred miles a month average. It would be barely broken in at this point.