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Ford Escort ZX2
Mr_Shiftright
Member Posts: 64,481
This topic is a continuation of Topic 11 on the
Ford Escort ZX2, which is just appoaching 1,000
post.
Only a few select topics in Town Hall ever reach
the 1,000 mark, so congratulations to all who have
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Here's a link to the "old" topic, for the
newcomers who'd like to review it:
Ford Escort ZX2--Part 1 (retired topic)
Please continue your discussions!
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Ford Escort ZX2, which is just appoaching 1,000
post.
Only a few select topics in Town Hall ever reach
the 1,000 mark, so congratulations to all who have
put their energy and info into this discussion.
Here's a link to the "old" topic, for the
newcomers who'd like to review it:
Ford Escort ZX2--Part 1 (retired topic)
Please continue your discussions!
Host
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It wasnt as quick as its 140+ hp would suggest but it did rev willingly, albeit not loudly.
I also had a problem with the 5 speed shifer. It is supposed to be an improved close ratio trannny with sport shifting but I found the shift gates too close together (confused 3rd for 5th. It also required lots of extra effort to shift in and out of gear. I think more time behind the wheel would solve that problem.
The best part is that with the SR package includes sticky Goodyear F1 205/15" tires, alloy wheels,Borla exhaust, sport suspension, and rear wheel disc brakes. There is also 1500 cash back so this whole deal can be had for less than 13,000 dollars which is amazing.
I test drove a Celica GT this week and the ZX2 will follow it anywhere for about 6000 less. The Celica was much quieter and smoother but Its hard to justify the 6000 dollar premium. They are definately comparable.
The ride was quite firm. Rough in fact at times. But that is the trade off with the sport suspension and excellent handling. The Borla exhaust is also loud and will probably become tiresome on the highway but this is the sportiest car around for 13,000 dolllars!
I think if I had to buy the wheels, tires, exhust, suspension tuning, rear discs, and improved transmision and add them to a base ZX2 (or any car for that matter) it would cost over 3000 dollars.
I would definately buy this car over a Celica GT, Cougar I4, Neon ES, Focus ZX3, Tiburon, and every other car under 15000 dollars.
This is the best kept secret in sporty cars.
I didn't want to wait that long so I searched on the internet for an S/R and found the one in Cleveland. The salesman told me he had ordered these two S/R's back in September '99 (one red, one black). They had just arrived that week and they sold the red one and I took the black one. He also said that was the only S/R's he was going to get this year.
As far as the car goes, I LOVE IT! I think it looks pretty damn sharp! Even my mother-in-law loves it! The S/R is a good package for the money. It handles excellent, has good power, good stiff suspension and handles the curves great! The only problem is a black one is hard to keep clean! My wife laughs at me because I wash it so much!
The salesman told me Ford is planning to phase out the Escorts this year and focus on the Focus in 2001. I don't understand why they would go to the Focus when the ZX2 is such a good looking car. Especially with the demand for the ZX2.
I'd be interested in hearing from other ZX2 owners who live in Ohio.
Dennis
So you enjoy the S/R? Cool. I looked at a black one again today. It's damn fine.
My question is whether there is any improvement in the seats? I have a 98 ZX2 and make bi-monthly weekend jaunts to fish in Northern Wisconsin from Chicago. I find that the older I get, the more [non-permissible content removed] I lose, and the more the old derrier longs for some extra cushion and support.
I was really considering the upcoming Ford Escape, but after noticing the S/R and hearing that it had upgraded seats, I would much rather put that 7000 towards the new boat I recently purchased.
So, are the seats any different? Thanks.
David
I now have the answer to what to do about the burns in my ZX2s rear seat. Some moron stopped in a turn filter, waved me on, AND THEN RAMMED INTO ME. The Accident has destroyed my pasenger side door, the passenger side window, sprained the passenger side seat, and has taken out a fair bit of the body on both sides of the door. CHRIST I AM LIVED!!! To add insult to injury the cop charged me with "failure to yield to the right of way". Needless to say I WILL BE APPEARING IN COURT to fight it in July. I don't mind taking the heat for my folly, however I resent being held liable for someone else's utter and complete stupidity. Does anyone have any advise about getting lawyer to fight something like this??? I want this thing over turned and put the liabilty on the other morons shoulders where it belongs.
