Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Ford Focus hatchback
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Comments
Switching back & forth from super to regular gas won't make any difference. If the car doesn't ping on regular, just use regular. Putting in premium when it isn't necessary is just wasting money. It's only necessary in high-compression engines & on most supercharged motors.
Some of the options were probably deleted to sell out the Escorts, which have those options. You will see more options if the Escort gets dumped. Frankly I don't want those option. I don't even like air conditioning.
For $22,000 I could get a Mustang, Fire Bird, Jetta, F-150 ect. I could wait a couple of years and get the new T-Bird that will be out.
I think the Focus was designed to get people where cost mattered. The average debt of the people that Ford is targeting (you though I was going to say focusing where you?) is $2,000. They are probably going after the fleet market also. Those that want Ford style will be better off with the Mustang, ZX2 or the upcoming T-Bird. If I was running a taxi company, I'd rather spend $13,000 than $22,000 per car. The same goes for running those rent-a-car companies.
The steering wheel does not have a tilt option as does the sedan & wagon. Pick-up is ok but nothing to write home about. Access to the backseat is not that easy. Why don't they make those seats slide easily forward? All in all, for the money it seems like a good buy if you can live with things such as they are. The ZX3 does not replace the VW Golf but hopefully they will be more to pick from than Golfs.
Where were all you guys when Ford was trying to sell the wondrous CONTOUR????
Granted, Ford marketed the Contour all wrong, but what else is new? I had two of them - sixes with manual - they were great - nifty to drive and never a suggestion of a mechanical problem.
I'm looking forward to a new Focus, ZTS 5sp, and I know I'm gonna love it, but I hate to see the Contour die unappreciated. Sob.
1. 1.6 is the best in the line (maybe not so powerful, as 2.0 they tested before, but extremely well engineered overall).
2. The ride is excellent, in spite of occasional loss of power steering force in tough cornering.
3. The climate inside the car is kinda wet: windshield and side windows tends to mist over. Air conditioning is a big help.
I would like to know your opinion about windows misting. Wish I helped a little.
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The ZX-3 in Malibu Blue is really nice looking. Anyone see it in infra-red?
Carmax in Kenosha Wisconsin says they sell cars on their lot for under invoice. If you order a car thru them it's $125 over invoice. They do not bargain on their prices. You can go to www.carmax.com to see their prices on in stock cars so you've got something to go by when you go shopping. Have fun!
Can you sign a contract for delivery and get a guaranteed price?
In my experience, window misting is probably due to either a rain water leak into the cabin, or big guys sweating in the car. Once the interior is wet, the windows will continue to fog over in cold weather. A/C and heat together do work well to dry the interior.
What is the availability of ZX-3s as of late? Is it getting better?
I am interested in a ZX-3 with ABS, Side airbags, air and a 5 spd. Are these versions still hard to come by. I am planning to buy in mid-December in the USA.
I am one of those Golf GL, ZX-3 and New Beetle GL purchasers. Perhaps unusual, but in many respects all these cars are similiar, but vary with price.
I would also like to hear some feedback from new owners. Are they loving their ZX-3 or are they having regrets?
THe Focus is a hit in Norway. It is the 3rd best selling car after the Golf and Passat. I think they are catching on slowly here because Ford is not considered a great car, but the Focus (I have a feeling) is a great car from a good company.
The Contour was a great car, but its interior dimensions are very small considering it is quite large. People thought of it as a Tempo/Topaz replacement and it really wasn't because the Contour-Mystique are great driving cars. But,have you seen the crash results on the Contour? Not impressive at all. So I will not sob at its demise. People deserve a car that is engineered to be safe in a car.
NorwayDoug
There are plans to begin Focus assembling in Belorussia, where euro-Escort is assebled now for CIS market. Maybe, after the start of local assembling Focus would cost less.
Wish to buy Focus after I get to USA in 2-3 months.
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web site. they did a project car based on a sedan,
but they have a decent list of suppliers where they got stuff from. they added an exhaust, turbo,
suspension, tires/wheels, etc, etc. also check
www.kustomz.com they have stuff for the ZETEC
engine on a ZX2/contour, and some of there parts
may be available too. i would be interested in
knowing what u find out!!
NorwayDoug
I'm glad to see aftermarket website posting by others, cause that's what I was going to ask about next. I think I read that in-house goodies will become available through SVT, but I'm not holding my breath.
In response to ProjectZX3 (#327) concerning aftermarket wheels and tires: In Tire Rack's ad in the latest Car & Driver, I like the look of LOCO 2's offering for $888. I think it's a 7-spoke wheel, with 16x7" Yokohama's. Never heard of this brand, but looks like a decent value.
As far as my project I didn't get a price on the wingswest kit yet. I'm sure there will be others out there in a short period of time and i want to be selective. I am going to put 16 or 17" wheels on the car and approx 215/40 tires depending etc.
Not that this is the only reason, of course. Humid days will fog up any windshield...
http://www.focussport.com/
(there's nothing up yet, but it will deal strictly with focus performance parts)
http://rallysport.net/fordfocus/
http://www.tuningshop.co.uk/features/focus.htm
I can guarantee you that there's going to be tons of parts for this car starting next year. All car magazines are ga-ga over it and there's a few project ZX3's being built already.
If anyone gets any hard info on the wheel situation, please let me know (ie: offset, bolt circle, compatible models like escort or contour, etc) Thanks!
