Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Most popular vehicles
Popular New Cars
- New Acura MDX
- New Acura RDX
- New Audi Q5
- New BMW 3 Series
- New BMW X3
- New Buick Enclave
- New Cadillac Escalade
- New Chevrolet Equinox
- New Chrysler 300
- New Dodge Challenger
- New Ford Edge
- New Ford Escape
- New Ford Expedition
- New Ford Explorer
- New Ford F-150
- New Ford Focus
- New Ford Mustang
- New Honda Accord
- New Honda Civic
- New Honda CR-V
- New Honda Fit
- New Honda Odyssey
- New Honda Pilot
- New Hyundai Elantra
- New Hyundai Santa Fe
- New Hyundai Sonata
- New Hyundai Tucson
- New Jeep Compass
- New Jeep Grand Cherokee
- New Jeep Wrangler
- New Mazda 3
- New Mazda 6
- New Mazda CX-5
- New Nissan Altima
- New Nissan Maxima
- New Nissan Rogue
- New Porsche Cayenne
- New Ram 1500
- New Subaru Crosstrek
- New Subaru Forester
- New Subaru Impreza
- New Subaru Outback
- New Tesla Model S
- New Tesla Model X
- New Toyota 4Runner
- New Toyota Camry
- New Toyota Corolla
- New Toyota Highlander
- New Toyota Prius
- New Toyota RAV4
- New Toyota Sienna
- New Toyota Tacoma
- New Volkswagen Jetta
- New Volvo XC60
- New Volvo XC90
Popular Used Sedans
- Used BMW 5 Series
- Used Chevrolet Impala
- Used Chevrolet Malibu
- Used Chrysler 200
- Used Dodge Charger
- Used Ford Fusion
- Used Ford Taurus
- Used Honda Accord
- Used Honda Civic
- Used Hyundai Elantra
- Used Hyundai Sonata
- Used Tesla Model S
- Used Toyota Camry
- Used Toyota Corolla
- Used Volkswagen Jetta
Popular Used SUVs
- Used Acura MDX
- Used Acura RDX
- Used Ford Edge
- Used Ford Explorer
- Used Honda CR-V
- Used Honda Pilot
- Used Hyundai Santa Fe
- Used Jeep Compass
- Used Lincoln Navigator
- Used Mazda CX-5
- Used Nissan Rogue
- Used Subaru Crosstrek
- Used Subaru Forester
- Used Tesla Model X
- Used Volvo XC90
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
a new (basic equipment level) Tiburon have costed?
To me the Tibs ergonomics left a lot to be desired, nothing seemed logical (not that the ZX2 has the most inteligent lay out). Then there was the Sunroof and seats. For the life of me I couldn't position that seat in such away that I wasn't smacking my head into the lip of the roof. I guess my upper body is too tall or something. Because I honestly drove it back to the dealership after barely going around the block. I then had to pop 3 advil to kill the headche I ended up with. It really has to have been the least impressive test drive I have ever taken. The Tibs Power, stock Tires, engine smoothness, cornering abilty, warranty all have our beloved ZX2s beat however, it is not a car for me. There are about 8 other cars I would have before I picked one of those.
Stopped by the body shop today and they are going to roll my fenders to get me the clearance I need for the new tires. I'm also going to get the S/R struts. The stock units just won't handle the extra weight of the larger tires and wheels coupled to the S/R springs. Should have done the struts when I did the springs.
A Tiberon "base" car comes TOTALLY equipped. A Tibby base vehicle has a MSRP of $14994 less the current $500 rebate =$14,494. That includes PW,PL, Cruise/tilt wheel/six speaker AM/FM. cassette, air cond. white face gauges, and alloy wheels. Included standard is four wheel disc brakes and Michelin performance tires. Add leather pkg and it still comes too only $15093. With the leather pkg you get fog lamps (not available on ZX) rear wiper/washer. Also the leather pkg.is for both front and rear,the ZX leather is only on the front seats and vinyl (pretty good imitation too, hard to tell the difference) Of course the Tibby is a hatcback so the added convienience is a plus there.
Dealers will generally come about $800 off MSRP so you can drive off for about $14,300, a real deal IMHO. Plus don't forget that "killer warranty" 60K bumper to bumper or five years, 100K powertrain and five year unlimited milage roadside assist too. Hard to beat for the money.
