Ford Focus ZX3 Hatchback - Part IV

drebe73

Jamers85, If it's still there maybe you should report it, maybe it was stolen?

speedyzx6

Hi, all my wait is somewhat over now. My Focus ZX3 just arrived this morning. I work in the dealership. The lot personel called me right away and said " I think your car is in" There it was finally. It took exactly 8 weeks to come in . It's a 5spd with ABS, keyless entry, ac ,floor mats, twilight blue with dark smoke interior. I won't be able to take it home until Monday.
I will be the one who preps it and then comes the fun. I have 17" TSW Revo wheels, Eibach lowering springs, Wings West body kit and spoiler, True Rev intake kit, Richbrook shifter knob, racing pedal covers, seatbelt pads Xenon HID bulbs, Bosh platinum +4 spark plugs Focus Sport ignition wires, and one hell of a sound system. All that I need is the exhaust and tint the windows.

pcleveland2

speedyzx6,
Make sure the wiring and connectors can handle the heat from the Xenon bulbs. Melted the connectors on my Nissan. The heat was just to much for them. Its a wonder it didn't get the wiring also because it was very small gauge wiring.

Doesn't the Zetec have platinum plugs? I thought it did. I do like the Bosch (spelled right?) plugs - Have used them before.

You don't happen to know who might make a bug/stone deflector for the Focus do you?
Pat

alf3

fgaydos - Thanks for the link to the Focus review. You are correct - the wagon only comes with the base engine/auto trans in the US. I read the sedan and wagon reviews twice - not sure how you got the feeling that the Focus received a less than glowing review. Didn't see any reference to a lack or rear leg room for adults. In case I missed something in the articles, I'll state my defense now! - 1)It's nearly 2:15 am, and I should be asleep, and 2)I've become quite fond and quite defensive of my ZX3! Probably one of the best-value automobiles I've ever owned.

speedyzx6

Yes the Focus does come with platinum spark plugs. However the one I bought has 4 firing points rather than one for the Motorcraft (Bosch platinum +4.)
No I don't know where to find a bug deflector. I rarely see cars with bug deflectors mostly trucks and SUV's. I have bug deflector for my 1999 Honda CRV EX AWD. I got it from J and J products. besides why would you want to put a bug deflector on a Focus it would take away it's sport appearance.

fgaydos

ALF3,
Here is a copy of the leg room comment:"Minimal leg room in the back seat spoils the illusion of spaciousness. Adults will not be comfortable in back for long." 4th paragraph down.
Also acceleration: 0Ð60 m.p.h., acceleration 9.0 sec.

gabegarwick

Note: slight venting follows...

A few weeks ago, my dealer emailed me to say that my ZX3 was scheduled to be built on Feb 28th with delivery expected around March 17-23.
I gave him a call this last Fri, March 10th to ask some general questions. He now informs me that the car is scheduled to be built Mar. 20th! Delivery now expected Mar. 27-31. :-(
I'm guessing either the plant is falling behind their projected schedules, or maybe (I hope) that they are taking care of all the recalls before they're sending them out from the plant. Anybody else hear anything? Of course this delay would coincide with speedyZX6's wait time of 8 weeks.

now into the 15th week of waiting,
Gabe

drebe73

how are you handeling the reverse lock out ring on the shifter when you replace the knob? the only replacement knobs i found that are compatable are the ones from kurtz kustoms.

drebe73

I went to richbrook's website and I see they have compatable knobs.

focusfanatic

ive noticed a much smaller amount of posts per week on the tire and wheel forum: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?c=Accessories&f=0&t=321&q=0-

For me, that was the most interesting message board and a great source of information, so lets try to keep it going!

kdominczak

Again, feel sorry for you. Can you tell us name of your dealer and your location?It may help,maybe there are other people in your area waiting like you do! Together you can put more presure on your lazy dealership...
Good luck...
Sorry for spelling.(feel not fell)

theatregrl

Well, the dealer refused to give me a loaner while I await a new master cylinder and the
recall part (fuel injector) to be replaced. I called Ford Headquarters and explained my car only has 3000miles on it, etc. They called the dealer and ok'd a 4 day loaner. Thank-goodness, but if the repair takes longer I'm outta luck. PS-2 of the 4 day loaner is covering this weekend, leaving only 2 days for the repair.
By the way, bought the car Jan. 10, and got a blue watch today (my car is red). Maybe I should send the watch back and ask to trade it for a new cylinder....

gabegarwick

Doh! Hope you have better luck on with your 2nd appt. cahollan.

