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Ford Escort ZX2

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Comments

  • freddy_kfreddy_k Member Posts: 376
    correction:

    "I think for this kind of price It is pretty much top noch in the performance area.
  • judasjudas Member Posts: 217
    Thanks for saying that freddy, best bang for the buck I was going to disagree vehemently with. There are many cars out there that offer about 2 or 3 times the bang for 2 times or less the buck. I agree with the assesment, with the possible exception of the Focus. I think there are a lot of people out there that would pick the ZX3 over the ZX2, although I'd definitely pick both of them ovre the cavalier and neon.
  • freddy_kfreddy_k Member Posts: 376
    Again, the focus is quieter and roomier, but performence wise its more sluggish and top heavy, overall a more comfortable car, but I wouldn't choose it for the performance side.
  • floridianfloridian Member Posts: 219
    steve 237: ralex is right Ford has extended the $1500 cash back until October. But there is a new deal too. $500 cash back AND .9% financing for 36 months with 10% down. To my way of thinking that's a even better deal. Almost free money. The only problem is that the selection of cars is getting migty thin and NO more orders either. Most dealers I have talked to are anxious to clear them out and many are going @ invoice.

    Floridian
  • dkeys1dkeys1 Member Posts: 2
    I own a 2000 ZX2 S/R. Anyone who would like to know more, please visit http://www.chaosium.net/~variable/sr.html

    Also. Anyone intersted in the zx2 in general should see the forum on www.zx2.com. There are over 700 active participants in topics from performance, appearence, etc. It is very helpful.

    Duane-
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    The above S/R link is fascinating. I think it is in error where the seats are concerned. I may be wrong, but they felt the same as ZX2 sport seats to me. NR whiteface guages look great....where do you get 'em?
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    I should have lookd first. NR Gauge faces easy to find - just go to http://www.nrauto.com/. Price is just $129 - not bad. Now to research the installation.
  • boltmom4boltmom4 Member Posts: 15
    It is harder to look around and everyone is so helpful here and all together not so spread out. We get to know people and feel for them like photog. Hope everything works out for you photog. My son was lucky they furnished him a car while working on his since it was under warranty not in a wreck. He liked his neon except he had it in for repair every so often and they kept replacing a spark plug. They did that 4 times so at 34000 miles he decided to trade it off. His car was green and it looked pretty good.
    Whoever got his car must have taken it in again because they called us one day and said your car is fixed and I said we do not own a neon, we have a zx2 and they never called back so they must have gotten it straighten out. Probably only replaced the spark plug again.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Well unless I find something else more appealing it looks like it will be a ZX2 again.

    I paid a visit to my original Ford Dealer, and to a Chevy Dealer. The only thing the Chevy dealer could offer me was base a model Cavalier. I too share a dislike for this car, though I do respect and rather like the feel of the Z24 Cavalier. I Also I didn't click with the personality of the salesman. He kept trying to compare the options and luxuries of the Cavalier to the ZX2. He didn't seem want to hear that though the Cavalier does have better options, it is seriouly lacking in performance. I like the soft life in a car, but performance comes in ahead of luxuries everytime. IT is interesting to note that even on the Chevy web sight they compare the ZX2 to the Z24. Which is clearly in another league of performance and price.

    At the Ford dealer the prospects maybe a little better. I am currently begining the negotiating process for a white ZX2 fully loaded. At the moment we are at $13,700 for a fully loaded ZX2. However I would gladly trade the Automatic trans for Anti lock brakes. I told him if we can get down to around $12,000 on this car or a similar car with the A/C, Sunroof, convienance package, and the power group we might be able to do business. We will be discussing it in greater detail on Tuesday. I don't realy care about the auto trans. Cd Changer with prem sound; and the anti lock brakes are rather nice they are not a requirment. As I said before, everything else is just toffee on top. Odds are good I am shooting for the moon, but it is worth the shot. I will find out on Monday how much I have to play with after the settlement of my totaled car. I am going to have to put some of the money towards all these massive bills I have incurred. Cross your fingers for me guys...

