1998 Ford Escort zx2 review from North America
"Great for the buck"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I am going on my third transmission.
Second clutch.
Third alternator.
Rough idle.
It hesitates.
Faulty brakes proportion valve in master cylinder was giving me brakes to only two wheels, smashed the car twice before I found this out and then later finding out that it was a factory recall that I never received.
General comments?
Great gas mileage and is very quick.
From what I have learned the transmission problems are from basically a crappy design and poor quality gears are commonly mis-aligned shift forks are built of very weak metal synchronizers have poor ratio matching from gear to gear.
Warning!!! if your car zx2 is 1999 and earlier get you master cylinder checked for equal pressure distribution to the wheels.
Rough idle & hesitation is probably from a sucked in intake gasket to check, with the car running spray some starting fluid near each intake port where the intake bolts to the head when the car revs up that is where it is leaking.
Even with the problems I've had the car forever and I like it it's never stranded me and has been for the most part been kinda reliable however if anyone knows about a class action law suit involving any safety issues please let me know. Brownie420_2000@yahoo.com thax.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model Year | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 zetec Manual |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 7/10 |
| Comfort marks | 6/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 175000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Mustang |
| Date of Entry | 11th August, 2006 |