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Well, As I have said before...'I can take criticism' So lay it on me, if you feel it is just.
NorwayDoug
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/2195/engineoil_bible.html
This guy has done some extensive research on engine oils, and when the best time to do a change is... very informative.
Gabe
carlady/host
The pricing breakdown follows, but keep in mind that it is subject to change
at Fords whim.... all prices are in US currency
ZX3
base msrp 12,125
LX
base msrp 12,385
SE
base msrp 14,040
SE Wagon
base msrp 16,235
ZTS
base msrp 15,260
automatic transmission
msrp 815 on ZX3 requires the ZX3 premium group
leather seating (ZTS)
msrp 695
SE comfort group
msrp 345
SE sport group (sedan only)
msrp 470
ZX3 premium group (16" wheels, a/c)
msrp 1,095
ZX3 power group (windows, locks, mirrors, keyless entry) can only be ordered
with the premium group
msrp 740
AdvanceTrac (incl. traction control) ZX3 and ZTS ONLY
msrp 1,225
air conditioning (LX, ZX3 w/out premium group)
msrp 795
ABS brakes
msrp 400
manual moonroof (ZX3 only)
msrp 495
side impact airbags
msrp 350
I don't have the invoice prices yet, sorry but this should give you a pretty
good idea, just compare the sticker price on a 2001 to a 2000 and see not
too much of a price increase.
am/fm/cd is now standard on all models except for the LX
the only way to get the Zetec motor in a SE sedan is to order the sport
group
Zetec engine now standard on the WAGON! Manual tranny is now optional on the
wagon!
16" wheels now standard on the ZTS and optional as part of the premium group
on the ZX3
I compared base stickers and the prices have gone up, but not my much and by
varying amounts depending on which model.
Got a Lund X-terminator bug deflector($42.00 at local speed shop). Really helps on the hood area from both flying stone and bugs. Gives the front of the ZX3 a really different look. Was very easy to install. I wash off the rest weekly. Read about bras and found that they aren't well liked. Not good for paint. Found a clear bra (vinyl stick on), it was very pricey, but looked like a great product.
As to mudflaps, got "focus" flat mudflaps from dealer. Would have liked the contoured ones, but you can't get them all the way around, plus they were not in stock at the time.. My dealer, Mastel Ford, Olean, NY sold them installed for $24.00 all the way around if I remember right.
Hope I've been of some help,
Pat
Very fair I think.
doesnt necessarily mean one is deriving their self-
esteem from their vehicle.that person is only sharing their passion for the car.thats all,just
as zx3bri noted.i agree with him.he is also right
the hatch is a blast to drive.
Mel
http://www.classifieds2000.com/cgi-cls/display.exe?partner=xc-ac-xau&path=Auto~Research~Ipix~Car~2000~FordFocus&imgoption=JF
I worked the crank back and forth in order to "free" the crank mechanism from the foam rubber, and it finally broke free. This has never happened with any other car I've owned. I'm wondering if the materials used inside the door are susceptible to summer temps or was this some one-time problem. My brother suggested that maybe some kind of packing foam got left inside the door, and that was what caused the problem. I've had my ZX3 since February, and this is the first time I've had this happen.
I will try lowering and raising the window again in the morning, when the temps will be back to normal. At least I was able to get the window back up, and the foam rubber junk on the window came right off with Windex.
Anything like this happen to anyone else? No other problems. Thanks. P.S. My brother got a ZX3 and his daughter did too.
CGSANGEL
My first passenger? My 2 1/2 year old nephew. Yep, baby seat in back. Sure, not practical, but he kept asking for a ride (the CD Silver Z looks like a spaceship to him)
I bring this up because someone earlier had mentioned having a problem getting people in the back seat.
Getting the baby seat in wasn't as tough as I thought it'd be really. You just need to use the front lever to push the seat so it rolls all the way up etc. Someone had mentioned the seats don't slide?
The only "problem" was I didn't yet know how to activate the automatic lock on the rear seat belts ( pull the ALL the way out then let them retract 'til it clicks). After I figured that out it was cake.
My nephew cried when he had to get out of the Z.
I know how he feels
G'day all.
A yellowish color or blackish?
Most cars have sound insulation foam installed or injected into/onto various parts of the car.
The frame perimeter rails have injected poly-urethane type foam (like the foam in parts boxes and will break up in your hand)
In places batting is used but i can not see that being your problem on a door.
Just for the record there is another sound insulator used and it goes on like a tape and expands while being heated after painting in the oven.
Did you have your car undercoated?
I have had windows stick before but never had any residue that needed to be wiped off. I had windows stick and turned up an edge of my tint film. Tinted windows recently?
