Ford Focus ZX3

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Comments

  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    Actually that's not the name of my local place, but same kind of joint. Anyway, yes, they did charge extra for the oil. The reason? 5W-20 is only in cans, not the big vat o' motor oil that they normally squirt into the cars. I wish I'd known that before I paid an extra buck a quart for it! Next time I'm doing what cobie did and going to the dealer, I think it's ten bucks less there. Go figure.

    -SHOV6
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    What makes you think the dealer isn't throwing in the oil he has in the vat?
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    One would think that with the number of Focii that roll through the dealership they'd have the proper oil on premises. I'm guessing that the upcharge at the jiffy-type places is that 5W-20 is an unusual grade and they don't have a vat of the stuff... They charge extra for ANY grade of oil that they get out of a can as opposed to the vat with the squirt gun. :)

    In any event, it does seem unlikely that putting in a more common grade for a lower charge would have any perceivable effect on the engine.
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    well, if the dealer is doing this and down the line something goes wrong w/ my car that's attributed to improper oil changes I can blame the dealer and Ford. I save all my car maintenance receipts including oil changes. This is no guarrantee but it will help.
    BTW, before having my car serviced at my dealership, i asked and was assured that the oil is 5/20 and is new and not mixed w/ something else. Added ammunition.
  • focus202focus202 Member Posts: 1
    I'm now an owner of a Ford Focus 2002 ZX3, Premium package - out the door tax, reg. etc. $12,922
    Manchester, Connecticut
    Anyway, I wanted to know what mechanical problems anyone has experienced with their ZX3.
    Consumer Reports has the ZX3 2000 listed at below average when it comes to reliability so I
    wanted to seek out other owners and find out what you've experienced.
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    and congrats on your new 2002 ZX3! You said: "I wanted to know what mechanical problems anyone has experienced with their ZX3."

    In the Helpful links on the left side of the page, you'll find a direct link to our ZX3 problems & solutions discussion. Also, you may want to check out Edmunds' Long Term Road Test of their 2000 ZX3. Btw, if you have a chance, please take a moment to say hello in our Ford Focus Owner's Club. We look forward to hearing about your ownership experience. Happy Motoring.

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
  • gandalf17gandalf17 Member Posts: 348
    First question: Didn't you do ANY research before actually purchasing this vehicle?

    Second Question: Out of all the comparable vehicles in this price range, why did you pick the Focus? I mean, after all, there are some exceptional vehicles out there and i ceratinly do not include the Focus in this category.

    Don't worry, you will know all too soon and too well what kind of mechanical problems the Focus has. My condolences.
  • gandalf17gandalf17 Member Posts: 348
    One last thing...if you think the car's mechanical problems end up being a pain. Just wait until you have the wonderful pleasure of dealing with the blue oval service department. Don't worry though, you will end up getting to know them really, really well.
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    Well no matter what gandalf says, you won't necessarily get to meet your Ford maintenance people. I've got 15 thousand miles now and haven't had to go into the shop... Of course I haven't had the wheel bearing recall done... But nothing has broken. So don't listen to the naysayers, if you have a great experience, then you have a great experience... As I have had.

    -SHOV6
  • gandalf17gandalf17 Member Posts: 348
    yes, congratulations indeed for buying a car that has had more recalls and TSB's than any other car in its class over the last 2 years.

    Have Focus owners actually convinced themselves that they have a well made vehicle? You know, the kind of mentality that says, "ah, well this and that may have defects, but i'm sure the rest of the car is put together perfect! I love my car and would recommend it to everyone...."

    Please, the focus is another example of Ford's long history of introducing problem plagued vehicles. There are a lot of redeeming features about the Focus, but quality, reliability, build integrity and Ford SERVICE are not some of them...
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    you bring quite the intelligent argument to the table don't you?

    Seriously, I have an early production (1999) Focus ZTS and it's been fine. I have my car serviced at the dealership so the recalls were nothing to have done. Although of course I'd like them to get everything right, right out of the box, but I'm practical and understand that a first year car is going to have its problems.