    Oh and Ralex, the S/R I spoke of a couple of posts ago is going for $13,900 after the rebates. Though I did breifly entertain the thought, I realy do get nervous of Red Cars.

    Another Car I am thinking of is a Silver 98 ZX2 with 21,000 miles. It has a manual trans, antilock brakes and all the trimings. HOwever correct me if I am mistaken, but I think $10,000 seems a bit high for this. When I can get a new one for slightly more. I will be seeing the dealer tomorrow night (saturday) to discuss it in greater detail.

    Sorry Beanboy with no offence intended. The Neon is definately out. I had one for a day and couldn't stand it.

    On an unrelated note I saw a limited edition Cobra R outside the show room. Apparently it is only one of 300 made. Very impressive to look at to be sure, and with a price of $54,000 I am positive it is a steal. Curiously though NO Where on the car does it mention Cobra, apart from on the Sticker. I thought that was part of the Cobra mystique? In my case though the funny impression that went through my mind was, "what all that and no sunroof?"

    I think you maybe right Ralex; that last wreck may have rattled some brains around, it would explain a great many things. Another idiotic idea I even considered briefly was putting in for a part time job as a car sales man? Very stupid I know...
  • chris562chris562 Member Posts: 1
    I test drove a ZX2 SR today and I'm in LOVE!!! I have also test drove the new Celica GT, Civic EX, Cav and Sunfire. I'll say this much, the ZX2 isn't the car I thought it was. The SR package is awesome and the car cornered like a dream. The only complaint I really have about the car is the wimpy interior, no excitement in there. I must say, the SR is the best of the bunch for performance and value. The only reason I didn't buy the car is the fact my wife said it was too loud because of the borla exhaust. She vetoed the damn thing right off the bat. She wants the celica, we are majorly clashing here. Can anyone give some points for persuasion?
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Price....the Celica is a slicker machine, but there is a major price difference. Also, rear visibility is terrible in the Celica! Very dangerous - she would be much safer in the ZX2. There is a 1500 dollar cash back bonus on the ZX2 S/R and dealers aren't cutting much slace on the Celica because of the demand. In my part of the country the taxes and insurance are noticeably higher on the Celica as well. Shes your wife for cryin out loud - just lie to her! : )
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Thank you for your kind words Boltmom. I enjoy these evening chats in this topic. Granted overlate I have been rather obsessed with my own run of bad luck. However it in interesting to see how all of us support and encourage each other in here. Ralex with his s/r buying, me with my accidents, others with strange smells from the AC, and when someone comes in and attacks. Everyone gangs up on the offender.

    This is not to say we all agree, we don't (I like the Z24 Cavalier, yet others do not) However we all respect each others opinions, and freely and in a freindly way argue our sides of those differences. With anyluck it will continue this way, with new names, and opinions joining us. SAddly I fear as the last of the ZX2s arrive from Mexico, the ZX2ers will grow smaller.

    If this seems rather sappy and soft visit some of the others discussions and you will seem my point.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Look at my recent accident. I hit an almost stationary vehicle doing 75mph with almost no warning and I lived. Yes my new car was demolished, however all I had was mild whip lash, and even that has now faded. Much as I like the look of the Celica, I am not sure it could protect the passengers like my late ZX2 did.
  • steve237steve237 Member Posts: 6
    Ralex & Floridian - thanks for the rebate info. I was hoping they would move it to $2000 as they tried to clear off their lots, but can't complain much with $1500. It is a great deal.

    I factory ordered a zx two months ago and am still waiting. It had a build date in middle June but that has come and gone, though the dealer assures that they are still (as of this week) being built for the American market.

    Does anyone have any official confirmation as to when they will cease building them for the US? Someone posted here about six weeks ago that a Ford spokesman stated that as long as they could sell 35,000 a year they would keeping building/selling them. The post did not state whether or not this was for the domestic or world market.
  • floridianfloridian Member Posts: 219
    steve237: I had mentioned in a previous post that a relative of mine works for DELPHI. They supply a lot of parts to ALL the mfgs. Ford usually shuts down for a couple of weeks for "changeover" right around this time. However, my family member says that they do not have any "long lead" orders for parts for fall and winter producton. This kinda makes me think that when all the parts on hand are used up that'll be it for the ZX2. They may build right up to the end of December if they can. Since Ford has extended the $1500 cash back and also low % financing up until October they either have a lot of cars in the pipeline or on hand to peddle. Then again there are few on hand at dealers here in Florida so who knows. A dealer in St. Augustine told me they cannot order any cars and they only have one ZX2 coming in next week, A black S/R, and that is already sold !!

