Faults:

Total maintenance spending over five years: $3,363.

2005:

Alternator ($219)

2006:

Two tie rod ends ($245)

New head ($835)

Rear spring ($167)

2007:

New brakes, tie rod ($358)

New wiring harness in lift gate ($360)

New tires ($290)

2008:

New coil ($150)

Wheel alignment ($40)

2009:

Sway bar, fuel injector ($215)

New alternator ($225)

New tires ($184)

New battery ($75)

General Comments:

Overall, I have been pleased with this car. Only maintenance expenses I might fault Ford on are head gasket and wiring harness for lift gate.

Gas mileage averaged 35 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.

Rust started showing in 2008 and it is clearly advancing. Rocker panels each have a hole on the bottom from rust. Lift gate is rusting at the bottom. Window frame on driver's side has an ugly rust spot, and roof is rusting out where it meets the windshield.

Faults:

I have had the best luck with this car. I made sure to keep up on all maintenance, following the schedule provided with the car.

At 112,700 miles, I still have not replaced the original clutch!

I had the A/C repaired at 55,000 (condenser), but that is it. No engine or transmission problems. Only general maintenance.

General Comments:

The interior of the car is comfortable with everything needed easily accessible. It has loud street noise, but most Fords do.

It's a really fun car to drive, and I'm sad to have just sold it. It was in such good shape that I received $2,000 in the sale. I wish they still made the ZX2!!!

Faults:

Speed sensor went out at about 180k.

Transmission lines completely rusted out at 180k.

Alternator went out at about 170k.

D.O.H.C. solenoid faulty at about 175k.

The car has idled rough since I bought it. I gave it a major tune-up (plugs, wires, sensors, filters) and it still idled rough.

During a recent oil change, I noticed a wire that goes into one of the wiring harnesses on the alternator was loose. I pushed it in completely and the rough idle smoothed right out. I went to a Ford dealer and tried to get that particular piece, and was told that I had to buy the entire wiring harness for the entire car ($1200). I told him I wasn't building a car from scratch, just fixing the one I had, so I would try to make do with what I had. A little black tape held the wire tightly in place. The car runs great now.

Faults:

A/C went out at 60,000.

Alternator at 90,000.

General Comments:

I have a 1999 ZX2 which I got brand new. It just turned 160,000 miles and still runs fine. It's a 5 speed and still running on the original clutch. (amazing for living in San Francisco). I'm getting about 30 mpg city and 35 mpg on the highway.

I've changed the oil every 3,000 miles. Keep my fluids topped off and have never had any major problems. I do most of the work myself, but have taken it the the shop when the A/C quit. (That was $400 to fix. $200 relay plus labor)

I put a new alternator on at 90,000 and changed the battery at that time. Timing belt at 120,000. At that time I changed the water pump, belt and hoses. I've done the brakes one time at around 80,000.

This car has been a great car. I never expected to get this many miles out of it. When I got it, I wanted a Mustang but couldn't afford one. I thought I would drive the Escort for a couple of years, and then get the Mustang. Well I got a new Fusion for my wife 2 years ago, and I'm still in the ZX2. I can't say I love it, but it's been good to me.