Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options

Ford Focus ZX3 Hatchback - Part IV

1235789

Comments

  • gabegarwickgabegarwick Member Posts: 127
    I was able to locate the Baby-G Toughlabel watch for $71.25 on www.watchzone.com Same watch, grey w/ brown striped velcro band. Item number is BG-391TL-5V.

    later,
    Gabe
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    What kind of 6 month quotes are you guys getting on your ZX3? I am in Virginia and got a Geico quote for 485.00 for 6 months with a fairly high (500$) deductible. I'm over 30, and my driving record is not bad. I thought that sounded a little high. Anyone?
  • dustoffbobdustoffbob Member Posts: 8
    Has anyone had a hitch installed on their ZX3 yet? If so what kind and how much was it? We do allot of mountain biking and I would much rather use my hitch mounted bike rack then buy a hatchback one. There are just too many disadvantages to the hatchback version rack (i.e. scratched paint, unaccessible gear, etc) Thanks in advance for any help.
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    I went to Paris last week and saw their version of the Ford Focus....a 5-door hatchback with the U.S. hatchback rear taillight treatment. It looks sweet! I liked it a lot better than the U.S. Ford Focus sedan. The Focus was obviously meant to be a hatchback design. I still don't understand why we Americans don't like 5-door hatchback cars. Many designs look great in that configuration, including the Focus.
  • alf3alf3 Member Posts: 83
    cefurod - the Dome Lamp posting is #182. You won't have to change a thing - the new dome lamp / map light combo pops right in - it's the same exact size as the standard ZX3 lamp. It fits inside the gray plastic trim surround in your headliner.
  • gabegarwickgabegarwick Member Posts: 127
    That does sound a bit high to me. Although I am in the midwest. I'm going thru StateFarm and my 6 month quote with a $500 deductible, full coverage for $349.42 and I'm a 25yr. old male

    later,
    Gabe
  • judasjudas Member Posts: 217
    Not to rain on your parade, but what other cars have you driven lately? An auto ZX3 can barely get out of it's own way on a flat piece of road, let alone 'rolling hills'. The handling, while good for an entry level economy car, isn't *that* impressive. You need to get yourself out and test drive a 2nd Gen Turbo (Preferably post 92) MR2, or a Miata, or if you a devoted FWD'r a GSR or TR Integra.
  • mp10mp10 Member Posts: 103
    And we can get a Miata for $13K? m.p.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Gabe, generally a dealer will run the VIN through the service computer prior to delivery to make sure the car has no open recalls, but it never hurts to ask. If your inbound car is the subject of a recall, make them do it before you take delivery, and make sure it is noted on your documentation somewhere.
  • hkoenen2hkoenen2 Member Posts: 70
    Must be time to move. Upstate NY and I pay State Farms about $530 for 6 months. 39 not tickets.
  • kdominczakkdominczak Member Posts: 174
    Yes ,we can get two ZX3's for one Miata!!!!!!!!!
    I take ZX3 and 11 grands for extra expenses....
  • cefurodcefurod Member Posts: 72
    You people are lucky cuz your prices are low compared to us in Jersey. I'm paying about $600 something for 6 months through AIG.
    ALF3 - thanks for the response.
  • xquxqu Member Posts: 55
    I'm in Virginia and paying $1,100 to Progressive for 12 months, $250 deductible. I'm 23 years old single male, I guess that's the problem :o) BTW, I have clear record.
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    guess I should count my blessings. Wish there was a place on the net where you could get REAL instant insurance quotes for your region without having to fill out a whole mess of forms and junk. All the things that I have found on the web that say "instant" are not at all.....you have to fill out forms, then they mail something to you, or have the sales guy call you. Not instant or convenient at all!!
  • drebe73drebe73 Member Posts: 243
    im paying 200 bucks a month to geico, full coverage. i really need to look elsewhere. im 27 single male and have had a couple of accidents. any recommendations?

    hey, totaly unrelated, but has any one ever used the california car duster before? my zx3 is pitch balck and i know its going to be a pain to keep clean. so i was thinking about buying one of those dusters to clean the car every morning before i leave home.

    no dash board, no watch, NO FUN !!!!!
  • edrusselledrussell Member Posts: 4
    Hello, I just bought a cd silver zx3 Friday. The ac does not work. I've made a appt tomorrow to get it checked. Has anyone had a problem with this? I really like the car so far(200 miles). It is a auto w/ air and floor mats. bought it for 12573.
    By the way, does anyone know of a Ford or after-market arm rest that will fit?
    thanks
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Drebe, the duster works well on a DRY car that has dust or pollen on it. DO NOT use one on a car that is very dirty, damp, or covered with grit. Follow the instructions carefully - you want to make gentle passes to allow it to pick up the dust. Don't rub or bear down on the finish. The mini dusters work very well on hard interior surfaces like the dash. I use one on my CD Silver ZX3, and my neighbor uses one on her black Golf GTI... and her paint looks great.