I guess I won't be getting those add ons for quite a while now. I will post some pictures of the wreckage on my web sight when I get back in a couple days time. This vacation realy has turned into a disaster now!!!
On another note, I ordered new 16" rims and rubber for my car. Finally I can ditch these gross swirl rims, use them just in the winter! I had already bought 15" rubber for these rims, but I was able to take them back barely used with practically no loss. I can't wait!
I decided today to go ahead upgrade my ZX2. Ordered the S/R struts. Since I already have the shifter and the springs, I figured struts would be the logical next step. probably take about a week to get them. Got rid of the swirly wheels last week. After struts, I may take the big jump and invest in rear disks...ouch! By the end of the year, I will have the only Tropic Green S/R.
Floridian
The ZX2 S/R is not a refined car, but it is a blast to drive. It has a crisp exhaust note that begs for more revs and speed.
Everything about the car is standard econobox but all the important stuff is uprated (gearbox, clutch, springs, struts, suspension bushings, exhaust, intake, computer chip, brakes, and 150mph spedometer)
The September 1999 issue of MotorTrend indicates these upgrades result in the following imrpovements: 0-60 times of 7.6 seconds, 15.8 1/4 mile and .86 g's at the skidpad (vs 7.8, 16.1 and .78 for stock). It is much quicker 0-70 (9.8 vs 10.5 stock.
The seats dont seem to much more than standard ZX2 seats with S/R embroidered on them.
The car listed for 15,400 and I got it for 13,000 dollars (after negotiating and 1500 cash back). This is the sportiest new car you will ever buy for 13,000 dollars.
I am in central Pennsylvania and this is one of 2 black ZX2 S/R's at the lot. I also so a yellow ZX2 at a different dealer.
My build date was May 2000 which means these cars are just starting to get to the dealers.
I am thrilled to get this car. I dont know how many are to be made, but its worth every penny. There is no reason why anybody should upgrade a base ZX2 when the S/R package is available for 1495 dollars.
I had my dealer remove the tacky red ZX2 S/R stickers on my doors. The really looked bad.
I will keep everyone post on how the car does over the next few months.
Everyone I have spoken to agrees that though what the swine did to me was wrong. Beyond maybe a civil suite it doesn't appear I can do much to change the liabilty situation.
This whole episode is realy freaking me out. At the end of it all between the lost wages, and my $250 deductible, it will end up costing me about $700 that I don't have. This is to say nothing of what my insurance company will do to my premiums next January.
The estimate for the repairs to my beloved ZX2 is around $4000. According to the guy at Ford's Body Shop here in Myrtle Beach South Carolina; the imbecile could not have hit me in a worse spot.
The impact point was just below the passenger side door handle. He thinks most of the passenger side body work will have to be replaced. Other bad news is that it will also take about 3 weeks to fix.
Oh my decision not to buy the Cavalier was validated on Monday. The Hire car the insurance company gave me was a 1999 Chevy Cavalier sedan. What piece of @#$@# that is. Three hours of driving it and I had to return it. There is no way I was going to drive all the way back to Va. comute to and from work for three weeks and then drive south again in it to colect my ZX2. They gave me instead a 1999 Ford Escort Sedan. Granted it is NO WHERE NEAR my ZX2 in handling but at least the interior is slightly more familiar.
IF any newbies are wondering if the ZX2 really is that much of a different car from the Escort Sedan let me assure you IT IS!!! They may share a similar interiors, and the name Escort but that is it! The steering, the suspension, and sheer power of the ZX2 is measurable superior in ALL AREAS!!! The EScort Sedan truly is an Econo box.
DAMN IT ALL I WANT MY CAR BACK!!! This vacation will certainly go down in my history books as one of the ones I LEAST WANT TO REMEMBER.
for 6 years what I am saving in gas will make half my payment. My Tropic Green has the power and comfort packages and I like the swirlies! Can't imagine changing anything! I have noticed a lack of, or should say have not noticed any other ZX2s
around. Lots of Sunfires and Cavaliers, but no ZX2s. I like it that way!
