Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part VII

audiolizard

I was in the same dillema as you. I ordered a silver ZX3 and had about a week to change the color if I wanted to. I was trying to choose between CD Silver, Autumn Orange, and Zinc Yellow. I went to a dealer lot that had ZX3s in every color except Twilight Blue and Zinc Yellow. It was a rainy day, and all of the cars were wet. The Autumn Orange was right next to a Sangria Red, and it just looked like a lighter shade of the Sangria Red. They were both very nice. Then I saw the CD Silver and I knew I made the right choice for me. I liked the way the Silver matched the wheels, and it looked especially nice from a rear 3/4 view. Also, the rear lights kind of clash with the Autumn Orange. The only thing about the silver I don't like is the black door moulding. I'm going to paint it silver to match when my ZX3 arrives. I've only seen pictures of the Zinc Yellow, and my impression is that it would be great as a tricked-out show car, but not as a daily driver, IMO.

Audiolizard

audiolizard

as well. Strange.

skater4

The first time I got in my zx3 I was distressed at how far back the seatbelt was, compared to my old car. But I got used to it very quickly, and now I agree with everyone else that it's nice to have it out of the way when you exit. Also, I am only 5'8", but I sit with the seat all the way back (long legs!). I guess it would be more annoying if you had the seat further forward. Just use the left hand to pull the belt out.

Is anyone else as lax as I am about washing their car? I know, it's horrible, but I've only washed my baby once in the 4 months I've had it. It's kind of hard when you live in an apartment and there's no place to wash your car, but I know I could find a place if I really tried. Y'all probably think I'm not worthy of owning a zx3 now! Still, I adore my hatchling! Had some guy admiring it in the parking lot at Sam's Club the other day, and I told him how awesome a car it is. Then, I pulled in front of another car yesterday, and the guy behind me turned to his wife and pointed at my car. ZX3 people kick a--!

cefurod

I went to the Zaino website but they have so many different products. Which one did you buy? Did you use a cleaner first before applying the polish?
Do we use the Polish for clear coat finish or Polish for Regular Paint? Thanks in advance.

imsoyboy

I do also find the seatbelts a little hard to reach back for...I'm 5'6" and I find myself doing some sort of contortion act to grab at it. But you are right in mentioning that it doesn't get in the way when exiting...so I guess one out weighs the other.

Saturday Night my hubby and I went to pick up some Chinese food and Ice Cream. I hopped out to pick up our goodies while he parked by the curb. As I waited I saw him drive away...thinking a cop came by and asked him to move. I came back and he was sooo excited...Some guy and his girlfriend stopped our little ZX3 and totally flipped out. She wants to get one but hasn't seen one up close until that night. My hubby told them to hop in and he took them for a ride...I guess there'll be another ZX3 in the NY tri state area real soon!

calico1

Thanks for the zen and the art of seatbelts advice. BTW, I am 5'9" and it's all leg -- my seat is pretty far back, but apparently you 6'3" guys have me beat on that.
Calico1

alf3

Hey all - I just had my 00E09 recall performed Friday. For all of you who have received the Focus coffe cup from Ford - did you receive it before or after the 00E09 recall was performed ?? Thanks!

alf3

- that's COFFEE cup!!

calico1

Let's see...as many of you know, I had ordered a CD silver hatchling before ending up with my malibu blue. So it's a given that I admire the silver ZX3. BUT...with all the trucks (Pat's good driving and awareness of ZX3s fully acknowledged, however) and SUVs out there, the silver really does blend in to the clouds and fog on a rainy day. Safety would seem to lean toward the autumn orange. With the complimenting colors of black trim and the taillight tint, I think that the autumn is just as class-act looking as the silver. (I adore my malibu blue and would absolutely choose it again in a heartbeat, but I wouldn't put it first on the "dignified" color list!). Besides, there are an awful lot of silver cars on the road now (Honda, Volvo, you name it...silver is one of their most popular colors), and you'd be especially distinctive --yet classy-- in an autumn ZX3. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

BTW...when I first got my calicomobile, we had to buy my husband a brand new car just so I could keep him from wanting to drive mine all the time. Alas, however, he bought a Volvo. (At least it's a cousin of the Focus now since the Ford/Volvo merger-acquisition).
Calico

silver_bullet

I got my mug in the mail about a month after having the recall done. Funny - I have yet to get a notice in the mail concerning the need for the recall!

audiolizard

Yet another Focus variant, scheduled for European release in 2001. Looks pretty nice.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/RyanM5/perl/mainbuild.cgi?URL=news/33588.html

togneter

I personally love my choice of silver. If you'll notice, most of the photos and commercials with the ZX3 use the silver. They must think it's the most photogenic. Also, I think it gives the car a more classy look. If you'll notice, many Audis and other expensive cars are silver.

