But from what i'm seeing on Craigslist these days, your money will buy a lot more Escort than it will Neon.
Sad but true. If you find a NICE neon you will pay for it. On the other hand, there is almost NO market for zx2's (not many people even know what they are) so they go cheap. i see a lot in the $2k region for nice-looking cars. Of course, nice looking and 'would i pay that for a zx2?' are COMPLETELY different hehe.
Vigo wrote:But from what i'm seeing on Craigslist these days, your money will buy a lot more Escort than it will Neon.Sad but true. If you find a NICE neon you will pay for it. On the other hand, there is almost NO market for zx2's (not many people even know what they are) so they go cheap. i see a lot in the $2k region for nice-looking cars. Of course, nice looking and 'would i pay that for a zx2?' are COMPLETELY different hehe.
I still feel that the Escort GT is a closer match for a Neon ACR. The ZX2 is really only relevant in S/R form. I'll be honest, i wouldn't pay $2k for a ZX2.
$1000 will get you a VERY nice EGT, and quite honestly, that's a REAL close matchup. I've been racing a Neon ACR lately, and it's awesome. But i can't help but think/know that i could get at least that same performance out of a nice EGT, and quite easily, at that.
Of course, if we want to introduce other cars into the options, i've got some other ideas.
93celicaGT2 wrote: Of course, if we want to introduce other cars into the options, i've got some other ideas.
I'm gonna assume they're either +1 over a Miata or rhyme with this actress's first name?
jj wrote: Didn't mercury have a 4 door version of the EGT?
Yep. Tracer LTS.
Actually... 1st gen Protege LX, Escort GT, Escort LX-E, and Tracer LTS are all the same car.
ReverendDexter wrote:93celicaGT2 wrote: Of course, if we want to introduce other cars into the options, i've got some other ideas.I'm gonna assume they're either +1 over a Miata or rhyme with this actress's first name?
I don't think i'm smart enough to figure this one out. Who is that? 
93celicaGT2 wrote: I don't think i'm smart enough to figure this one out. Who is that?
Angelica Houston.
93celicaGT2 wrote:jj wrote: Didn't mercury have a 4 door version of the EGT?Yep. Tracer LTS. Actually... 1st gen Protege LX, Escort GT, Escort LX-E, and Tracer LTS are all the same car.
The ZX2 was built on the same platform, so many parts interchange. An EGT had 127 hp. the ZX2 had 132 hp.
ReverendDexter wrote:93celicaGT2 wrote: I don't think i'm smart enough to figure this one out. Who is that?Angelica Houston.
Heh, i figured it would sound something like that.
But yes, you're correct. I'm very reasonably sure that a well-prepped 4th gen Celica GTS would be very relevant in this conversation.
Probably not the easiest car to find in great shape these days, though.
Stealthtercel wrote: Sorry for the thread jack, but... MCarp, what are those tail lights on your Neon? They look stock, but they're 3-colour.
They are the OE lights from a Europe-market Neon.
If anybody is interested in killing some brain cells, the OP posed the same question on the ZX-2 forum.
I'm sooo glad the GRM Board exists.
OP are you watching this thread?
My roommate shows me some of the more... "entertaining" threads on TeamZX2 from time to time. Like the guy that filled his transmission with coolant and radiator with transmission fluid, or the RWD Drift Escort y0 guy... The level of stupidity there is unreal sometimes. Makes me appreciate GRM that much more. 
unevolved wrote: My roommate shows me some of the more... "entertaining" threads on TeamZX2 from time to time. Like the guy that filled his transmission with coolant and radiator with transmission fluid, or the RWD Drift Escort y0 guy... The level of stupidity there is unreal sometimes. Makes me appreciate GRM that much more.
www.feoa.net will trump that site all day, every day.
Wow, if those people are characteristic of the crowd at that forum, i believe all the FAIL is theirs to claim. What a joke.
One more thumbs up for the GRM crowd
Our ZX2 set a new class record lap time of 1:27.7 last week, beating the old record set in 2005 by a BMW M3 at 1:28.8 (my co-driver drove, I was unable). This was with MCSCC (http://www.mcscc.org) in the SR-Street Restricted-class.
The car is a full-on SCCA ST autocross setup.
The ZX2 out-torques the Neon, and only gives up a few peak HP. The brakes (S/R) are absolutely fantastic. I'll take the Ford/Mazda build quality now over the Mopar as well.
http://www.mcscc.org/results/2009/ax/MC.AX.2009.TrackRecords.Milwaukee.pdf
On the ZX2 site, most are teenagers with their first car. On the GM site, most are more mature and on their umpteenth car. I try to help with the newbies on the ZX2 site. Some are pretty thick. Hard to get through to them.
Where are you guys finding ZX2 performance parts? A web search returned Pep Boys crap for me.
alleghenyman wrote: Where are you guys finding ZX2 performance parts? A web search returned Pep Boys crap for me.
Search for Mazda MX3 for the Chassis.
Look here as well: www.zxtuner.com
ZX2, because Neons rust like nobody's business.
The main downside to the ZX2 is that it's not a four-door. On the other hand, ZX2 bits in an Escort wagon...
(Yes, I have a thing for wagons.)
93celicaGT2 wrote: As for 2nd and 3rd gen being different cars... Not really. Same car, different motor. They're both BG chassis Mazdas.
Ford started with the BG chassis when they made the redesign, and a lot of parts interchange, but it's not the same chassis. It feels a whole lot stiffer, and Ford fixed the rear suspension. They gave it tubular links and cam adjusters for toe, instead of stamped steel links and threaded adjusters that sieze up within six months, requiring that you get the thing bright orange before you can adjust it. I've seen someone tear a link apart by trying to adjust one without heat.
Thanks, I'm going to try to look at a ZX2 tomorrow. I've been looking for a Neon R/T coupe but the only nearby one I found is $3000.
What are things to look for on a high-mile ZX2? Where are obvious rust spots?
If it's a manual transmission, check that the trans doesn't make any weird clicking/clunking noises when turning sharply, or going from forward to reverse. The trans doesn't tolerate abuse, and the diff pins can get worn or thrown. It's not as bad as a VW or Saturn trans, but it happens.
How old is the timing belt and idler pulleys? I've seen enough Zetec timing idler pulleys fail that replacement should be done immediately for peace of mind. (I've also seen 200k on the original pulleys too. YMMV)
I have yet to see a rusty ZX2. I'm sure it's possible, though, maybe someone else can chime in.
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