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Comments
Focus Sprt. Intake, JBA header, Borla catback exhaust and more.....they mentioned a max power gain of 76.5 hp@6700 rpm.
Shift knob question:
I didn't look too closely at this, but I just bought a new MOMO shift knob and I have no idea how to pop off the old one. Do I just tug REAL hard? Are there fins that I have to file off in order to install the new one? Thanks.
now that i know about resetting the computer with the battery terminal, i will probably try again at lunch time today with the k&n. pcleveland - thanks for the reassurance that the k&n is actually worth putting in the car!!
(rs)
Although I've never seen it in person, I know that the factory shift knob is threaded. So you can't just pull it off. Remember: righty tighty, lefty loosey. I'm not sure what you mean about the "fins".
About bashing Ford...my friends all drive imports and they bash Ford without even giving it a chance. Many will see my car and think its a great looking car until they notice the blue oval. Some will ride with me and are really impressed. I've heard my share of "I told you so's" about buying a Ford. Still, after all these problems, when I think about what I'd do if Ford gave me my money back, I'd still buy anothe ZX3. Nothing out there has the style, personality, performance, and value as this car. Now, if I have to take my car in again . . .
I've had my Z for 2.5 months and 3500 miles now, and I don't have a single complaint. I'm VERY sensitive to any change in sound or feel of my cars, and I haven't noticed a thing. This is why I feel that some of the cars were unfortunate victims of poor construction on a given part...like bjammin2's suspension difficlties.
I think your problem is your dealer or his service manager. Trying to save somebody some money, and its not you he's looking out for. If it's under warranty, its under warranty. Request the district rep get involved. Write letters, its worked for other people. If that doesn't work find a local TV station which has a local consumer program and complain there. Dealers hate bad public relations.
Pat
www.neutralzone.org/puma/gallery.html
"how well it worked" (using fresh wax to remove wax stains on black plastic exterior-trim).
Forget it guys, it doesn't work very well.
The old whitish-stains, faintly re-appeared the next day.
Oh well, I tried.
zx3
zx3beast....I'll try the "Black Magic" thingy, if Mothers idea doesn't pan out. Thanks.
www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/lancia/58/gallery/ford/focus_cosworth.htm
I heartily agree with your post defending the Z's quality workmanship.
I have maybe 700 mi. on my z. So far it has been a flawless performer. Love it.
And, the BUILD QUALITY:
Detailing... Fit... Finish... Superb paint job... Superb quiet engine... Doors close close easily with a quality-sounding "thunk"... Comfortable supportive seats... Nice interior... Superb steering/road feel... Instruments logically layed out easily read... Great A/C, it'll freeze you and car in Mojave Desert... Handles twisty roads, on/off ramps, like a Mountain Cat... On and on.....
BTW, beast....
the chrome "ZX3" badge (Ford put it on rear, where all other cars have theirs, so it looks so commonplace, so "bla" there) .... is now on front bumper, driver's side, just below left edge of Fog light. Looks way cool. (the distinctive "Z" now has its badge in its own distinctive spot).
And chrome FOCUS badge is now on top of engine, next to the label FORD. Looks sorta cool there(and mechanics commented on it favorably).
This has raised "Curiosity-factor" by a coupla points (on 1-10 scale).
How so?
Well the Ford Ovals, are small. So lotsa people don't notice them right away.
And now, with the chrome FOCUS and ZX3 badges "missing from rear deck", people are gawking more at my Autumn Orange Z -- trying to figger out "What kinda car izzat!!??"
Heh, heh.
zx3
"In my experience so far -- a big THUMBS-UP!!".
problem about zx3 is not necessarily related
to the overall build quality but more to do with
an isolated part. parts are sourced all over the world,unfortunately quality of one given part
can very widely from one vendor to the next.
this is not an excuse by no means but a sad
equation of the so-called" world economy".
obviously,it has its advantages + dis-
advantages.some mfg. just build better parts.
the actual assembling of the total vehicle may be sound but a particular part may not be up to spec. this of course all goes back to quality control. i dont believe it to be a widespread problem for the zx3. however ,those who have experienced problems may have another
view.after reading all the post here from the
beginning ,one can reasonably assume that
the majority of owners are very pleased with their purchase in spite of first year model growing pains. to the i told you so ford bashers, there really is no need to convince you , you wouldnt get it anyway.
hey Jammers 85--I saw that car at Hot Import Nights in rutherford NJ, NICE CAR!! I like what they did with headlights and taillights--and that supercharger--its packed in there so nicely. i was dreweling over it for like 20 minutes.