As far as the autumn Z. This is my least favorite color. I don't mind it so much on the sedan, but it's odd looking to me on the hatch. The color change is cool, though.

In the end, I like cars in classic colors (red, white, black, silver). I also like forest green on the right cars--The VW Corrado, for instance, is beautiful in this color.

My vote...SILVER. (As long as you don't live in Seattle. I've seen lots of others here, but no other sivers.)

togneter

I'm only 5'10", but I ride with the seat all the way back, so this hasn't been an issue. I just grab the belt w/o even thinking about it.

Question: do you reach w/ your right or left?

dbucklin

So, I finally got my black 5 speed on Saturday. Power everything and remote keyless entry. I love it! The dealer was very nice about the 4 month wait I had endured.

They offered me $100 for my '88 626. I declined because I thought that I could get at least $800 for it if I sold it myself. Now I almost wish I had taken the $100. It blew a tire on the way home. I had to leave it on the freeway and it got impounded 3 hours later. It cost me $140 to get the car out of impound and $60 to replace the tire. I'm also looking at spending some money on the transmssion so that it doesn't scare off potential buyers. I figure that, at this point, I have to sell it to recover my losses.

Anyway, mods so far are a mirror ball hanging from the rearview and a beanie-baby hedgehog that curiously resembles the ZX3 itself. I'm looking foreward to putting on some stiffer suspension and alloys. I'd also like to put on an aluminum grill and those Hella headlights. I'm going to wait on engine mods until a supercharger is available.

kdominczak

audiolizard: Thanks for that link.I whish the picture was a little bigger, it will be a beautiful looking cabrio.If they would put 170hp into it for around $19K with 16" wheels and four disc brakes it should sell like a hot rolls.
I'm waiting for Volvo's hatchback based on zx3's suspension.Latest Volvos are looking great (40's,70's), price range will be very interesting,though.

norwaydoug

Thank you everyone for the advice. I will take the car in and have them adjust the alignment or tie rods so that the steering wheel is dead-on straight when the car is driving straight. I do not plan to do this for a few thousand miles in case a new defect appears. I do not want to make numerous trips. I do not have any motivation to call the dealer to fix this minor problem because I have been in contact with them so often during the past few months, that I most definitely have had my fill. It is very slight and hardly noticeable, but I feel the same as the rest....it should be dead-on!

Colors....Is there a bad choice?

I would have thought many would like the black ZX-3. One of the clear advantages is that the black trim is nearly invisible when the car is black. I also like the twilight blue with the black trim. Surprisingly, all the zx-3 colors look very nice....I saw a malibu blue and prior to seeing it...I would have definitely rejected it, but when I saw it in person...it was quite nice.

I have a rainforest green (known as Pacific Green in Europe) zx-3 and I am becoming fond of its color. The fairly dark green is complimentary to the black trim pieces and I like the charcoal interior too.

All the colors have appeal.

ND

silverzx3

Calico1, I noticed your Robert Pirsig plug.
"Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Motorcycle Maintenance" is a wonderful book. casual observance leads one to believe it is a book for for just motorcyclist or gearheads, but it truly is "an inquiry into values" as the author states. Bravo Calico1. The rest of the Focus enthusiasts read this book!

chadphx

Just thought I would let you know that I had the same problem reaching back for the seatbelt. The solution I found was to slip the belt under the handle that reclines the seat back .It has an indention that looks like it was made for just this reason.The seatbelt seems to work fine .And is much easier to reach .But please dont try and sue me if something went wrong in an accident.

togneter

I love black cars...at least for the first 20 minutes after they're washed.

Absolutely impossible to keep clean.

hugoz

Actually, that was my plug, and though I mentioned it in jest (partly), I agree -- "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" is a great book. But seriously, to elaborate on my analogy to zen, my point on the seatbelts is that I find if I take a brief moment to clear my mind and concentrate (focus?) on the sensation of the belt being smoothly pulled across me, it seems to work.