    I plan to go on a crusade next week to try to find what I want. Since i travel in my job I'll be able to check out about 15 dealers around the central part of the state. I may just hit paydirt. Right color,right equipment etc. With the .9% financing I just cannot pass that up.


    Floridian
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    I can't help but wonder why Ford in there infinite wisdom didn't do a better job of marketing the ZX2. With the posible exception of the Tiberion and Cavalier there are so few other sports coupes on the road for under $15,000. The market is there, just look at the number of Cavaliers out that sell. It really is very classy looking sports coupe with pretty good performance. Unlike the Cavalier which has nice options but no performance. I do like the Z24 but thats about the end of my interest in the Cavalier range.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    All their money comes from pickups and SUVs...no point in spending advertizing bucks on the Z. They want to devote all their Escort production capabilities to the FOCUS. Have you noticed the advertising effort behind the Focus? Eventually, there will be a ZX3 (maybe with different name) that blows the S/R away. I'm not going to wait for it though. I just hope some of the goodies that come out for the high performance Focus' will fit the ZX2.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex your are so very right about the advertising of the Focus, pick up trucks and SUVs. Everywhere you look it is Focus that is being pushed as the coupe and standard sedan. I think I must be the only person out there who doesn't realy like it. The dealer lots in this area are full of various versions of the Focus. Rows upon rows of the things. Some very dear friends of mine have one, and try as I may it really doesn't do a thing for me. Nice handling, but thats about it, give me a ZX2 for the sports coupe or a Contour for the sedan anyday of the week.

    This may interest you Ralex, I found a Malibu Blue ZX2 with the leather seats we spoke of many times. Though I couldn't take it for a test drive, I did sit in it. They do look really good I will say that for them, with ZX2 Logo in upper back area of the seat. However for whatever reason I think for comfort I prefer the cloth seats. The cloth ones just seem to hold my body more securely. Also in a strange twist the 14 inch wheels with ultra polished chrome spokes look rather tacky on this colour ZX2. Not that the wheels will decide which car I get. For some reason those idiotic swirls are starting to grow on me. Perhaps with a better tire on them they would look better.

    Some minor goodnews all being well I will be getting a bonus next pay. With any luck it will be enough to help me out with the new car. I am thinking I may hold off until a week from Thursday before going for my new car. The logic is that I get paid then and I am going to need all the help I can get. The only question that remains is how much the insurance company will pay me. This I hope to learn tomorrow. Slim chance does anybody know of any high interest short term savings accounts I could put the settlement into for a couple weeks? I always could put it into my now non existant savings account, however the interest it earned would be trivial.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Have you driven an S/R, Photog? You ought to take one for a spin. I haven't committed to one yet, but I am very close. Expect to hear from dealer today. Last week he found one not far from here that was close to what I wanted - yellow, no sun roof, but it had the CD changer and power group that I didn't want (I don't trust power windows).

    As far as I know the S/R struts I ordered for my green Z are still on backorder. I don't want to cancel them till I have an S/R on the way. The two black ones were still on the Joplin lot yesterday, but the red one was gone. They haven't called me since last Wednesday - maybe they have given up on me. They are only offering me 8,500 for mine - would like to get 10,000 for it. Ought to be worth 11,000 if I sell it myself. Of course I would let you have it for 10,000, but it's a long way from here to there.
  • judasjudas Member Posts: 217
    Regarding the Cobra R, all that and no sunroof? Are you kidding? The Cobra R is a race car. That's like complaining that an F1 car doesn't have leather interior or that Nascar's don't have cupholders.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    What are you talking about Judas?
  • judasjudas Member Posts: 217
    Sorry, should have clarified, photog posted this a little while ago

    In my case though the funny impression that went through my mind was, "what all that and no sunroof?"

