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Ford Focus ZX5

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Comments

  • jimjpsjimjps Member Posts: 146
    I noticed traction control was not available with the 2003 2.3 engine. I figured they needed a little time to calibrate for the increased power. Now for 2004 the 2.3 is standard on many Focus models and traction control and advanced trac are not available on any Focus with a 2.3. Well, it looks like there is no Focus in my future now, I want the 2.3 and I need traction control.
  • jimjpsjimjps Member Posts: 146
    or... just go to the top of this page and hit New Cars and direct yourself to Focus. Edmunds has the breakdown. The 2.3 is available in every body type nationwide.

    Is FORD LISTENING? - BUT NO TRACTION CONTROL is AVAILABLE with the 2.3.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Ford is listening. Very, very few people are willing to pay for traction control on a 4 cyl economy car. Customers do not want it.
  • jkidd2jkidd2 Member Posts: 218
    Well if Ford is really listening...here is a suggestion: How bout adding some lights to the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel? At night, I have to turn the overhead light (which has the intensity of a lit match) on so I can see the steering wheel buttons.
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    Sorry to hear that, focus090 =[.

    Good luck.
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    its been a while since i posted last, it ended up costing $3600. insurance picked it up, so it cost me only 250, but oh well. thye replaced the ENTIRE front right suspension, wheel, tire, the whole shabang, fixed up the front fender, and fixed where the fender went into the passenger door hinges. it took them two weeks, but it wasnt exactly a small problem. i have had it back for about 2 months now, everythings cool.
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    so now the next generation focus will not be redesigned until 2010. ford feels that the current focus can old its weight till then. they said of course that they will refresh it every few years or so, but no full redesign till 2010. looks like i wont be getting another one after my lease is up on this one....hmmm, the mazda3 looks pretty slick......
  • brad2329brad2329 Member Posts: 4
    I have a ZX5 with the traction/stability control and it works wonderfully. If Ford is not offering it on the 2.3 then oh, well. Don't forget it adds the safety and performance of 4 wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control. As far as a new Focus is concerned if you read Car and Driver you would know that the Mazda 3 shares underpinnings with an upcoming NEW Focus model. It is already being sold in Europe as the Focus C-MAX alongside the current Focus. This platform is NEW so whoever thinks its going to be 2010 before a new Focus comes along needs to do some research. Check out the Ford UK website or Car and Driver.com. There will be no SVT model for a full year because they need that time to develop it on the new platform. The same goes for the Mustang and F-150 SVT versions. There is going to be a period of about a year, because all three of these vehicles are being replaced, that no SVT version of any of them will be available. Ford says its just not viable to introduce an entirely new vehicle and an SVT version of the same vehicle in the same year.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    I don't know what your info source is but the stuff that I've read in various mags (Autoweek, Automobile, etc) points in a different direction.

    1 - SVT is moving upscale and the Focus SVT will go away and not be replaced. Sounds like they want to want to concentrate on more big bucks vehicles. New "performance" Focus to be called Focus ST.

    2 - While there will be a new Focus in Europe and it will share underpinnings with the Mazda 3 and Volvo V40, we in the US will continue to get the current Focus with model upgrades. Have seen Ford say in print that they haven't gotten their full investment back on the US version and also seen speculation that after Ford got burnt on the introduction of this Focus, they are not interested in starting all over again.

    Perhaps just a mater of where and what you read, but that's what I've seen.
  • brad2329brad2329 Member Posts: 4
    From what I've been reading Ford has not made a final decision about wether or not to use the SVT moniker on the upcoming Focus model but I read something similar to what you are saying about moving the SVT name upmarket, God only knows why. We are however reading conflicting reports on this new platform. We agree that the Mazda 3 shares the new Focus platform and the Volvo that utilizes it will be the next S40 (Automobile Magazine, Dec. '03) The V40 is the wagon version of the S40 sedan. I assume they will offer a wagon version of the new S40 but have not read anything on that yet.
    From what I understand the 3 is already on the way to dealers, the S40 will be introduced early in '04 and the Focus on the new platform will be an '05 model. I agree with you its all what you read but I would hope that Ford would not sit on its butt and try to milk the older platform while the competition cruises by. They've been milking the Taurus platform for so long its become a joke and the thing just does not come close to competing with other vehicles. Although the current Focus is a gas to drive it has been re-call ridden and lacks the reputation of reliability that is necessary to maintain market share. This new platform promises to be more reliable. I'm not saying your wrong about the introduction of the new car I just hope you are for Fords sake. With the new Five Hundred on the horizon and the Futura after that Ford has a chance to make a comeback in passenger car sales. Of course I just read that they will continue the Taurus until '09 with some modest re-design and sell it alongside the new product. I guess that is to keep Hertz in rental cars. They might as well just change the name to "Ford Rental Car" or "Classic" like Chevy has done with the old Malibu. I guess what I am saying is that they should not let the Ford brand flounder while their other makes get all the good stuff. The Mazda 6 is such a great car and the Futura is supposed to be based on that platform so what are they waiting for? I'm sure they have plenty of reasons. Of course for me when the new Focus comes out is irrelevant because my next car is going to be the new Mustang. I'm already saving extra money for gas. :)
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Well, you've just described 3/4 of the vehicles in our family! The 2001 Focus is my son's, my wife has a 2001 Taurus SEL, and I drive a 2000 Mustang convertible!

