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Comments
I just ordered a new 2001 Focus ZX3 with Silver exterior, Manual, Power Group, Convenience Group, ABS, and Side Air Bag. Cost me $14556 ($100 over Invoice), should come to about $15,700 out the door. (incl. taxes, fees, etc)
The only pain was that I had to pay a $150 Advertisement fee included in the invoice and the dealer was not willing to budge on it. In any case the price was exactly what I had in mind and I didnt really have to fight for it. The dealer was very nice and courteous... bought it at Bredemann Ford of Glenview (IL).
The dealer said that it might take about 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. Anyone else waiting for a 2001 delivery? How long has it taken and what is your geographical location?? Thanks.
-Kedar
Lets just foget about it and stay on topic or maybe you might want take your discussion to email and spare the rest of us. Thanks
i let go of it many post ago. i was just trying to convey that i thought
you were being a good guy,thats all.sorry you didnt interpet it that way.
by the way, just filled the tank,again 28mph. third in a row. sitting at
7,600 . is it rainy where you are at?
Jimmy
Pat
Washed and waxed the car for the first time last Saturday. Suprising how much crud already found its way in to the paint in places (it had been standing on the dealer's lot for a week or two before I took delivery). The hood area paint doesn't feel all that smooth. I'll get some cleaner and see if that helps before the next waxing. After hearing how hard the stuff comes off plastic I taped off the trim before applying wax using masking tape. A bit of work, but it did make the whole process a lot easier (would have been virtually impossible not to get wax on the trim otherwise). Used Turtlewax 'Emerald' for the paint and Turtlewax 'Wet & Black' for the trim/tires. The end result looks pretty good on my silver Focus! Also sprayed the seats and carpet with 3M's ScotchGuard, hope it'll help to look like new a little longer.
-Rob-
I wonder if anybody experiencing this:
heater - off
recirc. button - off
a/c - off
when the engine is at the normal operating temperature I feel that the air coming out of the vents is warm. It should be fresh (of the same temperature as the outside air - not warmer)
I'm taking the car to the dealer tommorow and wonder if I should address this problem too.
its all good, im not mad at all. I do have a zx3 related question for you. Your Z is black as well, I was wondering if you have used the expensive wax that was posted on here a while back? I have yet to do a real waxing on my car, I am very afraid that I might screw up the finish. I only used the spray way at the car wash and also Ive used a cream rinse of wax from turtle wax. Id love to use that expensive wax made for black cars but dont have 100 bucks to spare.
vadp:
I too experience the warm air coming fom the vent when the ac and fan is off. Do you leave the temprature setting to the cold setting?
For waxing I'm using the Zaino stuff.
Check out the Zaino forum. The product is absolutely incredible. It takes some time to prepare a car for the very first application, but the results are very good and lasting.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?c=Maintenance&t=1319
Keeping along the lines of wax and such...the weather's been too humid but now that it's still sunny but cooling off nicely - it's TIME!
**I thought about using some sort of striping over the black molding to keep the waz off - someone just said masking tape - that's not harmful is it?
Oh, and any wax product reccomendations?
** Also, I've been meaning to post this for a bit. A long time ago this perosn here in the forum went on and on about this thing called "The Absorber" to dry off the car. I thought he worked for the company he was so gung ho about it. Anyway, I bought one and I tried it and it really does work. Although I don't use it to dry the car...I just let it air dry after using a self drying soap from Rain-X. Of course there are water spots, but the absorber gets rid of them in a simple swipe...no rubbing or buffing blah blah blah.
I know I sound like an informercial, but I am the ultimate in lazy and just letting the car air dry then making a few swipes here and there makes me happy
**And Finally....little dings are appearing in the paint...and I was sent some touch up paint...I can just go ahead and take care of them with this stuff, yes? Any harm to be done.
Per usual thanks for your help I know I sound like a paranoid freak at times - but you guys still rock
So what's up with this Zaino stuff? Yeah, I read some of those forum messages but those guys don't get over their ooohhhs and aaahhs to give any actually useful information. Not a mention of a price or Web URL with more info.
-Rob-
You'll find the prices on the order form
http://www.zainobros.com/
togneter, buddy, are you still around?
I would like to hear if your Foci leaks warm air too. You sounded like your car was really well put together.
Pat
I drove a yellow ZX3 and really liked it. But the problems everyone is having (ND saying about dumping it and everyone's brakes and stuff going crazy) makes me wanna stick to Mazda. Anyway, I did like the ZX3 a lot.
As far as the Protege 1.8 vs. Focus 2.0 Zetec, to me the Protege feels zippier anyway. It's just something with Mazda cars. They are right when they say Zoom Zoom. It's just a feeling I get that no other car besides the Protege gives me when I drive it. I know you all probably think I am nuts, but it's my opinion. I do like the Focus too, but the Protege feels zippier.
