Ford Escort ZX2

atomtan2 · October 2001

I cannot believe that two days after I buy my 2k2 zx2 ford comes out w/ 0 % financing. I financed @ 6.1 % and am thinking about trading in the 2k2 for a 2k1 fully loaded plus leather. It may be a break even proposition. Any idea what a dealer would give me for the 2k2 w/600 miles on it in a trade? The 2k2 has power package , comfort group,cd changer, cassette, and moonroof. No abs or leather?

charliemike · October 2001

That 0% is only for a limited time, only 36 months.

If you can afford it, go for it, but it may end up being a big loss initially for you.

mcalvert1 · October 2001

Sorry atomtan, there's no way you can make out like that. Trade in value on Zs is miniscule. Anyway, 6% isn't bad at all. After just recently refinancing, I'm at 7%, down from my original 13%. So relax, and enjoy the car.

MjC

charliemike · October 2001

Has anyone had a problem with their control arm or tie rods yet?

There is some looseness in my passenger side control arm at the joint where it connects to the hub and I was curious if other people had similar problems.

My car is a '98 with 89k miles on it so I'm not exactly surprised by it

charliemike · October 2001

Well it's definitely the tie rod.

The outer tie rod is a recirculating ball that's shrouded by a rubber boot filled with grease. The grease keeps the ball stable and keeps it tight (no vibrations or rattling).

Well Ford must build them for planned obsolescence because the grease in the original part got exposed to air and hardened, then cracked.

That's where the looseness came from ...

Also, when I took the wheel off, I noticed that at least one of the bushings in the control arm was cracked and compressed.

I have 90k miles on my car and things are starting to show wear and tear even though the car is just 3.5 years old.

Just FYI to you all out there.

floridian · October 2001

charliemike: Grease got exposed to air ? Sounds like someone overlooked the condition of the "boot" and road grit/water got in there. Simple exposure to air is not by itself going to "harden the grease". Actually, after 90k miles it is not uncommon for this type of thing to happen. No planned obsolesence here, probably more like just lack of attention to routine maintenance.

My son just traded his 1998 ZX2 in on a new Mazda Proto "5". He really had good luck with his car, put 80K on it with no real problems especially considering he really flogged the car in ralleys and solo SCCA events. His main complaint (and mine as well)was the awful rough idle that no one seemed to be able to cure. Engine ran great off idle but it shook the whole car @ a light when idling. When considering a "sporty coupe" I too was put off by the lumpy idle of these cars (not evident in the ZX3 by the way)and so passed on the purchase of the ZX2.

I now have a 2001 Tiburon and love it.

Floridian

charliemike · October 2001

Well I knew that something got in there but wasn't sure what caused it.

Hehe, other than changing the oil and checking the fluids, I haven't done anything to the car yet. Yeah, I guess I could have noticed it had I been doing thorough inspections but the car was running fine

I don't have that idle problem thank goodness. Hope you enjoy the Tiburon.

floridian · October 2001

charliemike:Have you at least checked that timing belt ? Ford does not have a replacement specification in the owners manual (lifetime belt ??)for the belt but @ 70K miles my son's was looking pretty ratty and we changed it. The ZX2 engine IS a "interference" motor and IF that timing belt breaks it's GOODBY valve train and possibly the whole engine. Better at least have someone look at the condition.

Floridian

charliemike · October 2001

ACK! No. I'll have them do that while they replace the tierod.

Thanks a ton.

TMURF · November 2001

Has anyone had the problem of their steering wheel squeak or moan when turning at low speed (such as in a parking lot)? The noise is coming from the wheel itself, not the engine bay. Probably just needs grease, but never had this problem in any car I've owned.

rickgonz · November 2001

It's fairly common in the ZX2. It squeaks in my car too. Probably all it needs is some white silicon grease, like they put on door hinges.

hmmm, this board's been pretty quiet lately.
No rumours of new models yet?

floridian · November 2001

What ever happened to "photog" ? Did he marry that German gal and leave the country ?

