[opus1]

I only want a realistic opinion from anyone who has owned a Zectec & a Duratec.
Please describe your feelings of the two cars...plus & minuses, why you decided to make the change & was it worth it? Please this not open to conjecture, but actual experience with both the Zetec & Duratec.

 

[CrUziN4L]

o god.


please add to the billions of other Facelift Vs. 1st gen, Zetec vs. Duratec(2.0), Zetec vs. Duratec(2.3)....etc. lol: because it will end up like this unfortunetly)



In general there aren't much reasons out there to switch other than more power(im guessing your talking about the 2.3) and/or newer technology/emissions

...other than that, its everything except the engine: frontend, rear(sedan), interior, transmission(stronger tranny in the 2.3), etc.


-chris

 

[biscuitninja]

Just look around with the search function. My thoughts are that the Zetec is good, but is more rpm oriented. you only get more power and torque by revving it. The duratec is more torque friendly, plus it respons more readily to mods (* at least the 2.3L, the 2.0L Dura is somewhat of an unknown*)

-bix

 

[OmniFocus]

I have both in my household, and have had access to many varieties...

I love my Zetec because it seems to be rock solid... it just won't die. It is moderately torquey with reasonable (but not excellent) fuel economy... and it sounds good... sort of a British rasp. It is easy to work on and upgrade for the most part. As a bonus, tons of forced induction options exist.

I love the Duratec because of how fantastic it breathes when uncorked and unplugged. Our FSP autocross car currently makes 176whp naturally aspirated, and the valve cover has never been off the car. A Zetec won't do that. As a bonus, it is all aluminum, which to me is extra-attractive as I love lightweight.

I wouldn't willingly buy a new Zetec unless I had absolute plans for some forced induction, whereas a Duratec really can go either way. Cosworth and other vendors have made naturally aspirated an attractive option. 2.3L of torque is just dandy.

 

[biscuitninja]

I have both in my household, and have had access to many varieties...

I love my Zetec because it seems to be rock solid... it just won't die. It is moderately torquey with reasonable (but not excellent) fuel economy... and it sounds good... sort of a British rasp. It is easy to work on and upgrade for the most part. As a bonus, tons of forced induction options exist.

I love the Duratec because of how fantastic it breathes when uncorked and unplugged. Our FSP autocross car currently makes 176whp naturally aspirated, and the valve cover has never been off the car. A Zetec won't do that. As a bonus, it is all aluminum, which to me is extra-attractive as I love lightweight.

I wouldn't willingly buy a new Zetec unless I had absolute plans for some forced induction, whereas a Duratec really can go either way. Cosworth and other vendors have made naturally aspirated an attractive option. 2.3L of torque is just dandy.

Where are you located? Someday I might motor on by and watch you go at the track with it!
-bix

 

[OmniFocus]

I personally am in the Bay Area, but the FSP car resides in Eugene, OR. I'm headed up there the next two weekends for some more tweaking and testing on it, actually.

I'm a big Duratec fanboy.

 

[Admiral]

I own a Zetec. I've driven numerous other 2.0-liter Duratec powered Foci (all were stock). The D20 has a much improved "seat-of-the-pants" mid-range compared to the Zetec; it pulls better at the top as well. I love the sounds my lightly modded Zetec makes, but I suspect modified Duratecs sound better. Personally I prefer my Zetec. It feels smoother and less vibratory than the D20s I've driven (maybe my motor mounts are toast) and I love it's simple, servicable design (modifications seem much easier on the Zetec than the Duratec). Also, the Zetec, with its heavy ferrous block just seems tougher (to me), if that makes any sense. Is it just me or does it seem that more Duratecs have had fatal problems than Zetecs? My Zetec also delivers exceptional gas mileage. It routinley delivers 30 mpg on a 70/30 split of city and highway driving. I bet I could hit 40 mpg on a long-haul road trip.

 

[Egz]

When the Duratec first came out, I went to New York to buy one, and sold my old Zetec car.

Nuff said.

:evilgrin:

Well, if you want more details, out of the box without any modifications, it was much more powerful than my lightly modified Zetec, and 4 times as smooth. With the poly rear mount in the Zetec, you felt all the vibrations. With the poly rear mount in the Duratec, it still was smoother than a stock Zetec.

 

[netdragoon]

No experience with a zetec car personally, but on my d20 car I have hit a wheel spinning 15.56 on the stock goodyear 195/60/15s (intake, exhaust, shifter) and still get 30+ mpg highway.

The d20 is a solid platform, and for those of us that bought 2005+ hatches new, we have no other choice!...wish they had offered the 2.3L, but the 2.0L is doing pretty well I would say.