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Ford Escort ZX2

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Comments

  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Minor point of interest to anyone watching this message thread in the Washington Dc Metro Area. Ted Britt Ford has 5 new ZX2s instock right now. 3 red ones and 2 white ones; they also have two used 1998 red ones in stock. Visit www.tedbritt.com if anyone is curious about them.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    I am now the proud owner of a new ZX2 Escort. Tropic Green 5 speed manual, power sunroof, windows, and locks. It did take a bit of adjusting to get the seat comfortable though with Sunroof. Another thing that is a bit odd is that the Seats seem a bit softer than the ones that where in my now late black ZX2. Strange to be sure but, it is possible my body has forgotten what the seats in the ZX2 feel like.
  • mcalvert1mcalvert1 Member Posts: 25
    After Silver or Dark Blue, Tropic Green would have been my choice of color. There's a guy around this area that has one. I see him driving around Loch Raven sometimes. Nice color. =) As for the roof, I've never had a problem with headroom. I'm about 6 ft, but most of my height is in my legs, so I look short sitting down. ;) Oh, and you were considering a Hyundai Accent earlier? Have you *seen* the green ones? BARF!!!!!!

    MjC
  • kevdog2000kevdog2000 Member Posts: 1
    Hi, it seems there has been alot of people who are arguing about which car is better. I am a 16yr old and am currently in teh process of buying a brand new Ford ZX2. While I have not driven alot of cars, the ZX2 seems to be an excellent car, and what drove my parents to buy it was the $1500 rebate. While it may not be a Mazda Miata, or a Honda Civic Si, it sure is affordable, not to mention good looking.

    Kevin
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Despite the fact that I got a good deal I am now officially broke for the next month or two. I agree with you about the green Accents. Though the silver, and the biege ones don't look too bad.

    My previous ZX2 didn't have a sunroof, and I was all gung ho to have a custom one installed. There is a new range of "slim line" roofs that go for several hundred more. Curious little thing about those, is that the Controls where in the Doors. I have seen them and they take up only about 1 inch of headroom. Versus the 2 inches that the factory installed ones do. Still I have always like sunroofs and I think they are terrific.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    No doubt it is a big relief to have all this wheelin' & dealin' behind you. Congrats on the green Z. I find the tropic green is as much a pain in the butt as black, but it does look good clean and waxes up very nicely.

    The local Ford dealer called me today - wants me to stop by and visit tomorrow. He still has his two black S/Rs. We are still a thousand away from trading. Somebody locally just showed up with a zinc yellow s/r - looks great. Hate to trade for black, but choices are thinning out fast. Found 2 yellow ones in Wichita, but they want an arm & a leg for them.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Kevdog, you will like your ZX2. They may call it an Escort but it's not. No comparison. With just a few tweaks your ZX2 will perform like a Miata.

    I have noticed a considerable improvement in performance in the last few months. I am starting to believe that it takes a while for modern cars to free up. May be my imagination, though.

    Tires...ouch. My stock Goodyear RSAs are just about shot at 17,000 miles. They may not make it to 20K. I didn't think I was being that hard on them. Sure couldn't recommend them as a replacement tire.
  • floridianfloridian Member Posts: 219
    Was talking to photog on the cell phone as he was pulling out of the dealership in his new green ZX2. All of a sudden there is this BIG bang and the phone goes dead. You don't really think, naw it couldn't be could it? Three times in a row. You know green cars are bad luck according to the old racers, few at Indy for that reason. Just kidding photog I hope you will be ok now, enjoy.

    Floridian
  • 2000zx2guy2000zx2guy Member Posts: 15
    haven't had much of a chance to see what going on here lately. Congrats to Photog on the new Z! Just turned 3,000 miles on my Tropic Green. I still love this car! And yes, I still like the Swirles!!! Am thinking of picking up another for the wife. I will keep watching for that extra great deal. If Ford does discontinue this model, I think we will need to keep the miles down, because I think it will be a collectors item in a few short years.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    My thanks to everyone for your kind words, and the concern you have expressed during my recent spell of bad luck. To put it mildy this has been one of the roughest years I have had in long time. Your eternal optimisum has been a source of great comfort and I am very much in your debit (as well as a financial debit to the insurance company, my parents and just about everyone else with whom I have such dealings).

