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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part XI

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Comments

  • gabegarwickgabegarwick Member Posts: 127
    I've used GooGone on several of my past autos and had good results. Never thought of using it for wax removal...

    I always used it to remove road tar from the car. (Hazard of living in a state where road construction is never-ending!)

    Gabe
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    pcleveland2-did you call 800 no.?
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    i will give it a try.thanks for the tip.
  • powerslidepowerslide Member Posts: 48
    3/4 of a quart of oil in 4500 miles is not anything I would worry about. All cars use SOME oil. AND, two questions, why did you wait for 4500 miles (I'm of the 3000 mile oil change mindset)to get your oil changed and don't you check your oil level regularly? I you are worried about oil consumption, it's a good thing you don't have a VW. I've seen on their forums that they use A LOT of oil. One person was told by a factory rep that anything over 500 miles per quart not considered excessive. And this is on a NEW car. I think that is baloney, but I don't think you have a problem. Just check your oil more often. I'm not scolding, I just think that you can't over-maintain your car, it'll last longer with fewer problems if you take good care of it. Oil changes are cheap insurance.
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    "www,geocities.com/parmm005/index/html"
  • jjc5jjc5 Member Posts: 16
    Help! I'm a wagon owner (no 5-door hatchling) and am finding a ridiculous large amount of dust on my dash and radio face -- just after I dust, it's back!

    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.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    what color is your interior? a simple solution is
    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.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    should have read acid-based, i hope they get that spellcheck problem fixed.
  • focuszx3rfocuszx3r Member Posts: 92
    I was just peering into my dealers showrom and noticed a black ZX3, but alas it was different. It has a canvas top which was a rectangular opening in the roof from the front seats to the back, that slid open to reveal one huge sunroof. It was a take on those old VW Beetles with the roll back canvas top. i plan to take a visit to the showroom on monday to check this out. It has to be the neetest accesory for the focus. it looked to be vinyl actually, it was gray and was attatched to a piece of plastic that slid back instead of being rolled up. This was sweet. it was probably about 3 feet long and two feet wide. maybe even longer. I wonder how much it cost? i will report back on monday
  • shayes1shayes1 Member Posts: 12
    Have any of you zx3 owners ever owned/driven
    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
  • njzx3njzx3 Member Posts: 170
    has anyone bought or priced this yet? what is the cost and installation time? looks great, but probably real expensive.

    NJ
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!!! Saw a pitch black ZX3 piled up into medium backwards today in Buffalo at the I-90/I-190 interchange. Looked like passenger air bag did not go off, and passenger not wearing seatbelt. By the looks of windshield, someone hit real hard. Hope everyone was okay. Lots of front end damage to the ZX3. It's replacable, but people inside are not. Didn't see any other vehicle involved. Bad interchange where two interstate highways merge together.

    Pat
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    http://www.solairesunroofs.com/_pricing.htm

    njzx3- i think it looks really cool.but like the zx3 it is definitely a love or hate it design.
  • njzx3njzx3 Member Posts: 170
    I aggree... it's like guinness... love/hate... I personally think it looks pretty sweet... but on the same token, fer 1,100 i think i'll do my tint before I go back to florida and possibly some other small things that are far more important in hot areas than a sunroof...