The twit who hit me was in a left turn lane. But he hit me with HIS LEFT front end. The right front end never touched my car. As can be seen by the functional existance of my passenger side mirror (it was scuffed but it wasn't knocked of the car). And that beyond being sprained there is no impact damage forward of the door joint. To do this the twit would have to have been making right turn or lane change FROM A LEFT TURN LANE. When you turn a corner of the vehicle is always on the outside. IF you turn left the right hand corner is outward of you turn right (as I now believe he did) the left front corner is outward. I think I maybe on to something as there is also a solid white line on this turn lane. In the morning I will run it by my Insurance company and see.
Still another argument in my favour is that there where no injuries, I didn't even have whiplash or any scratches from the glass. IF any sort of appreciable speed was involved there would have been something. Also I would have been knocked further than the 18 inch sideways skid marks indicate I was pushed.
Curious my insurance company thinks it's a good idea that I fight the case... They have also echoed your words about accepting go ahead waves from strangers. Don't accept them Unless you 100% sure you can see ALL AROUND YOU. EVEN THEN if the twit who waves you on changes his mind, you can and probably WILL BE screwed.
http://www.zx2.com/
I have to admit though, the ZX2 does look pretty good, and you won't see others like it on the road like you would in the Honda/Acura. The only financial advantage the S/R might have is a better finance rate from Ford near the end of the 2000 model cycle.
If that fails, try some WD40 but wipe it off asap...it might dull the clearcoat a little but some wax can fix that.
The good news is that Beach Ford has completed the prelimanaries for the repairs. They have also ordered all the parts for my car. So in theory in about 2 1/2 weeks I should get my car back.
Point of interest: the Escort Sedan I am driving has Anti Lock Brakes and I didn't even know. I suppose in Snow or in a panic stop they might be usefull, but NOT for general driving. They really are different cars the Escort and the ZX2, and if you drive them both for any length of time; you can truly appreciate what the ZX2 has.
Damn it I want my car BACK!!!
I suppose this is why if I why if I was in the market for a Honda I would go for the Del Sol; it's different. The Interior on most (NOT ALL) of the Hondas is better and they are in many respects better built. However everywhere you look there is a Honda, Cavalier, Neon, Escort Sedan, Focus or... I don't like to standout too far from the crowd, BUT I DO like to be noticed within the crowd. This to me is the ZX2 when compared to these other more common cars..
The ZX2 looks classy without being snobish, it certainly is sporty to look at, comfort wise it has a few bugs, but nothing too serious, it is priced very competively, and at every traffic light there isn't 16 of them waiting for the green light. Yes, other cars may have slight advantages in performance or luxury. BUT NONE can bring all the different aspects into the same nice even balance that the ZX2 has.
Most importantly though it can quite easily hold it's own against all of it's contempories without being shamed. IT all comes back to the balance, something few other cars can brag about.
I doubt in a couple years we will see much further development of the ZX2. Which is a real shame, because Ford does have a terrific base in the ZX2. Basically they finally got the Escort right, and have produced a terrific little sports car that cries out for more. IF memory recalls they did the same with the Probe.
Now then if only I could have mine back...
I don't know about that. I think they had it right with my '94 GT. Judging by feel I would have to say it handled and felt at least as good as the ZX2, and a bit more solid. Overall I would say my enjoyment level was a little higher in the other one, except for how visually dull it was. Does anyone have any specs on it?
The S/R addresses most of my complaints. Would love to get one.
Little by little I am hanging S/R goodies on my Z and I am getting very fond of it.
The Z is one of the most underrated cars on the market today - with just a few tweaks, it is a very respectable sportscar (don't tell shifty I called it a sportscar).
It needs tweaks, thats for sure. But no more then any other car in this class. Go drive a Cavalier and you'll feel better about the Z!
BTW, what rims and rubber do you have on her? And a while ago you said something about making a mistake with the eboch springs? what was that about, cause I'm considering lowering.
I put a set of 7" rims on but still have the factory rubber with about 17,000 miles on it. Figure those tires will go another 3,000 before they're shot. Oddly enough, I like the RSAs. They don't stick very well, but they are unusually predictable. They let you know when they have reached their limit.