    Thank you all again...

    Andrew
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex,
    I can already see what you mean about Tropic Green being a pain to keep clean. We had a brief shower here today and my car is now covered in little splotches of pollen and dirt. Nice to see somethings are still the same; as the Black ZX2 was the same way. Thankfully my car dealership still has those free car washes and I will be making use of them. Funny thing about the colour, I went with it after driving that Mirage sedan which was in a similar shade of green and thought how classy it looked. I wonder what the president of Mitsubishi would say if he knew that his New Zealand Green Mirage influenced some one in buying a competitor's car... Another motivation for this colour was that in this area most of the ZX2 are either black, white or red. The green I thought may stand out in the pack slightly. Yet today I saw THREE other Tropic Green ZX2s AND one was parked only a couple cars away from mine at work. I suppose now I will be seeing the green ones everywhere.

    I still keep thinking though, this new seat feels different from my previous ZX2s seat. This one seems to hug my body a little better, and feels just a little more plush. Very strange indeed. Admitedly I have been driving a variety of strange rental cars since my first Accident. None of which realy had bragging rights for comfort, so perhaps that maybe a part of it.

    As for dealerships for some strange reason beyond picking up some parts and the Car Washes I have no desire to visit a dealer again. Well maybe for a photo op involving that Red Cobra. I have some cool ideas that involving triping slaves off in the interior and long exposures that I may try. Perhaps I can sell the photos back to the Dealership???

    Floridan,
    Please don't scare me with tales of Bad luck and the colour of my car. That's what stopped me dead in my tracks from getting the Red S/R or an used fully loaded Black ZX2 with low mileage. I was scarred away mostly by the colour! According to my family, freinds and co-workers they have never seen such a paranoid driver who is in his late 30s. My cage as they say was rattled pretty badly.

    Last night (friday) they had a show on MSNBC covering how they crash cars with dummies. I watched about 10 minutes of and was amazed at how much damage can be done in a 40mph crash, yet I was involved in 75mph crash and walked away practicaly unscathed!!! The insurance company told me that my seat had indeed broken it's mounts as I orginal suspected. They also said that if my seat was one more inch forward I would probably have broken my legs, knees, and anckles rather badly. Pretty terrifing to say the least as I mostly likely would have been crippled for life. I guess I am pretty damn lucky to be in one piece. Still I am a firm believer in the ZX2 abililty to keep the driver safe in a crash now.

    Other Stuff,
    On the funny side my new ZX2 has power windows, and I keep reaching down to crank the window up and down, and keep forgeting that the switch is how is how it's done now. I also keep forgetting to shut off the alarm with the keyless entry, and insist upon using my keyes to open the doors. As a result all my neighbors now know that I have a car alarm in my new car. Damned annoying actually.

    I was also unprepared for the acceleration in the manual version of the car. My Black one was shamefull as it is to admit an automatic. As I have very bad anckles and knees, I thought it might make life a little less painfull when I chose an auto. However I am now glad I chose the manual incarnation of the car for my replacement. The auto was fast, but NO where near as fast as the Manual. On my way to work on Saturday I exited on to the highway and I decided to take her up, and WOW!!! I was up to about 90mph in bare seconds. I had to brake it down quickly as I was upon popular police speed trap, before I realized how fast I was traveling. I now think this car is indeed a worthy successor to my old and much missed late 1987 Accura Integra. With the black ZX2 I was a little cynical in my comparisons to the old girl. Because the Integra, though having much lower Horsepower was in fact much faster off the mark. Not so with the Manual version of the ZX2, it realy does fly like the proverbial rocket!!!

