Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with it since I've had it. Only routine maintenance, none of the break problems everyone else seems to have had.

General Comments:

I love this car, but don't think I'd own another one. It depreciates quickly which leaves a trade in virtually impossible unless you want to give the car away, and it is so light, windy driving, hitting puddles, and snow driving (I live in Indiana) is down-right scary sometimes.

It's a sharp quick little car, and sips gas like you wouldn't believe. I've been known to take 2 weeks before re-filling my tank. And it is fun, but not a weather car.

Faults:

The only thing that has happened, and recently, is a rattle which I believe to be a heat shield on the converter. Other than that, the car is excellent.

General Comments:

Car handled real well when I got it. Installed shorter shocks/springs to grip road even tighter.

Replaced sway bar bushings to stiffen ride.

I won't beat many off the line, but you'll have trouble handling the back roads like I can. Seriously fun little car, great gas mileage, low maintenance cost. A lot of car for the money.

Faults:

Serpentine belt went out right around 45,000 miles. When it broke, it also took out the fan belt. Luckily most of the damage was covered under the warranty.

I took the car into the dealership in March 2003 due to a burning smell coming from the vents. Turned out, I had leaves in the fan motor. At the same time, the service department notified me that the serpentine belt was again cracked and had to be replaced.

May 2003 - engine line came on car. solenoid and sensor needed replaced.

General Comments:

Overall, this was a good choice in vehicles for me. Except for the more recent issues, I have not had any other major issues with the car.

The seats are somewhat uncomfortable, especially driving long distances. But this could be more of a personal preference than anything.

Faults:

I replaced the drivers side wheel bearing because it was noisy.

The head lamps scratch easily.

The hood latch broke.

General Comments:

I really love my ZX2. I re-upholstered the seats in color matching vinyl. I installed a custom stereo system and more.

It is a quick little car.

Faults:

The brake system is in my opinion cheap, but the Escort is an inexpensive car.

The door and trim panels do not like to be removed more than two or three times. I have had to remove mine many times for car audio and security wiring, also for vandalism repair and sound deadening with Dynamat Extreme.

General Comments:

For the price you can't beat the Ford Escort. It can compete with the Honda's and other comparable foriegn cars with no problem.

The Escort that I drive has been in three accidents, one before I purchased it and two that were my fault. Both accidents were slow speed (approx 5 mph.). the first accident required replacing the hood, bumper cover, bumper support, header panel, a/c condenser, radiator, a/c accumulator, and a little tweaking of the uni-body metal. The second accident required replacing all of the above minus the hood, and radiator. I haven't decided if I will fix the beast this time due to me wanting a truck and the local unavailability of the bumper support.

Faults:

Rear seat ripped along the seam.

Steering wheel sometimes squeaks when turning, but no one could find the problem, more annoying then anything else.

General Comments:

It was a really good car and handled well on back roads.

The cabin was a little small for me, but I am a tall person.

I would recommend this car for anyone that wants a car that handles well and is cheap to maintain.