    In reference to the Cobra R.
  • dkeys1dkeys1 Member Posts: 2
    If you've ever visted the forum on www.zx2.com one of the bigest gripes for zx2 owners is the lack of support from Ford. While the Focus IS a nice car, it seems like ford has forgotten about the ZX2. There was press release for the S/R that got little attention, but there are a zillion "project" foci out there. There are already more aftermarket parts for the focus then the ZX2.

    Oh well... What can ya do?

    But if anyone has any questions about the ZX2 or the S/R, please e-mail me at dkeys@chaosium.net and I will gladly answer them. But I urge everyone to test drive an S/R (if you can still find them) before making a deicsion!

    Duane-
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    I made fun of myself for Judas when I saw the car and it the thought went through my mind. The car was in fact stripped of most luxuries. As you quite correctly pointed the Cobra is in fact a race car. I am sort of curious though despite it's impressive stats who would buy a street legal racer in the Fairfax City Virginia? Probably a person who has everything. Another little and arguable stupid addition on the dealers part was presence of his logo decal below the rear tail light.

    At the risk of comparing two completely different cars. The first "mod" I did when I got my ZX2; and will be again when I get my next one, was to remove the dealer logo decals. When I first did this the salesman was shocked. Then I told him "well would you rather have the decal or someone telling then where to buy there next ford with a handfull of his business cards in the glovebox". He saw things my way pretty quick after he sold three cars based upon my bragging where I got my car. This just another of my sillier tools as I enter into negotiations. THREE solid and confirmable sales resulting from my first purchase. Stupid to be sure but they can't deny that they are sales based upon a customers recommendation.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Though there is little chance of me buying one. I was thinking about asking for a test drive tomorrow in that Red s/r. Much as I like it I have a feeling my chances of getting a realy good deal on a ZX2 will be better with the non s/r white one.

    Funny thing and a credit to the car. I have had two major and possible life threatening accidents. Have the distinctly unusual claim of having it owned it for an Equal amount of time being repaired as opposed to driving it. Yet I am still very loyal to the car. Even if I can't afford a new one right now, odds are I will probably spring for a used one. Such is the power of it's appeal.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Even if you aren't going to buy it, drive it. Afterall, they just mad 2000. Don't expect to see evidence of the increased torque and hp - it's subtle, especially on a new, tight engine - but, oh that suspension.

    Still haven't made up my mind yet. Maybe tomorrow something will happen to sway me one way or the other. I did see a Yellow S/R on the road today and it looked great!

    I noticed my order for S/R struts for my green Z was a month old and they were still on backorder, so I cancelled the order. I have found another source for them in TX and they are 20 bucks cheaper. If I don't trade, I will order from TX. And if I don't trade, I will have to buy tires. That's almost 600 bucks to keep the green Z. hmmmmm.
  • beanboybeanboy Member Posts: 442
    Reading on a ZX2 board that it is E stock? How does it do? I assumed it woulda been up with the Neon ACR in D stock...

    -Beanboy
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    I would have thought "D" Thats interesting....will have to see what I can find out. Haven't been envolved in Auto-X since '85.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Well I can truthfully say I have driven A REAL s/r now. Damn did it feel good. Unfortunatly given the traffic in Fairfax City (Traffic in the Washington area is legendary) and at 3:00pm I couldn't do much with her in the way of acceleration and performance. However I did like the feel of the clutch and the gears shifted so smoothly. Suspension wise in this area it would be terrific, it seemed like I could feel every dimple in the road. Despite this on a certain stretch of 95south in North Carolina it would be absolute hell. I am quite sure my teeth would be rattled loose. This is where the every segment of the highway has a mini speed bump every 50 feet. I did like those tires as well. Even at low speed you could realy feel the grip especialy when I went through a shopping center. I can only imagine the fun it would be to drive be on the open highway with no police around. IF I went for one of these I could see myself getting a few speeding tickets real fast. No then if only it wasn't red... Funny thing that I would have thought standard on the S/R is the lack of tilt steering wheel. I have chosen my dealer and we are now down to the day I will buy. Whether or not it is a low end white, or the top end white we be determined next week.