    Damn does it feel good to be back in the ZX2, and even better to be driving a manual trans again. I have a feeling I may regret the Manual Trans a few times as I sit in the Washington Dc Area's infamous traffic, however I still say for the sheer pleasure of driving you can't beat a manual trans. I didn't realize how much I had missed it after being so long away from it. Suddenly I feel as if I am driving a car again. Rather than just steering a car.
  • donman77donman77 Member Posts: 9
    I'm starting to look at replacing my old '92 Pontiac Sunbird, and it looks like if I want something new it's going to be either a ZX2 or ZX3... They end up being about $100 apart if I go through Ford's little build your own car app on their web page, so how do I decide? Edmunds thinks the ZX3 is a better car, but I think the ZX2 is better looking. I like the sounds of the S/R package, but that will probably make the ZX2 significantly more expensive than the ZX3. Any recommendations?
  • edswordsedswords Member Posts: 47
    I have the pleasure of owning a ZX2 S/R and it is truly an affordable sports car. There are some trade offs. The ride is a little harsh and the clutch and shifter require extra effort. But it sticks to the road like glue and has brisk accelleration. If you want an S/R you'd better get one quick as there are only 2000 made and at this time there are no plans to make them for 2001.

    I drove a ZX3 before buying the ZX2. The ZX3 is a taller, bigger, car with more utility. It steers well and handles o.k. It is not very quick. It has better seats. It is also much more refined than the ZX2.

    The ZX2 will accellerate significantly better than a ZX3 but it will also vibrate more. it will also handle better with its lower center of gravity.

    The ZX2 is a sporty car. The ZX3 is a sporty hatchback.

    If you are of the opinion that the 'New Edge' Focus is a great looking car, then the ZX3 is for you. If you cant get past the ZX3's ponderous creases, then the ZX2 might make you happier in the long run.

    If you need a hatchback and extra room to haul people in the back seat, the ZX3 has an edge.

    I hope this helps you out!
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Edswords is right on with his summation of the two cars. The ZX2 is the performer but lacks polish. The ZX3 is more refined, but just doesn't have the same handling and acceleration.

    You will find that dealers are wanting to move out the ZX2s to make romm for various Focus models. In addition to the 1500 dollar rebabte on ZX2, dealers should be soft on their price. The ZX3 on the other hand is selling quite well, has a lot of company advertising behind it and the dealers can hold out for a better price. If you find the right dealer, you might be able to snag a ZX2 S/R in the low 14's (depending on options). The ZX3 will probably go for sometning much nearer sticker. Of course if you have a trade, they will play the numbers around to drive you nuts. They are both very good cars, you can't go wrong either way. Most seem to think the ZX3 has more of a European feel to it (I agree) and the ZX2 seems to be a miniature muscle car that handles very well (in the case of the S/R, extremely well)
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Make sure you can live with the ZX2's seats. Some find them comfortable, others find them to be very uncomfortable. Depends on your height and driving style. ZX3 seats feel pretty good to me.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    I have owned two ZX2s, test drove an S/R ZX2, 2 ZX3s, and one Focus ZTS. Also a dear friend owns a Focus ZTS. So all I can do is agree with Ralex and Edswords at this point. I would love to have owned a Focus but I couldn't get past that top heavy feeling when I cornered it at speed. Make no mistake though the Focus in one flavour or another will be around for a few more years than the ZX2. In a couple years time when my insurance has settled down I may in fact spring for a Focus as second car. Assuming by that time I have gotten over the top heavy feelings it invokes. The Focus seats are in fact far superior to the ZX2s and the control ergonimics are excellent. Even the Ashtray is in a convienant spot for the driver. Another nice touch is all that headroom. The ZX2 can in fact be a little crampt, especially if you plan to use the backseat. IF price is your guide go with the ZX2, if on the other hand comfort is a guide than the ZX3 has perhaps the edge.
  • 2000zx2guy2000zx2guy Member Posts: 15
    I use my 2000 ZX2 as my primary communting vehicle. I think the seats are very comfortable (I am 5'10") and in my opinion the looks out class the ZX3.
    If you have children to haul around, you may want to opt for the ZX3. If it is just yourself and one other, the ZX2 is a hell of a lot of fun! Spend the extra money and go for the power and comfort group. I have been running the Air almost every day since I took delivery. Also love the Keyless entry. Unlike others, I have never used my key to get in the car or to access the trunk (Sorry Photog :-)).
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    The ZX2 is definitely "fun." The ZX3 on the other hand, is a pretty boring ride - very much like a small truck. I'm sure that it will be improved significantly in the near future, but in it's present form, it begs for another 25 horses, 16 in wheels, lower stance, and different gears. I like the looks of the hatchback, but from the drivers seat, boring!