Floridian
Where is this all going? Today we went to have a look at some new cars/trucks. I was going over to Tedd Britt Ford for my oil change and tire rotation and he wanted to tag along. So we wondered over irst to the used lot and then the new car lot. Got to love them at Tedd Britt for their lack of sales pressure. We had been wondering around for 20 minutes before a salesman even approached us. At any rate I was looking rather lovingly at a Mustang and a Camaro sitting side be side. Lovely cars both of them, late models in pristine condition.
At any rate along comes my Dad, and remarks at the lust in my eyes. It is his contention that I should forget about sports cars and focus (no pun intended) on something more practical. Such as maybe a sedan or a small suv. Especialy given my age. All I could say was you enjoy riding in my little ZX2, right? You admire it's nimbleness, and the way it settles into bends at speed. He says yes I do. To which the argument was over... Though he had to have a parting shot be remarking that I am still just a little too old for a sports car. Tis true that I am 37 years old, tis true that I have had some fun in my younger days, tis also true that I am a single male, who arguable should have a family. However try as I may I am afraid I will never be able to accept the 4 door family sedan, or the mini van with Warner Bros cartoons playing on the in car video. Perhaps as second car I could, but not as my primary means of transportation. I guess I am too young at heart... Because give me a low to the ground sports car everytime. Maybe not quite as low as the Vette (never did like those cars) but perhaps something like Jaguar...
Ahhh, life is good.
Floridian
As to fog lights, well most of the OEM ones are more cosmetic than useful. More to "be seen" by other drivers than to improve visibility for the driver of the car they are installed on. I have a Saturn SC2 (business vehicle)with fog lamps. They are a joke. You cannot tell if they are on or not and are pretty useless. The same goes for my wife's Mitsu Galant, not much good at all. A really GOOD set of lights are not cheap, at least $200 for starters plus installation. I guess if one MUST have them then the aftermarket route is the way to if you want something that works.
As to resale, well, I wouldn't worry too much. If you plan to "drive the wheels off" then it's a moot point. Resale is always a "battle cry" for the Toyota and Honda crowd but I don't think most folks really care a whit about resale anyway.
Regards, Floridian
Cheers,
ja
Regards, Floridian
Congrats on your Tibby, hope you enjoy it!
My speculation on ZX2s on the lot:
I noticed that second half of last year, the ZX2 disappeared off lots. They then started reappearing early this year. It is my belief that they were still being manufactured at that time, but being warehoused in Mexico because Ford was more interested in pushing the Focii.
When they noticed they had a huge unsold inventory of ZX2s, then then started pressuring dealers to start ordering them again. Dealers of course did not want to do that, being able to sell as many Focus as they wanted to. Also, having to mark down ZX2s far below list price was not very good for a salesman's livelihood.
The problem at the dealers is that they don't know who to target the ZX2s at. In some areas it's sold almost exclusively to old farts like me, and in other areas to only college kids.
The (by now) dowdy styling reminiscent of past Taurus, Contour, etc doesn't do it any favors with the young crowd (dreaming of Celicas,Integras and Preludes). The bad fit n finish does not give it any points with the older crowd (more used to BMWs, Buicks, Concordes, whatever).
It's a car without a market. To sell more to the younger folks, they'd have to equip each ZX2 like the S/R of last year.
To attract mature folks, each car would have to have better fitting plastic parts, power everything, more soundproofing, quieter tires, etc.
Now all of a sudden they reappear in dealer lots, nobody wants to look at them anymore! Too many other competing cars, including Ford's own Focus and Mercury Cougars.
your son may surprise you and start by borrowing the Tibby frequently. Then he will discover there is a huge supply of aftermarket parts for that car.
Both go fast and look good categories. All parts mostly made in Korea, but ten times more parts than for a ZX2 including turbo chargers, headers, racing cams, etc.
He might end up wanting one himself!
According to Blue Oval News there WILL be a 2002 ZX2 and "job #1" is set for July 16th @ the Hermisillio plant. Maby they are surprised @ the interest in the ZX2 still being there. Surely they must have a mountain of parts to use up as well. They are a heck of a deal for whaht you can drive on off for.
As to my son, well, he changes cars like I change socks ! Tho he has had his ZX longer than any car I can remember him having recently. He and his wife both just got big raises so I'm sure it'll be new wheels time soon.