On silver vs. orange, the Autumn Orange seems to be a new Ford color and is therefore much more rare and more hip. Indeed, the ZX3 Autumn Orange is, I think, unique -- there are other cars that may appear to be similar at a distance, but they're really not the same. The only other vehicle I've seen with the same color is my neighbor's brand new Ford pick-up truck.

drebe73

The color issue. Personaly I wouldn't go for silver for a few reasons. 1. There are so many silver cars on the road, they just tend to blend.
2. My first car (1995) was an '85 Ford Tempo in silver. I had a lot of problems with that car so silver brings back bad memories. 3. I really don't like the ZX3 in the light colors, to me it makes it look rather egg shaped and reminds me of the geo metro. I apologize to those with the light colors, its just how I feel. I also dont like how the black trim looks against the light colors. I would probably like it better with matched trim.
I was in the market for the twilight blue, the rainforest green, or the pitch black. I would have ended up with any of those colors if they were on the lot when I bought mine. My only choice was Pitch Black and I am so happy with it. The mostly red break lenses look awesome to me against the black plus that finish looks so good when its clean. It looks so sleek since the trim and mirrors are black. I just love the black, I'm just going to have to be really good about keeping it clean.

The seat belt issue. I really dont remember if I had problems with the belts but I keep my seat far back so I don't think it will be an issue for me.

Oh yeah one more thing I almost forgot to mention.
I called today for my weekly update on my repair.
And I finally got the news I have been waiting 4 months for. My Car is Fixed!!!!!! All Part are in and installed!!!!!! I was so excited I just had to go see it for my self. Plus I wanted to see if they could install my phat new Chrome tip.
I slid it over the tail pipe and it just looked perfect. (I'll send pics once it's installed).
I was so happy to see my baby all better. It was still on the lift when I got there. They were installing the front bumper when I called. It still needs to have a complete detailing both inside and out. I also noticed on the point of the front fender panel where it meets the panel over the passenger window behind the side view mirror; there is a spot with paint missing like some of you have mentioned. I will probably buy some touch up paint to cover that, being that it is really just a tiny spot. So all that has to be done is a diagnostic, a realignment, and the recall and if everything checks out I should have my car any day. Wouldn't be ironic if I get my car back on the 7th or 8th since I bought the car on Jan 7th and wrecked it on the 8th. Anyway gang I'll let you know how things develop. Later

tickbitty

Good luck man! I'm sure you'll be thrilled to have her back!

cefurod

with all these seat belts and color post. Argggg, just reach back and pull. I can't believe you need advice on how to grab a seat belt. There are no hidden secrets to it. Man, think for yourself.
Ok ok, "silver is this, green is that, autumn orange is this that." Enough already. Here is why black is the best. It's dark so i feel like nobody can see me. I drive invisible. No, but silver is the best cuz the classiest cars have it. But wait, Autumn orange is the best cuz it's the newest "in style" color. O, green is the best because it brings the fresh rainforest scent to my mind. No no, white is the best cuz i blend with the clouds, unless it's raining, then it gets dirty, but so does black cuz it's sooo hard to keep clean. Twlight blue just cuz i like it!

"And OOOo i love my car so much because i get so much looks from it and everybody comments on it."
I don't know about you people but that's the least of my worries when i bought this car. Some of you people seem to really care about what others think of you. Or you have the need to have people compliment you to feel good. gosh!

drebe73

all attention is on you, what would you like to talk about? the colors and seat belt issues are just what has come up, soon other topics will come along. you've been here long enough to know that.
Personaly I'm tired of hearing about break in periods and horse power.

togneter

It's okay...deep breaths...that's right...

In...out.........iiiinnnnn......oooouuuuutttt

There you go.

You know. If you wanna introduce a new topic, you can do that. It's okay.

Really.

hatchqueen

Congrats to my bad black twin. It'll be strange to not have any injured reserves to worry over anymore. ZX3 owners are a funny lot. They love this car so much they can talk about the most minute details for post after post. Those who get frustrated easily can take a brake for a day or two and check out yahoo or some other sight. Sarcasm is really hard to pull off if you aren't that funny...

pcleveland2

Malibu Blue cause it reminds me of the Beach Boys and its the only blue my wife doesn't like. Her favorite color is blue, but not the Malibu Blue. Plus it looks great!

