OK, guys, this will seem like a pretty stupid question, but hear me out...
Since 1998, I've been driving the same 1995 Escort GT. It's been a great car, but some impending tranny issues are going to be causing its retirement. I'm flip/flopping between a 2004 ZX3 comfort w/ 2.0 and a 5-speed or a leftover new
2003 SVT 3 door (the local place has three of them, two plain and one w/moonroof, winter pkg., 6-cd changer and HID lights).Now, as much as I think I'd enjoy the SVT, I'm not sure the extra cost (w/rebates, between 3,500 - 5,500, depending on which SVT I bought) about would be justified. Here's what I'm thinking... the ZX3 has about the same horsepower as I'm used to with the GT. The interior's a little plainer and it doesn't have 4 wheel discs, but otherwise, the specs are close to the GT's with better gas mileage. The SVT, on the other hand, is costlier, needs premium gas (maybe - any input on this?), has pricier tires, worse gas mileage than the ZX3 (and my GT) and might cost more to insure. It does, however, have a far nicer interior and stronger brakes, transmission, clutch, etc. The power would be nice, but I don't figure I'll take advantage of it very often.
If the dealer wants to dig really deep in order to move a 2003 model, the questions might answer themselves. What do y'all figure? Anybody had time with both models?
Thanks in advance. Tom