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Ford Focus ZX3 Hatchback - Part IV
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Comments
Will let you know if I get a reply.
2000 Ford Focus
Recall More Info
00E09 FAQ's
Ford Focus
Program Headquarters
1501 Halo Drive
Troy, MI 48084
Hope that helps... we ordered in November so yours is most likely on the way!
As you all have heard...I have been waiting 5 weeks (or 5.5 weeks) for my Focus zx-3 to return after being struck by a deer and struck while unattended in a parking lot. 2 hits in 2 weeks. Bad luck.
I went to the dealer and they have promised me that the car will be returned sometime next week. I am to call on Friday. They noticed that I need a new rear wheel and they just ordered it the other day. It is missing the black strip on the side of each door. Interestingly enough, even on the door where there was no damage! I suspect they took that part off and put it on another damaged Focus. Do you think they would do such a thing? The workmanship is acceptable, but not outstanding. The body panels were perfect from the factory, but now it is less so. What can I expect? So it is all very disappointing for me since I have been researching into this purchase since the Spring of '99.
I can say that I have had a mixed experience with the Ford Motor Company. On the one hand, they have been polite and understanding and on the other hand...they have been rude at times, employ stone walling tactics and incompetent (they have been building for 100 years....and they have no spare parts? Of course greed is a big factor.. Greed is short lived. You will pay later for your greed). I have been consistently courteous with only 1 demand and 1 notice...I want my car back now and telling them if they want to keep their customers then they better be customer oriented! I realise that this is all a vain attempt to change a system designed to 'put-down'the customer. Still, I try.
So if you want to avoid my experience please drive safely.
Is the Watch going to both US and Canadian Customers?
I found that statistic that approxx 70,000 Focus are ordered for the Canadian market. If this occured in the States that would translate to 700,000 orders since the population of USA is 1/10 of Canada. What are they putting in the water to our Northern Neighbo(u)rs to make them so Focus mad?
I have not received my watch (Purchased my Focus in mid December of the last century! Should I worry?
NorwayDoug
The meaning of a hatchback is 'an automobile with a sloping back and an upward-opening rear hatch.
Coupe is 'a closed automobile with 2 doors'
To my mind a coupe is a car like a monte carlo (i.e. 2 doors and a trunk) and a hatchback is VW Golf.
Without Question a zx-3 is a hatchback. Perhaps the award for best coupe in the AJAC awards section is not 100% correct, but an award is an award.
ND
Igor Parsadanov
The meaning of a hatchback is 'an automobile with a sloping back and an upward-opening rear hatch.
Coupe is 'a closed automobile with 2 doors'
To my mind a coupe is a car like a monte carlo (i.e. 2 doors and a trunk) and a hatchback is VW Golf.
Without Question a zx-3 is a hatchback. Perhaps the award for best coupe in the AJAC awards section is not 100% correct, but an award is an award.
ND
Coupe or Hatchback, the least of my problems now is worrying about what my car is considered. By the way the manual says coupe.
I think there are more than just one recall on our Foci... The ones that apply to us are listed on the connections web page. For example there is the cruise control recall out, but it doesn't apply to me, and prolly not you because we don't have it. Owners connection web site lists the recalls that apply to the specific VIN number.
Igor Parsadanov
Here at edmunds.com, the Focus ZX3 is a hatchback. I believe that if you went to our Sports Car conference to argue the ZX3 is a sports coupe you'd "have another thing coming," as my dad would say! ;-)
carlady/host
I would demand a loaner, it is their fault that your car is broken. You didn't buy a brand new car from THEM, o that you can bum a ride from someone, or take a bus. Make an apointment to see the owner/manager. They will try to tell you that it's impossible and this and that. Do not accept no for an answer. The will try to be so nice but they will make it look like there is nothing they can do. That is the part were you need to become really demanding. You brought them business, and now your NEW car is broken. I'm sure you don't sit at home all day long, and you have places to go and be. If they want further business from you, your friends, or anyone else who is into internet, they will provide with a loaner. Tell them how many people visit Edmunds daily, and tell them that you will post all your experiences with them. Good luck, and be firm.
Igor
First off, in regards to the recall, they actually did this and told me about it after they had fixed it, kind of nice that they did that. I was planning on scheduling oil change in a few weeks, and have them take care of it then.
As for the 'check engine' light, they hooked the car to the computer, ran the tests and found nothing major. The code that got back had to do with the emissions, but they could not find anything wrong. They re-set the computer, and everything seems fine. Service guy mentioned it may have been nothing but a loose gas cap, first thing I checked, but no major malfunctions.
