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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part VIII
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Comments
In response to your("Does the Gulf shift better, or accelerate faster? Anyone know?")......
My '87 GT with only 102hp out-accelerated many higher powered cars.
VW geared it for hi-torque at low rpm's, so you could scoot away at when traffic lite turned green. Of course there was a negative trade-off (less torque available for passing at higher hiway speeds).
But in my book it was worth it, for it was satisfying to be able to leave the thundering herd behind at the Light, and get into a good position on the heavily-trafficked road.
My point: the Golf "gearing" might still be set up that way. I hope so.
As for the "shifting better?" part of your question: I HOPE it's "better". I never liked that long stick in my GT. It made for a "long throw" when shifting. I like short stick, short throw. The z stick is an improvement over the old Golf in that dept.
Incidentally, my GT was the last GTI with the 8 valver. That same year, the 16 valver came out (so Mktg dropped the letter "I" from my GTI).
Euro Focus's "stiffer suspension" .....
I agree it really makes car corner nice and flat (like my MGA and GT). Maybe Ford USA will relent and offer it here, at least as an option.
Beast thanks for Replys ("occasional hesitation").
If you consider it a non-issue, so will I.
Incidentally, since I talked to you Sun., I checked oil dipstick. Just a tiny, teeny-weeny, smidge over "Full".
Since my z only has 225mi. on it, I assume the factory did that. Is that level OK in your book?
zx3
With regards to the Gulf, thanks for the response. But I was more curious about the new model as they made some significant changes since you owned yours.The Focus is geared for high speed. Pretty silly if you ask me considering it's designed to be an economic vehicle.
In first, second and 1/2 way thru third the gearing is a joke! Once Im at about 60MPH the car hauls [non-permissible content removed]! I would prefer that torgue at lower RPMs and lower speed.I can't get out of my own way in the city but once im at highway speed (my car likes it between 75-85MPH )the car flies. It's like I have unlimited torque and balls.It's no wonder Ford has a limiter on the vehicle so you can't punch it past 106 mph!
By the way, what's up with no redline on the TACH? What's really the point of having one when you don't know what the hell redline is?
Ford I love you, but charge me a little more for the car and get some of this [non-permissible content removed] right!
I waxed mine the first week I had it with McGuiars Classic Gold paste wax out of the can. I did no other prep than a thorough washing and the infra-red really shines and washes well in this Texas heat. It was amazing how the surface of a new vehicle becomes so much more smooth after waxing even though it was brand new. I had a slight streaking problem that went away after the sun came out. McGuiar's help e-mail said I should not have wetted the applicator but should have been totally dry. That was a new one on me.
First three tank fulls of gas have averaged 25.5-25.9 mpg with air conditioner always on and including lots of rush hour traffic. Not bad for a new engine.
I waxed mine the first week I had it with McGuiars Classic Gold paste wax out of the can. I did no other prep than a thorough washing and the infra-red really shines and washes well in this Texas heat. It was amazing how the surface of a new vehicle becomes so much more smooth after waxing even though it was brand new. I had a slight streaking problem that went away after the sun came out. McGuiar's help e-mail said I should not have wetted the applicator but should have been totally dry. That was a new one on me.
First three tank fulls of gas have averaged 25.5-25.9 mpg with air conditioner always on and including lots of rush hour traffic. Not bad for a new engine.
Gabe
When you say vent visor, is that the same thing as a wind/rain deflector? (Those plastic shields that cover the top 3 inches of the windows?)
If so, then yes, I have them installed on my ZX3. The brand I purchased was WeatherTech. Total price including shipping was around $55. I've had them on the car since day one and am very pleased with their performance. Install is a breeze (no pun intended), takes less than 5 minutes and most important to me, no adhesives are used!
Here's a link to WeatherTech's website:
http://www.macneilauto.com/
link to the page listing the shields for the focus:
http://www.macneilauto.com/FordCA.htm
Gabe
BTW-(I'm still looking for a cargo liner to fit in the back. Looks like a 30X40 in. rectangle one will do the job.) See one, please let me know.
You might want to try a quick detailing mist like Meguiar's no. 34 Final Inspection between washings. Remove serious dust/grit with a California car duster, and then use the Final Inspection per the instructions - wow! Using the Final Inspection after a wash will restore the slickness of your wax, and the depth of color will impress you.
My roommate has a chip for his VR6 that was made in Canada. It is programmed such that it reads as a VW chip when the service guys hook it up. They have no idea. Does anybody know if there's a Ford chip out there that does this?
"......the Focus is geared for high speed. Pretty
silly if you ask me considering it's designed to bean economic vehicle. In first, second and 1/2 way thru third the gearing is a joke! Once Im at about 60MPH the car hauls! I prefer that torgue at lower RPMs......"
REPLY:
"Amen" to that.
It's in "city / suburban" where I do most driving. It's there --- at those lower speeds that I want, I need, the torque.
zx3
The front passanger seatbelt clip (the thing next to the seat that the belt fastens to) has a square piece of velvet stuck to it like a sticker.
Also, In the hatch, there are two pieces of velcro stapled to the plastic lip that is at the bottom of the hatch near the floor of the trunk. You cant see it unless you deliberatly stick your head in the trunk and look down and back or just run your hand along the edge. I have no idea what they are there for. has anyone else discovered this in their ZX3?
one of my drums if fully rusted and looks ugly
the dealer said this is normal and will not do anything about it
does anyone else have this on their focus
It may seem obvious, but let the paint dry thoroughly before putting the wheels back on, and make sure you don't get overspray inside the drums on the friction surface.