Floridian

photog0264 · November 2001

Sorry guys... I have been having a real rough time of it lately in my personal life. Kerstin (that pretty German girl I fell for) has left me for good. In her words "Andrew there is no place for you in my world anymore, I have moved on with my life". I knew it was coming, but when it finally happened I took it very hard. Far harder than I would have thought possible. It was a short but incredible intense relationship that should never have happened. If it tells you anything I have even let the most basic maintance on my beloved ZX2 fall behind. I am at this moment 3k beyond where I should be for an Oil Change. All being well I will have that oversight corrected the week after Thanksgiving.

Damn it!!! She left on September 30, and she informed me that she is ending the relationship, a week later, two weeks ago she returned my last letter to her unopened with the words scribled on the envelope "I am sorry Andrew I won't let you make me feel bad anymore, it is over" Despite this I am not angry, just very very badly hurt. I really am getting pathetic as get older.

floridian · November 2001

photog: I feel your pain ! You should count your lucky stars that this one got away. I married a Teutonic lady 45 years ago and she has had me wrapped around her little finger ever since. LOL. Cheer up another will come along, just like getting a new car so to speak.

By the way, my son traded his ZX2 in on a new Mazda "Proto 5". VERY impressive vehicle. Fit and finish OUTSTANDING and the thing is VERY quiet on the road but I don't think it has much over the ZX2 (if any) in the performance dept. but nice never the less.

Floridian

rickgonz · November 2001

floridian:
just curious, how much was it?
will the sedan be any cheaper?

I'm thinking of trading in the ZX2 for a Focus ZX3 with an auto tranny for my daughter.
It's been a few months with sporadic practice, but I'm afraid she'll never get to the point where she is 100% comfortable with manual.
I think I'll have to take the hit of $3000 depreciation on a two year old car. I'll end up owing $1K after trading it in for $7K.
blechhh!

rickgonz · November 2001

photog:
cheer up mate. time to get philosophical. things could be worse.
I got my 25 yr ball and chain. ;>}
rick

burt13 · November 2001

Just curious. The wife and I bought one a couple of weeks ago. We got the ZX2 Premuim for 14750. Edmunds shows retail for the vehicle plus all our options to be 14979, so we actually got it for over $200 under retail. I'm sure they didnt lose money on it, though. Anyone else purchased one lately?

ralex2 · November 2001

In my part of the country it seems as if the zero per cent interest rates from the big 3 have caused them to move up much closer to sticker. Difficult to find a "bargain."

bzx2 · November 2001

I just purchased a ZX2 a few days ago. I did not qualify for the 0% financing but took the $2500 rebate. The price for the ZX2 premium with auto trans, cd changer, and power moonroof came to about 13,500 after rebate. To me this is an automotive bargain. The ZX2 is a good car for the money in my opinion. Its not quite as refined as the Honda Civic I used to own but to me its not that far off. The overall handling is sharper than the Civic I had. This is a great car for the money to me.

rickgonz · December 2001

Ford Racing showed off some prototypes and one-offs recently at the Las Vegas SEMA show.
details at www.autoweek.com.
Here's a picture courtesy of SoCalBrownRice of Ford's ZX2nr (ZXTuner is what ZX2 folks call themselves on ZX2.com and ZX2Racing.com)

rayray5 · December 2001

I haven't been on the site for 2 years since I bought my 98 pacific green machine. Wow...32mpg rocket ship!!! But time has come to get real and must say goodbye to it. Whats the feeling about the market out there for used ZX2s. Anybody have any recent experience?.

floridian · December 2001

rayray5: Around this neck of the woods (North Central Florida) I see 1998's going for as little as 5k for high milers up to 7k, retail, for really nice low mileage ones. This is a really nice low cost go-to-work machine for the money IMHO.

Floridian

photog0264 · December 2001

Sorry guys for dropping quiet for so long I have been nursing my sorrows, and working my backside off in my efforts to forget Kerstin. However now that the Xmas retail rush is almost over and my recovery is, if not complete is well on the way. I will very soon be returning my attention to my favourite little "Escort on Steroids", my web pages, and photography.

In the meantime I did see a rather cool photo of silver ZX2 shot be semi regular customer of mine who also owns one. USing a series of multiple exposures, and a laser pointer "wrote" the words "Merry Christmas" on the hood. No mean trick to be sure, and if you have ever tried "writing" with a laser pointer you will know how difficult it is. I would have thought he had done it digitaly if had not seen the rest of the slides which had his failures on it.