Regards Floridian
With the current rebates, it is selling to folks who just want cheap, reliable transportation. I live where there is good public transit and hadn't owned a car for a while, and just wanted something inexpensive. But interestingly enough, I think the ZX2 is the best handling car I test drove while shopping, even with the crummy goodyear's that come standard. I also drove a Focus sedan, Nissan Sentra, Chevy cavalier, Neon, Saturn SL1, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic. But I suppose that's a subjective thing.
Cheers,
JA
ja_1959
Check out my web page at http://www.photogsweb.com/zx2page.htm For a list of the cars that I considered during my new car search.
Thanks for the reassurance Floridian. Speaking for myself, if I had the cash I would gladly spring for a Luxury SUV. However it would be a second car to my ZX2. OF course though if could afford a luxury SUV I would probably turn around and drop the money into an econo SUV. Then spend the rest on a Jaguar or similiar high performance sports car. One must keep ones driving priorities in order after all.
I will visit the Ford websight and see if I can find any refs to the 2002 ZX2. Once I get FrontPAge reloaded I will again be updating my pages. In anticipation of this I signed for another 100megs of space on my server and . Not bad for only $4.00.
Floridian
Did you get the Tib with a Sunroof? That was my single greatest gripe with that car...
I am not a "sun person" anymore after having a big hunk of "meat" sliced out of my arm a few years back. The word "melanoma" kinda gets your attention LOL.
Regards, Floridian
I'm an old 4WD guy from 30 years ago and believe me, this crap they're selling people today is mostly dangerous junk. The goal is to beat you out of 30K. Designing a good 4 wheeler doesn't enter into the picture at all and safety is certainly shuffled to the back burner as well. Remember when Suzuki was selling too many Samurai and somebody slipped Consumer Reports some money to do a hatchet job on them. Well the Samurai was no more dangerous than the Explorer. It's all money. If you need 4WD get a Jeep with the optional suspension and learn how to drive it. Can't stress that enough. Knowing how to drive a car doesn't have anything to do with driving somerthing like a high cg off roader or SUV. Can you tell I'm really down on SUVs today?
Another thing I kind of like about the luxury SUVs is the comfort levels some of them obtain. Granted they are little more than living rooms on wheels than cars. However for cruising and tuning out the rest of the world, little can compare. My gripes with SUVs run along the lines of somthing you commented upon Ralex; "knowing how to drive the car". How many tales do we all have of imbeciles driving these luxury equipped SAPCs (Small Armoured Personel Carriers) doing something stupid? Such as trying to drive at normal speed in snow or ice. Or the arrogant presumption that just because someone is driving an SUV they are untouchable, and to hell with all the other cars on the road.
IF it where me creating the licensing laws. I would create a special category for drivers licenses involving SUVS. Sort of like what most states do for larger trucks, and motorcyles. Of course in reality it is far too late to bring about such a change. Even then I seriously doubt that it would change peoples attitudes very much. However when the police catch someone in an SUV driving like an idiot they could then double the penalties. Given the level of damage that an SUV can cause even in a low speed impact. I would increase the severity of the crime.
If I had a large chunk of cash for nothing but Automotive and had to restict myself to two cars with that cash. I have a feeling that I would spring for an econo SUV and a high performance sports car. Much as I give credit for the Luxury SUV apart from space, most of the positives can be found in a higher end sports coupe.
Thank whatever skin gods there are I don't burn very badly these days. Except of course at an airshow where I come back red as the proverbial lobster, with strange lighter square shadow on my face (caused by the presence of a camera aimed skyward). Even then my skin turns back to it's normal ghost complexion with in a couple days. A doctor once said I have remarkable healing properties in my skin. He made this comment after seeing me with a severe sunburn but on a visit for something totaly unrelated. About a week later on a follow visit, he was amazed at how quickly the burn had passed without any peeling.
This is not say I can be burned but I do seem to heel rather quickly. The only things special I do are take 2000mgs of Vitamin C everyday, and when I have been playing in the sun, coat my skin in aloe vera very liberaly. I then keep coating it for a couple days, until the burn is gone. Whatever my good fortune maybe caused by it seems to be working.
Funny thing about the melanoma tho. I have driven constantly in my job for the past 40 years or so and my left arm (hanging out the window, weather permitting) would be the one most exposed to the sun but the problem was on my right,go figure. The surgery was over 5 yeras ago and no further problems so I guess I dodged the bullet so to speak.
By the way, my son is putting on a "cat back" system on his ZX this week end. "ole Dad" will probably have to go over there and show him how to do it properly LOL.