But it doesn't say "exactly how much" overfill would/could cause damage.
Opinion on this Forum is divided. Some say a 1/2 qt. overfill is not dangerous. Others say it is.
QUESTION:
Has anyone here gone to www.ford.com website, and asked a Ford rep to settle this "1/2 QT." thing?
Is it possible to get the answer there?
Please accept my apologies for "belaboring" this issue too much.
But our engines cost Big$$.
And we've all seen many posts here by z owners, complaining that the Ford dealers, oil-fill shops, and garages --- routinely dump 5 qt in, when changing oil & filter, and don't tell customer.
I'm not registered at www.ford.com but if no one here has already registered, or no one wants to volunteer --- let me know --- and I will consider going there, get registered, and see if I can get the "1/2 QT" Answer and post it here.
zx3
wolf--
Where did you get the idea that most 27k to 35k cars have 300hp? Closer to 150-225...
sat. night. this had happened in pa.-just off the
tpk. i thought it would be a tough nut to steal
this car.proved me wrong.any suggestions
on anti-theft deterrents?
silver bullet-do you have those 2 part no.?
the logo front mats + map dome lights, i will
have confirmation on availability tomorrow
thanks
of( you know what ) in a 5lb. bag and expect
it not to break. the smart thing as you pointed out zx3, is to follow the owners manual.4 1/2
qts. will put it to fill mark. that seems to be
the general consesus here. i rather err on the
side of caution. i think it is irresponsible to
advocate that over-filling is not harmful.it is
especially critical in a 4cyl. engine.
to wolf1313- the focus will eventually replace
the escort + contour.
sources for parts-if they cant get them,then i
know they are either factory back-ordered or
non-stock special orders. if they are available,
i can get them shipped very easily to you. also,
i am amazed as well about that stolen 4dr.my
first thoughts were that the car was towed.
howcould that securilock system be defeated?
i am in dis-belief +very concerned if it was just driven away.
join the club.
to buy a ZX3 really soon. Maybe in the next
couple of weeks. It will be Infra-Red and Auto.
Auto because of my wife. She hates stick. Anyway, this forum is completely awesome. You guys are the reason that I'm totally sold on this little Gem. I'm a fan of the Subcompact as it is. I am currently driving a Festiva. I know, I know, it's
a death trap but I just love my little car. However, I feel like it's time to get another car. Thats where the ZX3 comes in The car is just so sweet I can hardly believe it. I don't
even have one yet but I already feel like a proud owner of a ZX3. Partly because I think it's
awesome but mostly because I've read about 600 to
800 posts in this forum already. I say 600 to 800
because I lost count. Anyway, I look forward to
getting my car and, as far as I'm concerned,
becoming one of the elite
Also I have not seen that many here where I live.
I live in North Georgia. So far I've spotted 4. 1 Black SE Sedan, 2 silver Sedans, and 1 Blue Sedan.
I've yet to see any ZX3's. Hopefully I'll be the
first around here to flaunt one. I can hardly
wait to enjoy mine. In the meantime, keep the
Subcompact (and the forum) alive.
Gypo
Has anyone considered having a nicely engraved plaque made up which could be mounted under the hood near the oil filler cap? The plaque would list the correct oil fill, include a big warning not to over fill the engine with oil, and perhaps add something about possible engine damage. I bet mechanics would be less likely to casually overfill the engine after seeing a reminder like that.
I saw an interesting demo of the club on TV a few years ago where a pro-thief (is there such a thing?) removed one in seconds by simply deforming the steering wheel.
This was in Binghamton NY.
Soon (I hope) I'll be adding my Zinc/Egg Yoke Yellow ZX3 to the Binghamton scene. I hope to keep it a bit shinier!
ZX3beast - I think my parts are on national back-order, at least that's what my dealer has said. Maybe you will have more luck finding them.
Having said all that: I use The Club in a minivan I own. Hopefully it'll deter some Joe that wants to make a quick snatch. Just wanted to make sure no one has any illusions about the thing.
Just joined the zx3 owners club on Friday 5/26.
Been reading about the zx3, test drove several other cars and chose the zx3. Malibu Blue, 5 speed.
What is the part no. for the bmw chrome pipe. I know that I read it in an earlier session, but don't know which one. Please advise.
IMHO no manufacturer will design an engine that is so sensitive to overfill that going a bit over the mark will ruin it. It would just be too much hassle to deal with all those resulting warrantee cases.
From a mechanical point of view, the oil sump is just that, a bucket hanging under the engine holding oil. Putting in more won't make any difference, up to a point. Things get bad when rotating parts (crankshaft) start hitting the top of the oil. That's when pressures build, it'll foam like mad, and gaskets/seals get blown. Of course, no one knows how much overfill the engine will handle before that happens.
IMHO no manufacturer will design an engine that is so sensitive to overfill that going a bit over the mark will ruin it. It would just be too much hassle to deal with all those resulting warrantee cases.
From a mechanical point of view, the oil sump is just that, a bucket hanging under the engine holding oil. Putting in more won't make any difference, up to a point. Things get bad when rotating parts (crankshaft) start hitting the top of the oil. That's when pressures build, it'll foam like mad, and gaskets/seals get blown. Of course, no one knows how much overfill the engine will handle before that happens.
carlady/host