    Ow! Your car insurance is crazy! "Any suggestions"? Yeah - sell your car and take the bus :-0 Seriously - you have my sympathy.
  • espowariespowari Member Posts: 36
    My car was hopefully built on Monday. What bothers me is that I don't have the VIN from my dealer yet. Nor do I have the body type or order number. I called the Ford customer service number and they said that they could track the car if they had that. I've called the dealer 5 times asking for these numbers and they simply won't give them to me).

    As for the recall, will cars on the line be built with the corrected parts?

    B
  • drebe73drebe73 Member Posts: 243
    thanks man that hurts my car's been in the shop for 2 months and i have been taking the f-ing bus.
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    I highly recommend AIG insurance. I switched over to AIG about 6 months ago. I am saving about 400 per year. Also, and possibly the most important thing, they were prompt, professional and caring when I had my deer accident. My insurance on the ZX3 is 340.00 / 6 months. My deductible is 200. I am male,41 yrs old with good record. Check them out I bet they save you some cash! And no I do not work for them! hahaha Hey the quote is free and they'll do it over the phone in about 15 minutes!
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    they only take drivers with very good records... that's the catch. their advertising motto is 'thrill seekers need not apply'.... hey what they don't know won't hurt 'em right? good luck. tickbitty did you get your car yet??????
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    but I still have my fingers crossed that I'll get it by the end of the month. Couldn't beat the CarOrder deal but MAN am I getting antsy about this wait!!!!!!!!!!! Reading about the ZX3 on here keeps me going......
  • cefurodcefurod Member Posts: 72
    From some of these post here, i'm starting to realize most of you are old. I thought i would be one of the older guys here being 25. Most older people i know would rather drive sedans. Dag, i'm young compared to most of you. hehe.
    But i'm glad people of all ages are enjoying the zx3!
  • xquxqu Member Posts: 55
    I got my free Focus247 CD but when I filled in my personal information, it told me my VIN number is NOT a Focus!!! I guess they must have a old database need to be updated. Anyone else has the same problem?

    tickbitty, your baby will be there and you also saved a big bucks.
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    cef, we a'int ready for the old age home yet ya whippersnapper! hahahaha! just going into my second childhood! the car zx3 is my sons .... and mine! he just doesn't know it! hehe
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Cefurod, you'll find that age is a state of mind. I think the appeal of a well designed, nimble, light weight, and nicely balanced car like the ZX3 crosses all age and gender lines. Actually, I'm pleased that "youngsters" like you recognize the goodness built into the Focus -- I thought everyone your age lusted after Z28s and big, noisy pickups! :-) Enjoy that ZX3!
  • moses5moses5 Member Posts: 61
    I don't know how my springs came out of alignment but I noticed that the car leaned more on the drivers side. Its almost been to weeks and I still does not ride right.

    When I stand at the rear of the car, the drivers rear seems to sit a little lower. I don't know. Does anyone have any suggestions.
  • jamers85jamers85 Member Posts: 100
    After having the recaLL fixed I notice that my gas miLeage have increased. Before, I'm only been getting 19MiLes/Gal. But now i could tell it's more since i've already put in more than a hundred miles and the gas gauge have not even reached the half way mark. In addition, it runs a lot faster now. Now I'm ready to race anyone...hehehehe.
    Anybody else notice any changes?