Floridian
How does Ireland produce so much clorophyl with so little sunlight? Must be a government subsidy. I remember being stunned by the "greenness" of some islands in the Pacific, but the sun shines every day there.
I had one car with a sun roof and for the most part it was just a source of heat. I will never have another. Give me a roadster or a coupe, but no half steps, thank you. I tried to autocross that car and I have to tell you, a sun roof leaves no room for a helmet at all. Had to lean over sideways.
Very interesting most peoples backgrounds. My wife is into the geneology thing and has researched her mom's side of the family back to the early 1700's in Germany. Plus after they got to America a lot of intermarrage between native Americans, Afro-Americans and a few Asians all go to make up a real hodgpoge of ancestry. That's why predjudice and racial bias is so goofy. most likely you'll end up being biased against your own ancestors LOL.
The "greeness" in Ireland comes from all the rain they get along with not too cold temps, tho it does get pretty raw in the winter but how many "frost" days they get i don't know. It really is beautiful tho.
Floridian
Funny observation... This little diversion got me wondering about sunroofs. So on the way into work on Saturday I started trying to count the mumber of cars with sunroofs. I got up to around 30 before heavier traffic caused me to shift my attention more to the road (this figure is not an exact and I probably confused a couple luggage racks in there with the sunroofs). At any rate OF the 30 or so I believe I noticed I think 8 or 9 where where open. I am not too sure what the numbers indicate but it has me wondering if there is any statistic out there regarding sunroofs.
Speaking for myself I truly enjoy my sunroof. Though I need to see about getting one of those tinted wind dams for it. I know when I was at the beach a few weeks ago it was great. On a bright sunny day with a pleasent breeze it can't be beaten. IT is also great for Airshows, where there is often something flying before the gates open.
Skin Cancer...
Though I am hardly a doctor, it is my understanding that anyone can get skin cancer. Granted in bright sunny enviroments those of us who are lighter in skin tone, have a greater chance. There are a couple things though that don't make to me though. How can a person who never takes his shirt off end up with it on their back? I guess it must have someting to do with genetics.
Peoples backgrounds...
I am 100% British as in born there, and though I grew in the states I did return for a few extended stints. One of which was with the British Army. Hence my knowledge of hand to hand, weapons, and the various english cars I have driven. Ranging from a Vauxhall to a mini metro and several flavours of Rover. I have also ridden in anything from an RAF c-130 to a 70 ton Chieften Battle Tank (A true SUV killer).
In Ireland, parts of England and Wales the feeling of cold come from the dampness. In parts of Wales for instance the frozen layers of earth only extend down a few inches. Below that there is often times mud. In the American winters you can freeze to death in only a few hours if you are not carefull. On the other hand "in Isles" as floridian called them. You are more likely to die from the effects of exposure in a couple days. Usually in the form of trench foot, frost bite, and gangrene. Just to be fair though if you are caught in a blizzard you can freeze to death just as quickly over there, as you could in one over here.
Random chance with death and bad luck. Yesterday I was told an Independant Sales Rep who sold us several lines of photo gear died of heart attack in New York. Needless to say all of us behind the counter are in mourning as he was very popular fellow and unversally loved by all. He was only young and by all account in good health, I would guess in his age in the forties. Where is this going? Proof that bad things to good people even when they don't deserve it. Funny thing is after we where all told the bad news, all of us seemed to be trying just a little bit harder to sell his products.
Now then to bring it back to the Zx2 world...
Forgive my ignorance floridian.. But what does it mean "putting on a cat back system"?
noise. You can hear one coming 1/2 mile away as it sounds like a BIG commercial logger's chainsaw running @ full song next to one's ear--OUCH !!
On a different note when I was in the USAF I served with a fellow that had been in the British Army and was wounded in the Suez action. I doubt if many Yanks of this generation even know what that was as they don't really teach any important history here in the States anymore. At any rate we were all in awe of him and his "war stories" and how he was wounded. He joined the USAF ( this was in 1964) and the last I heard from him he became a US citizen and was living in Bermuda. The best of both worlds I guess.
Regards Floridian
I drove a Vauxhall Victor too, used to be my mom's. This was in the Philippines, and I think it was a model 62 or maybe 64.
My older brother had a 66 Cortina, and before
that a Midget. I only have good memories now, but I know those cars spent a lot of time in the repair shop. The Vauxhall wasn't too bad though, fairly reliable.
Sun Roof thought. Someday when I'm bored I think I will tell a car salesmen I'm worried about skin cancer and I'm not sure sun roofs are safe. Might be interesting to hear him make up stories about his cars new and improved UV filtering. It's hard to find a cheap show as good as a car salesman's routine, especially if you prod them a bit.
Cat back. There isn't a lot to be gained tinkering with exhuast systems these days; the converter is so damned restrictive. Not only that, but modern engines are set up to operate with a lot of back pressure and if you reduce it significanltly you lose torque. It's a real can of worms and you just can't accomplish much without big bucks and major mods. If only noise produced speed : ) I'd wager that 9 of the 10 horses that the S/R has over the standard Z come from the chip and the modified exhuast and intake are largely eye candy. Personally, when I drove an s/r, I couldn't find the extra hp.
I know of a Royal Marine who did exactly the same thing only he joined the US Marines. Last I had heard he was honourable discharged about 5 or 6 years ago, and was living somewhere south of your play ground; down near the Keys I think. I know when I was left the CIS, the first job offers I got when I came back to the states was from the US Army and a couple police departments. It seems some recruiting officer had gotten wind of my background. It really was rather flattering all the different inducements they where trying on me. Sponsorship (I grew in the states and didn't need it), waiving the $250 application fee for a green card, retention with transfer of rank, all sorts of stupid crap. The only thing is I left for a reason, and as is typical of my heritage and personality; I am stubborn as the proverbial bull dog which beyond physical resemblances Brits are of course noted for.
As for Suez, I will let the history books, or at least those that mention it deal with the facts (many of which are dead wrong by the way). I am in fact quite familiar with middle eastern affairs in away that few could ever imagine. Without going into detail I would strongly discourage anyone planing a visit to the Holy Land any time soon. There is excellent potencial for things to get many times hotter than they have ever been before.
Now to shift gears (no pun intended) away for Middle Eastern Geo Political Affairs. About a half hour after I posted the question about "cat-Back". The thought went through my mind "I wonder if he was talking about the converter?" Sometimes I am a little slow with these things.
Ralex, you are echoing similiar if slightly more techinical versions of my own thoughts regarding the S/R. The sound is quite a bit different and those tires grabbed hold of the road like nothing else. However for speed, and off the mark acceleration I couldn't feel much of difference. Granted I only test drove the red one at Tedd Britt twice, and at the time I was still in shell shock after the loss of my black ZX2. Funny thing is despite the colour I realy wish I had tried for that S/R now. Though I am sure I would have picked up a speeding ticket in the damned thing. Still... Perhaps in a couple years I will see if I can find one used somewhere.
The Super S/R for 2001.
I am stil trying to find information regarding that limited and select clientel version of the S/r that I was told of by a Ford Exec.. No one seems to know much of aything regarding it. A couple people within Ford have acknowledged that it exists, but they don't have any details. Even then I am not sure if they are being polite with me, or really have heard about it. I did have one strange E-mail from someone who one seemed to know a few of the details. That fellow though seemed to be more interested in the creature comforts, and talked mostly about the seats and some of the lesser interior details. With nary a word regarding the performance numbers. When I went to try and E-mail him back it was returned as a dead address. On the whimsical side there was also a well meaning kid who swore there was a ZX2 Convertable that routinely parked on his street. In the interests of being fair I offered to send him a camera to keep, and some film to take some photos for me. He never did give me his address despite several E-mails to him. My conclusion was that he was confusing the either a Cavalier convertable or a Sunfire. So in the end does the Super S/R 2001 ZX2 exist? I am starting to think it maybe like the legend of Big Foot. Odds are good there maybe something, but no one can seem to be able to offer any concrete proof.
Other European Fords...
I do remember the Ford Cortina and I also seem to remember some adverts for it when I was very young. Beyond the Escort though the car that stands out most in mind was Anglia. If you visit my web pages you can see a photo of one sent to me by brother. It's on the rivals page .
Speaking of which now that I have FrontPage back up. I will be taking down the that temporary gallery I established with the MG photos later this week. If you would like to visit it before it vanishes the address is http://www.photogsweb.com/MGGallery.htm. There is an antique car show this weekend, and I will probably shoot a roll or two of film at it. I am hoping to aquire enough quality images to set up a True Automotive gallery in the near future.
Whew this has been a posting hasn't it?
I was explaining the body shops reservations to my tire man and he told me to take a baseball bat and roll it between the tire and fender well until the lip bent into position. I have also seen this recommended on a few websites. Anybody heard of it? Any success stories? Any failure stories?
The best solution would be to use a Ford S/R rim, but it scares me to think what Ford would charge for one of those butt ugly swiss cheese wheels. Finding a wrecked S/R would probably be extremely difficult. I guess I should have kept the swirlies ..... ughhhhh.
photog:
Yup, first Toyota I saw was something horrible called the Toyopet which was superseded a couple years later by the Crown, their first 'real' car.
Then came their Coronas which were pretty indestructible, as were their Land Cruisers (at the time, cheap imitations of Land Rovers).
I was born in Manila, Phil. and lived there till 84 (visited Cagayan de Oro just once) when I started moving around. First to Saudi Arabia, then Germany and then Hong Kong.
Ended up in Virginia USA in 92.
Have also travelled for work or pleasure to Japan, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, etc. I've seen a lot of cars weird and wonderful in my travels.
One of them was a Maserati Quattroporte that my coworker in Riyadh bought off a Saudi prince for a song (about $2000) cause it was pinging badly and blowing black smoke out the exhaust.
Turned out to be one bad piston. He fixed it, even had it sent back to Italy for repairs and it worked fine afterwards.
That's also where I first saw a Mercedes 1000 which I think was a local model only. It had a 12 cyl engine like a 600, but also had gold ornaments and gold plating everywhere, real wood of course, had a TV inside and I think a refrigerator.
There was something called a Pontiac Firefly which I had not seen anywhere else. Turned out to be a Suzuki inside which had been badge engineered.
At the time, there were no Fords in Saudi Arabia. They were banned, since Ford did business with Israel. Things are not so strict anymore now, and I think Fords now exist in Riyadh.
Your MG gallery is cool, and has some real good looking cars there.
If you have the time and inclination, there's a used car dealer on Route 50 West that specializes in British cars.
He's got a lot of Jags, MGs and Triumphs on his lot. I don't know if any of them run, as many of them look pretty battered.
I think he also has a small shop that sells Jaffa cakes, shortcake cookies, etc to homesick Brits.
From Rt. 7 or from Dulles Toll Rd, go rt. 28 south, then take rt. 50 west. It will be on your left after the So. Riding entrance.
Floridian
Rick...
I know the place on 50... To be honest I was trying to remember where it was. You are quite right about an MG grave yard. If memory serves me there was quite a few older Mgs over there. In truth it is not very far from as live within sight of Dulles Towncenter. By the way what colour is your ZX2?
Hmmm...
Now there would be an interesting kit car to get my hands. Grab an old MG cheap, and blow out my limited entertainment funds restoring it. Of course it wouldn't be a very practical to do, given that I live in an apartment building and don't even have a garage. However perhaps in the not too distant future if I could scrap together enough cash for a small house with a garage... Maybe a nice green Triumph convertable. IT would certainly be an eye catcher. There again at the moment I can barely afford my current hobbies and despite everyones words of advise against. I am still hanging on to the fantasy of getting a second car. Somehow I think a Classic sports car would not be very practical.
Floridian...
I have heard of Creative mods where they turn normal cars in to convertables. THere are in fact several ZX2 in this area that I have seen with modified sunroofs. On my first ZX2 I spent quite a bit of time moaning over how it didn't have one. I even went so far as to contact several companies regarding sunroofs. Several offered up some interesting different variations on the normal roof. Most notable where several designs that where both slimmer and larger.
However I think this kid who talked about the convertable ZX2 was almost certainly confusing the ZX2 with another similiar OTHER sports coupe. Like I said I even offered to send him a camera if would only shoot some pictures of it for me. Sort of ashame though because though I am not a convertable fan, the ZX2 would look pretty cool as a roadster. There again I think Ford already has a roadster don't they? I believe it's called the Miata.
Which reminds me wasn't the old Escort GT available as two seater?
The mystery car to me though is the ultra limited Super ZX2 S/R 2001. The one that was mentioned to me by a Ford Exec. at an airshow last year. On the two or three occasions I questioned Ford about it they have politely confirmed for me that such a car does exist, only they have not had any details regarding it immediatly available. To date the only independant information I have about it came from a phantom E-mail with a dead address. So again the question raises it's head, does it exist?
While we are on the subject of older cars.. Does anybody know of any books covering the history and lineage of Fords?
Also does anybody have any refs to the Concept car that became the ZX2?
