`super Conference' Needs Adjustments To Serve All Teams 
When The Wyoming Valley West Swimming Team Destroys Scranton Prep, There Is No 
Blood In The Water.

4th Suit Filed Against City's `impact' Team

Sunday, January 18, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





The facts and figures paint an appealing picture of Ford's Escort ZX2, and
the reality of the road does nothing to tarnish that image. But there is one
aspect of the ZX2 that Ford may have messed up: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Its marketingThe literature Ford uses to describe the 1998 ZX2 coupe is
freckled with phrases like aimed at younger buyers and fun to drive and cool
to be seen in. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Those characterizations make this 40-something auto writer feel foolish for
being impressed with the ZX2. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After all, my pants are baggy because of my waistline, not because I'm into
the grunge look. The hair on my head is sparse due to genetics and male
pattern baldness, not because I got a buzz cut. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I m not the typical ZX2 buyer, according to Ford. This car is aimed at
Generation X. I belong to Generation Extra-large. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So why do I think the ZX2 is so... so... cool? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I ll tell you why. It s because no matter what the marketing surveys and
demographic studies may have told the folks at Ford, you don't have to be a
certain age or sex or generation to appreciate things like performance,
panache and practicality. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The ZX2 possesses all of those attributes. A friend around my age insists
it is one of the best new cars he ever bought and no snide remarks about the
Model T, please! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seriously, I sort of understand Ford s thinking. The ZX2 is aimed at a
young crowd because it is sporty and economical. Those tend to be two very
appealing traits to car buyers who, as the social scientists say, haven t yet
reached their full earning potential. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then again, who other than Ted Turner or Bill Gates has? Not me, which is
one reason I m so impressed with the ZX2. The starting price on a ZX2 is only
$13,145, but figure on forking over another $2,000-$3,000 to get things that
most buyers want: A/C, power windows and mirrors, antilock brakes and a
cassette player. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even with those options, the bottom line on the ZX2 shouldn t get much
higher than $16,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 What you wind up with for that money is a stylish coupe that delivers room
for four, a wonderful engine and an agreeable balance between ride comfort and
handling. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although it bears a family resemblance to other Escorts, the ZX2 actually
has its own sheetmetal. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The interior also has been revised. Although the terrific oval Integrated
Control Panel that dominates the center of the dashboard is borrowed from
other Escorts, a new instrument pod adds an angular splash of sportiness and
sweeps around the steering wheel to meet a newly contoured door panel. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Like other members of the Escort family, the ZX2 is surprisingly roomy.
This is particularly evident in the back seat, where there s enough room for
two adults to ride in reasonable comfort. That s just one indication that,
unlike some other sporty coupes, the back seat isn t simply an afterthought.
Another example is the fact that you can actually get in and out of the seat
fairly easily without being a contortionist. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There are other testaments to the ZX2 s practicality. The rear seatbacks,
split 60/40, fold independently to provide cargo- and passenger-carrying
versatility. With the seatbacks upright, there is nearly 12 cubic feet of
cargo space, fairly generous for a car with a 98.4-inch wheelbase. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That length wheelbase could lead to a choppy ride, but Ford engineers did a
great job with the ZX2 s suspension. It is very compliant without being mushy
and delivers a smooth ride under a wide range of road conditions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Its short wheelbase helps make the ZX2 feel very agile and maneuverable. It
doesn t have the road feel, the cat-quick reflexes or the responsiveness of a
pure sports car, but handling is good enough to make the ZX2 a lot of fun to
drive. Mild understeer doesn t detract from the fact that it corners easily
and willingly goes where it is pointed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Willing and eager are two good descriptions for the ZX2 s engine. Borrowed
from the larger Ford Contour, this 16-valve, four-cylinder uses two overhead
camshafts to develop 130 horsepower and 127 foot-pounds of torque. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coupled to a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission, the engine
delivered a smooth flow of power that was there when needed. I think the
standard five-speed manual may have made the ZX2 even more fun to drive and
would have delivere

The Facts And Figures Paint An Appealing Picture Of Ford's Escort Zx2, And The 
Reality Of The Road Does Nothing To Tarnish That Image. But There Is One 
Aspect Of The Zx2 That Ford May Have Messed Up: 
Its Marketing.

The Facts And Figures Paint An Appealing Picture Of Ford's Escort Zx2, And The Reality Of The Road Does Nothing To Tarnish That Image. But There Is One Aspect Of The Zx2 That Ford May Have Messed Up: Its Marketing.