I have a 1998 ZX2 bought brand new. It has 400,000 km's on it, which is about 250,000 miles.
It starts and runs perfectly, has an auto trans --> no troubles.
I changed the alternator (bearing got noisy), struts, brakes, muffler normal wear items. Never had any trouble with the car -- never had any warranty work done. Been a great car.
Handles nice in the winter but you HAVE to buy winter tires --> Dunlop Graspic from Wally World aren't too bad.
Paint is getting pretty rough now so we use it as the winter car. Hoping to get at least 2 more years outta the old girl.
2000 s/r, check engine light comes and goes.
Low oil light comes on at idle.
Cam timing is not working. Don't know where it is so can't check it.
Get 30-35 mpg. Runs great.
I bought my 1999 ZX2 with 30k on it for less than 8k...has over 170k now! Always starts and is very reliable. I have replaced the AC, alternator, couple ball joints/tie rods, brakes every 2 years... but all in all this is a cheap car to keep on the road!
I do second the winter tire post! YOU MUST put winter tires on this car. I have Bridgestone Blizzaks on mine and cheap 15" all season tires for April-Oct.
I would buy again.
On the gas problem there is an upset valve coming from the gas tank that has a ball valve in it that sticks closed for a period of time if your car rolls over, so the gas won't come out. (Maybe) remove it or replace it.
When I wrecked my 94 Lebaron GTC I was crushed, I had driven many cars besides it, and nothing had the same feel.
While in search of a new vehicle, we did our research and saw ZX2s seemed to be worthy. We purchased a ZX2 with 132k on it and typical "used car problems", alternator (seems common), belt and tensioner and brake work.
We kinda bought this car in haste, and didn't see that we had bought an S/R.
Now that we knew we had an S/R, we did more research, and concluded this car was probably fast... oh boy.
I eat almost everybody I race, I only feed it plus or better octane, and I've upgraded the ignition.
After about 6 months, I was driving along calmly, and turned a corner, heard a bang under the hood and a rattle soon after.
I immediately pulled over to look things over, I saw no fluids, no motor problems, nothing. The steering was fine, so I decided to keep going home.
Long story short, I have either blown an output Bering, spider gear, or ring gear.
It drives and shifts fine, just rattles on a coast down.
All in all, I adore this car, I'd recommend them to anybody.
If you find an S/R, get it, it's well worth the money and it loves to go round corners.
I've topped at 135, and I run about 6 seconds to 60.
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