And I think the 2.0 engine in the 2001 Protege will be a version of the 626 4-cylinder engine. Also, it will be an option so it won't be mandatory to get it.
We ordered our ZX3 on August 14. The dealer told us 11-12 weeks (he didn't want us to get our hopes up, the other dealers had said 6-8). We got a build date of Sept. 12 but for some reason it changed to Sept. 18. We were told it should be here about 3 weeks from the build date (today). The wait is getting harder by the day, hour, minute . . . Oh, we're in Southwest Missouri.
I actually like the feel of fresh air, or cool air if the A/C is on, blowing on me as I drive. It tends to keep me more alert. I've yet to wear out a fan motor driving like this, and tend to get well over 100,000 miles on my cars.
I've had my Zinker for about 1 1/2 months now, and it's got nearly 4500 miles on it. I've been busy! So far the dealer has yet to see it. So along with all the problem reports, there is at least one happy Focus owner on this board.
why does my car blow warm air from the vents?
why does it smell like oil coming from the vents after an oil change? It is most unpleasant!
(I am particularly proud of that last comment).
I find it very interesting that problems suddenly appear. I wonder if it is because Fall has arrived and people are not using their air conditioners anymore and are discovering the vent air is too warm. I am certain it is a design flaw. An improper placement of the air intake. It could be a heater malfunction....that's why I put it on my list for the dealer.
This oil smell after a oil change is really bumming me out though. Every 4000 miles, I have to endure this pleasure? I don't think so!
Why Get a Focus Vocus? You can keep your Protege and once in a while you can drive your secretary's very funky white SE Sedan. I am giving you the hocus pocus vocus with a focus!
(Vocus, I am sorry about picking on you, but I can't resist)
Oh and Pat, how's that calculater holding up? Have you bought a new computor?
Good Night Everybody!
NorwayDoug (ND)
10,180 miles...trouble!
Over Labor Day weekend I couldn't get the ignition key to turn. We've all had our keys 'lock' if the steering wheel is turned when you last shut off the car. Well, that's what it felt like...but NO amount of jiggling and straightening of the wheel would free the ignition. The key itself went in and out of the lock smoothly, I tried both keys, and reversed them many times...no luck. With an automatic transmission, the steering wheel is locked, and drive wheels can't turn, and the car is nosed into the garage. How could it be towed? I called the dealership, who told me to call Ford Roadside Assistance. I called on Tuesday after Labor Day, but was on hold for 25 minutes, and had to get to work (I fortunately has a 19 year old Winter Beater Blazer as a back up vehicle). On Wednesday, I got through (only 20 minute hold time), and arranged for a tow truck. The tow truck driver had never seen this problem in any car, and he tried to jiggle the wheel too. Did you know that the Focus as a 'neutral safety switch' under the engine? He pressed it, and we pushed it into the driveway, and got it hooked up to the tow truck, and away we went.
When the dealer looked at it, they determined that the ignition tumbler had broken. No ignition tumblers in Minnesota. They were put on emergency order, and should be there in "1-2 days". Making a boring story shorter, the parts took longer than expected, and it was ready exactly a week after being towed in. The tumbler was covered under warranty (it had better be!), and the tow was free. A bizarre experience indeed..but I'm still a big Focus Fan, and am pleased with the car, which now runs perfectly.
Dave
Pat
2. water leaks
3. clutch pedal return spring
4. tractor-sounding noise
5. key-cylinder sticking
6. squeaky brakes-pre-mature rotor wear
7.water in front light lens
8. defective hatch catch
9. 2000 rpm stumble
10. poor gas mileage
12. warm air flow from vents w/temp control at coolest setting
14. clutch hydraulics
"Couldn't replicate the problem".
I was expecting that.
Gotta go right now to show those a**es where to look.
Just love the Ford service department!!!!!!!!!!!!
Takes time for the problems to shake out and a trend noted I guess.
Still love my Focus.
locked-up. didnt mean to let anybody off the list. i know there is more. i still love the z , but
its necessary to know whats going on.as long
as the steering wheel doesnt come off and
the brakes dont fail,ill be happy. i dont know if this was mentioned before, but look under the
passenger side dash. the air vent looks un-
finished. or it is finished what looks like re-
cycled paper. whats that all about?
1. Tractor like noise.
The service manager could hear the noise. He doesn't think that is abnormal.
What, other brands don't do the same? Don't compare apples to oranges. Yes, this is what he told me.
That's it. I'm done with that particular dealership.
I was trying to convience him to reconsider his decision - no luck. After reading the contour board full of complaints about the trannys popping out of the gear and service people telling, it's still normal, I'm not surprised.
2. Funny fuel gauge.
I was told that they are aware of the problem which is a design flaw.
No fix available other than replacing the sending unit. Doh!! And the new ones do the same!!!