My tire budget only has about 400 bucks in it, and I want somethin that will last a couple or years.
Eibachs???? Best mod you can do on the Z! For one thing the car takes up less sky now and looks much sharper. They are only about 8% stiffer, so you can actually get by with your original struts. You will notice a little bounciness though from lack of rebound dampening. Seems to me that the combination of the 8% spring rate increase and dropping the CG down 1.5 inches does wonders for the car. With good rubber, it will be as sticky as the Miata. Not as well mannered, but as capable. Does that make sense?
Do the Eibachs first, then the struts, then the rubber, then the shifter, and finally the motor (chip, intake, etc). Screw the exhaust - its fine as is. End result - excellent Honda Eating GT that many would consider a FWD sportscar. I'd really like to go to the rear disks as well, but at some point you have to wonder if you are putting a silver saddle on a mule.
Ralex: I've replaced the factory rims with 16"x7" and the rubber with 205/45 HR's. The only other mod I want to do is lower it and I'm done. That will cover all the cars problems except top speed without having to sink too much money into it (I've checked, I'll be able to transfer the rims onto the miata when I get it in two years) I've never had a problem with the shifter other then the long throw.
Seems like I only paid about 229 for the Eibachs. Well worth it - you will definitely like them.
You paid $229 total for the springs? Did you install them yourself. I'll have to pay someont to do it.
Turns out the Eibachs were $219 + shipping. Here is the link:
http://www.kustomz.com/contour.html
Nice guys!
A friend of mine owns a good garage and he gives me good deals from time to time. He has a good spring compressor, so one Saturday I gave him a hand and he changed the springs for me for nothing. Next week I will get the struts done the same way. Should have done them at the same time! I don't recommend doing the springs yourself - can be dangerous without right equipment, but there are a lot of people who "do it in the driveway."
BMW - Big Money Works Bought My Wife
Brutal Money Waster
Bimbette Motor Weapon
Break My Window
BUICK - Big Ugly Indestructible Car Killer
CHEVROLET - Can Hear Every Valve Rap On Long Extended Trips
Cheap, Hardly Efficient, Virtually Runs On Luck Every Time
Cheap Heap, Every Valve Rattles, Oil Leaks Every Time
Condition Hopeless, Entire Vehicle Relies On Leftover Engine
Technology
DODGE - Drips Oil, Drops Grease Everywhere
Dem Old Dudes Go Everywhere
Dead or Dying Gas Eater
Dear Old Dad's Geriatric Express
FIAT - Failure in Italian Automotive Technology
Fix It All the Time
Fix it again, Tony!
FORD - First On Recall Day
First On Race Day
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Fix Or Repair Daily
Found On Road, Dead
Fault Of R&D
Fast Only Rolling Downhill
Features O.J. and Ron's DNA
Found On Russian Dump
GM - General Maintenance
Great Mistake
GMC- Garage Man's Companion
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HONDA - Had One Never Did Again
HYUNDAI - Hope You Understand Nothing's Drivable And
Inexpensive...
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Infuriatingly Late Everywhere
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Leftover Equipment
PINTO - put in new transmission often
PONTIAC - poor old Neanderthal thinks its a Cadillac
SAAB - Send Another Automobile Back
Swedish Automobiles Always Breakdown.
Sorry Arsed Auto Builders
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Velocity Owners
VW - Virtually Worthless
The ZX2 comes standard with 130 hp engine which probably beats all but the most powerfull Civic. What is up with all of thos Civic models anyway? (DX, EX, HX, CX, they seem to be endless and the base engines are useless).
I dont think comparing at 14,500 ZX3 S/R to a 17,500 Civic SI is an unfair comparison. I am an S/R owner and I was actually able to purchase my $15,400 S/R for $13,000 after dealer discount and and 1500 cash back. The SI is more like $18,000 with delivery. Just try negotiating with any Honday dealer to buy an SI at invoice. They will politely show you the door.
With out considering price, the edge goes to Honda for their silky smooth refinement, but for the money (which is the most important factor for all of us in the real world) the S/R is the better buy.
I think the only competion to the S/R is the Hundai Tiburon. The Tiburon is supposed be a very sporty car but I cant get past its appearance.