Did the Windex desolve it or just make it ball up when you swiped it with a rag?
Ya got me wondering here
"I am still surprised that you would buy a car
without any research. It is an important purchase
and one not to take lightly. It is your
transportation. You take your husband, wife,
children, family, girl\boyfriend in it. If you
needed tilt\telescoping wheel it was available
since Feb 1, 2000 and you could have purchased it.
It is pretty much impossible to retrofit such a
set up now. Using the internet, I pretty much
learned everything about the zx-3 before buying it.
You seem very savy and I am surprised that you
didn't do the same."
_________________________My Response___________
Me Savy? Ouch
Yes you are correct that i should have researched and read blah blah blah articles that are subjective by their very nature. ADVERTISING DOLLARS?
Kinda like a Stock Analyst downgrading a stock because every other stock in the sector was down.
I keep things very simple in my life and the F-150 Ford Truck being a class of '92 needed a battery(bought two days before traded in) and a valve job or worse! 12 MPG (I'm still non Metric) and needed a paint job. (Fords had a couple of bad paint years and class action lawsuits due to paint washing off so to speak).
Heck gee whiz i got upset driving my Dakota 4X4 and drove it right up off of the highway to a Nissan Dealer and said "I'm not leaving in that damn truck".
1 Hour later i was on the road in a used Mazda RX-7 which some thief figured he had mores rights to own it than i had. Long story but the fool is in jail!
Buddy took me for a spin after work in his twlight blue ZX-3 and i said "i can live with this!".
Traded the MPG Pig in and took a beating! Bought one of the two cars on the lot....Badda Bing Badda Boom!
Picked it up a few days later and here i am. A Ford owner.
8am on Monday they check the A/C unit. Was going to bring up a few other items but why!
I have bumper to bumper coverage and drive about 100 miles per week.
Just today i turned back to look at the car.
3 days of rain up here forecast and i bought all the new car junkie stuff to wash the critter.
That's when i'll bond.
Nothing like washing a new car in the sun with a cold brew.
With all respect,
whyford
The side arm/door rests are WAY to low for me to rest my elbows.
I kinda reach the bottom of the steering wheel but outta habit i try to keep two hands on the wheel at 10 and 2 o'clock to steer.
Old habits die but this driving stance has saved my bacon a couple of times.
whyford.
I live about 500 miles from my parents and make the road trip often. It was time for a small, economical, fun car with hopefully a bit of style. Enter the Focus, It has been great, no problems in about 9.5K. I get 32 mpg. on my way to my parents at a steady 70-80 mph. I could use more power, and they are getting rather common, but it is still a great car for $13K.
I'm not really a car guy but The Focus seemed to really give the "Euro vibe". I have always been GM loyal but they really haven't made a car I would drive lately except the C5 Vette. Ford on the other hand has had some cars I have liked XR4TI, First generation SHO (Yamaha engine!) and the Contour.
I have Motorcycles from Italy, Germany & Japan (axis power!) so I have always driven domestic cars to "make up" for my trade practices. Leading up to my Focus purchase I had (very) casually looked at Hondas & VWs. I love VWs but they were more than I was willing to pay for a third car and also one I was going to put a ton of miles on in a short time. The Honda "side" of things is, to me, all Japanese cars sub $16K all look the same. The Focus wins again.
Outlining my needs & expectations always results in the same answer the Focus. It was a quick decision, but not a stupid one.
I've followed your board for quite a while, waiting for my Z order.
Some of you people sound very knowledgeable in Z.
Finally got it yesterday! Great car!
My first and only for now (47 miles!) Q :-}
After a short stop by the grocery store.I started the engine and with the AC and heater both off the vents blew really HOT wind. At the same time it was about 65 outside. It cools down eventually but takes 5 minutes of driving.
Any suggestions? Is this a "standard feature"?
Or did I just get "lucky"?
the stuff was black when it came through on the window. I didn't have undercoating or tint.
The main part of the foam balled up rather than dissolved, and it was very sticky. When I cranked up the window, the goo was on the inside of the window only. Right at the very bottom.
From what you explained about the foam breaking up in your hand... I think that's it. The combination of the heat softening the foam, plus it being forced up between the window and rubber molding must have caused the mess.
Thanks If anything else happens I will mention it.
