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Took out a 2000 focus hatchback...I was pleasantly surprised by the styling.
I live in Canada..we get snow. How does it handle in snow?
I've got till Friday to make up my mind about this wee 'Red Rocket'.
First time I've been on this board...but I've been all over the site. It's Brilliant!
However, since Ford is still offering 1500 dollar rebates or 0 percent financing, I think I would look into purchasing a 2002 model, just in case all these horror stories I've been hearing about 2000/2001 models are true. I would also recommend a manual transmission, because it would improve winter handling, and provide better fuel economy.
I've had absolutely no problems with mine, and probably won't.
Good luck!
I'm interested in the 2000 model b/c it's about $5,000. cheaper than new.
The dearlership has all the recall repair records that have been performed on this car.
I also have the remaining 1.5 yrs. of warranty on it with an option for extended warranty when the original expires.
Knowing this info...and having these problems looked after ..do you think it's wise of me to go ahead and sign the deal?
Thankyou
I really don't have my mind made up yet...I'm quite confused.
When I took it for a test drive, that's all I wanted to do...but b/f I knew it, the salesman had me perched in his office...but I didn't sign anything.
I'm in Canada, so of course our pricing is different, but he said the deal could be accepted as $15000. that is everything included meaning taxes also.
Sorry to be a pain, but this is my first time at a dealership on my own. I read & followed all the tips I could see about used & new purchases. I'm very much willing to listen to ANY advice you can give me.
Thankyou.
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Bullet is right, it is a business transaction, try to ignor the emotional part of the deal. It is your money, do not waste it.
I am in the market for a new auto, possibly, and had to laugh at all the tricks the salesmen were trying. ( If he touched my shoulder one more time I was going to pop him one) The web site taught me what to expect and how to deal with each 'ploy'.
Bottom line, the salesman wants as much of your money as you are willing to give up. Nothing personal, just business.
http://www.beatthecarsalesman.com/resources.html
I'm nearing the end of my three years with my ZX3. Need to make some decisions. Buy new, extend the maintence contract, or buy used or get roof racks.
How is the reliability factor with the ZX3 or 5 for that matter these days?? Any more fires ??
Tested a Honda CR-V and a Forester today. Very nice car that Forester. But was put off by both as the ZX3 has better cargo space due to the flat laying seats.
Plus, they are expensive. Was offered MSRP on the Honda,Ha!, and $100.00 over invoice for the Forester, Hummmmm. $21000.
Will test a Hyundai GT and a Vibe tomorrow. Did not hear good things about the Vibe engine, but the seats are armored on the back and lay flat all the way to the glove box. ( Any feedback Rookie34?) The 'Town Hall' board for the Hyundai GT reminds me of us a few years ago, all excitement.
Thinking of buying a recumbent bike and they need a long space. Don't like roof racks. Too much lifting.
Sat in a PT Cruiser today and it looked cheap inside plus the new 'Dream' edition looks like a pimp mobile, all gold. Yuk!
So many cars, so little money.
The salesman was getting a bit pushy for me to sign, but I left.
In Canadian funds I've offered $15000. (tx incl.) which is $9545. American. They've accepted.
The existing warrantee runs for a year. There is a 'Premium Care 500' warrantee for 7 yrs. costing $1035. Canadian...should I try to get them to give me that warrantee as part of the deal or is that pushing it too far?
Go to this page in Edmunds and you can see the average price for a used ZX3 is $8338.US
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/ford/focus/2drzx3hatchback/prices.html
If they add the warranty for free then you are getting a fair deal.
Otherwise I would walk away as you are paying a $1000.00 too much.
As you can see, on average, they are making $2000.US already and most likely, much more.
The best advice I saw was for you to get a new Focus. It seems they worked out the kinks after 2000, I don't see any recalls for them in 2002.
The ZX5 is a real deal, comes with more standard stuff and has good reviews. 60 months at 0% is a great deal.
But, you can only afford what you can afford, so good luck.
I phoned into talk to my Salesman and told him that I want them to pick up the tab for a new warrantee when this one expires.
It's not looking good for me...too many hours have passed.
Can I be blunt and just tell you NOT to purchase that used ZX3? Although the low mileage may make it seem attractive, I think you should do some math on your monthly payments; new vs. used.
I paid 12,300 American for my 2002 ZX3, roughly 3 grand more than what your used Z will cost you, but that was with a 1500 dollar rebate. Obviously it is going to cost you more money to buy new, but you also have the peace of mind of knowing you were the only driver of the automobile, you have a full 3-year warranty, AND you're getting a model year that I believe has all the kinks worked out of it, and you get to choose the options you would like on the vehicle. To me, that's three grand well spent, but alas I don't have to make your monthly payments.
Another option is to simply hold out for a period of time to save some extra money for a down payment on a new Z.
Either way, you're going to be getting a sweet vehicle for the money!
Sorry you had a problem.
I have been looking around pretty hard.
I'm very attracted to the 03 Forester but not to it's price.The Vibe and Matrix look like losers with the odd engine set up, plus, they are not cheap.The Pro5 is OK but on the small side.Sigh.