By the way in my absence I have noticed a lack of Ralex on the board. Is he still around?

floridian · December 2001

photog: Welcome back and all the best wishes of the holiday season to you. (gotta be PC here you know) I thought maby you shipped out to Germany in pursuit of "der frauline". Sorry 'bout that tho ! I assume your "recovery" refers to your emotional state and not a phyisical one. A lot of "crud" going around even here in the sunshine.

BW & I will be in Mexico (cruise) for a few days so I will have a few tales to tell when I get back most likely.

As you may or may not know my son traded off his ZX for a Proto5. I drove it a little last night and well, it's OK, but a little low on power and just not the same type of "sportiness" the the ZX exudes. Plus he paid close to $19K for the thing. Not worth the money IMHO. To each his own. Someone will get a REALLY nice ZX tho when they get his trade.

Floridian

photog0264 · December 2001

floridian you are of course correct. I am refering to my emotional recovery... It still hurts like hell but at least I have finally started to put it into the proper perspective. I fell for a pretty girl a triffle too young and for a variety of reasons I fell far harder than I should have. Well at least my co-workers don't think I am gay anymore. As for chasing her back over to Germany... I considered it but as much as I thought about it. Somehow it didn't seem like the appropriate thing to do.

To the regulars of this forum. OVer ther past several months a number of you have expressed by private E-mails and public postings on the board, words of sympathy and encouragement. After this recent failure in my love life. To all of you, I would like to express my personal and very sincere thanks. It was most appreciated, and combined with the words of others has been a terrific help in this minor crisis. Funny how I can sustain incredible amounts physical pain and body damage, yet a single misplaced arrow shot by that evil [non-permissible content removed] wearing a diapers can bring silly old Andrew almost to his knees. At any rate thanks again everyone.

In the meantime... Whatever happened to Ralex?

Also is it true that the life of our beloved ZX2s may have been extended into the 2003 model year? I was supposed to have been killed off with the 2001 model year. Yet all of sudden I am hearing tales of a revamped ZX2 (Not a ZX whatever but a ZX2!!) scheduled for release in 2003.

Have a safe trip to Mexico floridian....

mannyfish · December 2001

My 1999 ZX2 Idles rough. There is 30000 miles on the car. The entire car vibrates. What can the dealer do to correct this problem? Thanks for any help.

mannyfish · December 2001

In addition, my power sunroof has wind noise when I go over 60mph. Does anyone have a solution to this?

floridian · December 2001

mannyfish: Did you buy this car new ? While looking @ new cars the ZX2 was high on my list (back in 1998)but the rough idle was the main reason I did not buy one. My son did ! He too complained about the rough idle but tolerated it because he really liked the car otherwise. However, as the miles built up it got worse and worse. At 60K he finally had enough and just traded it off for a 2002 Proto5. After many trips to the dealer they finally gave up and said "that's the best we can do". It too would shake the car @ idle and to ease it off a little he took to shifting to neutral (automatic) to reduce the shake. I drove several ZX3's and they too, to a lesser degree, had a rough idle. The engines are pretty much the same so I guess it is just a trait of that 2.0 engine. Other posters on here have also mentioned the "lumpy" idle of the zx engine. Maby you should check to see if there are any tech bulletins on this subject or at the least give another dealer a crack @ it. My 2001 Hyuandi, by comparison, has a barely perceptable idle and you at times have to look at the tach to see if it's running. My wife's Mitsu Galant has a perfectly smoothe idle (balance shaft engine) so four bangers CAN be smoothe IF designed that way .

Floridian

floridian · December 2001

mannyfish: Talked to my son about "ole shakey" (his nickname for his ZX2) and he said a lot of it comes from the motor mount bushings. He had his replaced to the tune of about $100 parts and labor.It helped but did not eliminate the problem. He also said that there is a special procedure for the replacement. The car must be running, up on a lift and the bushing bolts (there are 5 of them) torqued to the EXACT proper ft/lbs AND done in a specific order ! If not done in the order the factory tech manual states the results will be unsatisfactory and actually worse than when you started. Hope this helps you. He was not happy with the final result and that clinched the decision to buy the proto5 which he is VERY happy with. I like it too, very nice car and impeccable fit and finish inside and out. Of course they get almost 20K for one of those.