    Ralex,
    The s/r does indeed appear to be about an inch or two taller off the road than the regular ZX2. I think though this is caused by the Goodyear F4 tires. Which are visible larger than the standard tires RSA 15 inch tires. When I came back from my test drive, I parked it beside the white one I am hoping to get next week.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    I snubbed my Z up nose to nose with and S/R and they were the same height. As you recall, I put the Eibachs in mine and it dropped an inch in the front and a little over an inch in the back. I wonder if your front springs have sagged? The S/R should be 1" lower than stock ZX2. The tire differences are negligible.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex,
    Either the two White ZX2s which are new stock have sagged, or the S/R is a bit odd. I Parked the Red ZX2 right beside the white one I am hoping to buy a week from this Saturday. While the other white ZX2 was behind the space I used for the Red S/R. Though it was hard tell from that angle, it too appeared a little lower. Based upon what you said now I am wondering if the parking deck they are all parked on is truly level. When I go back I will have a look and see. Perhaps I should go back with a tape measure and see.

    On a new car related note I also test drove a Tiberion and an Accent today. I know it may seem ridiculous, but I actually prefered the Accent to the Tiberion. The Tiberion I literally drove it around the block and returned it saying "nope I DO NOT WANT one of these". The problem was with the sunroof (echoes of a ZX2) I went over two speed bumps and banged my head into the roof top both times. Additionaly I wasn't comfortable with the feel of the car overall. The seats just would not match my body, and the windows where terrible. IF it tells you anything I think I prefer the base Cavalier with it's poor performance to the Tiberion. I know sports cars are a little harder from conventional coupes and hatchbacks. In most I can find a measure of comfort as I did in my dead ZX2 however not in the Tiberion.

    If the new ZX2 falls through and I can't find what I want in a used ZX2; the Accent maybe a real contender. IT seems like such a demotion though, I haven't owned an econo zip box as a primary car in at least 12 years. Still that 5 year warranty and the price sound pretty good. For $10,000 I can have one fully loaded and customized to the gills.
  • steve237steve237 Member Posts: 6
    This may be a bit of an unfair comparison, but has anybody driven a 2000 Cougar to compare to a 2000 ZX2?? How does it stack up?
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    I agree it is an unfair comparison but there is a used 97 Monte Carlo I hope to test drive tomorrow morning at Carmax. This is the Chevy version of the same car. I know the 2000 is basically a similiar size as a ZX2 but to all intents and purposes it is VERY DIFFERENT CAR. The Monte Carlo/Cougar sports 160hp in the 6 cylinder and 205hp in the 8 cylinder version. Make no mistake though they occupy a similar dimensions the ZX2 performance wise they are quite different cars.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    I have driven both and you're right; it's an unfair comparison. The Cougar has a much nicer interior, more attractive body styling, 4 wheel disks, better shifter, better ergonomics, and costs $5,000 more (at least). The 4 cylinder Cougar is too unerpowered to even consider. V6 is the only choice. Handling is very good but the car feels a little heavy.

    I spent some time in the Cougar group here at Edmunds and I have never seen such a loyal bunch of car owners. The Cougar folks are almost like a cult, they love their cats passionately. Definitely a great ride, but not in the same class with the Z. The ZX2 S/R will out handle the cat and probably stay with it on acceleration by virtue of its lighter weight. I prefer to save the 5K difference and go with the sportier S/R, but if you are looking for style, comfort, and adequate performance, the Cougar is still a good buy in the 18000 to 20000 price range.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Was the Tib an automatic? I liked the Tib, especially the seats. Like you, I couldn't handle the sun roof - head rubbed without hitting a speed bump. Loved the shifter, loved the steering. Power didn't seem impressive though - hard to believe it makes 140 horses. Heavy little sucker at 2800 lb.

    Elantra is a nice ride....Tib with a 4 dr body. More performance than Accent. Accents are selling pretty good out here despite the 1.5 liter motor.

