Ford Escort

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $14000.00 from Reynolds Ford

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Ford Escort ZX2

Strengths:
Pretty quick getting up to highway speed. You get a lot of car for the money & it was very reliable. Did have a couple of problems (see weaknesses). Very fun to drive!

Weaknesses:
Had to take it back to the dealership one week after purchase because something was wrong with the battery. Biggest problem was the ignition coil went out at 30,000 miles & left my family stranded on the highway on the way to a funeral. Not cool. Back seat is very small & does not accomodate a car seat very well.

Summary:
I loved owning this car. It was very fun to drive & great on gas. This was the 3rd Escort that I had owned & much more peppy than the 2 previous ones (a 1992 & a 1997, both 4-doors). The trunk is surprisingly large & fits more than you may think. Would have kept it much longer, but we needed a larger vehicle. I would highly recommend this car, especially for college students. It has great acceleration & it was always fun to be able to zip around everyone on the freeway. The ride was pretty comfortable, but not if you are going to be in the car for more than a few hours at a stretch. Overall, though, i was really sad to let this car go. Traded for a 2005 Toyota Camry.

Similar Products Used:
1992 Escort Hatchback, 1997 Escort

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Century Ford Rockvil

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 ZX2

Strengths:
Styling, feature set (Premium has almost everything), nice ride in all respects.

Weaknesses:
Vibration at idle at times especially with a/c engaged; engine noise in passenger compartment (any insulation in that firewall?) still, it doesn''t detract from enjoying the car, it reinforces the idea that there IS an engine; 6CD changer looks cool but midrange is colored and highs nonexistant, and with that big "pod" they could eliminate the cassette and make room for the CD changer right in the passsenger compartment.

Summary:
Great acceleration, looks, visibility. Steering precise and effortless. I owned a 2000 Focus ZX3 and traded for the Escort ZX2. Have owned many Escorts before, and am glad to be back in one. The Focus may be technologically advanced in some respects (many respects?) but it''s awkward high stance and poor visibility with the small rear window and little side vision made me dread driving it. By comparison, somehow, the ZX2 is fun to drive. I don''t have many doubts as to reliability as it *is* still an Escort, and I''ve never had a breakdown or "won''t start" problem with them. The Focus is quieter, tighter, takes turns better; but drive a Focus for awhile, then drive the ZX2 and just look in the rear view mirror and you can see everything, not just a small portal. The Focus has a bit of an edge in the a/c and heat control; I like the vacuum-assist function selector of the Escort, but the mandatory "compressor must run" hard-wiring of many of the positions isn''t appreciated. The Focus a/c and heat control is a mechanical function selector with some "logic" to the compressor operation and recirc control (for example, if you shut the car off with the a/c engaged, at next startup, it will re-engage after a few seconds of idle, while at the same time it will ALWAYS drop the recirculation control engagement. The Focus has "fadeout" interior light (fades from full brightness to off) and the Escort doesn''t, no big deal. One thing I do miss a bit is the "auto-lock" feature where the Focus would lock the doors automatically after driving off.

Similar Products Used:
''92 and ''96 Escorts, ''00 Focus (I had Escorts, the original design, in the 80''s as well, and they were, well, a work in progress).

Price Paid:  $11000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 ZX2

Strengths:
Everything

Weaknesses:
Mine does not have AC

Summary:
Great little car fast great millage

Similar Products Used:
escort se

Price Paid:  $16500.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 ZX2

Strengths:
Visibility, gas mileage, sound system, handling and highway driving. I also like the appearance as no other car really looks like it on the road.

Weaknesses:
The Ford delaer I went to makes it so you must get all the extra options if you want anti-lock brakes. I could have gone without the moonroof, CD changer and leather interior but to drop those would mean no anti-lock brakes. I am dissapointed the dealer did not have any base models with anti-lock brakes. I wonder if this was the dealer's or Ford's idea.

Summary:
I am very impressed so far with this car. The Zetec engine has a lot of pep to it and I get very good pick up even at only 130 HP. The price includes every option possible. I feel very safe while driving, much better than my Plymouth Laser which I traded in. Anyone looking for a very safe car that desn't have a lot to spend or are looking for a car for their teenage kids can't go wrong with a ZX2.

Similar Products Used:
Plymouth Laser, Pontiac Sunbird. A lot nicer and a better ride. The Laser handeled turns better at high speeds but the ZX2 is much better than the Sunbird.

Price Paid:  $11000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 zx2

Strengths:
Acceleration, will beat a lot of other cars. Will beat hondas, acuras, v6 mustangs and even some 5.0's.

Weaknesses:
Interior lacks a quality feel. Looks cheap. The stock cassette stereo is very odd, and is hard to replace. Speakers suck, so do the wheels. Not very comfortable in the back, but hey, I'm not sitting there.

Summary:
Very fun to drive, AC is adequate, a lot of power for a four banger. I'm really satisfied with it, and get around 27mpg in town and 35 on the highway. If you are looking for a cheap, fast car, get a zx2. Mine came with a sunroof and cd for 11000 before tax, brand new. But make sure you get the 5-speed. The auto's are trouble-ridden. This is definitely a young person's car though, as it's not extremely comfortable. The only reason I gave it three stars is simply because of overall quality and resale. I'll never get more than 6500 for it once it turns 50,000 miles.

Similar Products Used:
I've looked at every small car that is and ever was. This is the best 'bang for the buck' you're going to find anywhere.