    While i was turning on the intersection, i spotted a red zx3 waiting at the same intersection. So i hunk my horn..first she looked at me with a little anger..but i after i waved...she notice the we have the same car(mine is silver). That frowned turned into a big smile. Even through her tinted window i could tell her matching lipstick(red).
    Just plain "Gorgeous"
  • cefurodcefurod Member Posts: 72
    about calling you people old. I just wanted to hear the responses. =) I really thought more youngsters would be here cuz it's a hatchback and a cheap car. And I won't reach my prime till i'm 40 so i know you people ain't old.
  • hkoenen2hkoenen2 Member Posts: 70
    cefurod never though of myself as old till you brought it up. But since you brought it up let me point out that all the "kids", or under 30 group, that I work with drive 4 door sedans.
  • acartwriacartwri Member Posts: 14
    speedyzx6, how long did it take to do the Eibach lowering switch? What did you spend for wheels/tires/suspension combo, total? Let me know if you post the images onto a site. I'm really considering the same for my ZX3.
    acartwri
  • surfh2osurfh2o Member Posts: 4
    Has anyone come across a good nose bra for the Zx3?
  • jamers85jamers85 Member Posts: 100
    check the ford parts dept. they already have focus brochure available and i saw one in it, but a 4 dr sedan is wearing it. doesn't all foci have the
    same hood size?
  • drebe73drebe73 Member Posts: 243
    well my dash came in but now i hear i need more little parts and a computer that controls th eair bags. so they still can't do anything. My CAR is FRANKENSTINE. Im about ready to quite making payments and let them reposess it. Will someone please just run me over with their ZX3. If im not dead, back over me and then try again.
  • kdominczakkdominczak Member Posts: 174
    Have you replaced your factory speakers on zx3 yet?
    If anyone did, could you tell us how to get to them (in front and rear),and how long it takes?
    Are factory speakers a paper cone one-ways?
  • norwaydougnorwaydoug Member Posts: 249
    I am very sorry to hear your troubles. Did you meet with the manager of your Ford Dealer? I think you have an excellent case to get a new Focus from Ford. I think it has been a disgrace. I am very sympathetic to your woes. That's all I can give you. Take Care Drebe73.

    NorwayDoug
  • parsadanovparsadanov Member Posts: 16
    Well I may qualify as a youngster. I'm 19, also a college student. I love my car. My dad (in 40's) loves my ZX3. He drives an Altima and once in a while he asks me if he can drive my car :). Most of my friends who are 19-20's dislike it. I don't know if they are jealous or what. Most of them think that all cars should be Civic's. I offer them to drive my car, but they usually decline, since they are affraid of finding out how much more powerful, better handling the ZX3 is compared to the Civic. Girls on the other hand love the car. They give me compliments all the time. IMHO the car is perfect for any age group, its well balanced. On another note i scheduled my appointment with the dealer for the recall. Also they are going to change out the center plastic piece of one of the wheels, the paint is peeling off. All in all my friends we have an excellent car.

    Autumn-Orange ZX3, 5spd,
    ABS, Side Airbags.

    Igor Parsadanov
  • mp10mp10 Member Posts: 103
    On the Ford Owner Connection website, it says my car is marked for the recall 00E09. Well, my dealer says he put my VIN number into their direct access system OASIS and it says my car is NOT marked for the recall. What the heck is going on?
  • dbeaton0953dbeaton0953 Member Posts: 3
    There was an earlier comment about clutch and brake systems being closed, and therefore not consuming fluid. This could lead you to believe that the only reason for the fluid in the master cylinder to fall would be a leak. In fact, normal wear of the brake pads allows more fluid into the wheel cylinders, and the fluid will fall.

    I remember taking a relatively new car into the dealer years ago, because the brake warning light had come on. They spent a long time working on it, only to realize that it was just low fluid caused by normal wear. A little top up and everything was fine.
  • catmomcatmom Member Posts: 42
    xqu--Had same experience with the vin number not being accepted.

    Has anyone had problems with distortions in the
    windshield--especially on the passenger side? Have read about cracked windshields, but not wavyness.
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    I always get a shock when I get out of my ZX3. Anyone else with the same experience? I assume it's just static, but it is disconcerting.