Floridian
Older cars will need some body repair work to replace rusted sheet metal parts. Those replacement parts are available and made by specialist companies. Then the seats, top, suspension. And the engine will definitely require some work.
A friend of mine from NJ had a Triumph sitting in his garage for 5 years. I think he finally sold it off 'as is' after much nagging from his wife. He had put in a lot of money in to the engine, had not gotten around to body repair and paint yet.
Although not in the same category, I had an old Renault 4L back in Manila which I intended to restore, but alas a couple of thousand dollars later had it towed away as I could no longer afford to keep sinking money into it.
Probably better value as an everyday driver would be the Mercury Capri convertible. It would be cheap to drive and maintain. However, wouldn't expect it to be any kind of performance car as it was tested against the Miata by the car mags. It lost on all counts: acceleration, slalom, comfort, etc.
It doesn't share much with the ZX2 beyond the chassis, but they're both based on the Mazda 323 platform.
Oh yeah, my car's dark blue but nothing else to distinguish it. Can't remember exactly what Ford calls that color. I haven't modified the car at all, not even the wheels/tires. But I've seen lots of ZX2s around Loudoun, most of them driven by 30-something women.
At any pardon my little bit of venting...
I agree Rick the Fantasy of restoring an old car versus the Reality are two quite different things. As your friend and others have indirectly remarked here it takes quite a bit of dedication and commitment. Without question far more than I am likely to have.
I suspect a more practical idea would be buy Camaro as my general sports car, grab up a high milieage used mini freighter, for the occasional Pc monitor. Then follow Ralex's example and start turning my ZX2 into an s/r. Now does that make sense? Damn I think I just spent about $40 Grand!!! I think I need to rethink this or get a $20 per hour raise. But then I could probably afford that two bedroom one den Townhouse.
ah the insanity of it all!!!
Marry a girl with a Navigator and a house. Trade the ZX2 in on a Miata. Let her make the payments, and ... oh yes . . . .tell her you love her.
I just wish it could last a little longer with this girl, but it all ends on August 28th when she goes back home for good. Ah well that body does make an older fellow smile and for a couple months at least I can be happy. She really is a charmer a looker, a brain, and sadly for me only barely an adult.
It is interesting to hear though that the Miata and the ZX2 share a lineage with the Mazda 323 (also know as the GLC in it's first US incarnation). This is something I did not know. One of my first cars was a Mazda GLC. At one point just before I went back to England to join the services of the crown. I dated a West German girl on a similiar visa program to the one I am seeing now. Then as now I started seeing her just a few months before she went back. A bizzare coincidence or what? So hear again in my strange life I have gone the full circle. One of my first cars, a strange relationship with a German girl on a preset time limit... Flip forward 15 years later... An indirect relative of that car, a relationship with a German girl on a preset time limit.
Whats next another tour of Beirut??? thanks no 3 tours was more than enough for me... Besides the 18 weeks of basic, and 36 weeks of regimental training I went through would probably kill me this time through. Which is of course what those sadistic $%$#% tried to do to me the first time around 15 years ago. An American Accented Brit in the British Army is a natural target.
Damn it I am in a way too serious mood tonight (this morning). I guess it must be the Guiness (way too heavy for this heat).
Anyway, photog, from what I understand the ZX2 was a pretty last minute design and there really isn't much in the way of concepts.
For the convertable ZX2 - no thank you. Ever driven a sunfire convertable? I love the idea of a convertable, hence my almost impatient waiting for my miata next year, but I wouldn't want a cheap half a$$ed one, which is exactly what it would end up being. From roof to stability I doubt they would be able to make it work right and still keep the price respectable. Maybe some T-tops though...
One last thing, Ford owns the majority of Mazda but I believe mazda is still in charge of their little roadster. If I am wrong about this please don't tell me, I'd rather remain igorant ;-)
I agree a convertible ZX2 may not be practical; however it would be a neat car to see as a convertible. I have heard in the past that the best convertibles are those that are designed for the very same reasons Ralex described. The Miata despite it's strange shared lineage it has with the ZX2 and a car from my past; it was designed as a convertible from the ground up.
Sorry Freddy and everyone else who read my last posting. After reading it just now I realized how inane it sounded. Blame it on the Stout, I was drinking one thing is for sure. Much as I love Stout in warm, even air conditioned weather it goes straight to my head. At least now people can see why I don't drink very much.
Floridian