    Saw a new Tib commercial on TV last night...big push right now...selling them for 13,900. They were in very short suppl for awhile but I think the factory has caught up.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Interesting story on ABC nightly news yesterday. Baby Boomers (thats me) dumping their SUVs for sports cars. 68% of all roadsters are being sold to folks over 50 years old. Retro cars, Beetle and PT, selling like hot cakes.

    With this upsurge in sporty car sales, I think we can expect to see some improved products rolling off the line and the big 3 may even be forced to produce a 2 seat Miata clone.

    Next years hot seller? They think it will be the piece of sh*t Thunderbird.
  • freddy_kfreddy_k Member Posts: 376
    Where do you get the idea that it is a similar size as the ZX2? It is much bigger, no comparison.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Photog is loosin' it......Monte Carlo?
  • freddy_kfreddy_k Member Posts: 376
    Perhaps this whole incident has rattled his brain! :-)
  • judasjudas Member Posts: 217
    You can get a V6 Cougar for around 16 grand including destination as long as you get a decent deal and don't load it up with options. Roadholding is higher, acceleration to 60 is a half second faster, braking is MUCH better.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    ZX2 S/R 0-60 in 7.4 skid pad about 8.4

    I don't think the Cougar is going to be much better than that, if any.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Somebody recently posted a link to a very good page for 0 - 60 times on a bunch of cars. Now I can't find the link....anybody else got it?
  • judasjudas Member Posts: 217
    The 10 HP in the S/R drops the 0-60 by about a full second? Did you mean .84? Actually, the skidpad rating for the cougar is .85 as measured by Car&Driver.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Yup i meant .84. Ballpark...can't find good numbers anywhere. What are you seeing for S/R numbers? My 0-60 numbers for Cougar show 7.7
  • edswordsedswords Member Posts: 47
    I drove a couple 2000 Cougars with 4 cylinder engines before buying my 2000 ZX2 S/R.

    The base Cougar engine is the same as the ZX2 and you might assume its not enough power for a bigger car, but the fact is it performs quite well.

    The noise/vibration/harshness commen to the ZX2 are all quelled in the Cougar. It makes it much more pleasant to drive at the engines limits.

    I would have bought the Cougar, but the dealers werent ready to deal. They think they have a hot commodity with those Cougars.

    I am estatic with my ZX2 S/R. I bought a much better performing car than the Cougar I4 for about 3,000 less. The S/R is easily a match for the V6 Cougar as well. It has similar accelleration times and much better handling.

    The Cougar interior is very attractive, but once you get past its looks, you realize that materials and switches arent all that great.
  • mcalvert1mcalvert1 Member Posts: 25
    Hey everybody! I just bought a Silver 2000 ZX2 last week. I've been reading this topic for a while. It's really interesting, and you guys (and gals) really helped me decide on the ZX2. This is my first new car. It's also my first stick shift. I'm starting to get the hang of it, but sometimes I worry about needing to start quick. (any tips on driving stick are welcome) But the real reason I decided to join the discussion is that I've encountered a couple of problems with the car. Well, possible problems anyway. I'll be honest, I know very little about cars. I know even less about new cars, and especially new cars with a manual transmission. So the first thing I noticed after about a week's worth of driving, the car seems to shake quite a bit when I'm idlig. Is this normal? I didn't noticed it for a few days. The other thing is, the car makes this sorta "pfft" sound every few seconds sometimes. It sounds kinda like a discharge of air, and it makes the car jolt just a tiny bit. I tried to show my dad, but it didn't do it when he was with me in the car. Should I be concerned? The dealer I bought from is about 30-40 mins away, and if it's just part of breaking the car in, I don't want to have to drive over there. And it's also uncomfortable. And one last thing. To any of you that have successfully removed the "escort" logo, what tools did you use, and how clean does it look? (pics would be really nice) Thanks a ton!