Gabe

mimsgo

Hi,
I'm considering buying a automatic focus hatchback, in scanning the last few posts I notice someone was posting about a recall and engine problems. I would like to know about these problems and any other advice is appreciated. If its not too nosy how much over or under invoice are people able to get the car. I want mine loaded.

Thanks
mimsgo in Tennessee

gabegarwick

Thanks for the sympathy kdominczak. I'm in Des Moines, Iowa and the dealership I've gone through is Dewey Ford. {I had originally gone to Charles Gabus Ford but their sales staff is laughable. Tried to sell me everything on the lot but the ZX3! He talked me into test driving a focus sedan, it was smooth. (and it had the telescoping steering wheel, which is why I've been waiting 15 wks. for my ZX3.) I found the placement of the wheel in the ZX3 too high on the dash. For that matter, I couldn't even reach the wheel once I had my seat adjusted comfortably (I'm tall). Anyway, after the test drive (@ Charles Gabus), the salesperson kept trying to push me into buying the sedan. I repeatedly told him I wanted the ZX3. His response was "you can see from here what we have on the lot". --Duh! I'm not blind. They had 3- green, black, and orange. All manual tranny. Told him I wanted an auto in silver. His response was "we should be getting another delivery in a week or two, why don't you drop by then and we'll look again." --These guys don't want my business very bad do they? I thanked him for the drive and walked. I was almost to my car and I heard him reluctantly say. "If you wanted, we could order you one..". I made an appt. about 2 wks. later, with a different salesperson at the same dealership. I was thinking maybe it was just the one bad apple, you know... Not to be, I received pretty much the same treatment from talkinghead #2. I ended up putting in my request on autobytel.com, the internet rep. from Dewey contacted me less than 24 hrs. later by email. (I requested a contact by email rather than by phone) After only a couple email correspondences, he offered to order me one for $100 over invoice. (price had never come up before this). I made an appt. to talk with him. He was a no bull type-o-guy. I ordered it. Funny thing is, I went on a wk. vacation to Vail,CO in Jan. to ski. When I came back I called Dewey Ford to say hi to my rep. and I was told that he no longer worked there. I'm curious what happened to him. Just for kicks I'll tell you his name, (he was a cool guy). Name was Steve Blake (from Detroit he said). Anybody else recognize the name? I didn't at the time, but have since run across it while browsing the web. (I wonder if he could be the same Steve Blake, former owner of fordnews.com who has reviews posted at blueovalnews.com)? Now I've got a new rep. (kinda wishy-washy).

Hi mimsgo, I'm getting my ZX3 automatic loaded. Final $ will be $100 over invoice, should be somewhere in the vicinity of $15000.


p.s.--last night I dreamt that I flew down to Hermosillo, Mexico and hijacked my finished car from the plant. !--well mostly kidding.


Gabe
silver ZX3-auto,loaded

alf3

To Silver_Bullet and anyone else interested.....I installed the ZTS dome lamp (Ford pn 'YS4Z-13776-AB') which includes two individual map lights this afternoon in my ZX3. It's really a nice quality piece - made by Hella. It was a little scary prying and pulling out the original dome lamp - it's a tight fit. I recommend using a piece of cloth around a flat blade screwdriver so you don't damage the plastic housing. Anyway - once you have the original unit out, pull off the connectors, reattach them to the new unit, pop it back in place, and you're done - probably 5 minutes total. The new dome/maplight combo costs approx $24 and even includes the 3 bulbs - I thought it was a great deal. I tried out the map lights on the way home from church tonight - very bright. The map lights are also easier to turn on while you are driving - just a push on the switch, rather than sliding the dome light switch over. I also just like the way the new unit looks - I like the added buttons - maybe that's just a guy thing!

alf3

If you haven't seen it yet - check it out! Great story about the Focus R - supposedly due 3rd qtr 2001 for $19,000. Supposedly 35 guys working on their laptops sorting out the handling. 220 turbo hp, still fwd.
A brief mention was made of a potential Cosworth spinoff - 300hp, AWD!!!