    I have to agree with you about Ford when you said "I guess what I am saying is that they should not let the Ford brand flounder while their other makes get all the good stuff." I think that they have concentrated on SUVs and trucks for so long that they have a fleet of cars that is a generation old. Look at my Mustang...same basic car as was the 1979 Capri I had the first year I was married - now my 17 year old daughter is sharing the Mustang with me. My wife's Taurus - cutting edge vehicle when the Taurus was introduced in '86 now laughed at by most car nuts but it is in reality still a very good car! The Focus...well we've had great experience with it as my son has put close to 45,000 miles on it in less than 3 years but look at the public's impression of the vehicle line.

    I hope not, but it sounds like Ford is running scared now, and when you do that, nothing good comes from it. I hope that we do see a new Focus based on the same platform under the Volvo and Mazda and I guess we'll just have to keep reading...hey, perhaps they just want us to subscribe to all the magazines!
  • brad2329brad2329 Member Posts: 4
    My parents have a 99 Taurus and it has been a trouble free car. That 24V engine is no slouch either and my dad loves it. He was shocked however when he saw how badly the car gets hit in resale. We are a Ford family too. My grandfather, uncle and a few of my cousins have worked for Ford over the years in the Saint Louis area and we are pretty brand loyal. My Focus has had a few problems but I take them in stride because for the money there is not a better small car from a drivers perspective and the critics have proved that. Its just flat out fun to drive and I enjoy the fact that I have leather and traction control which you just cant get on a Civic or Corolla. Unfortunately so many people are more concerned about reliability than anything else. Those "A to B" guys dont understand us car guys. I am 33 years old and have had many cars but the only one I was as fond of as my Focus was an 84 T-Bird Turbo Coupe my dad bought me when I was a teenager. He then took it away about a year later because of my little speeding ticket problem. I have had a Civic, Mazda 626, Chrysler Sebring Conv, (most unreliable car I've ever owned. I had it before the Focus) I've even had a Taurus myself. A 97 with the base engine. With the exception of that T-Bird all have been front drivers which is why I want to go for the new Mustang. My father just bought a 03 Explorer Limited and its unbelievably impressive for a SUV. Not really my thing though. So Ive strayed from Ford especially in the '90s because all they were doing was building trucks. Thought about a SVT Contour but couldnt afford it at the time. Any way Im not putting down the Taurus but when others cross-shop and drive an Accord or Camry the Taurus usually comes up looking dated. The Focus got me back into the family and I'd like to see ford succeed but keeping old platforms around really wont cut it. The life they've gotten out of the Mustang platform is incredible but rear drivers are different and the customers who shop them are too. Anyway I dont usually do this but Im snowed in here in the Northeast and this thread has kept me from complete boredom yesterday and today. Ive been looking around the web for more info on the replacement time for the Focus but have found no luck. Your right about those magazines...Ive been getting Car and Driver since I was a kid and over the years they have printed what turned out to be inaccurate info quite a few times. One thing Ive enjoyed was Fords UK website. I really like the little Ka but I suppose its too small to certify for the US plus it would get trampled by all the trucks on the road over here. Probably not a safe car for the US. Besides I guess no one would buy it here. Anyway fdthird happy holidays and heres hoping 2004 is a better year for Ford!!!
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Snowy and cold here on Long Island too and I know what you mean!

    My son has had a couple of minor problems with the Focus but we have a very good Ford dealer and I have a great relationship with the service manager. They are always willing to fix problems and so little things stay little. I think that so many of he bitches folks have about the Focus include a bad dealer in the equation. A problem car plus a dealer who doesn't give a damn equals disaster! The dealer is an important element in owning a car and the few dollars people save when shopping is often not worth it in the long run!