I am loving my ZX3 more everday, i am 18 and play ice hockey frequently. I love how ALL my goalie equipent fits in the back under the cover with the seats up--plenty of room. if you play hockey you know how big goal equipment is--so thats a great plus to this car--if it could only help with the smell I would never buy another car!
Some of the materials are cheap inside, but reasonably well assembled. Some of the edges of the plastic are sharp. I wonder too, if the seat cushions will hold up over the long run. I am picky and I think all the choices are justified when thinking the car I have is 12,400 USD. The average car in the US is over 20 K which is considerably more than what we paid.
IMHO, I think there are not that many complaints about the zx-3 in this posting. That is my take on it.
I have exactly 3000 miles on my car. Runs great. No issues. (I have a slight rattle in the indoor pillar on the driver's side though...may be stuck with it for life...).
ND
must go now,
counting down....
...5...
...4...
...3...
...2...
...1...
{poof!}
Thanks!
I have had it for 2 months and it has 3000 miles on it. It is virtually perfect.
Problems:
Steering wheel did not point straight ahead even though the car drove true. Fixed by the dealership with no questions asked.
I have a slight rattle in the pillar by the driver's side door. Inconsistent and I believe very hard to fix. I am living with it now.
My Satisfaction level:
I am satisfied. I wish it had a 1.8 L BMW engine in it rather than a Ford ztec, but I do like the price. (notice I didn't say transmission....I think the 5 spd is pretty good as well as the clutch!)
Recommendation:
Break in the engine slowly. Do not rev over 3500 rpm until 1000 miles are achieved. Do not drive it like a race car until you have 1000 miles and allow the parts to wear in. Meaning: do not brake, steer, go over bumps like a mad man (or woman)
Doug
Do your car a favor and change the oil early the first time to get the metal shavings out that result from break-in.
Not much for me to say, 'cause I've had no problems to report =]
Click on www.auto.com and 3/4 down the page is a JD Power survey.
BMW Engine:
Actually, I was speaking of the 318TI. That is the car that I really wanted, but got a z instead. Functionally they are both good handling compact hatchbacks with 2 doors, although the bmw is rear drive. A BMW compared with a Focus zx-3? Of course I could also compare a Ford Aspire 2 door hatch with the z!
(I am causing trouble today....I just insulted the BMW 318TI owners and just insulted all the z owners for comparing their beloved car with a Ford Aspire. I did make the Aspire owners happy, even though the car should now be called 'Expired' now---oops I just insulted everybody. You just can't win!)
I didn't know bmw had a flaw, and it just goes to show you that you can be burned even when you buy the ultimate driving machine (talk about pompous!)
Can't wait to get in a drive on this beautiful day!
ND
I'm interested in your performance assessement of the new pads. I just bought my second rainforest green ZX3 (gave first one to my sister) and think the green pads would be especially cool in matching monochromatic. I would wash my first ZX3 about every 10 days, and hated dealing with the wheel dust. Please provide purchasing info if they appear to work as clained.
http://members.tripod.com/~matdeny/puma/puma1.jpg
if you check the above picture you can see what I'm refering to. That circle under the passenger side head light. What is it?
Im waiting till early July to get the yellow 2001 color. Also, I'm hoping to add the way cool Kona seat covers to it for protection!! Glad to hear the praises of first model year car; Ford really did do their homework this time (I hope).
It MIGHT also be the following: in Northern European countries, it is not uncommon to preheat your car before starting it in the morning. So people simply 'plug' their car to an outlet in the garage, and an automatic timer starts the heating process some minutes before they start their car. When I lived in Norway, I saw some cars with an electrical plug hanging (an inch) out of the front grill. ...Looked silly!
Their range thus includes the Ka, Fiesta, Focus, and Escort, all in the 'compact' car range.
The 'Ka' and 'Focus' are distinctly 'new age' while the Fiesta and Escorts are basically 'very' old cars and are widely considered to be 'classical' if not borderline 'boring'.
If anything, this cohabitation of 'new age' and 'old age' styling seems rather odd. I guess they don't want to 'lose' the old models as long as they sell?
Maybe i will reset the CPU and try again because i drive very sedate (safe and slow shifting) most of the time BUT when i want to MERGE NOW....Baby Blue thinks i want to get MPG more than FPS (feet per second)?
I really like the car but i can't reach the steering wheel without leaning forwards like the hunchback of Notre Dame ("I am not an animal").