Floridian

ralex2 · December 2001

Don't remember if I mentioned this before. I was looking at Tiburons and the salesman popped the hood after starting the engine, lay his pen on the valve cover and it just sat there. . no bounce, no shake. Then he reached through the window and turned on the A/C. Still no vibration at idle with A/C on. Turns out part of that smoothness is the high - very high motor mounts. Ford on the other hand seems to have started with a rough engine and strapped it down with mounts that exagerate the problem. My Z has about 35,000 on it and the idle is definitely worse that it was new, but it doesn't bother me. I may have it Motorvaced this summer. Still thinking about a chip - don't know if that would help or not. Your son probably chipped his, didn't he Floridian? Did it smooth up the engine any?

Photog, women are just soft boys with too much attitude! I'd rather have a good camera and a new car, myself. Unfortunately, I went the other way and am being told the old camera works fine and I need to keep the Z two more years. grrrrrrrrr !

jsmin · December 2001

My heater/vent fan is totally out. No response at all. Plus, it is like 10 F out so I am freezing and can't drive when weather looks bad. Any ideas? I visually checked the fuses and they seem ok. I know this repair is kind of expensive, since the dash may have to be removed so I am trying to eliminate any easy fixes before I take it into the shop.

I have a 1998 ZX2. I have always found it to be a good car, and had no problems until now. These problems are pretty minor at that. I also have that squeaking steering wheel problem...will try silicon lube unless someone has a better suggestion.

Thanks

floridian · December 2001

ralex2: No, my son did not have a chip on his ZX but it did have a modification to the mass air sensor circuit plus a cold air intake, hot ignition, free-flow exhaust,underdrive pulleys, all minor stuff. None of the mods seem to have caused the rough idle tho.

The smoother idle on the Tiburons is probably due to the hydro type mounts they put on the second gen Tibs. Ford would have done well to have done the same. That same 2.0 engine as used in the ZX3 seems much smoother to me so I wonder IF maby Ford addressed that problem and designed new mounts for the ZX3.

Floridian

tomcat630 · January 2002

Ford figured that the ZX2 was going to be dropped earlier than planned, so no development money was spent on engine smoothness.

But, this ends up shooting them in the foot, because then buyers will get another brand, instead of a bigger SUV like Ford thought entry buyers would do.

shark8 · January 2002

shark8 · January 2002

Love the way my new ZX2 handles and all the features it has for it's low price. One thing it has that the salesman overlooked on telling me about is the Driver's Side Memory Recline. This is the mechanical feature that allows you to regain the original recline position after you move the seat forward to allow someone to get into the rear. I like this feature. How do the rest of you ZX2 owners feel about it? Are you aware of it?

TMURF · January 2002

To jsmin
I too have a 98 with a squeaking steering wheel.
At first, I thought the squeak was coming from the steering wheel itself. Took the shrouding off and greased what I could. Didn't help. Upon further investigation, I found out the squeak was coming from the column as it passes thru the firewall. I greased that and the bracket that holds the steering column. No more squeaks.

ddogg · January 2002

Re: Rough idle

Haven't posted here in a coons age...Do you have the factory motor mounts? Maybe the previous owner installed the Energy Suspension Motor Mount Inserts...that would definitely make the idle rough, esp. with an auto trans.

MISNO, Team ZX2 Ontario
www.teamzx2ontario.com

ralex2 · January 2002

When we were young and cars were easier to build, good cars idled rough. I remember transplanting a large displacement Pontiac mill into a "55 Chevy and when the carbueretor(s) were finally set right, the idle rattled the change in your pockets. Then there was a big Olds with 6 deuces in an old Ford pick-up that idled like a bag of popcorn in a blast furnace. The slightly lumpy idle of the ZX2 just doesn't seem like much of a problem. For a mildly tuned 2 liter, it runs great. It just isn't silky smooth at eight or nine hundred rpm. No big deal. Of course that's just my opinion and I'm always wrong.

jsmin · January 2002

Just found that some water leaked into my heating and ventilation fan and shorted it out. Evidently, the drains at the base of the windshield clogged with leaves, and water got into the fan motor. This may explain the musty or moldy smell some people have noticed. Tip to all owners- keep those drains clear.

