Honest opinions, please.

nineball481 · #1 02-14-2005, 03:44 PM

I need a car to drive to and from work. I am trying to keep the miles down on the truck. I have looked into a bunch of different cars. I have, pretty much, made up my mind that I would like a focus.

I'm currently looking at a 2002 ZX3 5spd with 40,000miles

Do you think this car would be reliable? I have heard some horror stories about 2K and 2K1 models. Were most problems fixed after that time?

I'm looking for a fuel efficent, but still fun to drive car. Any advice/warnings will be appreciated.

Jake

J-Ri · #2 02-14-2005, 03:54 PM

I'd prefer a Cavalier over a focus.

Mustangman25 · #3 02-14-2005, 04:26 PM

There's no doubt that the Focus is fun to drive, so long as you get a Zetec (which you would have in the ZX3), and it's true that the Focus did have some reliability problems early on (Focus was introduced in N. America in 2000) and by about 02, a lot of the bugs were worked out, but the newer you go, the better. The '02 is reliable, but not as reliable as an 03 or 04 might be...then again I've heard terrible stories about the 00 Focus, and I haven't had any problems, after 7 months, that have caused me to really worry aside from a pulsating brake, but new rotors fixed that. HTH

ZX2000 · #4 02-15-2005, 06:11 AM

honest opinion? get a ZX2...

focusyn · #5 02-16-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX2000

honest opinion? get a ZX2...

Late build 01 model year cars have most of the bugs worked out of them. My car was built in August or Sept 01 and I haven't had many of problems that plagued the 00 and early 01.

zx2srdotnet · #6 02-16-2005, 05:29 PM

the 02 focus is a nice sturdy car, yes teh zx2 was more reliable all the years of its run but if your looking at a focus id see no problem .w the 02 with only 40k

pre98zetec · #7 02-16-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Ri

I'd prefer a Cavalier over a focus.

Yeah, Blown head gaskets are badass

mlw35405 · #8 02-17-2005, 02:21 AM

Quote:
I'd prefer a Cavalier over a focus.

______________

If you think the head gaskets are awesome, you should check out their crash tests too! Broken knees go with busted heads...

nineball481 · #9 02-17-2005, 05:21 AM

I appreciate all the replies so far. Any others would be welcome also.

I'm staying away from cavaliers, at least the previous body style anyway. A friend of mine owned one. He had tons of sensor and computer problems, then the engine finally blew the head gasket.

nineball481 · #10 02-17-2005, 05:23 AM

I appreciate all the replies so far. Any others would be welcome also.

I'm staying away from cavaliers, at least the previous body style anyway. A friend of mine owned one. He had tons of sensor and computer problems, then the engine finally blew the head gasket.

zx2srdotnet · #11 02-17-2005, 11:26 AM

i do have to admit the ecotec is a lot better plower plant then the zetec (although its also .4 bigger)its been reconozed as the best motor out right now for i4 power, they can make crazy numbers relibly, i wanna see how the new duratec 2.3 competes

pre98zetec · #12 02-17-2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx2srdotnet

i do have to admit the ecotec is a lot better plower plant then the zetec (although its also .4 bigger)its been reconozed as the best motor out right now for i4 power, they can make crazy numbers relibly, i wanna see how the new duratec 2.3 competes

.4? I think you're thinking of the LD9 (2.4liter out of the Z24). The ecotec is a 2.2L and I don't know about crazy number reliably on a stock motor (LOTS and I mean LOTS have blown up with under 8psi on JBO). But if you mean fully built I'd have to agree it's a good motor, So is the Zetec if you have the money to build it.

zx2srdotnet · #13 02-17-2005, 08:28 PM

yeah i ment .2 the same motor is the 2.0 SC cobaltSS and the roughly 300+ SC cobalt demo, they can take made power, the only reason the blow is due to bad tuning

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