All total, I was in and out within two hours total, and it would have been shorter had the power not gone out due to a thunder storm
Catch you later...
Kevin
My G shock watch is all grey. My ZX3 is silver. I guess the watches they send out do match the car color.
Does anybody else feel that the volume on the stock stereo should be set a little lower? When I have the volume at "1", it sounds like it should be quieter. I just feel that perhaps the lower volume levels (1 thru 4) should have been ajusted to be more quiet.
Did anyone picked-up a zx3 with automatic windows yet?
Dealer said 6-8 weeks(zx3),does it sounds right?
Or does 6-8 weeks sound right for other models(not build in Mexico)?
6-8 weeks seems to be the "standard" line that the dealers are giving out.
My ZX3 with automatic windows is supposed to arrive in about 2 weeks.
(side note: I ordered my ZX3 on Dec. 2nd, 1999. I've been waiting 14 weeks! Can anybody top that?)
{of course I knew with the options I selected that I wouldn't get it until March.}
Gabe
Why to hell ford can not set up production line of zx3's in some additional plant to fix this problem!
Focus is getting more and more popular,if it gets even more popular waiting period will get even longer!!!!!That may be a major reason for many not to buy it!!!!!!
Also why hatchback is produced in Mexico while all other models are made here in the States?
It may tell that ford is treating hatch as a unwanted stepchild.
Do you agree?
I believe that Ford correctly judged the size of the hot hatch market in NA, and sourced the ZX3 to the Hermosillo plant, which runs at a much slower pace than the US Ford plants. In time, product will catch up with demand. Look what's happened with the New Beetle. Not so long ago, they were very difficult to find. My local dealer now has about a dozen New Beetles looking for buyers.
Once demand slows down for the ZX3 Zetec, you may see Ford augment the line with the entry-level ZX3 that was originally scheduled for US consumption, equipped with the base 2.0l engine.
Does anyone know if the Ford Mexico plant is running additional shifts to handle current demand?
The zx-3 is well assembled and the paint job in my eyes looks better than the sedan/wagon.
In my opinion, the Mexicans should get a raise. They are doing a great job and shame on Ford for underpaying them.
NorwayDoug
Don't you think that zx3 will sell better and better as people like all of us will buy it and pass the great news along.The best marketing for Focus is our great opinion about it. Focus is such a great success without major media campaign, I expect a focus mania soon,we'll see them everywhere!
Do you still think that Mexico will be able to produce enough of them down the road.
I agree that zx3 paint looks better that on other
models,and I have nothing bad to say about quality of work that Mexicans do, I think it's great!
I appreciate the Mexican Ford Employees who put my ZX3 together and believe that the XZ3 shows the quality of work they are capable of. And yes the paint job is great compared to that coming out of older American auto plants. Going to "clay" my ZX3 as soom as weather gets better, and then I will give you a report on "rail dust" (factory contamintation paint damage). From what I see and feel on the finish, I don't think its a big problem at the Mexican plant.
Pat
color i got?....... "Light Sapphire Blue" :-(
WeLL now i guess i have to learn to like this color unless anyone wants to trade watches. My car is cd silver not sapphire blue.
Ford probably expected that the "new" styling wouldn't have caught on so fast. Anyway, they are supposedly adding 30,000 units to the total 2000 production. (Chicago Tribune 3/10/00)
Pat
BTW - I wonder what percentage of the US/Canada market Focus' sold are ZX3s, vs the sedan and wagon....anyone know?
ProjectZX3 has it right. Clay (Automotive type) removes just about anything from painted surfaces, factory rail dust, brake dust, paint overspray, tar, bird droppings, pine tree drippings and much more. Lots of info about it right here in Edmunds Town Hall, Maintenance, paint and body care or wax and polish topics. This day in age its important to prepare a automotive finish before you polish or wax it because of all the factory pollutants out there. I'm going to use Zaino Show Car Polish on my ZX3. My ZX3 will probably have the deepest finish around. Talk about a ZX3 statement!
Tell you what, if you want to know about cars and how to take care of them, Edmunds Town Hall is the right place! ProjectZX3 knows.
Pat
BTW, I ordered my exhaust tip today. Should be at the store on Tuesday. Got my pedal covers and ordered my tip, now all I need is my car.
Where did you order the exhaust tip from?
Hang tight, you'll get the watch.
Pat
To read the complete review go to
http://www.aaa.com
Our baby costs so cheap for what it offers, how can anyone writing a review talk in a overall bad tone about it!
Can acceleration be improved by superchip?
Enjoy your focus...