    Saw a ZX3 Kona at the dealership Saturday. It had 16 in wheels, decent tires. Looked nice, but screw that bicycle business. That's one of the lamest ideas Ford ever had (and they have had a few)
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex,
    Early this evening I ran my new ZX2 through a car wash after going through some mud. Afterwards I spent about 30min polishing off all the water spots and WOW... Does the Tropic green ever polish up nicely, it realy does shine... This Sunday I hope to shoot some photos of it. I may ask my friend with the silver Focus to pose his car along side mine. I am also still waiting for the photos of my demolished black ZX2. I will call the insurance company in the morning to ask about them.

    Well today I ordered the replacement center console today. Happily this time I don't have to pay for the installation. They say it should take about a week to get here. With luck I can enjoy this one for more than 9 days. Which is about how long I had with the one on the my late Black ZX2. My previous Center Console, I sold to a reader of this thread and was Med Priare Tan. In a faith in human nature restoring move, the guy at the service desk recognised me and gave me a deal. He reduced the price further from the originaly quoted $110, and knocked it down to $90. Rather nice of him I thought; especialy as I didn't even ask him to. He also told me the dealer cost was $75 on this part. So any interested purchasers of this item can hopefully use this in their negotiations. I will of course take a few shots of this for anyone considering the Center Console.

    In a door edge saving move I also installed some black rubber edge savers. I was a bit concerned about the black, however with the black mudguards left over from my prior Black ZX2 they look rather good.

    So now my new new ZX2 is almost complete. I have just about given up on the Topless model idea for the moment given the dismal state of my wallet. Perhaps next spring I can find a willing poser.

    The next job is paying for the damned thing.
  • donman77donman77 Member Posts: 9
    Went and test drove a ZX2 S/R today - apparently the only one in Rochester. I was impressed. It's pretty much loaded, A/C, 6 disc changer, moonroof, power group... they want $13776 for it after the $1500 rebate. I really liked the handling, and I had the thing up to 70 getting on the expressway before I even looked down at the speedometer. It's black with the dark charcoal interior... VERY nice. Only thing I noticed is that the ride seemed a little bouncier than I'd expect, but still not too bad. Overall I really like it... how does that price sound to everyone?
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    When I first read your post donman I misread it to read 13776 BEFORE the REBATE. I see now that this is after the rebate.

    Consider this:
    My recent replacement Tropic Green ZX2 cost $12,300 when I had finnished haggling. The other three ZX2s I was working on was a white one with an indentical package to my green one and a fully loaded white one with anti lock brakes at a different dealership and we came down $12,530. In the latter instance once we agreed upon the price, the dealer started to play games with all sorts of additional charges, so I ruled it out and went back to my original dealer. The Fourth ZX2 that I took a stab at (though only half heartedly) was Red S/R loaded probably the same way as your Black one. For this one we eventually came down to $12,560 on. My problem was that I couldn't get past the colour, and a fear of what it may do to may insurance. IF I where you, I and I wanted it very badly I would try to bring him down to at least $12,700. These prices ARE AFTER ALL the discounts and REBATES.

    Ralex is correct about the suspension. Though I suspect the Goodyear F1 tires may play some part in the "bounciness" you mentioned. These are very soft tires, and from what I hear do wear rather badly. Despite this though they deliver truly superb performance, and when combined with a good suspension system realy enable the car to hug the road. The Red S/R I test drove was exactly the same way. However within one country road you will become a believer in the S/R. Try my unofficial test if you like, take the car out to a completely deserted shopping center, and put it through it's paces.

    Good Luck in this venture...
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Funny tale here. Do you remember how I joked about saying I suppose I will be seeing Tropic Green ZX2s everywhere?

    Today at work there was a funny and wacky coincidence. A total of 5 ZX2s all year 2000 parked in a row, three of them where Tropic Green (mine was the middle one) the two at the ends of this row where Black and Malibu Blue. It actually looked pretty interesting to see. If I hadn't been with a customer I would have taken a picture of it.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    At the Busch race at Gateway tonight, the pace car was a ZX2. Looked like and S/R. Unbelievable. Of course it's only a mile and a quarter track.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex with any luck it could inspire some sales...
    I think it's time we faced facts ZX2ers... Much as we love our ZX2s unless new buyers buy. Our chosen steeds will be gone after next year. I am late buyer to the breed, but even I have fallen in love with it. So there must be something in the car as I usually don't latch on to cars like I have this one.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex,
    I am curious did you ever get that S/R you where trying for???

    Funny tale about racing here as well. I inadvertently raced a White Dodge Neon sedan. I say inadvertently because I was only trying to see how fast I could get up to 65 from a dead stop. When I was passing through third and into fourth I glanced over my shoulder and there was this Neon with some kids in it trying to keep up wiht me. In a strange move rather than backing off and letting them go on. I just put my right foot all the way down and "poof" like magic they where receding in my rear view mirror. Talk about power on demand. This had better not become a habit for me as I have come to detest street racing. Still it was pretty cool to be able to do it.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    No, haven't got the S/R. Will cost me about 4,500 to trade. Just doesn't seem worth it. If it were yellow....
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Considering you where already halfway there to turning your ZX2 into an S/R I agree. Can you replace the clutch on yours with the S/R version of it? The S/R I test drove had a markedly superior clutch to the standard one.

    Also I discovered yesterday that the Red S/R at Ted Britt ford here in Fairfax was sold. Apparently the salesman got "full boat for it". Someone came in out of the blue, test drove it, wrote a check and drove it away.

    Also my ZX2 Web page has now been updated to reflect the changes in my ZX2 world. I hope to be adding a real gallery to it. If anyone is curious the address is:

    http://sites.netscape.net/photog0264/ZX2Page.htm

    I will add some more photos, and a couple interior shots as well when my new Center Console arrives.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Well, that clutch is only $295.00, but the labor costs would be a bear and I can't do it myself. Right now I'm trying to get struts & bushings, after that chip and intake. Don't know whether to go with S/R chip or "Superchip."
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    Automotive News today, 7/31, says the ZX2 will possibly be around past 2001. They said that the cars are cheap to build and also, Ford needs these cars to keep up their CAFE fleet gas milage numbers.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    will they continue to offer the Z/R (67R) option. There's the rub. I have seen several indications that the Z will be around for awhile, but they never mention the S/R.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Why do I get the impression? That a few years down the road mint condition ZX2s will be highly sought after by collectors at car shows? The S/Rs especialy those factory built (no offence Ralex) will most certainly become collectors items. Perhaps in a couple of years I may pickup an S/R used somewhere. When the value is at the lowest, then hang on for a couple more years, and watch and wait for the value to climb back up.

    IF that clutch is still around in two or three years I may have one installed in my own car. As I do remember how nice it felt. Please correct me if I am not mistaken Ralex, but I think the S/R has a slighltly different gear box as well. I seem to remember a shorter shift distance between the gears.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    Same gear box, but shiffter is B&M Short Throw. I agree on the clutch - The should have used that clutch on all Zs. What's another couple of hunderd bucks?
  • freddy_kfreddy_k Member Posts: 376
    I really can't see the ZX2 being worth much in the future, even in showroom condition. I'm cetainly not wasting room in my Garage just in case. There is the odd chance that it may become an oddball collectable, but not likely.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    I'm with Freddy. Even the small number of S/Rs won't make them very interesting 10 or 20 years down the road. There are just too many little coupes running around and they are all very similar. The 55 - 57 Tbird was one of a kind. The 57 Chevy had uncommon lines at the time. The first Mustangs were a totally new concept. The ZX2 S/R is nothing new in design and it's appearance is pretty hohum. Drive it, trade it, forget it.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    I won't argue the points you both have made... As they are perfectly valid. Still there is hope; I read somewhere though that my faithful first car the 1976 B-210 Honeybee was actually worth $5000 in mint condition. Though I don't remember exactly how much my old dad paid for it. At the time I don't think it was much more than this. So maybe there is a very small glimmer of hope for the future. In reality of course, if I have to wait 30 years for it to be worth something, I will be approaching the 70 year old mark. Somehow I think at that age my driving style and tastes in cars will probably be a little more sedate.

