Any and all opinions on Ford ZX2s please

White95Max · 06-27-05, 04:55

I would really like to get a Mazda Protege ES, but I've been looking into ZX2s as well, since I can get a low-mileage 5spd in great shape for pretty cheap. I'm looking at one today that is a 2002 5spd with 32K for $5000.
So I'd like to hear any comments, good or bad, on ZX2s. I'd like to know if there are any spots I should inspect carefully.
I'd also like to see any pics of detailed ZX2s.

Thanks for any help.

kgb · 06-27-05, 05:13

I hate them! My best friend has one and my fiance has one. They just feel cheap and crappy to me.
I am taking before and after pics tonight of my fiance's because we are going to detail her exterior nice tonight.

White95Max · 06-27-05, 05:22

OK cool I'd like to see the pics. I don't expect the car to be anything special, since they sell for so cheap. Basically this car would just be for the next 2 years until I graduate with my bachelor's degree and get a good job. Then I'll get a Mazdaspeed6 or a 2K3 Maxima 6spd or something.

Gears · 06-27-05, 06:02

I had one and it held up well. Never needed any repairs. It got 38 mpg on the highway. It went very well in the snow, with snow tires. Got totaled. Oh well.

White95Max · 06-27-05, 11:08

OK I'm back from driving the ZX2. I was honestly impressed by it overall. I mean, it's a cheap car so how high can you really set your expectations? The interior was nothing special; even worse was the greasy dressing they slopped all over it. The 5spd and 130HP engine were nothing spectacular, but honestly I liked the gearbox more than the Maxima's. Acceleration was decent, and I like the styling too.

Again, this car is only to be used as a cheap, reliable commuter car for me to travel back and forth from school to home, and be able to go far on a gallon of [regular] gas. The Max takes premium, and goes about 8-10 miles less per gallon.

There's a dark blue 5spd about 35 miles from here, and it's got 34,000 miles. They want $4995, so I'd try to get them down to $4500 and call it a deal. I really do like dark blue on just about any car. I've wanted a blue car since I started driving, so that would be nice.

So overall I was not dissapointed in the ZX2. If I can find a Protege ES 5spd, I'll still get that. Otherwise it's not unlikely that you'll see some pictures of my new ZX2 in a few weeks.

Since we went all the way to Green Bay, we also decided to look around at other dealerships, and ended up driving several other cars:

95 Celica GT Conv 5spd (fun car, TERRIBLE pedal feel though...all three pedals were really stiff)
96 Celica hardtop auto (meh)
99 Accord sedan 5spd (nice car)
2001 Regal GS (lots of low-end power, still a Buick. The thick padded bench seat and huge numbers on the clock remind you of Buick's target age group).

Tasty · 06-27-05, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by White95Max

2001 Regal GS (lots of low-end power, still a Buick. The thick padded bench seat and huge numbers on the clock remind you of Buick's target age group).

Haha, yeah. People knocking on death's door. Anyway, a friend of mine had one and she really liked it. Brake Check decided it would be a good idea to let it get flooded out while sitting in their parking lot waiting to be worked on though, so that was the end of that.

kgb · 06-27-05, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasty

Haha, yeah. People knocking on death's door.

My buddy has a 2002 Regal and everyone calls it the grampa car but it is in the low 12's with a turbo charger.

Tasty · 06-27-05, 11:46

Yeah, but I place some value on styling and Buicks have none. Their lines are terrible.

chml17l · 06-27-05, 12:03

Toyota and Honda quality way outdoes Ford. I don't think you could go wrong with either the Celica or Accord.

If you do get the ZX2 make sure if doesn't have Ford's trick cruise control. I'm referring to the recent news report of 16 million Fords that were manufactured with faulty cruise control switches. The switch is wired hot (always on) and sits above the brake master cylinder. It is separated by a thin film membrane from the brake fluid. The brake fluid vaporizes thru the membrane and can auto-ignite your car even with the ignition shut off!

Quality certainly is Job 1 at Ford!

themightytimmah · 06-27-05, 12:09

I like Buicks - they're built pretty well, IMHO, and the ones with the 3600II S/C can really move. If I were you, I'd avoid the ZX2 and the old "low mileage for cheap" trap. I'm going through a similar situation right now, as I'm looking for a car for my sister (new driver).

IMHO, you're better off buying something thats built to last, with a ton of miles, rather than something thats gone at 100 with 50 on it already. Right now I'm looking at a 1987 MB 500SEL for her. It's got 225 on it, but its got a lot of new parts (repair schedule followed religously), and the paint is in amazing condition for the age (swirled to hell, but NO deep scratches or anything). I figure that it's good for 350,000 miles, or so, and it'll look brand new after a little wool pad lovin. Mileage sucks, though.

But hey, if you like the ZX2, thats all that matters. Best of luck on whatever you decide on picking up, just remember to run synthetic and change regularly, and she'll last ya well beyond college. My GTP has 109,000 miles, and I plan on keeping her for another 4 years or so, until I get out of college.

TW85 HHI · 06-27-05, 01:07

Two of my uncles in Arizona work at dealerships (the owner of the dealerships sells many brands including Ford). One is the service/parts manager and the other has worked in service and now is in the body shop. Their opinion is that the Escort, ZX2, etc., are built to last 50-75,000 miles and then they really start to have problems. I know you are on a budget and looking for something more fuel efficient but my honest opinion is that a ZX2 is a huge step down from your Maxima.

White95Max · 06-27-05, 01:29

Yes the ZX2 is a huge step down from the 5spd Maxima, I'll agree with that. But as you said, I'm looking for fuel economy and low vehicle costs (insurance, parts, gas...). I REALLY hate my accident damage, so that's a major factor as well. I don't want to keep the Max any longer. And fixing the damage is out of the question.

The Accord and Celica were both nice cars, but there's a big problem with each:

The Celica was a convertible, so carrying a kayak on top would not work. In addition to that, the pedal feel was SO bad that it's enough to make me say no to buying the car. I couldn't shift smoothly at all due to the extremely stiff pedals. They wanted $8495 for it too.

The Accord was black with leather, and I didn't like how my a** was roasting the instant I sat down on the seat (It was 92 and sunny today). Plus the fact that it was going for $8995...I am looking to spend under $5000.

I have always heard that Escorts and ZX2s are very reliable cars. My brother is a Ford mechanic and he didn't have any complaints about the ZX2s.

BTW I'm only planning on driving it for 2-3 years, so I'll put on less than 50K miles for sure. I'm not too worried about major problems at 80K miles. And of course it will get maintained very well, much like my Maxima has been. When I get a new car, it's getting:

New plugs/wires
Oil/filter change
Fuel filter change
New belts if needed
Coolant change
Power steering fluid change
Transmission fluid change
New tires/wheels for summer, snow tires on stock wheels.

And of course, tinted windows and a multiple-day all-out detailing appointment!