Just my 2 cents worth.

Pat

pcleveland2

Drebe73,
Great Going, Hope everythings okay now. Enjoy!!!

Pat

torinopaddy

why is the trim black? very simple and economically sound reason. the trim is there to protect the delicate metalwork and paint. if it gets damaged you just pull it off and put on a new one from the spares dealer. if it is colour-coded, the spare parts providers have to produce it and the dealers stock it in each of the original colours, so in the end what was supposed to be a cheap plastic rubbing strip costs you a fortune (relatively) to replace and a headache for the spares dealers (especially if the colours change).
Not only, but in production it means not only controlling the dimensional correctness of the part but also the colour as it has to match quite closely for it to look good. This all ups the cost.
To me, when I look at the car with its black trim it's the way it sould be - black is cheap, simple, and as the number of parts is limited easy to find in stock so if I walk into my Ford dealers I can get it off the shelf. That's the way it should be - function first, form second.

mind you, bought this car for it's form. I'll be the first to admit that. Well that and it fulfills the functions I want it to - makes me happy and takes me where I want to go with a grin on my face when I get there.

silver_bullet

Often, the most elegant design is the simplest. I agree with torinopaddy about unpainted rub strips. I like the simple functionality of the black door handles for the same reason - a very easily maintained, durable finish for a part that will see lots of wear. Our ZX3s are full of well executed details contributing to a whole that really is greater than the sum of the parts.

zx3

Thanks for the reply ..."Two words: ZincYellow!!"
That yellow Z, I saw a picture of in a website -- is real sweet.
I was thinking of it myself, until some old racedriver, said a Yellow Z might be ....
"Like waving a flag (Catch Me If Ya Can, Copper!) ..... at Cops who are patroling the highway".
Maybe, he was a little too pessimistic, I think. But it kinda dampened, my enthusiasm.
'Cause I was hot for Yellow (those yellow "New Beetles" look nice).
Anyway Team, best of luck with your Z ... no matter what color. See ya.
zx3

fgaydos

Here is an interesting article about the VW Bug offering two new colors that you can only purchase on the net and only two thousand will be offered of each color,'Vapor Blue' and 'Reflex Yellow'.
http://foxmarketwire.com/050100/vw.sml

Also an interesting site that will explain what color means to the average consumer. IE Black is the power color, Yellow is the 'fun' color.....
http://www.popmag.com/apr00stor5.html

I just read somewhere that silver is the most popular auto color this year.

zx3

Thanks Kev, glad to see someone agrees, "the AutumnOrange color seems to radically shift and change color" (with changes in daylight and weather).
I thot I was only one to observe how noticeable the change is (compared to other colors).
Almost spooky, huh?
Maybe Ford should call their new AutumnOrange color, "Autumn Witch". Heh, heh.
See ya.
zx3

xqu

Anyway, I still like my twilight blue. That will be so boring if everyone likes the same color.
Here is the link for my new installed BMW exhaust tip and my *old* Kenwood CD changer controller - looks even better at night.
http://homepages.go.com/homepages/h/o/k/hokie_high/albums/focus/
6.4K miles so far and I got 400 miles for my best tank of gas, I'm so surprised. Average 270-300 miles.

zx3

Thanks for all the Replies to my Post#97 .....
("AutumnOrange Z, or Silver Z ??").
Some of your answers, raised matters I had never thot of (like, "Car color and Highway-safety").
I'll study them all.
Thanks again .... yer a Good Group!
zx3

silverzx3

I like Subaru Racing Blue because it reminds me of a bad bruise I had once.
I also like the PT Crusier eggplant color for the same reason.................oops!

we're talking about Focus colors. I'll take clear, I do not like people to look at me.

Scott

marker606

I'm not sure if this was mentioned before (if it was, sorry), but what color is Dirk Metallic? Green? Gray? I can't figure this one out. And will they actually be producing the ZX3 in this color?

catmom

Jedimaster1--If you don't mind my asking, how much did the dealer charge for a new steering wheel and cruise control? I was thinking about an aftermarket product, but would like to have it mounted on the steering wheel.

Has anyone had power windows added aftermarket? From the dealer? I can't find anyone in town who does it and I'm not sure I could figure out the electronic hookups.