    Oh my Center Console arrived today, and will be installed on Thursday morning. Latter on tonight I will post some pictures of it on my web sight of it prior to installation. Along with couple other views of both my ZX2s.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Ralex so in other words the improved shifter and clutch would end up costing about $1000 including installation... Somehow I think I will until things start to wearout before going that route.

    Point of interest.
    If anyone wants to add the leather wrapped steering wheel and cruise control after the fact. Because of the Airbag it would cost around $1200 including installation. Somehow I am not so desperate for a little bit of leather under my hands. I think I would call in Trak Auto and pick up the immitation leather wrap for about $30 and install it myself...
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Just a minor note here... I have now added the photos of the center console, and hopefully speeded up the loading of my ZX2 web page.

    http://sites.netscape.net/photog0264/ZX2Page.htm
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    The shifter is $149.00 and it's easy to install. The clutch is $295.00, but I don't know what the labor would run on it (high, I'm sure). So you are looking at $450.00 parts plus labor. I'm glad I did the shifter, but I won't replace the clutch unless the stock unit fails.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    My lack of mechanical knowledge is showing I am afraid. I was under the impression that the shifter was a rather major undertaking. Still I think I will a little while until I start replacing bits and pieces. As it is now I have only just cleared 500 miles.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    I was preparing some clipart images for that amatuer web page of mine concerning the ZX2, and noticed something strange. On the Ford Web sight it doesn't list the following colours Malibu Blue, Midnight Blue, Cloud Nine White, Zinc Yellow, and Florida Green. Yet I have seen all these colours on ZX2s at dealer's lots.

    Even more confusingly what it the difference between Cloud Nine white and Oxford white, or Midnight Blue and Twilight Blue? Also I have seen a Bright Atlantic Blue on 1998 model, but not on a year 2000 model. I do know that the Zinc Yellow was an S/R only colour, However the others I am not too sure about. A strange oddity to be sure.

    Curiously about the only colours I do NOT like for this car are Autumn Orange, Malibu Blue, Zinc Yellow (sorry Ralex), and Florida Green.

    My favourite Colours in order of preference for this car are Midnight Blue, Tropic Green, Black, Silver Frost, Toreado Red, Citrus Yellow, and White (which version of white it happened to be I am unsure of).

    I must be way too bored these days to have picked up on such a finite details such as this.
  • freddy_kfreddy_k Member Posts: 376
    I never had such selection in color when I bought my car..., but at least my green is what I wanted anyway :-)
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    When I was at the dealer having my Center Console fitted this morning. I saw a brand new Twilight Blue Focus beside a customers Midnight Blue ZX2. The Midnight Blue is much darker and doesn't appear to be as Metalic. Okay then, now what is the difference between Cloud Nine White and Oxford White?

    About the three most common colours in Northern Virginia seem to be White, Red, Black occasionaly the odd Tropic Green and Silver Frost. Despite seeing three Tropic Green ones together this seems to have been an Exception. The rarest colour is the Atlantic Blue, followed real closely by Citrus Gold and Autumn Orange. Of these later colours I have seen one each.
  • donman77donman77 Member Posts: 9
    Does anyone know if they are making ZX2 S/Rs for the 2001 year? I might possibly be able to afford the one I am looking at (it's so beautiful), but if they are making them for 2001 I'll just live with my Sunbird until I graduate and get a full time job again... I just don't want to miss out on the chance to get an S/R.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Well I have discovered one draw back to the center console. It interferes with your ability to reach the Handbrake when doing hill starts. On my Auto Trans ZX2 it wasn't an issue but on the manual Trans it is. Happily though it easily flips up and out of the way. So when I am find myself approaching hills with traffic lights or stops I have to remember to flip it up. Still it is nice to have one back. I will post some pictures soon.