    maybe someday

    NJ
  • aldegennaldegenn Member Posts: 4
    Hi, everybody,
    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
  • matty99matty99 Member Posts: 7
    Hi,
    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.
  • matty99matty99 Member Posts: 7
    Foucs = FOCUS
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Do you always wiggle back an forth when you drive? Maybe if you tried sitting still, your problem would go away :) I've never noticed any movement in my driver's or passenger's seat once they have locked into place. When you order your "fully loaded" ZX3, make sure you delete the "Wiggly Seat" option...
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    good advice - however i wish that option was available on the 2000 model for those long trips.
    it keeps the passengers entertained.
  • gabegarwickgabegarwick Member Posts: 127
    No wiggly seats in my ZX3. I usually have to go to the amusement park for wiggly seats. Wiggly teeth on the other hand are what I get from riding around in my friend's CJ7... :]
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    No need to go looking for a Jeep, just lower your ZX3 and put on some 17" wheels with 45 series performance tires - you'll have wiggly teeth in no time :)
  • trevatreva Member Posts: 39
    I eventually went with one of the smaller versions of the California Duster. I picked it up at Target. I don't use it on the outside of the car (afraid of it scratching the paintwork) but it works very well on the dash, center console and door panels. I give it a quick once-over every week.
    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
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    My car tends to get real dirty between me and my hairy dog, but I'm tryin. Requires the dash duster, a weekly (or so) pretty thorough vacuming, ocassional spot cleaning with a mild cleaner, and I'm using a new "grease free" lower shine armorall. Whew, don't know how much longer I can keep it up. -signed, slobby in Va
  • coupe2001coupe2001 Member Posts: 100
    My wife and I test drove this last week, and we absolutely loved it. We love the exterior styling, but we were in awe once we got inside. Gobs of interior room, great control placement, booming stereo, very supportive seats, very good acceleration with the A/C blasting and a great view of the road. This car feels sooo solid yet handles road imperfections better than my taurus. The Edmunds review of the ZX3 is right on. If your even considering another car this size or slightly larger then you have gotta wake up and look at this. This car blows them all away. My wife is ordering a silver 2001 with all the power stuff which comes with 16" wheels. invoice 13,628!!! are you kidding me? gimme 2
  • whyfordwhyford Member Posts: 50
    Would i like a sunroof? Nah i plan on owning this buggy for awhile and if i wanted air...would go T-Top but the car the top comes with is VERY expensive for me anyhow (Black 300ZX Twin Turbo/stick) And i say a nice 1990 that would have cost me the same out the door in dollars but i know the maintenance costs would kill me if i went to a Nissan. Let me clarify that by saying an OLD Nissan!

    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.

    :)
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    praise be the zx3! congrats on your purchase.many
    happy miles and enjoy the ride.
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    I wouldn't rate the car as fast, but I wouldn't rate it as slow either. I rate it as zippy (or "fizzy" as one reviewer wrote).

    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?
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    ...whatever. You know what I mean =]
  • njzx3njzx3 Member Posts: 170
    man... i cant believe someone said that the Z looked like an ECHO!! thats just about the most depressing thing ive heard in a long time... thats like comparing a playmate to oprah... geez
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    i have noticed significant improvement in engine
    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.
  • njzx3njzx3 Member Posts: 170
    man... i decided to go and read through the zx3 vs. civic hatch forum tonight... got about half way through and had to quit... man, it's a warzone in there... too many people with thick heads... cant accept other peoples opinions or comments without putting up their shields... as long as it stays there and doesnt move into this forum i'll be a happy person... but it's actually rather funny to see some of these people acting all tough on a message board... "internet toughguys" as i like to call em. Oh well..

    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
  • superf22superf22 Member Posts: 54
    since I found something that annoying. I could not agree with one, not one of the comments by whyford. my a/c gets ice cold before I get to pull out of my parking spot, then I drive around on 2, anything higher would be too cold, and believe me I'm most comfortable in the cold--got to keep my office and house at 68F. as far as backing up, use your mirrors, that's one of the reasons they're there for. I personally find the car as easy to park my previous '90 accord, '97 civic, and my girlfriend's 98 neon, in addition I've driven since I was 8--different country--and have had the chance to drive all kinds of cars and trucks from reanults, peugeot, fords, and hondas to porshes and jaguars--big huge family! and I was also a valet parking technician for a few months a couple of years ago in miami, where I had the chance to park a couple of ferraris and once parked a lamborgini, but then I had to let my friend drive it back, otherwise I would've stolen it plus he promised me a 6-pack after work, oh that car was shweeeeet.

    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.
  • superf22superf22 Member Posts: 54
    best job I've ever had, my uncle hooked me up good. I've got all kinds of stories...maybe some day I'll write a book about it..."the things people carry in their cars, featuring 'bob and his 3 different sets of dentures' and 'barbara and her battery-operated toy.'"

    gotta go drive...
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    "Barbara" must have ordered the wiggly seat option :)

    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?
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    bob left them with barbara.
  • hkoenen2hkoenen2 Member Posts: 70
    Stumbled on the Ford Focus site in the UK and not only do they get a nicer car (5 door) but they get much better fuel economy. According to their site the 1.4 and 1.6 engines get in the mid to high 40 mpg on average and their diesel version get into the 50 mpg range. Sure these cars are a bit slower but even the 1.4 does 0-60 in about 10.5 sec. Thats still fast enough to keep up with traffic and more than I normally need.