    Those who are quick to shun Ford today forget back 10 years ago when it was the darling of the auto industry. We're a Ford family too and have been since my Dad's 57 Fairlane 500. I learned to drive on his 66 Galaxie 500 with a 390 and through the years we've had more Fords then other makes. We've had Japanese cars too (loved our 80 Honda Civic - hated our 84 Toyota van)when the American auto industry hit rock bottom (the 79 Capri was the turning point for me)but the Toyota van was garbage and 5 dealers didn't help. We traded it in for an 87 Ford van and have been back in the fold since.

    Stay warm and enjoy the snow...from inside!
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    I'm a little fuzzy on this right now. Besides the Focus, Mustang, and GT, what else is Ford bringing out in '04 and when? Futura? Merc Montego?

    Is there a link somewhere with this information?
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    the focus made car and driver's 10 best yet again. this is the 5th year.
  • jkidd2jkidd2 Member Posts: 218
    If this is a picture of the revised 2005 Focus (its the last picture to come up in the presentation) then I'd say that isn't much of a "freshening"....

    http://autoshow.edmunds.com/news/autoshow/articles/100915/article- - .html?tid=edmunds.e.laas..topsubnav.1.*

    Also

    http://www.autosite.com/Previews/2005-ford-focus.asp

    jkidd
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    its ok. too bad they are waiting so long to do a whole new version. it looks ok, not as distinctive as the current one, and the current interior is more exciting, whereas the new one seems too conservative.
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    with the lack of any real exciting refreshening and no huge differenc from the current model i for sure wont be getting a 3rd focus. it'll be time to change it up
  • jkidd2jkidd2 Member Posts: 218
    I'm amazed how much the black 05 Focus sedan shown on autosite.com looks like the last generation ESCORT! Talk about a huge step backword....

    With the SVT going away, I would say that '04 will be last year the Focus will be on Car & Driver's 10 Best list....

    jkidd
  • speeds2muchspeeds2much Member Posts: 164
    The exterior may have lost a step. My favorite body style is the ZX5, though, so I'll reserve final judgement until seeing the new one. The new nose looks better, imo, because I didn't like the sharp, pointed nose in the current model.

    New interior looks much, much better imo. On top of dynamic improvements, looks like it's a better car.

    Having driven a European-spec Focus (Hertz rental) at high speeds through northern France, I have to say Ford has a fine little car in the Focus.
  • pappy55pappy55 Member Posts: 41
    where can I find specs for the 2004 models? If it is true that all U.S. models will have the 2.3 engine, I will definitely be waiting.
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    just got back from the auto show and i have to say that the new focus is totally bland, the interior no longer stands out in its class, and the exterior styling is just ok, nothing special. imo, ford is going to lose many focus fans cuz of this. the current interior is exciting, wild and truly looks like a modern car interior. the next one for 05 is way too plain...the vents are all rectangular, and the radio and knob cluster is boring. thumbs down to ford on this "refreshening"...good luck keeping up with everybody else.
  • rapidrickrapidrick Member Posts: 70
    Hey guys, is the 05 (re)designed in USA or Europe?

    I admit when I first looked at the Focus it was for features/bang for the buck. Agree that the ZX5 is the better looking of all the models, but I liked it because of the four doors. Alas, the ZTW had more cargo room--critical to me--so that's what I got.

    Initially I thought the ZX5 exterior (front & rear) was bizarre--especially the rear--but it grows on you and looks not at all plain Jane. With the right wheels, it looks cool. The dash layout is just plain modern and still draws compliments.

    Too bad plain Jane was on the design team (apologies to the real "Janes" out there...)
  • jkidd2jkidd2 Member Posts: 218
    Were you able to see an 05 ZX5? All the photos I have seen are of the sedan. I am truly amazed that Ford is turning its back on all the tunerboys out there by eliminating the SVT Focus...I realize its a slow seller, but its better to be in the game then to not be in it at all. Besides, the SVT Focus has a cult following already....ala 90's Civic's did as well.