Tmurph- thanks for the squeaky wheel tip.

JSmin

tomcat630 · January 2002

I read that when Ford announces their restructuring plan this Friday, Jan 11, one thing they will do is drop Escorts and ZX2's from the roster for 2003.

I will post info on Friday if it turns out to be true.

ralex2 · January 2002

It is time for the Z to go. It's not that I dislike the Z, but it just doesn't measure up to the competition in many areas. The interior was entirely too cheap for one thing and of course the drivers seat was total junk. An let's face it, 130hp isn't much for a modern 2 liter with varialbe valve timing. What I loved was the Z's light weight, low gearing, and the fact that by just changing tires and springs it became a very "sticky" car. I've had mine for 3 years now and it's still a hoot to drive. Oh yes, that pick up truck shifter had to go too. That was a mistake.

What about the replacement? Well, I drove a ZX-3 and it was a nice little car, but I could tell right away the CG was too high, it was too heavy, and it was geared taller. It reminded me of an old VW Rabbit. The good news is that with the closing of 5 plants and the elimination of several "old" models, there will be several new cars out in the next 5 years and Ford may get it right on a couple of them. Use your imagination. . . . they might. Since we are envolved it yet another "oil" war, maybe somebody at Ford is actually working on a 4 cyl performance car. Then again, probably not. We are more likely to see new & improved SUV's (Fords answer to the Aztec - lol) LUVs, LAVs, FAVsand OPVs. Thats, Luxury Utility Vehicles, Luxury Activity Vehicles, Family Activity Vehicles, and Over Priced Vehicles; new terms for "station wagon."

I was surprised to see the Cougar get the ax. They were underpowered and there were some engine problems, but overall, I got the impression that sales were good and most customers were pleased. I heard the head of Mercury Div thought the Mountaineer represented the future of Mercury - maybe that explains it. Americans did buy more trucks (pick-up, van, suv) than cars last year. Perhaps the 4 cyl sports car driver is a dinosaur.

So what do we do now? Do we keep the Z because there won't be anymore or do we dump it because the resale value, which was weak before, is now in the toilet big time? Most of you will probably be looking for Toyotas and Mazdas soon, but I think I will hang on to the old Z for awhile - maybe put some good seats in her. In a few years, she will make an excellent "beater."

hudrahead · January 2002

ralex2: With the impending demise of the ZX2 folks looking for a affordable(affordable being the operative word here) sporty coupe will really only have one logical choice, the 2001/2003 Tiburon. The Mazda Mirage coupe will probably be gone after this model year as well. NO point even considering the Sunflop and Cadaver either, even with the "new" 2.2 twin cam twister coming on line. Hyundai will probably sell every 2003 Tibby they can bolt together and,alas, most likely the dealers will gouge the hell out of the prices too.

hudrahead

ralex2 · January 2002

Tiburon would be my choice for a ZX2 replacement. The first time I drove one, I remember feeling like I was in an honest sports car. The seat held me in place, the shifter wasn't as far forward as the ZX2s, the throws were shorter, and the steering felt much better than the ZX2. As long as Hyundai can keep the Tib price under the Celica, they'll sell well. As for GM - well the Cavalier and Sunbird left me cold. It seems like the Sunbird had pretty good brakes. Nothing else on either car made a good impression. Then there's the Neon - I see they are trying to get 150 horses out of their 4 banger again. Last time it didn't work and I certainly wouldn't trust them on this one. The roads are oily enough without more Neons dribbling down the highway. No Chrysler fans in here I hope. : )

hudrahead · January 2002

ralex2: I read in Autoweek that Cryco is going to build a turbo version of the Neon RT to be released this year (soon ?)Man, now the boy- racer, "tuner crowd" will be able to blow headgaskets much faster as they do those burnouts @Burger King on Saturday nites !!

hudrahead

tomcat630 · January 2002

The ZX2 came out five years ago, 1997, early for 1998 models and the platform dates to 1990, so it's ready for a replacement. But, there are still plenty of them around to buy and add SVT engine parts.