    Gandalf - could you please inform me of what car I should buy? I could really use the advice of a well informed, knowledgeable car enthusiast. Better yet, what is the vehicle that you drive now since I haven't been paying attention to notice?
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    I don't understand how the number of recalls (only one or two of which are for anything mechanical) means anything. I don't have to convince myself that I have a quality car, I know that I have a quality car if I don't have to get it fixed. And I haven't. Stick THAT in your exhaust pipe and smoke it, Gandalf.

    Why are your feeling so hurt, Gandalf? Is it that you're named after a gnome (or a hobbit, or whatever it is that Gandalf was)? A size issue, perhaps? Why are you coming in here and telling the happy owner of a new car that he/she has made a stupid choice? What's your problem?

    Take it somewhere else.

    -SHOV6
  • snaptabsnaptab Member Posts: 21
    Congratulations! You've made a great choice.
    I own a 2001 ZX3 with 10,000 miles and have had absolutely no problems. The car is a blast to drive, can carry all your stuff and is 5 star safey rated! Most of the minor recalls for the Focus were for the 2000 model year. Enjoy.
  • trevatreva Member Posts: 39
    Yes, congratulations on your new purchase. You now have in your possession one of the most interesting looking and fun-to-drive cars out there at the moment. I can't say that for any other makes of cars at present, imo.
    My 2000 zx3 with 18000 miles is doing wonderfully. The engine is smooth, the interior design is still fresh and the radio still impresses me with its quality. I'm still hard pressed to find any other make of car that for $14k gave me all the features I have on my zx3. Yes, I had the recalls done. My particular service department continues to be very professional and prompt. Perhaps it's a rarity who knows. Heck, if I'd say the recalls took a maximum of 2 days, taking all the travel to the dealership, the actual work, the waiting around, etc. That's 2 days in around 2 years of ownership. Let's get the big picture here.

    Anyway, my opinion of course. And yes, I've continued to be checking out what new cars are on the market; seeing if an 'upgrade' is worth it, but in price range upto around $16000, what do we have ? Here's the simple base price listing from Cars Direct.

    Sedans :
    Chevrolet Cavalier MSRP $13,910 - $16,580
    Chevrolet Prizm MSRP $14,330 - $16,395
    Daewoo Leganza MSRP $14,399 - $19,199
    Dodge Neon MSRP $12,315 - $16,265
    Ford Focus MSRP $12,470 - $17,820
    Honda Accord MSRP $15,500 - $25,300
    Honda Civic MSRP $12,810 - $17,010
    Hyundai Sonata MSRP $15,499 - $18,324
    Kia Optima MSRP $14,899 - $18,849
    Mazda Protege MSRP $13,005 - $15,630
    Mitsubishi Lancer MSRP $13,947 - $15,947
    Nissan Sentra MSRP $11,799 - $16,999
    Pontiac Sunfire MSRP $14,565 - $17,030
    Saturn S-Series MSRP $10,570 - $16,170
    Suzuki Esteem MSRP $13,299 - $16,599
    Toyota Corolla MSRP $13,370 - $14,720

    Hatchbacks:
    Ford Focus MSRP $12,470 - $17,820
    Hyundai Elantra MSRP $12,499 - $13,999
    Kia Spectra MSRP $10,995 - $13,595
    Toyota Matrix MSRP $14,670 - $18,790
    Volkswagen Golf MSRP $15,050 - $17,650
    Volkswagen New Beetle MSRP $15,900 - $23,400

    I'll leave it up to you folks to decide what matters in a choice of car, but my personal criteria still end up with the Focus. Perhaps the newly designed Toyota Corolla or Toyota Matrix may change things. The Honda Civic design bores the life out of me, and the others on my list such as the Mazda Protege5 or the VW are still priced too high, when the add-ons are included that match those on my Focus.

    So, enjoy your new car. May it continue to bring a smile to your face when you drive it, as mine continues to do.

    treva
  • cessna172cessna172 Member Posts: 2
    That sounds like a good deal to me, focus202. Even w/ the current Ford rebate, you must have talked 'em down to almost invoice. I've been considering a new ZX3 myself and been wondering what the real word is on how much to pay. I don't know whether I should believe TMV (insert copyright symbol) or not (is that heresy here?). And if you listen to Consumer Reports, they seem to think dealers will even let go of some of the holdback. On the other hand "discussions" with dealers in the area really don't lead me to believe I could hope for anything less than $300 or $400 over invoice, even including the advertising fee. How 'bout you people out there? Have you had similar negotiating experiences as focus202? And if you got close to invoice, did the dealer even things out with a balancing ($300 to $400) conveyance fee? What's the word?
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Its amazing that this guy can say the kinds of things he says here with no problems but if we called him what we all know he is, our message would be deleted.