    Also, my dealer is having the new ZX3 owners over tonight for a Customer Appreciation Night.
    I'm sure it has more to do with trying to have me purchase the extended service plan than the stated, which is:
    -How to operate options and accessories.
    -Warranty and extended service plan coverage.(sic)
    -Tips on the care of the interior and exterior.
    -Road emergencies-what to do?
    -Recommended maintenance.
    I'll let you know. They do get an A for effort.
  • mp10mp10 Member Posts: 103
    I can't believe you guys all have dealerships who are fixing the RECALL problem already. I called Ford Corporate (an English woman named Jane) who said there were no recalls on my car - then I gave her the recall number 00E09 and she was gone for a looong time and came back and said yes, indeedy, my car is under the recall; however, she said it has not been officially announced and the dealers won't have the parts to fix the problem yet (gee, does that sound familiar...?). Everyone (dealer and owners) will be notified "by the end of the month, I should think..." said English Jane. I am so tired of dealing with all this. I love my Focus but I never had these problems when I bought used cars! m.p.
  • silyboysilyboy Member Posts: 90
    mp--
    that is BS!!!! i got my car fixed last night for the same recall. i found out about it through the ford website. my dealer had the part already in stock and it took them about 1 hour to get it in the garage and get it fixed. i may suggest if you live in an area where you have more than 1 ford dealer you choose a new one. i will not get mine serviced at the dealer that sold me the car, and i am much happier with the "new" one. and ford dealer should fix it. it should be in their computer that there is a recall on your VIN. end of story.
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Got my first 5000 (well 4550) mile service today and they took care of the recall at the same time. Injector pressure sensor was IN STOCK! Was in and out in a hair over a hour. The first service at my dealer was free, part of their customer relations program. Service Manager said that it should take over a half hour to replace sensor.

    Now on the OLD thing, sure don't feel old driving my ZX3, but at the age of 53, don't ask me how many vehicles I've owned over the years. It may take a while to figure out. I do have to say that the best was a M-Benz. It was a '73 210. Haven't done a Miata because if I wanted something that small I much rather have a late 40, early 50 MG-TD or TF or even a Morgan. If a Mini wasn't so hard to get in and out of, I could really go for one. But I think the XZ3 is a blast for the value. Compared to most of the econo boxes today, it does have the power to get out of its own way, and it will run circles around them in the handling department. But it probably will not keep up with a Miata, but then I know a few back roads where it might. But I hate to think of what it would do to that nice paint job. Just dreaming. In a way the ZX3 looks like a pregnant Aspire, but one look under the skin tells the story. Believe it or not, there's a lot of Lincoln under there. Just crawl under and do some suspension comparing.
    Pat
  • calico1calico1 Member Posts: 52
    My hatchling is scheduled for delivery tomorrow! Finally! Like others, all the discussion has kept me positive....except for all the recall talk! Not a peep from my dealer about recall yet, but I have an excellent dealer so I don't expect any problems. Oh, and what's the cut-off for old? I bet I qualify -- 38!
    Calico1
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Who ever had air conditioner not working -- think the manual said it did not operate below a certain outside temp. Like if its 50 degrees outside it will not work but above 50 it will work - something like that.

    THE BRA -- Check the post Aftermarket and Accessories. Most of the talk there is that the bra will ruin your paint. Both discolors and wears it away. Yes, I thought about it too, but then I thought better!

    Pat
  • calico1calico1 Member Posts: 52
    Note to Pat--

    I've had many cars, too. Tried in vain lo, these many years, to reproduce the feeling I got from my '81 customized Capri. My first hatchback. Haven't been willing to be without a hatch since. That was a gorgeous piece of steel -- beautiful AND powerful! My first car was a Volvo and it had choke and muffler problems way back in the '70s. Since the Capri, I've been Ford Motor Co. all the way!
    Calico1
  • dch22dch22 Member Posts: 8
    I seem to have the same problem as you. I spoke with the service managers of two local Ford dealers, and both knew nothing about recall 00e09. But at least one offered to call me when he had more info.
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Did your Volvo have the dual Carbs that had to be balanced? What a pain. Had one too, but not for very long. I always wanted the Volvo that looked like the small version of a '40s Ford, don't remember the model. First car was a Fiat with suicide front doors and a four speed on the column. It used more oil than gas. Got me thru the school years. My hatchbacks have been VW's and a Renault R-16 and a Escort Pony (sic-took me a while to come back to Ford after that one). The R-16 was a real nice car but had lots of problems. It finally died on me.
    Pat
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    I too get shocked every time i exit our ZX3! static electricity from the seat fabric I guess. I've gotten used to it... sorta like a little kiss! haha

    i have tried to gain access to ford owner connection...site down all the time. I am sure we're part of the recall though due to early production date.
This discussion has been closed.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles