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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part VIII
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Comments
Stereo: Did y'all know that you can turn your stereo on right after you remove your key from the ignition, and that the it automatically is set to a one-hour "turn off" timer? I just discovered that the other day; I used to leave my key in the ignition. Too cool....
Cargo Space: Another thing I discovered that I love about our hatchlings -- I was able to fit not just one, but TWO, twin size mattresses into the cargo space after folding down the rear seats. Is this car incredible or what?
Hugoz, the cargo space IS incredible. I moved a couple of months ago, and I did it all with my ZX3 (aside from the big furniture, of course). But I did manage to fit a coffee table, chairs, and a 6-foot stepladder in there. Try that with a sedan!
An incorrect air filter installed incorrectly.
Yet again, dealer incompetency has caused my car to malfunction.
I would advise everyone in the southeast to stay away from dealerships with the name "Long-Lewis".
Here is the list of screw-ups they have performed on my car so far:
1) Overfilled the oil
2) Overfilled Brake Fluid and left cap dangling so fluid spilled all over engine compartment
3) Lubricated driver's window track to aleviate squeeking, but reinstalled interior panel minus 3 screws and a bolt
4) Failed to rotate tires at 6,000 mile service, even though it was listed as performed work
5) Upon rotating tires, failed to install wheelcover centers correctly, causing 2 of 4 to come off in traffic.
6) Ordered new wheelcover centers and broke them trying to install them.
7)Installed improper air filter and improperly installed improper air filter. Also left air cleaner box improperly fitted, causing vacuum leak.
Don't be fooled by dealerships claiming their dealership is #1 in customer satisfaction. I found a dealership who makes no such claims is far superior, less busy, and much friendlier.
Gabe
Sorry, got a little long winded there.
Choose the color you like best. Drive with your headlights on if it makes you feel better. (I often do when it's overcast. silver car...)
Closing statement/cliche: As soon as you make it idiot proof, someone will build a better idiot.
Gabe
Some people must just be too jealous of us Focus folks (even us sedan owners!) to let us enjoy our cars.
I'm getting scared to get my oil changed! Local dealer is known to be pretty good though.
> if one drives defensively + intelligently it
> doesn't matter what color your car is.
If you are surrounded by idiots and morons, it doens't matter what color your car is, either.
That's not intended as a slam, zx3beast. Your statement just inspired me to counterpoint it. IMO both statements hold true.
If I find that I'm noticing lots of crazy traffic, idiots blasting through red lights and passing everything in sight, behavior I call "full-moon driving behavior", I'll turn ON my headlights. Just that extra ounce of prevention, even over and above relying on DRLs. IMO, idiots will continue to drive like idiots until the cops pull them over or they hit something. Lots of times they'll continue to drive like idiots even after the cops pull them over. Since in my experience, there's almost never a cop around when you need one, I do what I can to assure they hit something besides me.
I'll also plan to run with my headlights on on holidays like Memorial day weekend, 4th of July, Labor day weekend, Thanksgiving, et cetera, when it's known there are large numbers of accidents and/or drunks on the road.
--Mike
"The life you save may be your own" version.
Skater4: Thanks. I think not only the cargo volume, but the width of the opening to the cargo area itself (thanks to the location of the tail lights), is one of those things you can't fully appreciate till you have to haul something. Definitely a strong selling point for our cars.
after filling up the tank the gas indicator needle didn't even move. so i did the gauge test..and all the gauge needles are working fine.
i went to fill it again just to make sure i got the fuel i paid for...after 1 dollar of fuel my tank was filled. The next morning when i started my car the fuel needle was on empty and the fuel indicator light was lit. I got worried i thought maybe someone stole my gas since we don't have a lock on it. So i immediately went to get gas again...guess what after 2 dollars my tank was full....ahhhh. it happened to me again last nite...after filling my gas the needle got stock on the quarter mark until i got to my destination. then the needle went to full when I started the engine again. ANYBODY ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM?
What you say sounds logical ("color not that big a safety issue"). I was hoping someone would say that. thanks.
zx3
Are they trying to put in 5?
Pat
Pat
Also, I addd... it's "free air-conditioning" (sorta). I like that. zx3
When you get questionairre for ford concerning dealer service. Fill it out just like you told us. These really count when returned to the dealership.
PLUS, if your happy with your dealership, let them know and let us guys know too! The best advertising is word of mouth!
I know, its off topic. But.
Pat
Also, I hear a squeak each time I release the brake pedal. Sounds like the noise is comming from outside the car.
Anybody think it will be covered under waranty? My ZX3 is less than 2 months old, less than 2000 miles.
[I saw a yellow ZX3 today. It looks great in that colour (IMO). I almost purchased a MalibueBlue car but turned it down because the colour wasn't for me. However, I could see myself in the Yellow... but still, I love my Green!]
It adds weight for sure.
I agree that simply cutting a hole in the roof's sheet metal woudn't make a difference in the component's strength.
Comments?
I think i should check my oil level later.
carlady/host
".....As soon as you make your Z car Idiot-Proof, they'll design a Better Idiot".
I'm still laughing......
zx3
I just noticed the sound in my car, today.
That was in the Automobile Magazine Review I think. They said it finally went away on its own. Plus there have been post here about noise from the fender wells.
Hows your ride doing? Hope your enjoying it.
Pat
Strictly speaking, a hole cut in a Z's roof (to make an opening for a sunroof) WEAKENS the roof, thus weakens the car body.
If a "steel frame" is put around the hole (that was cut in roof) it will now RE-STRENGTHEN the roof .... thus strengthen the car body (which is all ONE piece).
I think this is what Calico meant when she said a "sunroof's steel frame, strengthens the car".
(Comments, Calico)?
Note: when a car body (like Z hatchling body) is made of one piece of steel, it's called "Unibody construction". ("Uni" is Latin for "One").
Please pardon the long-winded reply.
zx3
Rich Cook:
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."
Ho hum, thoughts on what you guys have been talking about.
Colour protection and DRLs. I can see a case for DRLs but colour..I don't agree that the difference is significant. Once I almost pulled into the path of a truck because I didn't see him the first time I looked (I always check the lane at least twice). I don't think it would have mattered what colour the truck was.
On another matter, VW have an excellent reputation on this side of the pond, which is reflected in resale values of their products.
As regards the Golf GTi, here we have the Seat Leon (another VW product) with the 180hp variant of the Golf's 1.8L turbo engine and a six-speed box, which has a MRSP of $17,670 dollars here in Italy.
Maybe I should have ordered one of them, as I still haven't got my Focus. The car has been recalled. I got a call from the dealer the other day to say that the recall was for the substitution of the servo for the brakes, and it would be 15-20 days before they could deliver the car. Just my luck. Oh well, at least they caught the problem before I found out the hard way. Either that or they sold my car to a cash buyer and are waiting on delivery of another.
Looking for a reliable installer.
Also, touched up the sideswipe and it looks pretty awful.Guess I'll take it to the auto body place to get a quote.
drebe73-well noise-did it happen during or after
a rain? let me know?
total idiot. keeping in mind i may be speaking from experience here.
Calico
about what car you drive?what lack of respect are
you referring to? it sounds like you are equating
self-worth with the size of tires+shape of vehicle.
the only disdain ive seen mentioned(myself included) i have posted my share, is when someone
does a cheesy mod.then again its nobodys business but theirs.the z-is not even in the same class as a festiva. at one time also owned a festiva-it filled my need at the time quite admirably.the ony thing this car provokes is goodwill.hope to see you aboard.