    Oh well....gandalf17, we're all entitled to our opinions....even if we can't always express them!
  • ffitzffitz Member Posts: 13
    Hello everyone. I just purchased a leftover 2001 ZX3; Sangria Red; premium pkg; auto. I take delivery this Thursday. Purchased under the X-Plan. The ZX3 is like having an inexpensive sports car. I was impressed with the versatility and sportiness of design. The comfort (legroom) was also a major consideration, as I am 6'3'' with the legs of a 6'5''person! I have been in bigger cars with a lot less legroom. I did a lot of meticulous research in reading reviews and perusing this forum. I wanted something economical, but with a little "flavor".

    It drives great and is quick! I am a forty-something and this is a great looking and economical vehicle (not to say I'm in mid-life crisis or anything :-)

    Consider me a regular now, and I will keep you updated on my new addition! Thank you all for sharing your experiences (both +/-) as they helped in my decision.

    sorry about the long post...just a little geeked-up!
  • eram310eram310 Member Posts: 4
    A month ago I bought a second hand 2001 ZX-3 with 8000 miles, yellow with every option available including traction control. The car is fun to look at and a joy to drive. So far, issues like a rattling mud flap on the left rear tire and a stuck seat belt were taken care of by the dealer to my satisfaction. My only concern is that fuel economy is way below what Ford claims. Ford gives 28-36 mpg, based on 45% highway driving. I do 90% highway driving, and the best that I have gotten is 26 mpg, which is not even within the range Ford gives. I use the car mainly to commute to work, 16 miles each way, at an average of 70 Mph. The dealer checked the engine and told me everything is fine. He said that the only other cause could be the driver’s habits. This also is not an issue. None of my previous cars were off by so much of what is claimed by the manufacturer. Other than Ford giving inaccurate information, does anyone have any insight into this problem?
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    To ffitz- Contrats on your new ZX3! Thanks for sharing the details. We look forward to hearing more.... Happy motoring.

    To eram310- You may also want to copy/paste your question into our ZX3 problems discussion. Look for a direct link to this discussion in the Helpful Links on the left side of the page.

    Also, if either of you have chance, be sure to check out our Ford Focus Owner's Club. And while you're there, please take a moment to say hello in our Meet the Members discussion. Thanks for your participation.

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
  • redzx3redzx3 Member Posts: 16
    Hello everyone well i have a 2001 zx3 with all the toys on it . The mileage on my 2001 zx3 is 20,162 its a year old this week i have to say it's a fun car to drive and it looks nice but i will not buy one next time i buy a new car .I just got my car back from the shop after a week of being there . It seems that the power steering pump went out on it . Now can you tell me why that would happen on a car this new . This should not have happen on a new car .I also have had the auto trans, go out about 6 weeks ago .Now tell me that this is a good car .My next new car will be a toyota Echo the Echo drives great and after all its a toyota so it will last along time .
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    Sorry to hear about your troubles, but if you think that you are going to enjoy that Echo, you might want to think again... If you think it "drives great", then you probably aren't an aficionado of handling or vehicle dynamics. Since it is so unbelievably light (by several hundred pounds compared to the Focus), it is actually faster than the Focus in a straight line... But that is the beginning and the end of the performance advantage of the Echo. The mileage is better, though.

    I recommend you read reviews of this car before you buy, and not reviews by CR or some similar publication... Car and Driver's test of small cars absolutely slammed the Echo, and with good reason. If you like cars and think of them as something more than just transportation, you won't like the Echo. If, however, all you want is good mileage and a car that will last a million miles, by all means, get the Echo.

    I think that the Corolla might be a better idea if you want a Toyota.

    -SHOV6
  • mralanmralan Member Posts: 174
    The price of the ZX3 seems to fluctuating greatly on recent posts.