CGSANGEL
hatchback forum.obviously,the bias is going to be towards the hatch.thats what the majority of us here bought.im my opinion,the hatch buyer and the sedan buyer have little in common.thats why one would opt for one type over another.im a fan of the
zx3 hatch,the sedan is o.k.but it is what it is,
just another face in the crowd.i say that not to put the sedan down,i just despise 4 drs.it probably goes back to my youth where 4dr.cars wre viewed as
transportation for the seniors.nothing wrong with that,i just dont care for a 4dr.again,as zx3bri noted the hatch owner tends to be more of an enthusiast and many others here have expressed that view as well. all zx3bri was relating is what many of us here experience when we see another hatch.
the other poster was putting him down,making more
out of his comment then what was said.i welcome all comments from sedan owners as well,but lets not forget this is the hatch forum.one cant help it if
it appears that it is us against them, they are
two distinctly styled vehicles.each has its own appeal and meets different needs.
Just bring your car in and explain in detail what happened.
Snap shot pictures help'
Don't sit on the fence and wait this out because rain will soak into your doors after the fact and then the warranty is over.
Rust never sleeps.
Hope i helped:(
i will tell u the decision of the hatch vs. the sedan was a hardest one i had to make. i have my reasons why though i chose the sedan though. This is not to defend a sedan, or put down the ZX3.... But at the time, there were various factors i was basing my decision on- I purchased my vehicle in feb. 2000 (because i could delay no longer) - First, the ZX3 did not have all the options i wanted. it had limited power items, no cruise, no armrest. these are things i wanted and had to have. since then, this has been fixed. 2001 looks like a good option year (heck i have even thought of trading in the sedan to get a loaded ZX3). Second, i love the design and shape of the ZX3, but i am in a career field that i have to occasionally take clients to lunch. the extra set of doors was necessary to allow passengers to get in and out comfortabaly. again if there was the 4 door hatch here in NA it would be a no-brainer for me. (I may have even settled on the ZX3 if it had the easy access back seat like a VW Golf does, but it does not). anyways the design of a sedan is not bad at all.... better than most others that's for sure!
as for the "enthusiast" idea. yes more ZX3s are more likely to fit into this category. But the sedan market is supported and alive too. Especially since we have the same motor (zetec). I am starting to look into items for my sedan and as time and money permit i am adding them. As for the parts themselves the aftermarket industry has flaunted both models... But as an example: NOPI has a sedan, so does Borla and Roush is working on a sedan also. As for SVT model no one is sure yet what they will do it seems....so just wait and see. so there are sedan enthusiasts, u just have to find us. i guess we are just the less likely person to look at.
And finally, as for the horn honks and waves ZX3 owners get/give, i am sure this is true. I believe it is like before, they are more likely to be enthusiats (it is like New Beetle owners)... but i know i always look at other Foci as I drive and I know I have gotten looks from other drivers in my sedan. I also have the added attention of a sunroof, tinted windows, and personalized plates. And I am sure once I start making the mods I will get even more looks....
The basic thing here is this. Yes ZX3 owners and sedan owners may have sone different reasons and motives in life. But these cars are more similar than dis-similar. So if you see a fellow Focus owner take notice, smile and wave.
That was a good Link. Thanks. The guy seems to have a lot of info on oils.
One passage, confirmed what a couple of posters have recently said here in the Z Forum ("Start-Up causes more engine-wear than metal-grits in oil").
Here's what the oil-guy at your Link said about that subject. (Edited by me, for clarity):
90% OF ENGINE-WEAR OCCURS AT START-UP
"This claim is absolutely true, but it has more to do with "combustion", than to "grinding engine parts."
"When the combustion-gases burn, they form acids that become highly corrosive when their vapours condense."
"These acids collect in the upper-cylinder areas, where their temperature is raised above their dew point. The acids then condense, and "etch" the cylinder walls and piston rings."
"This accounts for over 85% of engine wear, the other 15% being down to abrasion."
"So, the (Commercial aftermarket products) Advertisements are NEARLY right ('Most engine-wear occurs at startup because of lack of oil')."
"BUT, it ISN'T because the oil isn't coating moving parts -- it's because it's NOT removing those acidic gases."
"Having said that, if you start the engine and let it idle for 15 sec. or so before moving off, you can probably add another 100,000 miles to your engine's life without using one bottle of those (Commercial aftermarket) additives."
"Because that 15-sec. Warm-Up, warms the oil up a tad, so it's in all the most vital areas, before you start driving, putting strain on the engine."
"Most handbooks tell you not to let the engine warm up before driving off." (But he says, they're not referring to the "15-sec. warmup", they're referring to warming engine till oil reaches "full operating temp").
"If you insist on starting-up and belting right off down-road, think of this next time: it takes average engine around 3 minutes driving for exhaust manifold to reach 300°C."
"If you blast off, and run around at full throttle right from the get-go, this process takes under 60 sec."
"Think about it. From "outside air temp" to "300°C" in 60 sec."