mattozzi_aj

It finally arrived!! I wonder if talking to the sales manager helped?! I came home from a weekend camping trip to find my yellow watch box! My watch is lifesaver red with grey-like my car-but it is a regular g-shock-I was hoping for a baby g. This thing is huge!!!Watch out for jealous vandals!! I decided to cruise over to the bowling alley across town to watch my dad bowl in state tournaments-was only in there for about an hour-came out to find a nice long key scratch along the driver side back panel!! I almost vomited at the site!! guess it's my turn to hit the shop! UUUGGGHHH!!

drebe73

I just realized that my registration has the wrong mileage the dealer put the trip mileage instead of the actual milage. I'm wondering if it's too late to do anything about. It still should have the original miles on it since I didn't have it long enough to rack up too many extra miles.

judas

I gotta tell ya, those platinum 4 point plugs are a big waste of dough, just like splitfires. It's never going to spark to all four points, it's just going to spark to the one that has the least amount of resistance between the two points, which could theoretically reduce power. Just stick with a regular high quality platinum plug.

gabegarwick

Hi sk8ingnunt,
Wanted to ask you a question about your ZX3. Have you received the car yet or still waiting? And when did you place your order?(Reason I ask is that mine has the same options w/ the addition of the auto tranny.)

thanks,
Gabe

sk8ingnut

I'm still waiting for my car I'm in week three of waiting. My dealer told me it should be here about 6 weeks from the order date. I'm getting really antsy and can't wait to get it. I've been reading post everywhere I can find info on the car and so far I like what I'm hearing. Good luck to you and if you have any other questions let me know.

moses5

Has anyone had any problems with the SPRINGS on their suspension. I had to have mine realigned a week ago. The dealership told me that they had come out of alignment. Has anyone ever heard this before. I originally took it in to have them checked, because I noticed the ride uneven and strange feeling on the drivers side. The ride on the rear drivers side still does not feel right. My suspension has softend up a bit as well.

Also, I received my focus box in the mail. My watch is light blue. I don't like the color at all. The picture frame is not big enough for any decent size picture.

mp10

The literature in the Focus Watch box suggests you put the (magnetized) frame on your dashboard, so I imagine that's why it's smallish. Also, people are already selling their kits or the watches on Ebay - supposedly the watch is worth $99 ????

How do suspension springs come out of alignment?

jamers85

today i went to my dealer to get an oiL change and have the recaLL fixed. Well it only took them about 1 hour and a half to get everything done.
When i approach the cashier to claim my zx3 they were charging me 253 dollars. i said "what?"
253 for an oiL change? well they made a mistake by charging me for the recaLL. so it turned out to be just 32.50 for everything.
anybody out want to trade watches. i need a grey one the one i have is blue

gabegarwick

sk8ingnut, I wish you a speedy delivery of your ZX3.

As you may or may not know,half the options we're getting (the tilt/telescoping wheel, power windows, power mirrors) were not available until Feb. 2000. If I go by that for a reference date, this is the sixth week since those options became available. (My car has been on order for 15 weeks now.) A few messages back, I outlined the drama. Anyway, now I'm hearing delivery around April.

later,
Gabe

jpthree

You need to know that a hydraulic system (brakes and on our focuses, also the clutch) is a closed system. When it's operating normally, there is no consumption of hydraulic fluid (or brake fluid). If fluid needed to be added, that either means that
a) it came from the factory without enough fluid in the clutch master cylinder
or,
b) you have a leak somewhere in the system.

You may be ok if there wasn't enough fluid put in in the first place and it was replaced, but, they may not have bled the air out of the system, which could account for the odd clutch behavior (but not the noise).

A clink or a clunk sounds to me like some kind of excessive driveline lash. You really need to have this checked out...it could be any number of things wrong with the clutch.