    Can anyone give me input on what they have paid for a ZX3 premium w/automatic tranny?
  • tgrcubtgrcub Member Posts: 22
    well, I've just made the rear wheel bearings recall appointment, and as an added test for my local dealership, I've asked them to look at the rear brakes for that lovely squeal issue... my 01 ZX3 gets some squealing around 75% of the time, with it being really unbearable only occasionally... the lady at the service desk seemed immediately purtubed when I asked to have it looked at ( bulletin number handy too! ), asking me if I was sure that it was the rear brakes that were squealing... thankfully, I bit my sarcastic tongue and chose to merely be polite for now... I'll just have to wait and see what they find on Wednesday...
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    The woman behind the counter knows more about your car than YOU do. How DARE you question her??

    -SHOV6
  • alf3alf3 Member Posts: 83
    Found this article on the AutoExpress website, dated 6 September 2001 (ok - so it's a little old !). Looks like the European market Focus changes will be great....hopefully they will be incorporated into the NA market Foci....

    The changes are subtle, but the world's favourite car has
    been given a facelift – and this is the first official picture.
    Ford has moved to propel its multi-million-selling Focus way
    beyond the reach of rivals such as the Vauxhall Astra and
    recently launched Peugeot 307 in the ultra-competitive
    family hatchback market.

    The facelift will also be applied to estate and saloon editions
    of the car, while hot Ford fans are in for a treat, too.

    As well as heralding the introduction of the 115bhp 1.8-litre
    TDCi diesel engine, the update will see two
    high-performance models join the range when it hits British
    showrooms early next year. The driver-oriented machines
    will include the eagerly awaited 220bhp RS edition and an
    exciting 170bhp ST170, the latter being the expected
    big-seller. These cars will be fitted with new low-ratio
    gearboxes, plus alloy wheels and low-profile tyres. New
    brakes and performance-driven suspension will also be
    standard. The RS is designed to appeal to the hot hatch
    purist, while the ST170 will be comparatively refined. Both
    promise to build on the current Focus's class-leading
    chassis and will also feature the raft of modifications being
    made across the range.

    With a host of new challengers vying for customers' money,
    the revisions are aimed at keeping Ford's critically
    acclaimed hatchback ahead of the pack. Cars such as the
    Peugeot and spacious Honda Civic convinced blue oval
    bosses the Focus needed to up its game.

    Most obvious of the changes is the new face, which
    includes revised headlamps equipped with xenon lights, as
    well as modified bumpers and grille. The bumpers now have
    plastic rubbing strips to better protect against scratches,
    while the indicators have been moved into the headlamp
    units. Foglights are also integrated into the lower grille.

    While no interior pictures have yet been released by Ford,
    the firm has based its alterations on the belief that
    customers want even more stowage space. Titled the
    Focus Interior Versatility Package, the series of changes
    includes a fold-flat front passenger seat which doubles as a
    worktop, thanks to the specially shaped, hard-wearing
    seatback. The rear seats have also been modified to offer a
    pioneering 40/20/40 split which maximises the space
    available, with the centre section of the rear seatback
    folding down to create a useful table. In the boot, a revised
    parcel shelf incorporates a new cargo net that can be
    broken into sections to keep loose items secured. Extra
    nets are also fixed to the sidewalls and floor of the boot,
    while hooks have been added to keep baggage in place.
    The carpet in the load area is also reversible, which means
    muddy footwear can be carried on a wipe-clean rubberised
    surface.

    On top of this, the Ford's standard specification is also set
    to be improved, with significant upgrades promised on Ghia,
    Ambiente and Trend models. The Focus Ghia will now be
    equipped with body-coloured door handles, bigger side
    skirts and a new leather steering wheel. Footwell lighting
    has also been added.

    Options include a new Blaupunkt navigation system, which
    provides verbal route directions and an icon-based display.
    An automatic climate control system has also been
    developed, and this will be available on all models.

