I need better gas mileage than the 20 - 21 I'm getting, abeit in style! The Merc drive SO nice, but 30 miles each way, plus call in's and runing around. Found a 99 2 door with mt for about a grand. Think the improvement will be enough?
And, although I've never done autocross, would it be a decent platform to learn?
Figured I ask guys that know a thing or two!
They are fun. But you could always autox the Merc 
Would the gas savings offset the cost of purchasing, insuring, and maintaining a second vehicle?
For me, I’d take the mileage hit to have nice big comfy commuter. I like my Neon but driving it the 40min to work and back every day would get old pretty fast.
Zx2?
I want one. I tried to convince my buddy to autox his crown vic but he always said he couldn't afford new tires.
Yea it a ZX2; don’t know if it’s a cold or hot. Silly names. Did the names work for the young crowd?
The Merc was my mother in laws - I’d never be allowed to do any kind of racing with it! In addition to wanting to save some gas dollars, I’d love to limit the miles on her too! I’ve put most of the miles on it since 35K!
My math says that even at 25k miles per year it would basically take a full year to pay back the purchase price in fuel savings. And that's assuming it doesn't need anything and not accounting for the expense of owning another car, etc. That's not to say it's a terrible idea, just that justifying purchasing an additional car with saving fuel money doesn't usually work out. Especially when gas is super cheap and not looking to go up substantially any time soon.
In reply to dps214 :
When we can say $2.00/gallon and up is super cheap, life has definitely made us jaded!
but thanks for the math... I had not done!
We would park the Merc, and transfer the tag. Or maybe sell the wife’s highlander, and let her drive the Merc. The Highlander does have more room for the furry kids, but it’s been a MAJOR lemon for us, sadly.
BlueInGreen - Jon (Forum Supporter) said:They are fun. But you could always autox the Merc
Would the gas savings offset the cost of purchasing, insuring, and maintaining a second vehicle?
For me, I’d take the mileage hit to have nice big comfy commuter. I like my Neon but driving it the 40min to work and back every day would get old pretty fast.
With back roads the whole way, it’s at least a nice commute. No twisties, though.
So you think an ol’ guy, without my former selfs reflexes, could slap it around a course ok?
Zx2s are awesome, lots of fun to drive.
MT versions are getting much harder to find too
They are fun little cars. I had a 95 Sedan and it was a nice little commuter until I totaled it with about 300k on if. Just look it over good for rust.
Lots of go fast engine parts available, but they might be from across the pond at this point.
In reply to poopshovel again :
Nice
My 2000 ZX2SR was the best car I ever owned for 10 years.
That's the Mazda BG chassis with a lot of parts swapping available. I know the fuel savings alone takes a year to pay for (which seems like a good deal to me) there's consumables to consider like brake bits and tires. ZX2 should offer more savings there as well. If you want a little project this sounds like a great canvas.
I flipping love that chassis.
I test drove a ZX2 with a MT when I was looking at Miatas, and I was very impressed with the handling. I had no clue what it was, the sales guy thought I might like it when I was done looking at an NB. He was right. It’s just a fun car to chuck around, and they were pretty quick for their day.
I ended up getting an NA, but I still recall the joy of tossing that ZX2 into a corner with the salesman squirming.
I wish they got about 5 mpg better. If they did I’d own one for my commute. The interior was garbage quality unfortunately.
CyberEric said:I flipping love that chassis.
I test drove a ZX2 with a MT when I was looking at Miatas, and I was very impressed with the handling. I had no clue what it was, the sales guy thought I might like it when I was done looking at an NB. He was right. It’s just a fun car to chuck around, and they were pretty quick for their day.
I ended up getting an NA, but I still recall the joy of tossing that ZX2 into a corner with the salesman squirming.
I wish they got about 5 mpg better. If they did I’d own one for my commute. The interior was garbage quality unfortunately.
Mine pretty much gets 35mpg no matter how much I flog it
Reeeeeally. Good to know!
Owned a nice version of a '99 ZX2 for a while - was way more fun that it should have been. With an Escort GT (maybe also wagon?) rear anti-sway bar it would off-throttle oversteer all day. There's a lot of "low-hanging fruit" with that car - a few very basic tweaks make a world of difference. The m/t gear ratios are also hilarious - the ratio between 2nd and 3rd is so close it's very race car like. Nice sound with an intake and glasspack.
I would not likely trade a sled for a bean can for a daily commuter.
Remember the safety aspect as well.
I have completely ignored this advice and have a Mini S that I daily.
I used to flog her Escort pretty hard, I found that if you eased it over onto the bump stops and kept it there it would turn fairly predictably. I think it would have some problems flicking it or rapidly transitioning to an opposite turn (the body would still be rolling from the first turn as you entered the second). Think of how a CV2 corners....
In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
For fuel savings alone, prolly not enough, and prolly not going to be approved by my finance lady. But fuel saving is is a Start !
In reply to bentwrench :
Growing up, my grandparents had a 63 galaxy, and a 64 falcon. I loved that little falcon! Now, I do love my Merc., but it wouldn’t be leaving the family. I’d love to drive the F350 everyday, but fuel costs say it’s not a good plan.
Safety? The wife and furry kids would miss me, but that’s never been a factor in my choices! Who planed to live forever?
I'd say go for it. I have a base 99 with some SR jy goodies swapped in and it's a blast to drive.
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