Windows are hard to reach!? I have small hands and find it a problem to move the seat adjustments.
Engine sounds loud to me when revs are up because i never really liked four bangers.
Maybe i will learn to like these small details that seem to be flaws to myself but...
I just might trade it in for a Stang or a F-150?
I need MORE power!
Power seats....
OH and my friend at work GOT cruise with HIS 5-Speed Manual.
I was told there was no such option.
Now Power Windows! Power seats! Sunroof?!
And guess what i'm going to do?
Offer to trade in my 2000 ZX3 for a 2001 LOADED when the come out with the 2.3 liter engine!
Ohhhhhh did i let it slip that the engine is being upgraded!
Gotta get into the Honda field soon whispers say.
I figure 150-160 hp.
The next 1/2 year model will see a Turbo ZX3 boasting/190 hp from da factory.
Remember this post and toss it back in my face if i am wrong.
With all respect,
whyford
I'm pretty much a lurker on this board. The ZX3 is the first car I have bought ever. I ended up finding it on the lot of a "small" dealership on rt. 27 in NJ called Bell Ford.
The salesman did the usual agree-to-a-great-price-oops-time-to-check-with-the-manager to get more money. However, when I wouldnt budge, they didnt push, threaten, or whine.
As an added bonus, I recieved a package from the dealer today. It included an additional thank you, a dealer customer survey, and a free bottle of touch up paint (BTW, infra red=vermillon).
I must say, even though I may feel they "owe" me for being a customer, this is a great touch.
Of, 3500 miles and not a problem.
- Goochzx3
Have you really bought a zx-3 or is your 'WhyFord' indicates otherwise?
If you really bought a zx-3 and you already regret it: I suggest that you bought the wrong car and your approach of buying the car was not done with a cool and level head.
Besides, I can't imagine a person who bought a zx-3 would sing the praises of a 15 year old 'Fox' body Mustang V-8. They are so dramatically different. A mustang is all about power and speed. The zx-3 is a compact economy car with a little zip and decent handling.
Trading in a car after just a few months will cost you about 5 K.
ND
Pat
i got the photos...but no developed yet..by tomorrow maybe and i'll post it somewhere.
My z now has 800 mi. I changed oil/filter at 600.
I'll repeat at 1000mi. Then will consider engine to be broken-in. And will go with 2500 mi changes thereafter (recomended by Svce Mgr).
That is, IF I stick with "petroleum based" oil.
Here's my Question:
IYO, and from what you've heard -- if I switch to synthetic oil, would 5000mi. intervals between oil-changes be safe?
The cost of using synthetic oil (changed every 5000mi) would be same as cost of using petroleum oil (changed every 2500mi).
Example .... local Mobil station gets $22 for petroleum oil/filter change, $44 for synthetic.
Your comments (and that of others who care to join in) would be most welcome. Thanks.
zx3
I changed my oil at 500 and 1000 with petroleum base and switched to Mobil One at 4000. The Mobil One still looked very good at 9000 when I changed it again. I like the synthetics.
Dealer overfilled on the first two oil changes. I now only hand them 4 quarts of Mobil One. I top it off myself. They have also had some confusion about the oil filter The Zetec & SPI use different filters. (I guess they do not see the Zetec on the valve cover)
Scott
Anyway, I just doubt the helpfulness of Ford roadside assistance. They gave the address of a Lincoln/Mercury dealer to the tow truck driver even (I assume) he knew it was a Ford he was towing. And it took them (me) at least an hour to locate the car after I found out it was not at the Ford dealer. So I had to call and tow the car 2 blocks to the Ford dealer, and that wasted another day that I can drive my car.
While I was giving up starting the car last week, I tried to find any defects to be fixed while the car would be at the dealer. Found nothing, but I would have to say fit and finish is average. The plastic panel around the top of the door opening is uneven. I would say that my friend's Integra doesn't have something like that. However, you really have to pay attention to notice it. It won't bother me that much.
I remember reading a test report on this topic a few years ago. It may have been done by Consumer Reports, but I can't remember for sure.
The test involved a fleet a city taxi cabs. A number of cabs were equipped with new engines. Before the engines were installed they were torn down and critical wear points were carefully measured. Then the cabs were put back on the street. Some were giving frequent oil changes and others were maintained following the manufacturers recommendations.
After some long period of service (can't recall the exact milage) the engines were removed, torn down, and the parts were remeasured.
There was little to no difference in the measured wear on the two sets of engines.