-Joe

sk8ingnut

Gabe,
I was aware of the late availablity for the power windows/mirrors and tilt. Unfortunately my dealer did not know of the options and was dumbfounded when I showed him in his own printed literature. As I understood it, the options would not start producing till the end of Feb. I order my car the last week of February purposely because I knew I would end up waiting for the options anyway. My dealer confirmed the options from ford and gave me a six week delivery date. I hope you get your car soon too.

sk8ingnut

moses5

I received my For Focus box the other day. I just checked out the G-Shock website. I could not believe the price of this watch. The watch retailed for $110.00.

hkoenen2

You have to be kidding, who would pay $110.00 for that watch? Anybody want to buy mine? I will even throw in the picture frame.

drebe73

the g-shocks are rather trendy and sell in major department stores as well as sunglass hut/ watch station stores. I am still waiting on mine, I hope it comes this week. has every one received the g-shock or is it men get g-shock and women get baby-g?

gabegarwick

cool! thanks for the info sk8ingnut!

later,
Gabe

gabegarwick

So what kind of Baby-G is it? There are currently 11 models of casio watches carrying the "Baby-G" moniker (that I know of anyway). I can post prices of any and/or all models if anyone wishes.

thanks,
Gabe

cefurod

Hey Jammers, your oil change costed you $32.50? I also brought mine in this past saturday and the dealer fixed the recall. I paid $21.00 for my oil change.

xqu

Finally, I got my G-Shock today (bought my car at mid Dec.) and I'm so happy with that. It is light blue matching my twilight blue ZX3, but I guess I'd like grey or red more.

Take about the oil change, I got mine for FREE (only the first time) and I made an appointment first but still waited for an hour and half, that's the only bad experience with my dealer so far. Hope they will fix the recall in an hour instead of half day.

cahollan

I took my ZX3 in for a clutch inspection (again), and the problem was quite stupid. They had "accidently" forgotten to screw the cap on the brake/clutch fluid reservior, thus more than half of it had spilled out since the last service. This was their explanation for the varying engagement points in the clutch.

The "noise" described earlier was attributed to the engine adjusting its timing. I don't know whether to believe this or not, but he says with variable timing engines will make the kind of noise that I described. They test drove the car with me in it, and the noise is not associated with the clutch. He found it was associated with sudden changes in throttle position.

But it was all documented, and the parts were ordered for the recall. The dealership at least this time treated me more like a human being.

jamers85

$29.95 is the going rate for oiL change at the dealers here in NY. And not to forget...the 8.25% tax.

fgaydos

Ford returned my email and this is the explanation of the recall as related elsewhere in this forum.
In some of the affected vehicles, the Injector Pressure Sensor (IPS),
located on the end of the
fuel rail, may contain water that can freeze in cold outside
temperatures and cause the IPS membrane to crack or burst. This damage
to the IPS could cause powertrain and emission control concerns such as:

-illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(MIL)

-the engine will not start.


If you do not have this service done:

-Your emissions warranty may be reduced.

-Your Focus may not pass emissions or smog tests that may be required in your area.

-Your state Department of Motor Vehicles may not renew your vehicle's registration.

-You may experience engine damage or failure.

-internal engine damage due to hydro-locking

silyboy

just an FYI for everyone-- the above description is for recall #00E09. Just remember to make sure that your dealer checks to see that they have the part(s) in stock. My dealer said it will be a 1-1.5 hour repair job to complete.

fgaydos

The new Consumers Report for 2000 cars is out and they do not recommend a Focus. I guess it is too early and they want to see how reliable it turns out to be. They also do not recommend the Echo either.

mp10

I got a ToughLabel BabyG which sells on the Casio website for $99. I have to say it: this is one ugly watch. It looks like you're wearing Big Ben on your wrist. It also has an ugly brown striped wrist band (with a gray watch covered in black...rubber?). I dunno...I love free things, but in this case I would have taken the $$$$... m.p.

pcleveland2

Consumers Reports NEVER gives a first year model a recommendation. They always wait until its been out for 2 or 3 years, which gives them time to track any problems. They also don't review like Car and Driver or Road and Track. And I don't always agree with Consumers Reports, but I find it to be a good reference tool. I've subscribed for years to it.

Alf3: Thanks for the report on the map/dome light, think I'm going for it.

SpeedyZX6: If you could see the front hood of my last car and what sand/salt DOT Trucks did to it you would understand. Some of the contoured deflectors look okay. Not talking about the straight across type.

Silver Bullet: Thanks for the info on the BMW tip.