Calling sporty 4 cyl cars "dinosaurs", I don't think so, the market for these changes with each new model that comes out. The Civic coupe is still selling well and there is the Protoge MP3 and Sentra SE-R, so as long as this is the case, there will be sporty 4 cyl cars. Also, the Focus SVT is a good competitor to a Civic Si.

photog0264 · January 2002

At the rate I am going I think my next car will end up being a sedate little automatic sedan. It seems while lifting a desk, I have herniated 3 disks in my neck, and I am facing possible neck surgery in March to repair them. So if there is anything to the doom and gloom predictions sports cars for me will become a thing of my past. I don't quite understand why but several people have advised me that driving a manual sports car may not be the safest thing to do during the recovery. The only thing I can think of is the motion of changing gears and possible taking country roads at speed, as to why everyone is advising me. I have been told to prepare for three months of hell following the procedure... Like Ralex though I am inclined to hang on to my little green escort on steroids. Even now I still get a thrill everytime I start off in her. Despite the weaknesses that have already been mentioned it still is (or was) the classiest and best bang for the dollar in it's price range. Suddenly that Hyundai Accent that I was considering some months back as second car though maybe a sooner than anticipated purchase.

hudrahead · January 2002

photog: PLEASE, PLEASE, get a second and even a third opinion on your neck surgery. Being a old burned-out x-ray tech I can tell you horror stories about cervical spine surgery gone amiss that it sometimes is a far better choce to put up with the pain than the alternative problems that can and do sometimes happen. just remember ALL surgeons love to cut (especially the ortho guys) so naturally they want to go at it at the slightest opportunity.

Man, first girl trouble and now this !! I'm surprised you were not in NYC on 9/11 !! What's the old saying about if not for bad luck you'd have NO luck at all.

Wishing you the best outcome, keep in touch

hudrahead:)

photog0264 · January 2002

Thanks...
Many years ago in Wales, I once saw a big brave lad, with a body that any man would envy, and every woman would kill to have in her bed. Turn himself in "something" plegic (Paralized from the waist down). He did it by tossing his 80lbs pack on his back while standing on a rock at a funny angle. The result, his back was snapped in two like a pencil. It was caused by complete arrogance, and stupity. To this day I can still hear him screaming in my mind. So as I am sure you can imagine, ever since then I have been paranoid about my spine.

I am as I type this waiting on a phone call regarding the scheduling of a second opinion.

Rough year? Me I don't know what you are talking about... LEt me see now in the past 2 years:

Had my favourite pet die...

Found a great little car the Ford ZX2, and destroyed it in two seperate accidents. Had my insurance quadruple because of a cop who lied in court.

Had some twit steal a credit card number and ended up having a fight about it. I have never been to an adult book store in Fresno California. If it tells you anything.

Replaced my totaled black ZX2, with my current green one.

Suffered through my parents moving in with me, beecause of health problems of their own.

Met, and fell in love with an incredible beautiful girl who touched my heart like no one else has. Then endured the pain of her departure from my world and allowed myself to be ripped to shreds emotionaly by it. She really was too young.

And just to start the New Year Right..
HAve to face the prospects of a somewhat serious surgical procedure. All because of a freak accident while lifing a desk.

LEt me see have I missed anything? Well at least I am alive...

One thing will be happening as a result of the ZX2s Demise. I have temporarily taken all my webpages down for a massive redesign. The ZX2 pages will in fact be undergoing the final restructuring and re-release. When this is complete I will post the updated links here. The frame is roughly about 2 weeks for all this.

ralex2 · January 2002

Photog, whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, I will just think of your past couple of years and realize how fortunate I am. My Z is three years old and hasn't so much as a parking lot ding. A lady I fell for during college days is back in my life after a long, long absence. My back aches on rainy days and it doesn't rain much. Sorry to hear your luck hasn't chaged. I think the worst of your situation has to be the possible surgery. I hope you find the right people. Doctors are no different that the rest of us. There are geniuses and crooks and everything in between. It's very difficult to tell who the straight shooters are. Good luck

ralex

hudrahead · January 2002

photog: ralex2 is right. Good and bad in all professions. On the other hand be sure to check IF that ortho surgeon ever sold used cars OR worked for Honda !! LOL

hudrahead

Ford Escort ZX2

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