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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part XI
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I always used it to remove road tar from the car. (Hazard of living in a state where road construction is never-ending!)
Gabe
I'm turning to you all for some guidance, as I'm just not certain what's safe to use inside. I appreciate any input.
P.S. I've just hit 3100 miles and my mpg is only at 25-26. Not bad, but I've had as low as 19.
to just dampen a soft cloth with plain water.thats
all that is really necessary.i personally would
avoid any shine enhancers or acid-bassed cleaners.
i would even stay away from windex except for glass.if you have ground in dirt,a mild soap solution is o.k.obviously,a darker interior will show dust more readily.i just passed 5000 mi.a/c
on all the time hwy./ city- 25 to 27 mpg.im satisfied with the gas mileage given that i have air on all the time.
an Escort GT (91-96?)? Was just wondering how
they compare. Used to own a 91 GT. I regret
ever getting rid of it. Was acutally thinking
about getting one, but this new car is quite the rage. Thanks for input!
Scott
NJ
Pat
njzx3- i think it looks really cool.but like the zx3 it is definitely a love or hate it design.
http://www.solairesunroofs.com/solaire_pricing.htm
maybe someday
NJ
Have any ZX3 drivers figured gas mileage?
I'm getting 21 city, 31 hwy, which is a disappointment. I have always beaten the sticker numbers for mpg.
This is my only real complaint. The car is a blast!
Al
I am currently leasing a 99 Toyota Rav4L, but i am trying to get out of that lease because i am paying too much... anyways i want a Focus ZX3 but i have a question that is of big importance to me... in the FOCUS, when you sit in the front seats, and wiggle in them back and forth do they rock loosely on their tracks?... I had a Pontiac Sunfire coupe that did that and it BUGGED me so much, i felt like everytime i came to a stop the seat was moving... i hope you all know what i am trying to say here.
any responses would be helpful... also how hard is it to order a Foucs ZX3 from the factory, and how long does it usually take to get it? I want a 2001 Focus ZX3 with every available option except side airbags.
it keeps the passengers entertained.
The duster apparently has a wax/cleaner impregnated into the fibres, but thankfully I don't notice any 'shine' arising from the dusting.
The 'wand' is only meant to be wafted (ie not scrubbed) over the panels, anyway.
treva
Is this car fast? Not sure what most of you have driven but it is NOT fast! Rev's like a killer motor but not fast! With the A/C on i would tend to rate it as S.L.O.W...
As the only way my 5'10'' [non-permissible content removed] (and very slim) will reach both the gas/clutch/brakes and the Steering wheel is to crank the seat to its highest elevation and grope for the 10 and 2 O'Clock position..Not very comfortable! Then the window arms.....way down where and turn them what way??? ARGH! Engine stumble!? Yikes!!
I see a rear washer but only the wipers work?
Air Conditioning takes 5 minutes to work ( I know..roll down the windows and when cold roll em up and recirculate button ).
Heck i moved outta a Mazda RX-7 into a F-150 Ford Truck in say....5 seconds! Total time to feel comfortable about driving an Auto versus a 5-speed stick.
My point?
This has got to be the hardest car i have ever owned to learn to adapt<sp? no spell checks from me:) to. "ADAPT" is the word.
Do i like the car? Well YES i do but i am really upset about performance. Getting about 21 MPG US if my calculations from Liters per 100 Kilometers are correct. (City) and only about 900 miles on car.
Backing into parking spots?
Could spin tires in a truck or any car i owned and have the vehicle parked centered and with an even space on each side of the parking spot lines.
My Focus?
I seem to park on an angle!
Even move out of the parking spot and try to center with all the blind spots rearward.
I here remarks when people think i am out of hearing range say "Ugly" and looks like an 'ECHO' (an ECHO? OUCH)!
My feelings?
I LIKE IT!
A fair priced car that when you need to load something into the hatch and without folding the seats (which i posted i did in under one minute and a newby also)
I love the look of the car more every day.
Kids drive by with the Honda seats folded WAY down (heck most are short asians? what are they thinking? that their heads are going to hit the roof?) In honest truth kids are taller in Canada and the U.S.A today. Even the 2nd GEN Asians.
Is it the Steroids in our Beef? Honestly!
Torque steer anyone?
Get a ossilation under power in mine.
If i can't stir up an arguement then the Forum is Dead
With all respect.
Twlight Blue with tint that would get me shot in most States!
BUT have CDN Plates.
happy miles and enjoy the ride.
Funny, I'm 5'10", and I fit perfectly in the car. Seat cranked up, down, medium. I have the seat all the way back with most shoes, and one click in when I have my soccer flats on.
My only problem with backing is that there are pretty hefty blind spots at 5 and 7 o'clock, but I've adjusted.
I, too, get about 22-23 around town. I'd like slightly better mileage, but I do rev a lot around town, so I can blame myself for that. In my experience, 16v engines tend to have a large disparity between town and hwy driving. (Any basis too this anyone? SB?)
I don't have any of your other problems.
