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Ford Focus - Part III
The beat goes on... To read previous news, views,
and experience with the ZX3 Ford Focus hatchback,
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and experience with the ZX3 Ford Focus hatchback,
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pavement. Does anyone else notice this????
Yes!, I only hear a rear noise when it is wet. I believe this was addressed in earlier posts. Someone suggested using a sealer in the wheel wells to quiet the noise.
On my ZX3 it sounds kinda like a bell being struck.
Was talking to dealer about this problem this evening and he said that Big Shots at FordMoCo are addressing and working on this problem.. Your dealers should have a special Focus Parts phone number to work with. Said they would even shut down assembly line to pull part off line and get it into system.
Interesting note though: Where I work we are becoming "ISO" certified. One of the problems is that the "ISO" consultants don't want us to keep parts for our vehicles in stock. They claim it is not cost effective. Better to cannabalize another company vehicle which is being serviced and waiting for a different part than to have the parts on the shelf. This is in the Heavy Truck Transportation Industry. So I wonder is Ford is listening to some "ISO" consultant type?
At least you are back on the road and not in a Nissan Sentra rental anymore. My Sentra is on the market if you really liked your rental that much.
Love my new Focus!
Pat
the American ZX3 2 door hatch has a different grill than the European 4
door hatch. Is this true? If so, can you get the European one
somewhere and replace the American one? The European one looks a 1000
times better!!!
Thanks,
Joe
If anyone knows anything about it tell us please.
I'm looking for a loaded zx3 and be ready to buy within next 2-4 weeks,but if it will take 2-3 months to get it i'll get golf gl tdi($1500 more).
Well, the mechanic said i need new strut and spring, new tire and rim. But he told me to bring it to a tire shop and have them bend the rim back and to buy the tire there since it's cheaper. He's also going to replace the strut and spring for me through the warranty even though it's not supposed to. (He said it's not a manufacture defect because it was caused by me hitting a pot hole, warranty does not cover this.) He told me the part should be in by tomorrow. I just hope so considering all the problems some of you are going through with the parts. I hope to get my car back to perfect form soon!
By the way, to danny, I asked the mechanic about the oil change and he said it's ok to change it every 5000 miles. But for my first one, i think i'll do it at 3000. thanks for your response.
or else
call me dumb.....
Are the rims an aluminum alloy? If so, I would imagine it would be difficult, if not impossible, to bend them back. Someone out there know more about this?
That's pretty cool that they are repairing it under warranty.
city/highway combined is 29mpg. Still trying
to get better mileage by varied driving cond.
Empty tank light seems early and once, the fuel gauge did not work until second start-up...weird
Good on snow. Have been "plowing" through several inches out od parking lots with ease. Still, strong winds on highway does whip the car from side to side...perhaps due to the height.
2nd gear very tight when very cold. Wonder if its
a flaw. But not difficult to get used to. Loved the quick/smooth acceleration on 2nd.
Any advise out there about breaking in your car by varying speeds? Mine already over 2K with occasional visits to the higher RPMs.
I asked a friend of mine who had an integra about this. He said he had the same problem with shifting to second when it's cold. I guess i can just assume it's not a flaw.
In regards to waiting for the zx3, well as i posted a while back ago. I ordered my car Oct.19, but only manufactured a month later and delivered to my dealership December 29. Now you must imagine
how long I've waited and the frustrations it caused. But, it's worth it!!!!!
And guess what? Ford company sent me a questionaire.To evaluate my dealerships service. We'll, let me see: Waited 3 months for the car......I got the car but they lost one key, the remotes and the manual and they didn't care about it much. ummm....how am I to evaluate this?
In Pennsylvania we kill more deer by auto than 44 states combined by hunting! It's true!
There are tons of them here in Philadelphia. Almost ran into one and her babies on my bike one Sunday morning.
Then folks will wonder why we have so many deer ticks and Lyme disease. Duh!
Fuel mileage is quite poor even with 3000 miles on it. Even on highway, it is not better than 24 mpg.
I have also some noise problems:
-The ventilation fan wistle in 2nd and 3rd position.
-There is a wind noise at 65 mph from the driver's side window that not exist on the passager's side.
-Betweed 55 and 60 mph there is a resonnance, not a very strong noise, but a very unpleasent one.
Does anyone encourter the same problems?
