1st Jun 2008, 02:33

Alright, I don't know what you all do to your cars, but I have a 98 Ford Escort ZX2 manual transmission and I love it.

I put synthetic oil in it every 5000, and I have owned it for a year, and only have had to fix the radiator. It isn't top quality, but it's not a piece of crap. You just have to apparently know how to drive.

I worked on cars for 2 years, and I know what cars are crap, and this car, is not. You just can't drive it into the ground, but no one said it was meant for that.

11th Jul 2008, 21:14

I bought 1999 ZX2 5sp in 2005. It was in almost perfect condition. There were 89000 miles on it already. What I can say: a small great car. I had code 171, fixed by myself, it cost me $2 (two dollars) in parts. At 110000, alternator died, was replaced in shop ($380). And these are the only problems I had. I change oil after every 3000 miles; tires, brake shoes and pads whenever it is necessary. I keep my eyes on all fluids on daily basis, that's all maintenance I have. I have 148000 on my odometer now, and my ZX2 performs great. Also I am pretty satisfied with mileage: 25 mpg in city/35 mpg on interstate. I don't do dragracings, burnouts, and other abuses. I simply drive, 50-60 miles every day. That's all, folks.

26th Jul 2008, 13:22

We just bought a 1999 ZX2 from my in-laws for $500. It has 102,500 miles and is in absolutely perfect shape, inside and out. They bought it brand new, did regular maintenance, always drove it with some common sense and they never had a single problem with it. They say 25 mpg in city, 35 on highway. I haven't noticed any idle problems and the 5-speed trans shifts just fine.

I hope to continue this car's good record, but with 100,000 miles I hope the rubber band isn't close to snapping.

2nd Sep 2008, 13:15

OK,

I read all the comments, and all are the same 2 groups, the lucky and the unlucky owners.

I have 3 cars - ZX2 (99, 2k and used auto 2001), all 3 the same problems except trans.

I live in Mexico City, 2000 metres over sea level, and for rough idle I fixed with plastic belt around accelerator levers (maybe you spend more gas, but is minimum).

Those problems about A/C changing hoses; for the check engine lamps always on: in the 2001 it was fixed by cleaning valves and resetting disconnecting 20 seconds the battery (changed every 3 or 4 years)...

I maybe am in the lucky group, but I love its design, I just have to demand to Ford, to review the material of the engines and improve them for more power, because they say 130 hp and I feel maybe 80 into automatic and 95 into my other 2 manual cars...

For all those of bad lucky group with a ZX2, and who still likes the design, I suggest to sell your actual cars and buy another ZX2, observing before paying, that the new ZX2 belongs to the lucky group (I did myself, so I have 3 cars and am a happy owner).

I hope these tips serve you all... read around.

26th Oct 2008, 18:46

I have had my ZX2 for about 7 years. In that time I have replaced the transmission with a Ford transmission for the price of 2500.00. This comes with a 3 year warranty. Now 4 years later it is slipping again. No warranty left and I sure the price has went up. We have always bought Fords but I not to happy that they have a obvious problem and they choose to ignore it. We take very good care of are cars as they cost enough. All maintenance is preformed and are cars have a lot of miles. But if a car is not meant to be driven then that's not the car for me.

1st Mar 2009, 20:05

I have a 1999 Escort ZX2 and I love it! I just turned over 200,000 miles on this car. The air conditioner went out at 120,000 miles and the serpentine belt went out around 150,000 miles. Other than the rough idle, and now the stalling problem when I stop at a light, this car has been wonderful! I am just starting to have this problem with stalling and ended up here looking for answers. I will have this problem looked at this week and will drive this car forever. I change the oil regularly and keep on top of all other maintenance. This is the only reliable Ford I have ever owned, and I work for the company!

11th Mar 2009, 13:12

I have a 99 ZX2 automatic, bought in 2005 when it had 69K, ran pretty good till the last few months, speedometer died, then the lights on the gear rod died.

Finally car stopped in the middle of the road. The engine is running, but did not move. I think the transmission is gone, then after 10 minutes it started moving, probably transmission got slipping. I am taking the car to the mechanic tomorrow, hoping the bill should be low. I can't afford huge bills at this time. At least the good part is I don't need to drive to the work, I can walk.

12th Mar 2009, 22:20

I bought a 5 speed manual 98 ZX2 back in 2007 with 97,000 miles on it. The only non-scheduled repair that I had to perform on it was an outer tie rod end last month ($15.00). The vehicle now has 128,000 miles on it, original transmission. I have read that a lot of people have been having transmission trouble. You want to be wary of buying ANY high mileage vehicle without personally knowing the seller. I mean, who can say if the last person who owned it didn't know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle or abused it? (burnouts, donuts, racing... - the ZX2 is NOT a race car) Take care of the car and it will last you forever.

25th Mar 2009, 09:35

Well I think this car is okay from point A to point B, I was wondering does anyone know what type of fuel pump this car has?? Jojo.

25th Mar 2009, 15:10

My 1999 Ford Escort is one of the bad ones I think. It also might be me. I have horrible luck with cars. It probably doesn't help that I'm a delivery driver.

So far, after 3 months, I've had the blower motor and the thermostat changed. That wasn't too bad (only about $400), but now the transmission is starting to slip pretty badly. I had a Ford Bronco I a few years back, and also had transmission problems.

When I finally graduate from college and can afford a new car, I will NEVER buy another Ford.