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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part VIII
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If you see a silver with TEAM ZX3 plates...that's me. Oh yeah...you'll hear my BorLa. Just like PROJECTZ..my Borla is 2.50 and yup it's pretty loud
the rule. in my experiences most salespeople + lot
persons are responsible and respectful of the vehicles that are in their care. having been there in my younger years ,delivering vehicles to prep
for delivery-idiots like you describe wouldnt last very long.
Midas at queens boulevard near elmhurst..this guy alfred only charged me 40 dollars. not bad..i was watching through out the process. I would not be able to do it myself. you need to saw the pipe to get it out. well now i have the originaL muffler with the BMW tip on it....Here's how i feeL driving with the BorLa exhaust>>>> Every traffic light and stop signs are like a start up line of the race....Red..Yellow...Green...Broooooommmmmmm!
it seems like i'm racing everyone.
does it have any effect on emissions or passing
inspection? i understand that borla provides an
immediate improvement in performance.in pa.we have
unfortunately,strict emissions testing.i would like
to do the borla change as well.i read where some
mentioned 2.25 dia.+ 2.50 dia.any big difference?
its been years,er,decades actually, as we used to say,souped-up a rod. is the sound loud loud? or is
is it more like a pleasant drone + rumble? is there
any vibrations felt inside? i would appreciate any
feedback...thanks!
RV
Way to go Ford!
I havent driven my ZX3 much at night, but I always did like riding in cars at night because of the pretty dash light colors :-)
I would say (as a layperson) that it would not be good to go from the -w30 to the -w50, vs going from the 5w-- to 0w--. Reason being the the oil viscosity would be to thick (w50) at normal operating temp. My personal opinion is that it would be okay to go to the 0w30, but not to the 5 or 10 w50.
But the 10w30 might be okay to run in the summer. The manufactures are getting quite specific on their requirements for oils. I like to stay within their guidelines for weight and api service ratings; while running a quality full synthetic oil. Some of the "real" synthetics are fantastic products.
My ZX3 gets nothing but synthetic. Am also going with synthetic ATF after she gets some more miles on her.
Also a note on anti-freeze. Its my understanding the the new "green envitro friendly" anti-freezes are having problems; or should I say that engines running these anti-freezes are having problems. Don't know if its just in diesel engines or also in gas engines. If I hear more I will let you guys know. Stick with the recommended OEM product for anti-freeze.
Pat
A "special oil" that's NOT the kind you buy at car stores?
Anyone know, for sure?
zx3
I am leaving for a road trip this Friday. I'll be driving about 3400 km round trip. Any tips on any sort of breaking-in or maintenance prep I should do ahead of time?
Thanks!
Loving my new Focus!
then get a good carnauba wax on it.i posted a lengthy ritual previously. it works,i also have black. inside i use plain water with diluted vinegar.im not recommending it, its just what i use.rubberban-thanks for borla feedback.
chandra7-congrats+good luck!
Bit off topic, but interesting tidbit.
Pat
RV
Your post certaintly is not redundant. Keep the info coming. I think we are all still learning things about our foci. Learning more that the ford salesmen who "sold" them to us. Some of us are learning more than the ford service people. And I think that there are a few ford engineers out there who are hoping we don't go to far with our "learning" experiences.
Pat
Now I need your help (please try and put bias aside
The options I am after? 5spd or automatic, doesn't matter -- it's highway miles for me.
A/C is really the only thing I "need".
I have driven the Honda DX hatch and it was ...nice. Altho I am short, so I need to pull the seat up all the way to reach the pedals and while driving I felt like my head was going to go through the windshield and I didnt even want ti know what was going to happen if the air bad deployed! This is from a person who actually LIKEs hatched .Just a drive. The HX coupe was better (even had some bells and whistles power windows & locks etc)
I want a Honda for all the practical reasons, costs a bit more but overall, driving an estimated 33,000 miles a year I will blow through the warrenty in no time and I know they are dependable cars with high resale value. It's proven itself.
Then, I drove a Focus ZX3. Halfway through the test drive (w/o salesmen) my mom told me I better be careful once we got back to the dealership because I had all the "buyer's signs". I was seriously happy. I was thrilled. I wanted that car right then and there (altho I don't need speed control). Not at all the feelign I got from the Hondas.
So, am I just being sucked in by the flash of the focus? I really want it, but I am afraid 2 years from now, my 14,000 car will be worth 2,000 with serious mechanical problems and I wont even be close to paying it off...
Help?
(i have a million other issues but this is WAY too long already...thanks!)
Securilock Passive antitheft system is standard on ALL models of the focus.
The dealer invoice I have in fron of me (the one with the marked up prices for options, not the "real one" ...states
All door remote entery/antitheft power locks. and has a a price of $375 next to it.
