Before we got the 99 SE we tried a 2000 ZX3. We were coming from a 1992 Mercury Topaz with the slooow 2.3L I4. My mom drove it first and floored, it was kinda better but she didn't like it. I drove it and hated the seat, I felt like I was leaving forward, no matter what I did. Then it really wasn't that quick. Then we tried the Contour and loved it. It was faster, quieter (I thought so), and the ride was better. The Focus handles like it's on rails but it needs some help to be quick (not like a Contour doesn't, but when you compare it....). Overall I liked the Contour a lot more. Hense why I got another one a year later... I still miss that car.
