Ownership
Buying a ZX2 today
The youngest ZX2 is now over twenty years old. Most are cheap, which means most have been run cheaply. This checklist covers the problems that show up most in recalls, service bulletins and owner reports.
Which year?
- 1998–99 Cool and Hot. The original car. The Hot carries most of the options, and 1998 cars collected the most service bulletins.
- 2000. One trim with firmer suspension, and the last year of the S/R.
- 2002–2003 Premium. The best-equipped ZX2s, with power windows and locks, keyless entry and fog lamps. The 2003 cars have the facelift and are the only years with a frontal crash rating.
If you want a manual, the 5-speed avoids the automatic’s well-documented failures.
Is it an S/R?
S/R parts get swapped onto ordinary cars, and S/R cars lose them. Before paying an S/R premium, work through the S/R identification guide.
Further reading
The details behind each check are on Known issues, and fluid specs are on Fluids and capacities.
Last reviewed October 2026. Know something this page doesn't?
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