Ford will also have to correct the noise frome the wheel wells that seem to be isolate with cheap carpet.
A stiffer (GT, not sport) suspension, a manual transmission with the three first gears a little bit longer, a true silver paint (like a Jetta), seats that goes forward to let pass the rear passagers, white instrumentation and aluminium inserts on dash and doors (like european models) and this car will be perfect.
e-mail me, would like to hear from you...at
strych_9_@hotmail.com
Anyways, I was at the Auto show in Montreal and I got a good look at the Focus R, it's a pretty sharp car! But I digress, I'm just begining to think that the ZX3 is not quite the deal it sounded like before. I'm quite turned off by the lack of available sunroof. I just saw a post that someone was quoted 20900 Canadian which sounds kind of high since the car is advertised around 16500. I guess 15% tax has something to do with that. I think I would prefer a Sentra SE for around that price (19$$$ + tax) since Nissan dealers are known to budge on from MRSP.
Anyways, I really like this whole conference thing and really appreciate what is posted from the people who actually bought the car. I think it helps the rest of us in making an informed decision. I'm still considering the ZX3, although not as much as before.
danderson
Sorry to hear about the bent wheel rim.. I agree with moving it to the back, even after it was repaired. it wont affect steering feel as much as leaving it on the front.
Gearchanges - this seems to work for me - maybe some of you could confirm. When changing from 1st to 2nd in the cold, if I let the revs die down fully, and then shift slowly or double clutch it, it shifts fine. If I try a fast shift, the lever gets stuck in neutral.
As for the wind noises, harakiri, I would jiggle the rubber seals on the doors a bit, and lube them with silicone spray. This will let them seat better, and should hopefully reduce some of your wind noise. Be careful not to get the spray on your glass or paint, as it is a pain to remove.
So far, i dont have any whistling or annoying resonance. However, I will check it today on my drive home. I would like to have most of the stuff on harakiri's wish list, but include one item - more power.
Regarding the wind noise, I also hear that from the driver side. It makes me think i left a crack in the window but when i check it, it's closed tight.
On other subjects, isn't the Sony edition Focus a ZTS sedan? For those who remember our "yellow" discussion, go to www.focus247.com and click the bubble for "focus zone" then the one for "statement cars" -- a bright yellow focus! It would look better as a ZX3. I also signed up for the free CDrom on there. Looks weird but I thought maybe that would mean I could get my welcome pack someday, when I get my car!
When cleaning a car, one must ensure that the dirt is well dispersed in car wash soap to make sure you do not scratch the paint. First wet the car and keep it wet and then use a soap brush or sponge with car wash detergent and lightly rub the car starting at the top and work to the bottom. Rinse sponge often with water. Change soap solution when it becomes obvious it is dirty. Wash tires and rims last (they have the most grime. Rinse well with water. Do not use dish washing detergent or washing machine detergent.......use car wash soap.
The Focus is great....don't feel you shouldn't buy one.
NorwayDoug
When cleaning a car, one must ensure that the dirt is well dispersed in car wash soap to make sure you do not scratch the paint. First wet the car and keep it wet and then use a soap brush or sponge with car wash detergent and lightly rub the car starting at the top and work to the bottom. Rinse sponge often with water. Change soap solution when it becomes obvious it is dirty. Wash tires and rims last (they have the most grime. Rinse well with water. Do not use dish washing detergent or washing machine detergent.......use car wash soap.
The Focus is great....don't feel you shouldn't buy one.
NorwayDoug
When cleaning a car, one must ensure that the dirt is well dispersed in car wash soap to make sure you do not scratch the paint. First wet the car and keep it wet and then use a soap brush or sponge with car wash detergent and lightly rub the car starting at the top and work to the bottom. Rinse sponge often with water. Change soap solution when it becomes obvious it is dirty. Wash tires and rims last (they have the most grime. Rinse well with water. Do not use dish washing detergent or washing machine detergent.......use car wash soap.
The Focus is great....don't feel you shouldn't buy one.
NorwayDoug
ND
As for washing cars: Washing often is GOOD. I use the self-serve sprayers for quick wash/rinses (don't forget the underside) and if you use the 'foaming brush' option, CLEAN THE BRUSH WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE SPRAYER FIRST so your not rubbing in abrasives. Be super careful. The grime on your car will scratch the paint.
Then all you have to do is spot rinse the drool people leave on your shiny ZX3...