    MjC
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    The cougar is a similiar size to the ZX2 not the Monte Carlo. Fot whatever reason I had wires crossed. In any event the car was gone from CARmax max by the time I got there.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex,
    the Tibirion I test drove was a Manual Trans. In the 8 minutes I test drove it, I did like the smoothness of the shift, but hated just about everything else. Then Interior of the one I drove was black leather, damned uncomfortible and left me with a clear headache. The styling also left a lot to be desired. The instuments had no logic or ergonimic sense to me. As for that Sunroof, I went over two speed bumps and smacked my head into the roof. To be honest I don't think I have ever had a test drive that left me so disalusioned so fast. Another thing that annoyed me was total lack of visibilty from the windows. IT realy does need some work that car. It's ashame because the paper preformance and the exterior styling apart from the front end is realy quite nice. If had to choose between a Cavaliar and Tiberion; the Cavalier would get the vote hands down. Despite my fondness for the Z24 version, I realy don't like the Cavalier. Better still give me the Z24 S/R in white!!! Then we may have something. On whim and a blind chance on luck, I asked my dealer to day to try and keep his eyes open today for a white one. Damn did I enjoy that test drive. The more I thought about it the more I did like that s/r I drove. IF only the damn thing wasn't Red. At the moment given all I have been through the last thing I want to worry about is attracting the police with some high speed stupidity on my part.

    If I can't get the dealer to come down to an agreeable price for me, I have every intention of walking out the door and getting something else. Carmax has a several dozen cars I would consider and I would certainly entertain the Accent. Does anybody know anything about the GS version of the Accent?

    Coupes maybe back after all. Tis true that the ZX2 is on its way out. However Coupes seem to attract attention everywhere they go. For my part as a single male in his late 30s I can't stand 4 door sport sedans. If I had a family I could see myself in one. However not anytime soon.

    Part of my unreasonable dislike for four doors is the security issue. IF you guys remember that Escort I was driving following my first accident? When I went south to collect my subsequently totaled ZX2 I called in that ultimate tourist trap South of the Border to use the bathroom and stretch my legs. Afterwards I jumped back in and headed into Myrtle Beach. What I didn't realise was when I loaded the car in Virginia I left the rear passenger door unlocked. Result the old camera bag I used for toiletries and containing a cheap point and shoot camera was not in the car when I got into Myrtle Beach. The actaul loss was negligible as the camera though very good retailed for under $100. However I am firmly convinced that if I had not called in South of the Border it would still have been there. Granted it was my own stupidity but the security risk is increased dramaticaly.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Mcalvert,
    My next one will hopefully be either silver or white. Though I do have a special affinity to to the silver version I have a feeling white will be the chosen.

    To remove the ZX2 just peel it off with your finger nails. Thats all did. The little bit plastic, and glue left over came right off by buffing it for a couple seconds with of things a cotton hankerchief. Later on I gave it a good rubing with a soft shamey, just to eliminate any ghosts in the wax. I encourage you to do so as it realy does make the car look better. I am in fact looking forward to doing it again a week from Saturday. This time though I will probably remove it, and the dealer logo in front of the salesman, just freak him out a little. I have to have a little fun with the guy's head don't I?

    I will let Ralex comment upon your sound effects as I can't imagine what it could be caused by. DRiving manual is like riding a bike once you learn you never forget. In the years that I owned an Automatic Trans as my primary, I noticed I became a very lazy driver some of that carried over into the ZX2. Now I am in the market for a manual transmission, yes it's hell on my bad ankles and knees when I am in traffic. However for sheer driving pleasure you can't compete with a manual.

    Part of doing quick starts is learning just when the optimum moment for shifting is. Early one Sunday morning find a huge deserted shopping center parking lot and practise. Keep doing this for a few weekends until you can do it WITHOUT taking your eyes of the road ahead and without grinding your gears. I think most everyone here may have a slight advantage over you in years and experience. HOwever each one of us who is over 35 had to start at sometime. IT just may have been in an era before we all had VCRs to say nothing of computers. One thing that I prefer a manual trans for; is driving in snow and bad weather. A manual car is much easier to control at low speed in heavy snow.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Does you rough idle and sound effect only happen when the air conditioning is turned on? Many ZX2 owners have commented the idle was a little rough. I never considered mine to be so. If it is and the AC is on, that will aggrivate it. As you get a few miles on the car it should improve. If you get that noise and rough idle without AC on you may have a problem. How about some more details
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