1998 Ford Escort Consumer Reviews Page 9

After nearly 5 years, it's been great!!

Written by: wje on 02/02/2003

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Hot Coupe

Review

I purchased my '98 ZX2 Sport brand new. After nearly 5 years, I've put 40K miles on it. I'm using Mobil1 sythetic oil in my car. It's never been in the shop for a repair. Sadly, my daughter is now 9-years-old and I need to spring for a 4-door car, so I've got to sell my ZX2 :( The car has been a fun car and my red paint shines as good as (or better) than the day I purchased it due to my extensive upkeep on the car. I'm not young - nearly 40, but this has been a fun car to drive.

Favorite Features

Split-fold rear seats, excellent heater and A/C performance. 15" aluminum wheels, low maintenance that is required on this vehicle, gas mileage and the Zetec engine.

Suggested Improvements

In 2003, Ford revised the ZX2. The new ZX2 uses a standard head unit for the radio/CD option. Ford should have always used this configuration from the beginning - rather than a proprietary radio.

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Watch out Ferrari!

Written by: Jeffro on 12/15/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

Overall, the car has been great since day one. Put more than 35k in one year and it just won't die!

Favorite Features

Interior controls are well placed.

Suggested Improvements

Double horsepower so you can smoke yo bad beemers. Cut seats open, stuff in pillows, and restich.

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Great Car for the money

Written by: langevette on 11/11/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe

Review

I bought this car for college transportation. and it is great! I now have over 72000 and still runs great. I bought it with trans. problems and fought the dealer till he rebuilt if for free. ($1500 worth) Gas milage in the mid 30s, but I drive hard.

Favorite Features

5sp trans, acceration and good looks

Suggested Improvements

Installed a k&n filter and removed are box for better MPG and HP.

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good car

Written by: probe user on 10/10/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Hot Coupe

Review

this was my first car, it was a good car until i totaled it. oops. Never gave me any problems the 3 years i had it. good car

Favorite Features

keyless entry, great gas mileage

Suggested Improvements

rattle sound in the hood

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This car has been sooo good to me!

Written by: Aileen on 10/01/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe

Review

I bought my ford escort in May of 1998. I have never had a serious problem with this car (other than the ac compressor giving out at 65,000 - but it IS florida). This car has never let me down. The reliability is excellent and for only a 2.0 it hauls ass!!!! I wish I would ahve got the one witht the sun roof!

Favorite Features

The fold down seats a re great plus! The low fuel indicator is great as well.

Suggested Improvements

Tweak the seats for shorter people - i am only 5'

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ZX2

Written by: adam okay on 09/25/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Cool Coupe

Review

I love it!

Favorite Features

I love the sound of the engine.. makes kind of a whooshing noise

Suggested Improvements

shifter could be a little tighter in the 5-spd.. but you can get a cheap aftermarket kit to fix that anyways.

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Good, but watch out

Written by: wingchunner on 09/16/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Hot Coupe

Review

I didn't like the way the automatic transmission shifted. It handles and responds well, but because of the lightness of the car, it is affected by wind which at times makes it a little more difficult to control. Changing the serpantine belt is a little coslty .I thought there was a squeecking noise which I thought was the belt (not), then they thought something was rubbing against the transmission, so that was pulled (not that either), so the mechanic believes that the crankshaft is somehow getting out of kilter or the bearing might be worn wrong. It will cost over two grand to replace the engine or repair the crankshaft.

Favorite Features

looks, gas mileage, fold down back seats gave access to trunk, tight turning raidus,

Suggested Improvements

better support in seats, better sights to gauges (had to duck to see through the steering wheel to see my speed limit. better crankshaft or bearings that hold the crank. More room around the engine. Somebody has to have a better system for mounting license plates, too!

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Been good to me so far..

Written by: 2 Ford Owner. on 08/19/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought my 1998 Escort in Nov 1997 when the new models came out. I paid about 13K. This car has been very good to me, I have never been stranded, the car runs great, of course I did not put alot of miles on it and I do get the maintenance done as instructed by Ford. I have since bought a 2002 Taurus SEL premium (and kept my Escort too) which blows my 98 escort away in comfort and power. However, when filling up at the pump, the Escort wins hands down.

Favorite Features

Good looks, Reasonable price, Overall it is Reliable (if you take care of it) unless you get a lemon, fuel economy.

Suggested Improvements

I would have liked a 16 valve engine for the sedan?

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Buyer Beware

Written by: Mrs. Den on 08/08/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Hot Coupe

Review

This cute, sporty car has been awesome...until now! Only four years old and both the transmission AND engine have gone belly up in less than 40,000 miles...NOT GOOD! More trouble and money than it's worth ~ gave up and traded it in for a Toyota!!!

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage and a very comfortable ride for petite people.

Suggested Improvements

God willing the overall workmanship of this vehicle has improved since 1998!!! For a transmission AND engine go out in four years and 40,000 miles is INSANE!

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Ruby the racecort

Written by: angel_marie03 on 08/05/2002

Vehicle

1998 Ford Escort 2 Dr ZX2 Hot Coupe

Review

It is a nice little car. Very fast for a V4. I have only had it for a little bit but it seems to be pretty realiable.

Favorite Features

My favorite feature is probably the speed and the price.

Suggested Improvements

The interior needs some work it is kind of ugly. That and i think the CD player should be in the frount instead of a changer mounted in the trunk.

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