1998 Ford Escort ZX2

Since its introduction during the Reagan years, the Escort moniker has been synonymous with affordable, no-nonsense transport available in sedan, wagon, and hatchback varieties. As the next millennium nears, the U.S. economy booms and consumer priorities shift: a gallon of gasoline costs the same as a 16-ounce bottled water, bigger is better, and Internet shares have driven the stock exchange past the 10,000 mark. Evidence of the changing market can be seen by Dodge/Plymouth, Mazda, Nissan, and Toyota each pulling out of the entry-level coupe segment, leaving Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, and few others to share the remaining sales.

Debuting a year after the current Escort sedan and wagon, the ZX2 coupe fills the slot once occupied by the hatchback, pushing the vehicle slightly upscale in prestige and styling to address changing market tastes. While affordable sporty coupes are no longer an American mainstay, they have become a trend-bucking car for youthful, environment- and budget-conscious drivers looking to add a dose of fun to their commute.

We wanted to balance out our long-term fleet with just such a vehicle and the ZX2 gave us a chance to evaluate the latest two-door Escort to see how it stacks up after a year of punishing stop-and-go urban duty around chronically gridlocked Los Angeles. Beginning at $13,145, we were able to push our ZX2 in "hot" trimmings past the $17K mark by heaping options on the modestly equipped coupe. A big hit came from a preferred equipment package bundling air conditioning, rear defroster, and keyless remote entry with anti-theft system, plus power windows, doorlocks, and mirrors for $1825. In lieu of a GT model, the reasonable $595 Sport package was essential with 15-inch aluminum wheels, foglamps, decklid spoiler, chromed exhaust tip, upgraded seats, and obligatory badging. Four-channel, four-corner anti-lock brakes tacked on $570, and a trunk-mounted CD changer added $515. Tilt steering, cruise control, and floor mats contributed $455, with emissions, destination charges, and package discounts combining for a $17,255 total.

Beneath Taurus and Mercury Tracer-inspired styling lurks a DOHC inline four-cylinder engine that gives the zippy ZX2 much of its sporting flavor. Adapted from the Contour sedan, the 2.0-liter/130-horsepower Zetec coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle propels the 2504-pound coupe 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than just about every other under-$20,000 car we've tested during the past year. (Don't believe us? Check the "Road Test Review" and see for yourself.) Quarter-mile passes were made in 16.0 seconds at 86.2 mph, quicker than a recently tested '99 Mustang convertible V-6. While potent, the aluminum head/cast-iron block engine in our long-termer also produced more vibration and noise than other ZX2s we've tested. Surveyed owners didn't seem to experience this trait, however 5.8 percent complained about road noise. Likewise, our staff drivers took issue with the grabby clutch and imprecise manual shifter.

No surprise, surveyed owners were quite satisfied with acceleration, with 93 percent rating it above average. More than half the buyers were previous Ford owners (63.7 percent) and fully a third (35.1 percent) had Escorts before, contributing to their overwhelmingly positive impressions of the latest-generation offering. Overall performance scored an impressive 96.5 percent above average, with handling nailing 96 percent. As a satisfied Midwest owner wrote, "It's responsive and just plain fun to drive."