    Oh and I saw a Florida Green ZX2 in the parking lot when I was out with my co-workers last night. Very weird shade of green almost a teal but a touch brighter.
  • ralex2ralex2 Member Posts: 287
    I am in a similar position Donman. I would like to have an S/R, but I would rather not trade now. Unfortunately, we have not been able to fing any evidence of S/R production for 2001 model year. The current info is that 2000 were buil for year 2000 - they have all shipped, and thats it! No more. Stay tuned. If I hear anything different I will post it immediately.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    Strange question for 1999 ZX2 owners. Does the 1999 model feature the built in rear seat head suports of the 1998 model year? In the 2000 model year the rear seats are flat accross the top of the rear seat without any individual head support.

    Also there are various references to a considerable hyped up concept version of the ZX2. This is a version that never made it to the production lines, and features something like 205 horsepower engine (wouldn't that cause a few Cavalier drivers to freak?). Does anybody know where I could find some definative information about this car? I have heard "Car and Driver" had an article about this "Super ZX2", but I havent been able to track down anything about it.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    On my ZX2 page I now have photos of the Center
    Console and a listing of the ZX2 models.

    http://sites.netscape.net/photog0264/ZX2Page.htm
  • jimithingjimithing Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2000 zx2 which now has about 4000 miles, but when I was looking for one to buy, I couldn't find a single 5 speed at any of the 5 dealers i contacted. All I have to say is i hate it. I'm not getting performance anywhere near what I've read from other people. 0-60 in 7.4? There is no way my car is doing that! I am thinking about making some mods, replacing the air filter and such, but I'm not sure exactly what mods will give me the best bang for the buck...any advice is appreciated...
  • freddy_kfreddy_k Member Posts: 376
    sorry, there is not much you can do. If you get a chip, performance exhaust, air filter, you will still be slower then a 5spd stock. Four cylinders need a manual, and if it is a real concern you probably should have waited for the 5 spd.
  • photog0264photog0264 Member Posts: 314
    In my first Black ZX2 I had an Auto tran, but now I have the Tropic Green and it's a Manual 5 speed. I purchased the auto on the theory that my poor knees, and anckles might find it a little easier in traffic. Yes it was a little bit, and it is true during the coming winter I will probably be using my cane to walk with again. However, the minor pain and frustration is nothing compared to the thrill of snap acceleration, and the general feel of driving the car rather than just steering a car. For this later reason my replacement is the 5 speed manual. It really does make all the it difference in the world. If it's any consolation the car even in an auto Trans is much faster, and offers better handling than any of it's rivals for under $13,000. It also looks a hell of a lot better.

    In my second car fantasy that may, or may not happen late next year. I wonder about picking up a used moderate mileage Auto Trans. ZX2 (maybe a Black one?). That in reality would probably be a little stupid and redundant. If I do spring for a second car and an auto I would probably try for something like an Aspire, Hyundai or a pre 1998 Escort. Both of these cars are ridiculously slow with the auto trans. Both do have a few saving graces they are dirt cheap used and reliable, they are also Hatchbacks and for commuter runs in bad weather orthe odd runs to the shops or bad weather they would be perfect. Obviously in my second car fantasy I am not looking for performance, driving pleasure, looks, or comfort. There is no way such a car could or would be used on my runs to the Mountains in summer. Can you imagine climbing, mountain roads in one of those cars with the A/C going? Yeah right... One 7 mile up hill run would take me about an 4 hours.

    Why the current auto manufactuers can't create a simple 3 or 4 cylinder with enough power to support the Auto is beyond me. My late 1987 Accura Integra had an auto Trans, and it could and did run circles around most of it's contemporaries. The most amazing thing is when you check the specs. It only had something like 97hp.
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