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Buying Ztec, ATX or MTX

R

Ric

CEG'er
Joined
Jun 8, 2000
Messages
55
Location
MA
I'm looking to purchase another car (for my kids) and looking for 4 cyc MTX. Currently have a 98 SE, Sport, 2.5, MTX.

There isn't much out there w/ an MTX, & though it's fun driving an MTX (my kids, 2Bys 1 Grl agree w/ this), I'm thinking perhaps I ought to settle for an ATX.

Is the gas milage any different between ATX/MTX?

I have found 1 95 4 cyc, mtx, 80k miles in fair shape, is a ID check possible on this site? 3FALP6530TM133430

Also, not that I'll do this, but is converting to an MTX much work? I've done it with 60s cars (that's 1963 Impala and I'm truly dating myself with this, but I was only 4 yrs old;-)=)!) Just a question!

Thanks

Ric
 
mystiquevltwin said:
MTX!!!!

if your going with a Zetec....get the manuel :help:
Click to expand...

+1 The zetec with a stick still is a lot of fun, I ran my car a couple of times (at a track of course ;) ) and Next to a 98 3L duratec taurus I slowly started to pull it, felt pretty good about that :) the motor is virtually indestructible and blowing the differential isn't to easy of a task with an I4 either ;)

I hate admmitting it, but the trannies in the contour aren't the best ever designed, The ATX fails prematurely but the MTX is pretty much mechanically sound. I had my Zetec MTX tour from 100K to 137K miles and I never got as much as a hickup from it, I ground the gears.... three times the entire times I had it, and it was because my foot slipped off the clutch while I was shifting (stupid rubber floor mats). The shifts were always smooth and precise.

That 95' does seem like a good deal, but check the service history for the wiring harness recall, take the VIN number and go to a local ford dealer and have them perform an oasis test, this will confirm which recalls have been performed. If the wiring harness recall has been done, I would so go for it. But if it hasnt, stay away from it. The harness recall was only a 150K or 10 year coverage.

Gas mileage difference? I haven't heard of much, the contour wasn't really designed to be a gas miser like say... a honda civic or a Toyota Corolla. But on my old contour I could push about 26 or even 27 in the city if I would shift below 3K and feather the gas pedal all of the time. On average driving with a couple of redline pulls I could still get about 24 or 25. On the freeway I would get about 33 or 34. I think the numbers are virtually the same compared to the ATX model.

Another good car you might want to look into would be an early Ford Focus, maybe a 2000 hatch, you can get the same engine and transmission combo that the Contour has in that too, Zetec with an MTX, and its pretty easy to find too.
Or you could look into a 98 or newer Escort ZX2. Again, you can find a Zetec and MTX in these pretty commonly, and can be had with low miles for dirt cheap, and parts are cheap to find and they are easy to work on. I had a friend that had an 02' ZX2, he beat the crap out of it regularly and never had a single problem with it. I test drove an 03' with 24K miles on it, and it was a blast to drive, took corners wonderfully and was very comfertable, and was surprisingly spacious on the inside, I felt way more comfortable in that then I do in my corolla.

Someone will probably check that VIN number for you too, or you can make a separate thread asking for someone to carfax it. Some times people buy month subscriptions and offer to run codes for people. Very generously.
 
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Ugh dont go the atx route, way to under powerd.
I get the same gas milage out of my svt as my mystique zetec auto, 25 mpg.
If you go with a zetec you need a manual.
 
You say the car is for your kids - what do they want? Personally, I think it is a good thing for kids to learn to drive an mtx, so that is a plus for an mtx. Also, an mtx is a much better drive - more fun, better gas mileage, less costly to repair.

I have heard of ford atx's going too soon, but I suspect it is mostly due to lack of regular (every 30K) transmission fluid change. mtx fluid almost never needs changing (every 100K? just in principle?). I have a zetec atx with almost 140K, no tranny problems; darn few other problems for that matter.

For a car that old, resign yourself to regular maintenance expenses. I have cars that old, and I don't mind the maintenance expenses (such as they are) as a new car is much more costly, and my drivers (my kids) don't need more than what they have - they're happy with the cars (sort of). Certainly my youngest boy is very happy with my SVT, which I let him drive from time to time when he is home from school.

The contour is a good, fun car, but even more so with an mtx.

Hope this helps.
 
You live in Andover? Have you been to a meet (or have we just not crossed paths)?

Since it's for your kids - MTX all the way. Not only do you get to teach people on it and save clutch wear of your own car, but if they're highschool/college age there is a much less likely chance their friends will want to borrow the car. Provided they're willing to drive it, which you've indicated as such. You may want to discuss it with them as well and see what they're looking for in a vehicle.