    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.
  • drebe73drebe73 Member Posts: 243
    I have to make a comment about your accident sighting. With the way you describe it I believe that the passenger air bag did deploy. When it does it blows a giant "hole" in the windshield. At first glance it looks like the passengers head hit the windshield but it is really the airbag. Take it from me, I have had first hand experience, remember I got into an accident the second day I had the car. The Firemen that arrived at the scene of my accident were surprised that we both walked away with just some scratches. They asked if my passengers head hit the windshield when the saw the damage.
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    It's just a glass half-empty vs. glass half-full way of looking at things. Both are okay, and you'll notice that whyford likes the car.

    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. =]
  • superf22superf22 Member Posts: 54
    5 door hatch. I love that car, I've got it on a playstation game called granturismo. best game in the world without at doubt, at least in the racing class. the game has two different versions of the focus--of course I own both--the Ghia with 130hp, 2.0i zetec engine, sunroof, 5 doors, and those cool fog lamps in the rear fender. and then they have the normal version, 3 doors, 115hp<--don't know why, 1.8i zetec, but I drive the five door must of the time. I added racing slick tires, racing breaks and break controller, racing muffler, turbo kit stage 3, new suspension, computer chip, engine port and polish and balancing, a new 3-plate clutch, a racing flywheel, a new full-racing transmission, and weight reduction stage 3. I could also put different wheels on it, there are over 100 to choose from, but I like the way the stock wheels look. so now I'm running it at 380hp, and getting 12.52seconds on the 400meter trial.

    if ford brings that car to the states, I'll have no choice but to trade mine in. no choice.

    gotta go drive...
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    That game'll suck your whole life.
  • njzx3njzx3 Member Posts: 170
    is this in GT or GT2? i have played GT1 quite a bit, but never had a focus in it.
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    yes, the UK gets more choices and better fuel econ., but they also pay nearly twice as much as we do for the focus. they pay more for "petrol" too, so count your blessings!
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    It's in GT2. The original came out before the Focus.
  • miata23miata23 Member Posts: 26
    Just got the Sept. issue of Consumer Reports (CR) They reviewed a ZTS with an automatic. CR said it was the best small sedan they've tested and said it broke new ground for this class of vehicle.

    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.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    T-I-R-E-S. The Goodyear RS-A tires on the ZX3, and the Firestone tires fitted to the sedans are "bread and butter" all-season tires designed for low cost and long wear. The handling and braking performance of these tires is nothing to shout about, and shouting is what you'll do to be heard over their road roar. After mulling over all the options, I decided to stay with our factory 15x6 alloys (yes, they are 6 inches wide) because 1) they are light, 2) I like their looks, and 3) they are the correct offset for the car. I ditched the Goodyears for a set of VR speed rated Pirelli P6000 Summer tires, and the difference is astonishing. MUCH quieter than the stock tires, and their ride and handling qualities are superb. Turn in is much sharper than before, and staying with the 60 series profile means real world street hazards are still manageable. Most importantly, the overall weight of the wheel and tire combo is slightly lower than before, so the stock suspension can function as designed. Not all tires are created equal.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    that is a fair assesment of the stock tires.however
    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.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    zx3beast, go to tirerack.com and look at the owner surveys on Goodyear RS-A's vs. the P6000. This survey information is gathered from real people who bought and used the tires. While there is nothing wrong with all-season tires, they are by nature a compromise. If you are willing to trade some mileage for better performance (and a quieter ride), you can do better than the RS-A's.
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    wanted to say hello to everyone. 9000+ miles and loving our zx3!
  • scousescouse Member Posts: 14
    Dealer called this morning my fully loaded Z is scheduled for production this week and expected in Denver in three weeks.
    This has been the longest wait ever, home straight now..
This discussion has been closed.