    The decision to go with a sporty sedan in favor of the ZX3 and Zx5 is baffling to me. ???

    jkidd
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    the big prob is that the svt focus' werent selling well is what i heard. but i dunno for sure. but it seems as though having just a "street edition" type sedan isnt that great an idea. just doesnt have the mystery and cool factor like svt. the only focus at the auto show was the sedan. i havent seen the new zx3 or 5's yet. so i'm not sure what they'll look like. i love my current zx5...styling, everything. but what i've seen done to the sedan...i'm scared. like i said i dunno what they were thinking. it also baffles me as to why they are halting svt for now. probably saving tons of cash too. plus all focus' are now going to soon be built at the wayne plant here in michigan. instead of the 3's and 5's in mexico. also its about time they continued the zx + a number, throught the whole line for 05. i.e.:zx3, zx4, zx5, zxw, etc.
  • mindaugusmindaugus Member Posts: 20
    Looking at the redesigned Focus I finally could get excited about the car without having to swallow quirky, amusement park styling. I can't wait to see the ZX5! I'm hoping they smoothed out that ugly duckling. With the new engines and simple VW-like interior this model could really attract more traditional small car buyers. It looks so much more substantial now, and brings class beyond Japanese offerings. Ford now has a real bread and butter car that could attract more than incentive bottom-based consumers.
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    looks like puke. the interior is bland and completely uninspiring. if i want that i'll buy a cavalier
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    it also doesnt even come close to touching a vw's interior. we have a passat and there is no way that the new focus on the inside even comes close
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    You are comparing a Passat to a Focus? Passats are not in the same size classification as Focus at all, and certainly not in the same price range. Please compare apples to apples please.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Good point. We went through this last year when people were comparing the Focus to $20,000+ cars. I think that's a big problem people have with cars they've bought. They want to pay $16,000 but then the want the amenities, styling and quality of the $25,000 cars!
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    apples to apples....focus to the mazda3....the 'refreshened' focus wouldnt hold its own when compared to the 3. the stylin of the 3 is great inside and out with the interior in the 3 kicking nearly everyone in the class' butt. the new interior on the focus just isnt all its cracked up tobe, its no longer unique or interesting to sit in front of. pretty soon we'll see the focus going the way of the taurus....rental car heaven if they dont do something exciting with it in the future. i was only talking baout the materials in the passat. not really comparing the whole vehicle....lets use the jetta or the gti for example or even the golf. all have far better quality materials. to say that the focus is going to be similar to this, sure, but the fit/finish, material and look wont even be up to par. i love my focus now, i just dont like what happened to the new one. its like a slap in the face.
  • mindaugusmindaugus Member Posts: 20
    Yea I agree focus090, and I think Ford here has changed its demographic a bit. I'm sure it is expecting many focus people to go to the lovely Mazda 3. Best thing I can figure is they are trying to compete with import buyers with a solid if more bland Focus. Its about time they try this because they abandoned this demographic for the last many years, and in that time crappy quality cars like Hyundai and Kia got market share Ford could easily of captured. Need to realize there roots in the economy car that put all Americans behind the wheel. Anyone know the mpg numbers on the new engine?
  • iusecadiusecad Member Posts: 287
    for an '04 ZX5 comfort in sangria red today; 2.3 & auto are the only options.

    Paid $10,800 plus trade. I know it wasn't the best deal in the country, but I don't live in a dense urban population where the dealers can make up for lower prices by selling more cars. At least that's how I rationalize it. :)

    Oh, and it's my first new car.

    So, in the words of Danny DeVito: "I'm one of us!"
  • iusecadiusecad Member Posts: 287
    my first tank netted me 29.56 mpg in my rural hwy setting. My old truck would get 14, and my Crown Vic averages 19.
  • jinx13jinx13 Member Posts: 2
    I posted this question in the smart shoppers section as well, but maybe y'all can help me too-- I'm deciding between 2 zx5's - one in yellow (which I like), premium pkg, leather seats, side air bags, 6-cd changer, 16 in. wheels, for 13,100 (sticker price ~19,000). BUT, it doesn't have ABS. There's another red zx5, comfort pkg, with ABS but no side air bags, for 13,500 (sticker price ~17,500). I can't decide whether ABS is so important to me that I should skip the deal on the car with more options... but it does have side air bags, so I'd be more likely to survive an accident, if not more likely to avoid one! Any thoughts?
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Why is the car with the lower trim level (comfort vs. premium) $400 more?

    Having asked that, ABS was a must on our ZX5. It will be our daughter's car when she turns 16, and I don't think we would drive a car that didn't have that option.

    The way I see it, you use the brakes pretty much every time you drive the car, whereas the side airbags are used only in the worst case scenario (you get t-boned).

    Where do you live? Do you get a lot of rainy or snowy weather?

