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Hey All,

I was looking on Auto Trader trying to compare the two trims and I can't seem to see a difference here. Can anyone clarify what the difference is besides the letters on the trunk LOL.

Depends on year, it can mean the difference between everything from engines to wheels to radios. Whatever the year in the case of sedans the LX was the lowest, SE was the middle offering and the ZTS the top.

If you go here:

http://autos.msn.com/

you can look at everything in detail using the "used car" seach in the left margin, it is very detailed.
i believe the 16v motor was an option for the SE but the 8v motor is the only choice for the LX

naz,Dec 5 2004, 02:44 AM Wrote:i believe the 16v motor was an option for the SE but the 8v motor is the only choice for the LX
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For sure in MY00 & MY01, maybe in MY 02 but pretty sure not in MY 03/04. Should be on that MSN site?
2001 ZTS,Dec 4 2004, 11:38 PM Wrote:
naz,Dec 5 2004, 02:44 AM Wrote:i believe the 16v motor was an option for the SE but the 8v motor is the only choice for the LX
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For sure in MY00 & MY01, maybe in MY 02 but pretty sure not in MY 03/04. Should be on that MSN site?
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Ok...this one is the 8v engine...that much I know. So it should be good on gas then
That MSN site is particular to US models, but they should be similar.

The site says LX models always got the 110hp (2.0L SPI) motor, and the SE model had the 110hp (SPI) in 2000-01, with the Zetec being an option in 2002-03. In 04 they introduced the 2.3L PZEV in the states, so that kind of throws off the stats, but it looks like in 2004 in the US, the LX came with the SPI, SE was the Zetec, and the ZTS got the PZEV.
if you plan to mod SPI is not the way to go if you want that extra power you also want to go with the Ztec. I would just buy the ztec anyways because its a good motor.

8v whatever you might save an extra 50km big deal.
to put things in perspective.. the 8v motor in a focus gets you a power to weight ratio similar to a toyota tercel.. i used to drive a tercel.. it was pathetic.. supposedly amazing on gas with the 1.5L motor.. but i had to beat on it so hard just to do everyday things like merge on the highway, i ended up getting only marginally better gas mileage than in a 16v equipped focus

i really think you should go for a focus with the 16v motor..
For the marginal difference in gas milage, I dont think it's worth the lack of power (20hp). If you've already bought a car with the 8v SPI motor in it there's not a lot of cost-effective solutions for that though.. just live with it until you can step into a better car.

Another difference I noticed between the trim levels was that the LX was offered with a standard tape deck and optional CD player most years, where the SE had the CD player standard. Stuff like that, also aluminum wheels vs. steelies with hubcaps, etc.

An SE with all upgrades and options was comparible to a ZTS in most respects I think, minus leather. I think you could get leather in the ZTS anyway.. I never really paid attention to sedan options since I'm all about the hatchback.
guilty,Dec 6 2004, 12:22 AM Wrote:........An SE with all upgrades and options was comparible to a ZTS in most respects I think, minus leather.  I think you could get leather in the ZTS anyway.. ......[right][snapback]72967[/snapback][/right]
Thats about right. You could option out an LX to be the same as an SE and an SE to the level of a ZTS, it was just an expensive way to do it. I think the only ZTS exclusive options (in 2001) were leather, Advancetrac, 16" wheels and side airbags. One of the ZTS front or rear sway bars is larger. They later became more widely available on other models and some things (like wheels) concurrently on some of the special editions (S2, Sport Edition). The only other distinct feature of the ZTS 2000-2002 was the chrome trunk trim, the rest were black and as of 2003 all were body colour.
The SPI seems to get a decent amount of gas mileage, especially when compared with the ZTS sedan. The LX has black body mouldings, and I believe the cassette deck standard instead of the CD deck. Knowing you, the stock deck would be gone in a week :D Otherwise, steel wheels and the 8V SPI were the order of the day, not that there's anything wrong with that. The factory stocker Goodyear Integrity tires have suprisingly good "stick", and the new set of Integrity tires I just put on are remarkably surefooted in the snow. Braking is pretty good in the Focuses, and handling, well... bend it around the 11 to 17 onramp at 65 KM/H plus... wait for the grin :D

If you do indeed want good gas mileage, get the SPI, drop in a K+N panel filter, and enjoy the savings. A tank of gas lasts me at least 2 weeks around town on an easy foot. Stomp on it and mileage degrades some, same as any car.

Never had any quirks with the engine, really.

Might have told you this when we got back this summer, but I averaged 42 MPG over 5500KMs on our vacation to the East coast at the end of July. That includes 2 blasts through the Applaichan Mountains (out and back again). The stickshift should do marginally better on the highway, and a tad worse in the city compared to the auto/SPI combo.

As for modding, Steeda.ca carries the 60mm throttle body for the SPI, all 4-door exhausts fit both engines, and there are underdrive pulley sets, etc as well. Once you add on the 60mm TB, any ZETEC stock and aftermarket intake fits the SPI. I recall you saying you weren't doing many performance mods, tho. Either way, it's all good.

Personally, I'd say go with that chrome-moly STB Steeda has... I'm picking one up after Christmas. Lots of guys say that the braided brake lines upgrade is worth it as well.

Any other questions that you need an immediate answer on, you know I'm on all day during the week :)

Email me some pics at work!
IMHO, if you are going to mod at all, don't get the 8v motor you are going to spend $$$$$ just to get 20hp that you could have had stock

if you already have the LX.. congrats on the new car.. get some good tires and call it a day for mods IMHO
Well I don't plan on doing anything to this car except put projector head lights on it and carbon fiber alteza's tails. Maybe a cold air intake and a hiflo muffler to give it that deep sound when driving but that is it. Saving the mods for teh muscle car.
'nice sound', 'projector lights' and 'altezza lights'

nice

uncle ben's would be proud :D
naz,Dec 6 2004, 06:33 PM Wrote:'nice sound', 'projector lights' and 'altezza lights'

nice

uncle ben's would be proud  :D
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Well good for the old uncle...I am just lookin for a daily driver nothing fancy