Love the handling. Would like a few more horsies. Happy with fit and finish. I don't know what your deal is with the backing in.
Where in Cadada are you?
performance as engine breaks-in.air is icy-cold
after initial cooling then re-circ.parking is a snap.window cranks in reverse you will get use to it in a short time, then normal will seem strange.im
also 5'10',seat all the way back + highest seat
position,very comfortable.i have 5spd.get-up+go
air on or off ,5100 mi.more than adequate speed.
mileage air on always now,25 to 27 mpg.hwy/city.
performance will steadily improve as the miles increase.i cant argue your points,that is your personal experience as you see it. im always open
to other arguments if you want,all in the spirit
of zx3 ownership.the majority who bought the zx3
are very passionate about their purchase by witness
of the many post here and elsewhere.they have been overwhelmingly favorable.usually,it is human nature to complain and point out all the little faults,
the z receives more compliments that usual,especially for a first year model.than in of itself is a testament to the popularity of the vehicle overall.personally,ive never second-guessed my purchase.the price/performance ratio speaks for itself.lets face the truth,if the z was totally tweaked,we would be looking at a 20grand price tag.
the z as is stands admirably on its own.
i'm still waitin for my twilight blue fully loaded Z... it seems that my dealer is completely incapable of giving me a straight answer on the status of my car. The only time i even got a somewhat informative answer was after I left about 30+ messages on the dealership managers voicemail and clogged up his box until he finally called back a few days later with a half-a$$ed answer.
This is the summer of patience for me I guess. Just have to sit tight and wait for that glorious phonecall telling me that my baby has been born... I can almost see her already!!
maybe when my Z finally arrives i'll have something other than incoherant babble to post here... but until then...
NJ
performance wise, I'm just about tired tired tired of people expecting a 12,000 dollar car to speed up like a Mclaren F1. it goes from 0 to 60 in 8.8 seconds, that's .1 sec slower than a civic with 127hp, equal to a corolla with 120hp and a neon with 132hp, and .4 sec faster than a mazda protege with 122hp. additionally, I love the way it seats, the view of the road is great, way taller than any other car in its class, and the seats adjust just as good to me--5'9"--as too my girlfriend--5'4". not only that but I also find the car incredibly comfortable and roomy, all the instruments are easy to reach, and placed exactly where I would've put them if I had designed the focus myself. it's gotten 28mpg since day one with the a/c on 95% of the time.
yes, there are indeed a few bugs with the car, and understandably so, since it's a brand new model, so I agree with zx3beast who said it better than me.
I personally think it's good to complain about things here, after all that's one of the reasons we bother to check this site 10 times a day. complains and other comments might help others foresee problems with their cars or give insight on interesting subjects, but you have done nothing but complain about the same 2 things since back mid june. if you're not comfortable on those seats, you could either buy a new one or change the car, why put yourself through 300,000 miles of misery?
please don't get me wrong, I believe in our first amendment more than the people who put it in the constitution, but come on someone has to help him/her move on. and as far as the way asian kids seat, I could not care less, it's a trendy thing I guess, and it doesn't bother me, good for them if it makes them happy, maybe you should find something that makes you happy and stick to it.
gotta go drive...
All good posts lately, and I agree -- if there is a major dislike with your ZX3, why did you buy it? Didn't it show up during the test drive? Seats are a very personal thing. Not even high $$ aftermarket seats fit everyone - you have to try before you buy. Even with the few niggling problems, I'm still very satisfied with our pair of ZX3s... just don't ask me about Ford dealer service
And yes, the "Civic vs. ZX3" board is brutal. Several folks in there wear Honda underwear, and aren't much interested in differing viewpoints. Enter at your own risk.
...now, where are my dentures?
I will now think about these numbers every time I fill up which is far to often. Only getting around 25 mpg with a high of 31 mpg on a steady 65 mph trip. Maybe with the new transmission my mileage will improve.
6600 miles on my 9 months old car (minus 10 days in the shop for various repairs), waiting for new transmission and the AM radio is out again (4th time). On the bright side, with all the repairs Ford didn't make a penny on this car, of course the dealer is smiling all the way to the bank.
Me, I think the glass is at the point where I need to order another so that it'll be here before I finish this one. =]
if ford brings that car to the states, I'll have no choice but to trade mine in. no choice.
gotta go drive...
They loved the roominess, the ride, and the handling. The only demerit they gave it was for road noise on coarse surfaces. CR characterized
the power as ample and reported 24 MPG of mixed
driving.
I wonder if Ford will ratchet up production or if the delivery times will stretch a little bit longer.
i have found the stock goodyears to provide ex-
cellent handling,cornering + panic stop characteristics.they really are pretty decent for
stock.have you found the pirellis to be vastly
improved? also,i am impressed with stock goodyears
performance in wet weather.of course a lot of credit is due to the fine suspension of the z.this
is one vehicle that i feel very confident driving
in wet weather.this past week has been rough in philly area weather-wise.had to drive through many
flooded areas,the z performed like the champ it is.
This has been the longest wait ever, home straight now..