So, are they one in the same? If the antitheft feature comes with the power locks then is the antitheft feature not really standard (becuse on the ZX3 power locks are not?)
Like I said, maybe my brain is mush from researching so much, but for 375....it's worth investigating.
Thanks
Securilock is the little unique chip in every focus key without which the car should not start. It is passuve because to "arm" the system the owner does nothing put turn off the car and pull out the key. This is the standard system.
All door remote/autotheft is the active system that the label said 375 for. This si your standard press-the-button-arm-the-alarm system that keeps my wife and I up some nights here in New Brunswick (but I digress).
The securilock passive system is already an antitheft device for insurance purposes and for some peace of mind. However, to get a car alarm, you need to pay for the option.
Also, I have been told to make sure that any alarm system is factory installed, as dealers occasionally mess up the wiring with an installation.
Hope it was helpfull
- Gooch ZX3
ps - I figured an easy and cheap way to mount my celphone in the zx3 without putting a huge ugly bracket in the car. If you are interested, Ill post what I did.
It was 43 bucks and I have seen it being sold as much as 70 bucks.
thanks so much for the info. Which makes me wonder....is the factory alarm worth it? and just how much (not exact numbers, but is it worth it ) can a person save insurance wise w/ a facorty alarm and ABS? does it make a difference?
and...speaking of insurance....I havent researched how much a zx3 costs to inusre. I know its different for everyone, but tell me - comapred to what you were paying for other new cars, is it more less or comparable to insure a new zx3 (anyone?!)
thanks again!
From reading your two Posts, I can see you're a buyer who wants "answers" BEFORE he lays out his hard earned cash.
You've come to the right place. I wasn't even going to get a Z until one day I accidently found this Forum.
Result: I'm signing papers for my new Z hatchling next week. Why? Because a great bunch of guys here answered my endless questions ... patiently replying, with comments/info.
Also I read hundreds of posts, back to January.
So keep yer questions coming -- it's a sign of intelligence to ask before your buy. Best o'luck.
zx3
This will cost you about $15 TOPS.
BTW, I assume that you already use some sort of hands-free attachment when driving (I'm a Jabra man myself).
1 - Get a cellphone case with a belt-clip attachment. Don't buy at a cellphone store. Go to a place like Target/Kmart, where they sell nice leather cases for every phone for about $10.
2 - Radio Shack sells a clip-attachment with adhesive backing for about $3.
3 - The space on the console immediately to the right of the CD player. I stuck my clip holder with the top paralell to the top of the CD.
This does not seem to ruin the nice lines of the console, and places the cellphone in as eacy reach as everything else. Also, the power chord from my power socket hangs right below the console.
Hope this was helpful!
- GoochZX3
I did not go for a more expensive car because it depreciates too much with the mileage I put on it. I did not consider the Focus in the spring because I had not seen the hatchback.
I'm 51 and tired of minivans, station wagons, and "family" sedans. I spend too much time on my commute not to have some fun.
I had settled on the VW GTI 1.8T at $20 grand (OUCH) before I discovered this forum and the ZX3. Even though I could have afforded it, the looks and size do not justify $20 grand when compared to the ZX3.
I also looked at the Honda Civic SI but the Honda Civic line is at the end of its current model cycle and is pretty plain. (Not to mention that everyone has one).
The current issue of CAR & Driver magazine compares the Golf GTI, Honda Civic and ZX3 which might be of help to you.
Good luck in your search. I am very satisfied with my choice (with similar criteria as yours) after a year of search.
RV
RV
If it is different, where do you buy it?
zx3
Has anyone thought about a small trailer based storage device much like the Prowler's matching trailer. I think that would look great and really stand out on the road if you painted it to match.
Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work everybody.
Pat
Pat
My ZX3 came with the standard passive anti theft device. Which I believe is only the key chip. I have remote power locks but no factory audible alarm. I asked my insurance company (Geico) if I were to install an audible alarm would I receive another discount. They said that I have already received the maximum discount allowable for anti theft devices.
Speaking of insurance, when I was looking for my new car I asked my insurance company how much it would cost me to cover an Elantra. It was outrageous, I think it was about 350 bucks a month for 6 months for the required coverage for a financed car. It costs me 199 a month for 6 months to cover my ZX3 and thats full coverage including rental reimbursement and uninsured motorists. It was a deal, about the same that it cost me to insure my 96 chevy cavalier.
serious attempt to manufacture a world class sub-
compact.they have delivered the goods.price/performance ,an exceptional value and a rare achievement at this level.if i didnt think highly
of this car i would not give them the free word of mouth advertising by posting here.witness all the
positive post about the zx3-the car is that good.i
do not try persuade anyone in their purchase,just sharing some thoughts.
Oh, by the way, 210 miles and the new car is fulfilling ALL my expectations!!