Overview & Reviews

The aged Escort receives a few changes this year. On the outside, there are stylistic changes to its front and rear fascias, including standard foglamps. Inside, new cloth spruces up the seats, and the standard model receives a cassette player. Fifteen-inch wheels are standard on all models, and two new colors make their debut. For 2003, Ford has renamed the options packages "deluxe" and "premium." The deluxe package gets you a CD player, a leather-wrapped steering wheel that tilts, cruise control and map lights as standard equipment. Premium models also get power windows, locks and remote keyless entry. Finally, the in-dash six-disc CD changer is no longer available.

• Affordable price, standard 130-horsepower engine.

• Superior Ford Focus ZX3 competes in the same showroom, lack of cabin space, uncomfortable seats.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 56.00

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  Best gas mileage is at 60 mph - 2003 Ford Escort
  By Tom P. - August 10 - 12:18 am

  I drive this car 100 miles a day. My best gas mileage is at 60 mph. 40.1 mpg at that speed with the A/C off and 37.6 with it on. This car gets 33 mpg at 80 mph withthe A/C on and mpg increase as you slow down. Ive owened this car since it was new. I bought it with 6 miles on it I have put 149,994 miles on this car and it has yet to leave me walking. It is a small car and has very good looks for a small car. Its roomy in side and not bad on long trips. Ive driven it will 3 other adults in for over 4 hours. The trunk is very big for a car of this size. The rearseat folds down and Ive put 4 8ft 4x4 in side the car. I do not know why Ford quit making them with gas prices as high as they are.

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  The Idle - 2003 Ford Escort
  By zx2owner - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for over a year now, and while it is fun to drive and rather reliable, there is one concern I have about the automobile. I recently took the ZX2 into the dealer ship for a vibration in the steering wheel (well actually the whole car) when I am at a complete stop. I was told that all the ZX2s have the same problem, and that it just "idles hard" since it is a four cylinder engigne. However, many automobiles are four cylinders and do not recieve the same problem. I was told there was nothing that could be done to alleviate the problem.

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  escort - 2003 Ford Escort
  By trish - October 1 - 2:00 am

  my ford escort has been a great car to me. i have put alot of miles on it and it is great on gas!!!!!

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  good car - 2003 Ford Escort
  By boles - September 15 - 2:00 am

  this is a surprising car if you dont think about mercedes. It does things quite well and we got a loaded model for $11607 with power windows, locks, CD, Tilt and remote. And i think it drives well, this is a good car for young people if you want to get the most car for the least cash.

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  Cheap and fun - 2003 Ford Escort
  By Admiraltogo - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the ZX2 as basic commuter transportation. With a $2,000 rebate offered by the dealer the price was a steal. Ive found the ZX2 to be a very fun car to drive (I drive 80 miles a day, on mostly country roads). It has also been trouble free. I have to fight my wife to drive it on some days (she drives our GM truck).

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  needs more power and room - 2003 Ford Escort
  By lucky larry - August 23 - 2:00 am

  nice styling but it needs more power and room. not enough room in console for stuff otherwise a sweet little car thats fun to drive.styling

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  2nd losing ZX2 - 2003 Ford Escort
  By Jason9058 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This is my second zx2 i had a 98 and now an 02 manuals which were both worthless because they are known for their bad transmissions. I have had my 02 for just over a year now and it has been in the shop 14 times for the transmission.

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  love/hate relationship - 2003 Ford Escort
  By bebop - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This cars my first car ever, used but was in good condition. Driving it was fun. However theres a flaw to my right front wheel that drives me insane. This loud *SQUEEK-SQUEEK- EEEEEE* sound that comes from it everytime I step on the break.This noise makes people around me turn their heads. Im stuck with this horrible noise prolly till I get rid of my ZX2, and thats all thanks to wonderful mechanics everywhere, including Ford dealership mechanics who wont fix it because they dont know what it is/or they say its nothing. Trust me you can hear me coming from miles away, its that bad. Other than that the cars alright.

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  Check out ZX2, better than Focus for now - 2003 Ford Escort
  By gkxp - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I like my ZX2! Styling being subjective inside and out and everyone will have their own opinion on it. I think the ZX2 is just better than the current Focus because it is MUCH quicker and that is fact! The ZX2 Escort to me is basically a car that has lived on for a decade ignoring the recent "taller is better" philosophy and is now a reliable, quick 90s car for sale in 2003.

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  Milking the car - 2003 Ford Escort
  By wolffie - June 9 - 2:00 am

  The ZX2 does exactly what a car of its size and build should: move. Fords five-speed manual transmission does an excellent job of milking every last one of the engines 130 horses. It shifts smoothly, and gets decent gas mileage (26 city, 30 hwy) even with quick starts more, ah, spirited driving. It handles well, even at high speeds, and turns tightly, capable of making a complete 180 on slightly wider residential streets. Ive driven a Focus, and, roomier though it was, I felt like I was driving a small tank it felt combersome compared to the succinct body of the ZX2. Its no Mazeratti, but its definitely a blast to drive.