    Is there a difference in insurance costs? I know many insurance companies are not offering discounts for cars with ABS, where they might for the side air bags.

    Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing.
  • lngtonge18lngtonge18 Member Posts: 2,228
    Get the car you like. Don't settle for a color you don't like just to get ABS. I've always been a big proponent of ABS but I didn't limit myself only to cars that had it. I ended up buying a car without it because none of the cars on the lot had the option. In a year's time, I've never encountered a situation where I locked the brakes or saw a need for ABS. In fact, in 9 years of driving, I've only been in 2 circumstances where it could have come in handy, but only 1 involved an actual accident. However, I live in Florida which doesn't see snow or slush. We do get plenty of rain though. If you live in an area where its wet a lot or winters are fierce, I would consider ABS a higher priority.

    It seems the yellow ZX5 is the better deal since it has more equipment and the color you like for less money. Plus it has the added safety of side airbags. I'd go for that one.
  • nedc2nedc2 Member Posts: 192
    With the possible exception of someone doing most of their driving in the Needles CA area, ABS is a far more important consideration, you still have to know how to use it, especially if the car doesn't have "panic assist" ABS, but it can pay for itself many times over. It should be standard on ALL cars.
  • focus090focus090 Member Posts: 85
    brakes are brakes, abs isn't a MUST HAVE. youd save yourself some cash w/o em
  • frenchcarfrenchcar Member Posts: 247
    .Help us out.....we used to own a 2000 ZTS that had a lumbar support in the drivers seat and it was a killer. Around town it was ok but on a trip the front seats were killers to us. I just wrote to Ford and asked them if the 2005 seats were improved or changed along the way in recent years. They didnt know but referred it to an engineer who has never answered. Some of you might know if the seats were improved or perhaps the ZX3 and ZX5 have different seats than the sedans?? My dealer doesnt know and they only got in a couple of 05 sedans (the cheap ones).
  • iusecadiusecad Member Posts: 287
    but I do believe the ZX3 & 5 seats have more side bolstering than the sedans & wagons.

    At least it seems that way...
  • mojorisin1mojorisin1 Member Posts: 2
    I am planning to buy a 2005 ZX5. I need to be able to carry 2 kayaks on the roof. I went to Yakima's web site and they don't sell a roof rack system for the ZX5. Does anyone out there have a ZX5 who has transported kayaks on the roof? If so, what company makes the racks?
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    You might want to check Thule - http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/default.asp
  • iusecadiusecad Member Posts: 287
    any of you with the 2.3 motor change your own oil yet? I'm about to, so I went ahead and got 5-20 Motorcraft oil at Wal-mart for $1.42 a quart, but they don't carry the filter. So I went to my local Ford dealer, which had to order it, and it cost me $5.50. The parts guy actually discounted it from $7 because he thought that was too high. So I guess I'm just curious if my dealer's gouging me, or if this filter is just that expensive...
  • markus5markus5 Member Posts: 102
    My first change the dealer took care of. Come time for the next change the dealer could not doit promptly so I went across the street to a Jiffy lube. Before I let them take it in they assured me that they had a filter to fit in stock (I had read that they were expensive and hard to come by) After droping the oil and filter they realized that indeed they did not have a replacement. One of the shop guys had to walk across to the dealer and purchase a Motorcraft filter to complete the job which they contracted for. They did not dare ask me to pay the excess cost of this part. During the summer I will be using a semi-synthetic 5w-30 oil
  • iusecadiusecad Member Posts: 287
    after I got home I looked at the filter a little closer and found "MFG UK" so I'm assuming it was made over there. If that's true, it probably costs more to ship it than it does to make it...

    I would rather go to the dealer or a quick change place than change it myself, but it seems every time I do I end up with oil/grease stains all over my interior. Apparently those disposable plastic seat covers they used to use are too expensive ;)
  • evolmootionevolmootion Member Posts: 8
    I'm also debating on whether or not to get ABS. I don't have it now, and I've never driven a car with it. Right now I have a 1994 mercury topaz, so needless to say I'm looking for some new wheels. he-he
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    ABS is probably worth the money and effort to get if you drive in the rain a lot, or downhill. Or if you have narrow tires. Otherwise, if you practice to the point where you threshold-brake instinctively in emergencies (it's easy to panic and forget) you won't get much advantage out of ABS.
    Upgrading to wider tires (usually on wider rims) helps decrease the difference between your brake's maximum potential and your tires'.
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