How about that?
Was told to wait until FoMoCo figures it all out.
You must take your car to another dealer. Where did you test the noise? Inside the garage itself? I would recommend asking to have the car taken into the garage and run it. Do your tricks to initiate the sound....step on the clutch a few times or gently move the shifter to second without steping on the clutch slightly to initiate the sound.
I had my car at the dealer today. They readjusted the motor mounts. This did not help. I still have the rattle. They are now going to replace the clutch because that is where they feel is the source of the problem.
I am frustrated with my car, but at least they recognize it as a problem. So take it to another dealer. Your problem is real.
They are going to replace 3 parts. I can list the part numbers if you like later. Just ask.
Warm air: I was told this is normal. It isn't good, but I do believe them.
NorwayDoug
the same to the firestone recall customers.what
doesnt the tread come off the other brands?man,
that kind of crap annoys the hell out of me.did his name happen to be bozo?this is what gives ford
a bad rep. and they deserve it.i hope you pursue
with a district rep.im scheduling my appointment saturday for the tractor noise.i wouldnt mine the noise if it cut the grass.good luck!
itive progress.
5. key-cylinder sticking (I've seen maybe 3 reports of this)
7. water in front light lens (one report?)
8. defective hatch catch (perhaps 3 to 4?)
13. squeaky suspension (fewer then 6?)
I think some of these issues stick out more in our minds because the unhappy folks with the problems understandably tend to discuss them a lot, and the difficultity of getting some of these fixed is as much a topic of discussion as the actual problem.
Perhaps we can add "Frequent dealer incompetance" to the list however.
I still say we hear a lot about the bad stuff on these boards, because a good running car isn't much fun to talk about.
Here's a boring message --- "My car started fine this morning and I drove to work with no problems." --- yawn.
So take the most frequent of these problems, and make a guess of the true percentage of Foci that have experianced it.
In addition, some problems really may be only design quirks. Squeeky brakes, the hesitation, and warm air coming from the vents fall into this catagory. Lots of cars from other manufacturers have similar quirks, and I for one would probably not complain about them, unless the problem was severe.
Just trying to keep things in perspective here.
Our forum is turning sour and sad lately. We all knew that focus is a new design which may need couple of years to fix all the of probable design flaws. Hopefully the next Focus (2002-...)will be build and re-design (considering all design flaws and problems) and focus will shine like it should.
I'm seriously thinking about trade-in, not now but after two years when the car will be 3 years old and when Ford will release Focus with more powerful engine and hopefully with all little problems fixed.
The color is black and has everything except auto, moon roof (manual???), and traction control.
I'll let everyone know how it goes. Later...
I even know what you are talking about! Too bad he probably doesn't even want to know.
ND,
I think they are on the right track, just didn't go far enought with motor mounts.
computer, computer, computer, computer, computer, computer, computor - whoops, wheres the back space button!
You should see the new computer in truck at work. Hooked to cell phone system? somehow then to a satellite then to a center in Flordia and back to terminal. Awful long whip antenna for cell phone. About 7 foot long. And it needs a mouse. Awful without a mouse!
Pat
Pat
and the Moskvich is.....??
most problems,quirks,design flaws etc.
appear to be very minor and not wide-spread.
pretty decent for a first year model run. however,there are those with unresolved issues,potentially serious that still need to be
addressed.we will all benefit from sharing
our experiences,good,bad + otherwise.we all
know knowledge is power.my car as well
started-up (tractor noise+ all) and performed
admirably.again,that noise is no way normal.
neither is warped rotors,hot air coming from
fresh air vent,etc. etc.
_Mike_
The saga continues.
Really hope that ND will be able to fix the car.
Yes, I'm frustrated. Not with the car.
With the ignorant service people waisting my time.
The first year of production will always have disproportionally large number of issues.
I was aware of that. Unwillingness of the dealer to fix them that what surprised me.
I'm still enjoying the Z.
More than before. The engine is not as tight as before. The rings have sealed. And it easily revs up to its limits.
The way it behaves on the winding roads is just amazing.
As you remember I changed oil in the tranny to the Redline MTL. I've noticed that it shifts differently when it's cold, like the fluid is almost too thin.(it provides low viscosity and easy shifting in low temperatures).But after warming it up the tranny really smoothes out.
Planning to make a switch to synthetic motor oil at the 10K mark. Will use the Redline brand. 10W30 viscosity rating. $6.29 qt.
BTW the oil producer warns not to use it during the break-in period (before it reaches the 3K miles mark)
The clutch engagement is exceptionally smooth.
The pedal travel? You mean the engagement point?
There is very little travel before the clutch grabs, at least on my car.
First gear too high or too low?
In my opinion the gears are nicely spaced.
It allows very comfortable and quite highway cruising.
But if you're of a more performance oriented type you'll like the Protege gearing better.