Was offered $100.00 over invoice for the Forester. Need to research more.
fgaydos - I'm doing pretty good, now that the Ford is gone ;-) Seriously, I'd consider the Pro5 if possible. I demoed one extensively and was pretty impressed. It won't carry as much as the ZX3, but it is light years ahead of the Focus as far as assembly quality and materials are concerned.
I don't think you can go wrong with either the ZX5 or Pro5. I prefer them both to the Vibe/Matrix.*
* your mileage may vary.
Also test drove the Honda Cr-V. My misfortune to get a novice/ slick salesman. Thankfully, I had read all the info at edmunds, Consumers Reports and the best at :
http://www.beatthecarsalesman.com/quotes.html
Had a phone call from dealer tonight, "We have a great surprise for you, call tonight"!! Sigh.
The Honda was Ok, had the best resale value but felt tippy and rear seat was a sore thumb in the way. Only offered to me MSRP and way low on my trade in.(ZX3)
Was going to test the Hyundai GT but neighbors are horrified..:>)
The PT felt cramped compare to the Zx3.
The Pro 5 seating also felt lower than the Zx3. Radio was junk.
Local dealer had one ZX5 left, a red. But, I would never hear the end of it from family and co-workers if I bought it. Is that understandable?
The Forester is a really nice car and loaded,
very safe, terrible mileage. Just wondering for that money ($21,000.)could I do better?
What about a VW Golf or Subaru Impreza?
I told my ZX3 salesman on Saturday I wanted them to pay a 7 yr. warrantee included in the $15000. for the '2000'. He phoned back yesterday..said his manager said no. I thanked him..the deal is dead. I thought of phoning another salesman I sorta know at another Ford dealership today & see if he can swing the same deal for me there. That's where my old 90 taurus is sitting since 2 wks ago.
Or I may just ask him instead what prices I'm looking at for a '2002'...like you suggested silver.
Do not be surprised if they call you back again with yet another counter offer. Sometimes you gotta drive a stake into their hearts if they have one.
I STILL have a guy calling me three days post test drive, saying, "I have some wonderful news! Call me!" Give me a break.
Some very good sites to research are;
Edmunds of course.
MSN Carpoint Reviews and prices etc.
http://carpoint.msn.com/homepage/default.asp
Popular Mechanics Magazine, Reviews
http://www.popularmechanics.com/
American Auto Assn.
http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/default.asp
The AAA site is also great to purchase an extended warranty. You can compare different makes of autos to see how reliable they are by how expensive the same coverage is. Just imput the same milage.
Consumers Reports, Paid site
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/home.jsp
They will prepare a 12 page report with best price to pay taking kickbacks and holdback into consideration. Will pay for itself.
Good luck.
Any help would be appreciated in advance!
Are you sure it's not just your brake-pads wearing out ? They're going to make a grinding noise when the pad wears out, and then you're pushing metal-to-metal instead of pad-to-metal. At the last service (21k, I'm now at 22.5k) for my 2000 auto, I was told my pads were down to 3mm or so. So I wouldn't be surprised if your pads are worn out. As for being too soon to change pads, well we gotta slow our speeding babies somehow !, and the stock pads that come with the zx3 are very soft; they stop well, they dust well (!), and they run out well.
treva
I think you all maybe need to go back thru drivers ed and learn how to brake much more efficiently. You all must be absolutely hammering your brakes?!?!?
I'll never cease to be amazed at the postings on this site!
Because here, the traffic on the freeway constantly goes from 60 to 0...the roads are extremely bumpy, you have to brake hard when a bus suddenly stops to load off passengers, etc. etc.
Furthermore, quit tailgating the vehicle in front of you and anticipate stops.
Ya'll are wasting money on things you could be preventing!
Brake quality has deteriorated for various reasons. Shorter replacement cycles are common these days.
Again, there's nothing wrong some of us are doing.
I just purchased a 2002 ZX3 Premium w/Auto (my wife doesn't drive a stick and with metro traffic I wouldn't even think of driving a manual) out the door for $11,500. No problems yet, but I have noticed a dragging noise coming from the passenger side front area when the window is down, anyothers with similar noises?
al
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Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
As for mileage.... at 10,000 miles I still get only 28mpg. I get 28 city and 28 hwy (usually) (although once I did get 31mpg on a long trip). Odd the mileage doesn't change much, eh?
No mechanical (or other) problems so far, knock wood.
Maybe because I've had no problems to report. Routine maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, filters and wiper blades). After 35,000 miles and two and a half years of ownership, it's been a nice little car. I imagine it's coming up for its first brake replacement, considering all the brake problems reported. I live in a metro area, but I admit I drive conservatively, usually. On a weekend, I'll take it for a day trip to the mountains just to enjoy the car and get away from bumper to bumper type driving.
Gas mileage is average and typical for this car, but then I go with the flow of traffic. On the open road, that's 65mph or better. I average the 31mpg on the highway, but the mileage drops quite a bit around town.
2000 ZX3 Autumn Orange - Auto, Anti-lock
-Rob