If you want to get them a V6 the price is not that much different these days. For example this loaded '95 being sold in Everett. There are a bunch of different types on Craigslist right now since it's just before Christmas.
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/247864468.html
 
Thanks for the response!
Actually, all three of my kids (including a daughter who is not so mechanically inclined) learned & took their drivers test on my SE (V6,MTX). Though the car has held up very well under this abuse, (the clutch has never been replaced, & is still in good shape!), I am glad I don't have a 4th + child to teach to drive!
I'm looking for the 4 cyc MTX, I believe much better gas milage than my V6 (high 30's???), but still a lot of fun to drive. It's too bad there are so few around, though quite a few V6s w/ MTX seem available.
Looking at the response for 4 cyc ATX, I'll keep looking
Regarding the wiring harness, is that the underhood harness that wasn't a recall, but an extended warranty item?

Also, Matthew, I don't go to the NE meets, too many other things on my plate. Maybe someday.

Thanks again
Ric
 
Ric said:
Thanks for the response!
Actually, all three of my kids (including a daughter who is not so mechanically inclined) learned & took their drivers test on my SE (V6,MTX). Though the car has held up very well under this abuse, (the clutch has never been replaced, & is still in good shape!), I am glad I don't have a 4th + child to teach to drive!
I'm looking for the 4 cyc MTX, I believe much better gas milage than my V6 (high 30's???), but still a lot of fun to drive. It's too bad there are so few around, though quite a few V6s w/ MTX seem available.
Looking at the response for 4 cyc ATX, I'll keep looking
Regarding the wiring harness, is that the underhood harness that wasn't a recall, but an extended warranty item?

Also, Matthew, I don't go to the NE meets, too many other things on my plate. Maybe someday.

Thanks again
Ric
Click to expand...

Yes, it was the under hood harness.
 
AliasJerk said:
Yes, it was the under hood harness.
Click to expand...
Keep in mind that a '95 will not be covered any longer, as the warranty extension was to a total of 10 years or 100,000 miles. On the up-side, the Zetec harness is pretty easy to replace yourself and is the cheapest of the harnesses to purchase yourself. There are at least 3 people on here that have done it in the last two months, myself being one and KerryKool being another. Check the Zetec Maintenance forum for more info. More info on the 99M03 recall can be found here.
 
IRingTwyce said:
Keep in mind that a '95 will not be covered any longer, as the warranty extension was to a total of 10 years or 100,000 miles. On the up-side, the Zetec harness is pretty easy to replace yourself and is the cheapest of the harnesses to purchase yourself. There are at least 3 people on here that have done it in the last two months, myself being one and KerryKool being another. Check the Zetec Maintenance forum for more info. More info on the 99M03 recall can be found here.
Click to expand...


yeah its cheap if you don't have abs ... those of use with abs get hosed for about another $400 :mad:
 
I would go with the MTX. More reliable than the ATX. And seeing as how the weak link in the mtx-75 is the differential, i dont see you breaking it with a zetec. If all the syncros are in working order, get the mtx.
 
Thanks again for all the response. Looks like I found a 97 Zetec MTX, 115k miles.
The engine check light is on & the current owner doesn't know the codes, O2 sensors are usually the most likely cause I know of. I know changing one of the sensors in my V6 is a pain; how is it changing them in the Zetek?
Also, it looks like the wiring harness is still covered under warrenty for this car, but it's not a recall item; an extended warranty only. What constitutes a failure to have it replaced by the dealer?

Thanks again!
 
"I found a 97 Zetec MTX, 115k miles......Also, it looks like the wiring harness is still covered under warrenty for this car, but it's not a recall item; an extended warranty only. What constitutes a failure to have it replaced by the dealer?"
If still under the warranty, broken or flaking insulation. A quick inspection with moving the wires a little will get the insulation around the Power Distribution Box and battery to flake off if it is an issue. :eek: 99M03 is for 10 years/100k miles whichever occurs first.

"The engine check light is on & the current owner doesn't know the codes, O2 sensors are usually the most likely cause I know of."
Usually, not always. Get it read/scanned free at Advance or Autozone and post the exact codes here.

"I know changing one of the sensors in my V6 is a pain; how is it changing them in the Zetek?"
There are only two, one before the catalytic converter, one after. Both are "easily" accessible.
 
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From what I've read on the CEG and in various reviews, the I4 Contours do not have significantly better fuel economy than the V6 Contours. It takes a certain amount of energy to move the car, regardless of the engine, and the Duratec is a very efficient engine -- but the potential to drive harder and therefore use more fuel is certainly there. ;)
 
Desiato said:
From what I've read on the CEG and in various reviews, the I4 Contours do not have significantly better fuel economy than the V6 Contours. It takes a certain amount of energy to move the car, regardless of the engine, and the Duratec is a very efficient engine -- but the potential to drive harder and therefore use more fuel is certainly there. ;)
Click to expand...


I dunno about that ... my duratec on pure highway driving got about 28~29 mpg where as my zetec with pure highway driving got 33~34 mpg once ...
 
I got over 30 MPG all the time in my Zetec on the highway. This includes when the supercharger and all the mods were on.:laugh:
 
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