Recently ive decided that since i have approx. 49 unfinished projects that i need another because 50 is a better number sooooo.......
Whats everyones thoughts on the zx2? Ive found multiple for $1200 and under. Also a couple of non turbo fwd Talons have popped up for about price. Which would you pick for a fun DD, something with decent mpg, with maybe even possible Challenge build one day?
If you can get a ZX2 SR (I think), get that. Better suspension and intake I think. I would much rather have a zx2 than a non-turbo talon
I'd go ZX2 because if I had a non turbo FWD talon I'd constantly be wishing I had a TSI AWD.
Talon has the bigger aftermarket. Having driven neither that's my only thought on the subject.
Are we talking 1G or 2G Talon here? If it's a 1G non turbo it's still a 4g63, so using readily available parts to add boost is a decent option.
Take the focus. That talon can't be good.
In reply to Daylan C :
2g is all ive seen for about that price
In reply to Mndsm :
Actually the zx2 is an Escort
Turbo DSMs are almost free now. Why would you want a non-turbo one? Or an Escort?
ZX2, the Zetec is a great engine. Not that a 4G63 is bad, it’s just missing a T, and the 2G cars were a bit bloated from the 1G.
2G DSMs without the turbo used a variant of the Neon mill, so not much fits from the turbo cars, and the motor has a good deal more weight to lug around than it did in the Neon. I'd go with the ZX2 personally.
Any years better than the others on zx2's? 2003 has a different grill apparently
Bobby Ore has a fleet of zx2’s that he purchased brand new for the stunt driving school. They all have a godzillion “hard” miles with no catastrophic failures. His only complaint is that it’s gotten a lot harder to find new ots parts :/
Antihero said:In reply to Mndsm :
Actually the zx2 is an Escort
I'd still take the escort. A non turbo 2g is a 420a single cam from a neon. The unfortunate reality is 2gs especially were subject to the rice neglect tax. I can't imagine said 2g was maintained well.
Both and learn to accept having an odd number of projects. 51 sounds better than 50 anyway.
You can turbo a 420a. It's not as good as a 4g63 but they can still make ok numbers
smokindav said:Turbo DSMs are almost free now. Why would you want a non-turbo one? Or an Escort?
They are? Granted, it's been almost 20 years since I looked, but I would think that they'd be getting scarce and somewhat valuable now.
A Zetec SVT should fit where the Escorts Zetec resides. Then plop in ITBs connected to the ZSVT's lower intake manifold. It's like it was designed for it. +170hp and ITBs screaming!
Grizz said:Both and learn to accept having an odd number of projects. 51 sounds better than 50 anyway.
You can turbo a 420a. It's not as good as a 4g63 but they can still make ok numbers
Only if you've got a motec system exhaust.
I think the Zetec motor is well loved overseas so it has a decent aftermarket (I THINK). The ZX2 is also on the shared BG chassis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_B_platform#BG) which has a fairly great aftermarket for a car of this type (suspension, brakes, etc) . Very reliable little cars from what I've been told. Another vote ZX2, though they aren't exactly beauty queens.
I love mine:
In reply to Mndsm :
ZX2 is an Escort coupe.
ZX2SRs are really hard to find since very few were built and only two years.
My 2000 Red, one of 500, was the most fun car I ever had. DD, ice race, autox and track day.
Served me well for 10 yrs.
Not to deter you, but if you're considering the ZX2, have you looked at the Civic and friends from Honda? I.e. similar year Civic/Prelude/Accords - I love my ZX2, just adding to the discussion. I think they generally cost a bit more.
The Fords are DIRT cheap from what I've seen locally. Interior is pretty good, steering feel OK, brakes on mine don't have good feel, but with good pads do their job well. The real party trick seems to be reliability - they run like tops and make good power.
iceracer said:In reply to Mndsm :
ZX2 is an Escort coupe.
Yeah.....I caught that. I don't read names much anymore. I read the letters after, and decide if I need to know what it is lol.
ZX2. As noted, it's a Mazda BG Protege underneath with a Ford Zetec. Plenty of support and aftermarket if you look. 10" wheels fit in front, 9's in back...all under a gentle roll.
On track at RA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-GoKPCUv2Y&t=295s
FSP_ZX2 said:<..> 10" wheels fit in front, 9's in back...all under a gentle roll.
Not to completely derail the thread, but what offset are you using to get that size wheel under it? Coming from miatas and civics - the offset on these cars is a bit batty (i.e. none of my wheels come close to fitting).
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