Thinking about replacing my daughter's (age 17) '96 Probe GT (102K miles)
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Seen 2 cars available locally. Which would you suggest, and why?
(Also - dtr wants a stick shift, but hasn't learned how yet.)
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1) 2003 ZX5 2.3 PZEV, 5-speed - 14,000 miles $12,998
2) 2003 ZX5 SVT, 6-speed - 26,000 miles - $12,900

The SVT Focus isn't worth the extra money over a regular Focus in terms of extra horsepower. It's still not a high performance car no matter what Ford adds to it. There's also a very good chance that a used SVT was subjected to more abuse than a regular Focus by the previous owner wishing it really was a sports car.

I'd go with lower mileage car myself. Chances are you'll get more use out it in the long run.

Thanks for the reply. Searching around, I got wind of the SVT's shortcomings, and decided to go with the PZEV instead. Didn't buy the ZX5, though. Daughter wanted a 3-door, and ended up with a basic ZX-3. PZEV, 5-speed. It was a year newer, and about $2K cheaper, too. I also bought one, a 2003 ZTW with the 2.3.