I have Sangria Red and it too takes on a different hue in different light. I've had many compliments. It does show dirt more than the lighter colors. I may be in the minority, but I like the black trim on the zx3 although I don't like it on the sedan. I think it helps to break up the color and define the lines.

audiolizard

Dirt Metallic is brown like... dirt. The paint contains tiny metal particles that make it sparkle, thus the "Metallic". It's only available on the Kona edition ZX3. I think it's a nice color. I think all the ZX3 colors are nice - except white.

New topic: Does anybody know if the CA emissions option should have an effect on gas mileage?

nilo2

I was really pissed off as I walked towards my infra-red ZX3 hatchling in a parking lot and noticing some scratches on the passenger door. I went to the dealer this weekend and bought a touch up paint bottle. Was wondering if anyone out there has any clue in applying the touch up paint and doing a good job of it.. Im scared of messing it up even more.

ps. I now park my car as far away as possible from old careless folks' buick tubs that take up more space than a dumpster. (no offense, I still have a grandma)

norwaydoug

Earlier I posted a note regarding my steering wheel being slightly turned to the right while driving in a straight line. I was thinking that perhaps unequal tire pressure may cause this to occur. I checked the left tire (32 psi) and the right (34 psi) while the tires were cool. I removed some air from the right tire to make the pressure equal. I went for a brief drive and it did seem to improve things, but I remain surprised that such a small difference in air pressure would affect the steering wheel. Any comments and advice would be appreciated. I will drive the car on the highway soon to confirm my initial positive finding.

My first zx-3 had Good Year RSA tires made in USA, but my latest zx-3 has Good Year RSA tires made in Mexico. My Rainforest Green ZX-3 is as solid as my previous Sangria Red zx-3. My latest car was made in March while my previous one was made in November.

Oh....I prefer my tires to be black in color.

ND

alf3

According to a recent Autoweek magazine article, the Focus Cabriolet has been cancelled. I believe that the AutoExpress article was from a few months back prior to Ford cancelling the Cabrio project.

Good news, however, from England. The Focus was the number one selling car in England in 1999, with just over 103,000 units sold, if I recall correctly, followed closely by the Ford Fiesta (one of my personal favorites back in 1978-80!!!)

zx3beast

will it be available iin femur?

silver_bullet

In addition to Zinc Yellow and Dirt Metallic, maybe Ford will drop Cloud 9 White and substitute Bone White?

jedimaster1

The dealer charged me $1800 for cruise. It was 450 for the option, 900 for the new steering wheel, and around 350+ for the labor. I thought it was a bit too much, but I can't go without my cruise control, I do a lot of out-of-state driving, visiting my friends and stuff.

Clint

ninja500

Does anyone know if there is a separate fluid reservoir for the rear wiper or if it draws off the one for the front wipers? Thanks

tickbitty

I'm putting in an aftermarket unit. Works fine, costs 125$. I had it on my old car. It has a wand that sticks out behind the washer wand. Doesn't look factory, but it's just the little black wand and not real obtrusive or bad looking. And cheap!

silver_bullet

I don't know how old the car was you installed this set-up into last time, but be aware that most cars manufactured after '99 are equipped with OBD II diagnostic systems. These systems monitor a variety of ignition and emission related items all over the car. It is very important that any shop installing aftermarket cruise really knows what they are doing. Sometimes, just randomly tapping into your car's wiring for a power lead will set a fault code and trigger your "check engine" light. The dealer will rightly consider this tampering, and charge you to fix the problem. I have also seen car stereo/alarm/cruise places tap into power wires supplying the airbag control system - very stupid, and dangerous. Caveat Emptor...

tickbitty

I will definitely look into this. Yes, my old car was 10 yrs. old so those matters would not apply. My dad also put the unit into his miata, which is newer but I don't know what year. He was going to put the thing in so I better do a little more research first, thanks! I'll let you'all know if we do this successfully!

danny1234

Does anyone here find that the seats lack lumbar support ? On long drives of more than an hour, I find that there is no support to my lower back and I get a backache.

It did not bother me much earlier, but i am beginning to suspect that after 11K miles, the seats are not as firm as they used to be. They are getting squishy and feel very spongy.

Dont get me wrong, I think the seats do an excellent job of holding you snug. My wife who mostly uses the passenger seat thinks that they are fine, but I'd like to know the comments of everyone in this group.