"What exactly is that doing, to the metal in your manifold? Ask anyone who's ever owned an original Audi Quattro - they'll tell you exactly, what happens."
END OF EDITED QUOTES
I'd say after reading the above, that pcleveland, zx3beast and others have good point when they recommend oil-heater plugged into your z on winter nites. (With the oil already warm, you'd not have to worry about corrosive-acids in your engine when you Start-Up in morning).
I think I'll ask Ford svce-mgr if he can install the Ford factory heater, and how much.
zx3
remark to a fellow hatch owner who was pointing
out a trademark common to z owners,im going to respond.personally,i dont care what car anyone drives who post here.but it is the zx3 hatchback
forum.there is a forum for the focus sedan.the zetec is standard on the z and not on the sedan.
im not knocking the sedan at all,i would like it
better with 2 doors.small cars with 4 doors have
always sounded somewhat tinny to me,believe it or not many 2 doors of the same model as 4 doors actually have more rear leg room.ive always felt that a 2 door vehicle had a more solid feel.just the way i feel,thats all.i have driven the hatch
and the sedan,there are differences in the ride.
you will probably find many of the sedans in the rental fleet market.i dont know if thats necessarily a good thing or bad thing.
I still do not see many zx-3s in the Philadelphia area. The owners of the ones I do see seem to be very enthusiastic.....they have their zx-3s with tinted windows, sunroofs and are always very clean.
Good Luck Whyford with your z. I think after a while, you will adjust to the car.
Badging: People nowadays are much more minimalist than in the past. It amazes me that many american and japanese cars are just covered with numbers or names and even additional names like LX, DX, SE, EX, CL, CX. This badging is very lame and it is a marketing ploy to make people spend more on an essentially the same car. What is the difference in price between a 4 cylinder Honda Accord DX and a 4 cylinder Honda Accord EX? 8000 dollars? (Just a guess) And you get what?...just a pile of electric rubbage! Sorry...I have a strong opinion.
An Accord is an Accord is an Accord. Call it just an Accord.
Thank goodness the zx-3 is only a single model and does not have additional designations. Therefore, I would like to see less badging for the ZX-3. My suggestion to Ford is to have in the the name Focus embossed in the bumper (embossed in the same manner as the Integra or ZX-2) Focus on the left and zx-3 on the right and remove the chrome badging completely. ANother suggestion is to have either Focus or zx-3 remain as chrome lettering and have the name Focus or zx-3 embossed in the center of the rear bumper.
Ford has to realize that people are changing and many of us (I hope) are not hung up on boring, old fashioned crappola like badging. The new generation is not about status, but about substance and real value. We can see the old ploys and it just turns us off. Ford can take a step in the right direction by eliminating badging.
Just take a look at BMW. It is not hard to figure it out from there. The total badging is optional. Plus you never see a BMW 328i with the letter EX on the back!
Are all manufacturers envious to some extent to BMW? I believe they are. Then why not copy them a bit more? I just do not understand why manufactureers are so lathargic. (it's probably because they decide everything by committee and not let one visionary take them to a place that they can never go if 100 people decide that the door handle should be chrome because it is shiny.)
From time to time, a visionary designs the entire car and sometimes it fails and other times it succeeds, but one thing it is for sure: MEMORABLE. Examples are Ford Mustang, VW Beetle\New Beetle, Audi TT, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Edsel, Chrysler Minivans and maybe the Chevy Corvair
That's all. Just me on my soap box again.
ND
PS: The hatchback (3 door and 5 door) and Wagon are the true engineer's vision of the Focus, but the sedan is the result of the North American market desire for a sedan (and some crusty old englishmen). The result is the sedan looks too conventional and lacking cohesion of design, but sales numbers do not lie. It is a hit in NA. I think they should bring the 5 door hatch to NA!! (Take home message: Take a chance Ford...you are making oodles of money right now!)
driven the sedan, she said she felt like an old
foggy from england.someone here had posted the 4dr.
hatch and it did look really sharp.i still prefer
a 2dr.but given a choice between a sedan or the 4dr.hatch.i would go for the hatch.seems like every
sedan foreign or domestic suffers from sameness.
im strictly speaking in terms of exterior look only.very good examples that you pointed out,even
the corvair.speaking of visionaries,how about that
chevette diesel?............just kidding folks!
I like my car in handling, roominess, comfort and fuel economy points of view but one thing that makes me annoying.
I suffer some rattles coming from rear side of cabin and upper left corner in the ceiling. My dealer could not fix the problem yet.Could anyone put his remarks on it.
I have had my ZX3 for a few days now and I have a few questions for you, please.