Pat

pcleveland2

Just got back from a weekend trip to the Virginia Shenandoah Valley (western side). Got to hit a number of the back roads. Felt like a local on roads I'd never been on before. Thinks some of the locals wondered what was under the ZX3 hood and what was suspending the wheels. Really turned some heads. My gas mileage really dropped for that portion of the trip, but it was worth it. Averaged 30 mph on the whole trip including the back roads part. Acceleration (with the automatic!) was great on the rolling hills and curves and the handling, well I just can't say enough! I'll be glad to take any of those reviewers for a ride any time.
Saw only one other ZX3 (infra red) in Altoona, Pa. and a couple of Focus sedans.
Whats with the ford generation X thing anyway, guess I just "over the hill" generation X'er! I thing the ZX3 is a vehicle for anyone who appreciates great automobiles. Maybe it's the second childhood thing.
Pat

mp10

...is up again and I was able to register. My car (manufactured 11/99) is indeed marked for recall. However, when I tried to email them at the recall@ford.com address, it came back as undeliverable. I was wondering if they are going to authorize a loaner for this and if so, how do I convince the dealership? I wonder when the official notices will go out? With warmer weather coming, presumably the urgency is somewhat less. m.p.

fgaydos

Saw a Focus ad on TV and it is really bad. All you see are a bunch of crazed teenagers. When the camera finally shows the Focus you cannot see it because they have all the financial info plastered across the screen. Very frustrating. And, you all are right, the brochure is very weak. The Ad agency is doing a rotten job, but, Ford must like it. I think the Focus is selling well in spite of them, not because.
Alf3 thanks also for the info, think I may purchase the map light.

silver_bullet

Talk about funny! This past weekend while I was taking the car cover off my ZX3 and getting ready to go, a neighbor stopped and asked, "what kind of car is that?". I told him it was a Ford, and he looked really amazed. He then asked, "Say, is the engine in the back?". I couldn't stop laughing. I haven't heard that remark since the early 60's, when VW Beetles made people think that every small, unusual car had a rear engine.

skater4

Got my watch a few days ago. It's a baby-G, dark grey with a brown-striped band. It is huge, but I kind of like it. Hey, it was free! My hatch is rainforest green, so I guess the colors don't match. I have about 3300 miles on my car, and no problems yet, though the more I read here the more nervous I get. The service manual says to get the first oil change at 5000 miles. Do you all agree? I haven't changed the oil yet, because I'm not sure if I should follow the maintenence schdule in the manual. I have read in numerous magazines that cars are much better-made today and can easily go 5000 miles between oil changes. What do you think?

I still get lots of compliments on my Focus. People stop me all the time in parking lots, gas stations, etc. to ask questions. It feels good, doesn't it? Had a white Focus sedan pull up next to me at a light and give me a wave. That was the first white one I had seen. All in all, life is good with the ZX3!

cefurod

I've also heard from many sources that an oil change could last for over 3000 miles. Some cars even recommend 7000 miles. Especially in owner manuals, manufacturers tend to be more on the safe side so it's surprising to know that our focus could go for 5000 miles before our next oil change. Even though, I had my first oil change at 2500mls and after that will do it at 4000 miles intervals. I'm sure there're a lot of others who will still follow the 3000 miles. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Bjammers, didn't know you live in NY. Everythings more expensive out there. Gas must be killing you. I'm in NJ and it's bad enough.
Alf3 - where was your post on the map/dome light? Is it the same size as our dome light or is it bigger where you'd have to make a bigger hole?

gabegarwick

I'm with pcleveland. I'd also like the bug/wind deflector for the hood.

hmm, anybody think it might be a good idea for me to tell my dealer about the recall (even though my car isn't here yet)? That way, I figure they can fix it before I even pick it up.
Thoughts?

Gabe
silver ZX3,auto-loaded

mzn

skater4, I suggest following the manual's schedule, particularly for the first oil change.
Take a look at the fine print in the manual and see if there is a distinction between regular & heavy duty service. Under certain conditions, you may need to change your oil more frequently. If that is the case, it will be spelled out in the manual.

Engines and oil work together better these days so I wouldn't worry about waiting until 5000. I think you'll see everything will work out just fine.

You may also want visit Engine Oil -- A Slippery Subject Part 2 in our Maintenance & Repair conference.

carlady/host