Full Kit - $649
3-pc Spoiler - $325
Air dam - $213
Side Skirts - $142 (each)
Rear Wrap - $213
I like the looks of the one in the FocusSport site better, so I'll be waiting for a few options as well.
I found another web site of interest in Sport Compact Car magazine - December issue (p. 215). The site is www.performancelist.com. Basically, you subscribe, specify your vehicle, and all SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) members will notify you directly by e-mail of any new performance part release.
Also, Tire Rack told me that Eibach springs for the ZX3 will be available soon, but he didn't specify when.
I just got back from test driving a silver 5 speed. I might be gung ho but I'm telling ya the handling was superb in my opinion! Power-wise she lagged a little until about 2200 rpm, then she really kicked me back in my seat up to 4500 rpm! OK, OK so i exaggerate, but seriously the car was extremely fun and had a very solid feel. Broke the tires loose from 1st to 2nd. I'm glad I ordered one! The seats are much firmer than the 4 door model and everything seemed 'driver oriented'. This auto is a major league BARGAIN! I was impressed.
Also, the Ford literature does not list it as an option for the ZX3. I think this is stupid since you can get tilt steering in their other Focus models.
Sedan ZX3
EXTERIOR
Overall Length, in 174.8 168.1
Overall Width, in 66.9 66.9
Overall Height, in 56.3 56.3
Wheelbase, in 103.0 103.0
INTERIOR
Front
Headroom, in 39.3 39.3
Max Shoulder roon, in 53.7 53.7
Max Legroom, in 43.1 40.7
Rear
Headroom, in 38.5 38.7
Max Shoulder room, in 53.6 53.5
Legroom at SgRP front, in 37.6 37.6
Load Compartment
Cargo Vol. Index (cu. ft.)12.9 18.6
Total Interior Vol. (cu. ft.)103.2 112.3
Fuel Capacity (usable), gal (US)13.2 13.2
P.S- Don't let the lack of tilt wheel keep you from buying the ZX3. Dollar for dollar it's much more fun to drive than the Civic we test drove and I think equally as fun as the Golf we drove and for less money!
http://www.rallysport.net/comicozzie/ffwrc/
http://www.rallysport.net/comicozzie/ffwrc/
I agree 100% in regards to the tilt and telescoping steering option. That option is so clearly needed in the ZX-3 and I truly do not understand why it is not added on the ZX-3. Absolutely no engineering costs would be associated with its inclusion.
I am 6 foot 3 inches too and I love the way I fit in the sedan, but want a ZX-3. I haven't sat in a zx-3, but I am afraid that it won't fit.
Sooooooo.....I will buy a Golf or a Beetle. The result is Ford loses my business and the potential of a lifetime of buying a cars from Ford.
I think that is significant. Ford did not have the right Focus groups when they decided no tilt/telescoping on the ZX-3.
If anyone can find out if the ZX-3 will come with tilt / telescoping steering wheel or if it can be added by a Ford dealership with spare parts I would really appreciated it (I am not alone....in this appreciation....I am sure)
Regards,
norwaydoug
ND
I wouldn't be surprised if someone (maybe svt) offered a similar kit.
I think the back head rest was deleted because doing so gets rid of a major blind spot. I've been in several cars and none of them had rear head rests. Another reason is that the back seats fold down completely(this even works on the sedans!), for more "trunk" space and the seats bump into the back of the front seats. With a head rest, the front seat would need to go forward another six inches to accomplish the same thing. That would suck for me.
The thing that supports the steering column in tilt steering is a plastic disk the size of a half dollar if that. They are always breaking, so expect to be able to drive a wet noodle and pay a lot for the repair bill. I'd rather adjust the seat height. I usually drive in the 5-7 position.
I don't have tilt steering in my '87 Escort and it doesn't bother me at all. It doesn't have power brakes, ABS, I don't even have air conditioning and again it doesn't bother me.
Drove a loaded SE sedan today... liked it a lot... the ZX3 is cheaper though. Not sure if I like the look of the Sedan or hatch better though. I'll see how much the ZX3 is with power windows once it's availablein February
I drove a black 5 Speed ZX3 today. It was smooth, solid and pretty responsive. Not to mention really comfortable. I am trading down from a 98' Jeep Cherokee to get into this car. Ha! Ha! Ford finally hit the nail on the head.
Also send the info for the invoice pricing deal.
Thanks
Yes, I was a little bitter about the ZX3 when I finally got a chance to sit in one after such a long wait. I think the wait raised my expectations/desire that the ZX3 be as good a car as the picture. After being swept up in anticipation the actual ZX3 was a big let down.
If you look at long term cost/benefit and doing your small part to preserve the environment (42/49 mpg, but drives like V6!) the cost difference vanishes. It's a proven, crashable platform (beetle/jetta/golf) that gets rave revues and reccomendations. Besides, the TDI engine torque/hp curves kick [non-permissible content removed] ....
It costs more and you can see/feel where the money is - if an extra $2k is not out of reach check it out.
because of their air pollution standards. It must spew some pollutant at a very high rate. Anyone know any details on this or a WEB site thats explains the difference between what pollutants a gas and deisel engine emit? If the environment were our main concern we'd all be buying Honda's.
I'm doing my part by not buying a Sport Useless Vehicle. Or is it Stupid Utility Vehicle?
Personally, I think the ZX-3 has a much sharper appearance than the old, tired look of the Golf
http://www.rallysport.net/fordfocus/images/