This is my first new car, ever. I love it so far (of course).
A few questions for you all to see if I am just a paranoid new car owner or I should have any real concerns.
I know I have to break it in, not rev the engine,slam th breaks and must change about 1000 miles or sooner (thanks to all of you I know this!)
The only real problem I am having right now is TRYING to lay off the stereo so I can listen to the car and how it performs.
What I have noticed:
1.The breaks don't squeak but let out kinda a high pitched groan on occasion. I have NOT been laying on them...this is normal breaking in, right? (please!)
2. (5spd) When I shift there seems to be a low kinda rumble. Nothing loud...am I being too sesative?
3. It's been raining since I got it. And humid. I think whoever prepped/washed it, treated the windshield with some sort of funky soap/wax, because it fogs up all splotchy on the OUTSIDE. It's like the moisture is sticking in splotches, the wipers kinda take it away, but it's still splotchy and cloudy and makes it hard to see at night. I was blasting the defrost, and it helped a little on cool. But I noticed it cleared up when it was on hot.
Is this normal? Meaning, what can I do to get the gunk off my windshield if that's the problem and #2...I know the defrost works when it's set on hot, but what about in the summer? Will it not work on cold (I've never had this problem in any car owned before)
Other questions:
---> I wanted to take off the chrome "FOCUS" on back. How can I do this w/o harming the car. Is is just stuck on with glue? Will I harm the paint? Someone I think said to use dental floss. And once I get it off how have you all been reattaching it on the engine?
--->I hate the huge blind spot to the right. It really sucks when trying to merge. I use my mirrors, but like to do a quick over-the-shoulder check as well. Can't do it w/o straining and I don't like to have to strain/and or turn all the way around.
So, do those "blind spot" minni mirrors really work? If I put one on and HATE it, can I remove it without damaging the mirror?
And finally some observations:
****THE ZX3 SEEMS TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A "THREAT" TO SPORTS CAR DRIVERS*****
Has anyone else noticed that other drivers at lights etc, seem to become more aggressive drivers when next to the ZX3?
No dissin' any other cars here etc, but it seems as soon as someone in some 'sporty' car near me sees the ZX3, they become a much more aggressive driver. I am not being paranoid about this because no one else was doing that when I was driving my previous non-descript car.
It's too bad I can't zip away until I break her in.
Well, that's it for now. If anyone can help that'd be great and please, if I am only being paranoid, it's only because this is my first BIG purchase, ever.
Thanks everyone!
(yeah, re: last post it's BRAKES not BREAKS)
---->>>When is it ok to wax my ZX3? Can you over wax? Meaning, if I do it a couple times a month that's not too much? Will it harm the car?
Thanks, I think that is all for now.
I tried the hand brake test and it didn't make any noise. I was wondering about the brake noise because in the manual it said some noises would be common. But, I guess this noise keeps happening, at least once whenever I am driving. I The car was driven to my dealership from another one about 75 miles away. It was the only one in my area with the stuff I wanted. I know they are supposed to use only very cautious drivers, but I hope he/she didn't do any damage.
Like I said, it's only been a few days. But should I have it checked if it keeps up? If so, how long?
Some other things for anyone: (yes I will make a list next time so only 1 post)
---->>> Is it bad to put a lot of miles on a new car right away? Or is it just HOW you drive it, not how far? I have been cautious, but have put over 110 miles on it and come tomorrow morning's commute, a lot more.
---->>>I haven't filled up yet, but looked at the gas cap. There is some beige goop on it, on the side where it seals. Kind of oily, but kind of thick. What is that, anyone? anyone? Bueller?
and finally....
---->>>what IS the best way to remove brake dust from the rims? or clean rims for that matter?
Once again, you guys R-O-C-K. without you, I never would have had my ZX3? Thanks!
"i try to keep two hands on the wheelat 10 and 2 o'clock to steer.
Old habits die but this driving stance has savedmy bacon a couple of times."
I do same. My friend who raced stock cars also said same thing.
zx3
at times will make a high pitch sound.this is not always the case.i keep an ear open for it,but i think you will find the brakes are normal.wax at
will but not when humid as silver bullet correctly stated.you are also right about dental floss to re-
move badging,it will not harm paint surface.get used to the willing participants who want to race.
it is very common and also fun.i took it easy for about 2,500 miles. varying speeds + terrain.simple
green works well on wheels + then a light coat of car wax.dust will come off easier if wheel is waxed.beige goop is probably white lithium grease.
factory applies that around door hinges,hood catch
etc.ive never used one of those mini-mirrors but
im sure someone here has or does.i have always used my rear view + drivers side mirror only.good luck
you are going to love your new car.