    And now for the really good news – prices across the
    line-up are unlikely to change significantly, meaning buyers
    will still be able to get behind the wheel of an entry-level
    Focus for around £10,000. At the very top of the range the
    sporty RS will cost about £20,000, while the ST170 should
    carry a price tag of around £17,000. The drive for value for
    money will be backed up by Ford's comprehensive
    three-year/60,000-mile warranty.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    It is not likely we'll see many of these neat features on U.S. Focii. In Europe, the Focus is treated as a "real" car for adults and families, not as a cheap afterthought in a U.S. marketing strategy that emphasizes profitable, gas-guzzling trucks above all else. The Focus has all those features in Europe because it has to if it is going to remain competitive in that market... we get the "decontented" car. Ford just doesn't get it.
  • alf3alf3 Member Posts: 83
    good point !!
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    I agree. GM and Ford supply the european market w/ great vehicles and here in the USA and Canada we get junk (for the most part). Even in Mexico Ford and GM provide great small and mid size cars not found in the rest of N. America.(Vauxhill products, small Chevys, Ford Ka & Festiva, small Chevy and Ford pickup trucks -- even VW supplies Mexico w/ wagon versions of the Golf, and Pointer and sells Pointer and Polo hatches.)
    I don't know when these companies will smarten up. They say small cars don't sell well in N. America but maybe if they provided us w/ a quality car and with some choice small cars would sell better and make it worth their while.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    When U.S. carmakers say "small cars won't sell", what they really mean is "small cars equal small profits". Bloated, gadget-laden trucks and SUVs fatten the bottom line, so that's where the marketing effort gets expended. I think many people would gladly dump their bloatmobiles for a high quality, smartly equipped small car alternative, if one was available. Face it - most U.S. consumers are pretty gullible, and pretty much will do what marketers and their friends tell them to do. Who decided we should all be driving three ton trucks as daily vehicles? The same effort put into selling trucks could just as easily be focused on selling more sensible vehicles.
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    Point well taken, Silver bullet. I believe you are on the mark w/ this one.
    However, a nice Carbon Tax will take care of any aspirations Detroit has of selling bloated, big vehicles. Let's see..... any vehicle w/ a CITY mileage of less than 25mpg (as calculated by the EPA) will have a graduated, but substantial, carbon tax applied to it. Vehicles getting over 25mpg city won't have any additional taxes.
    Big oil and Detroit would be in an uproar but the consumer will benefit in the long run. The public will still clamor for a well made, well equipped vehicle only now they will want a smaller, more efficient package and Detroit will have an incentive to make the vehicle lighter and more fuel efficent and so it will handle better -- one hopes.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    I don't want to get overly political here, but as much as I'd like to see the tax you are proposing, it won't happen with Bush/Cheney in the White House. Anything that looks vaguely like anti-business or pro-tax legislation would be DOA, thanks to all the lobbyists and big business interests. Never mind that it would help the environment and cut our dependence on oil from the "evil doers". It is all very depressing to me :(
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    I agree wholeheartedly w/ you. s.b.
    With the oil interests in dubwa's pocket we will not have a productive nor effective long range energy policy coming from this administration.
    We americans are spoiled w/ cheap energy prices and as w/ most things americans only respond when they are hit in the wallet. Only high gasoline costs will bring down the size/increase the efficiency of vehicles in this country. I don't want to pay 2/3 bucks a gallon for gas but if it'll wean us off of near east oil I'm all for it.
  • fdannafdanna Member Posts: 263
    I was wondering if anyone else who lives in a cold climate has experienced some sort of iceing of the brakes. We had a couple of ice storms this year in the Boston area, or rather, it rained and the water froze. Anyway, I have the ZX3 with AdvancTrac, therefore I have 4 wheel disc brakes and after I pulled out of my driveway, I found I had to slam the pedal hard and BARELY got a response. It's a good thing I wasn't going fast. It seemed that after they warmed up things were ok. Is this a 4 wheel disc brake phenomenon?
  • fdannafdanna Member Posts: 263
    I've been following this board since I got my focus last year and I remember that it was a common (fairly) problem for people to experience a type of hesistation at around 1900/2000 rpm when cruising (not accelerating). Then there was another problem where the car would just plan jerk and vibrate at the same mileage. I experiences the latter of the two and they replaced the DMSP(?) sensor and it went away but every now and then I get the surge/hesitation thingy, usually when the car is cold at 1900 and 2000 rpm. I was wondering if a solid fix was ever found for this because if I bring it to the dealer and the problem is not BLATENT they won't see it.

    Thanks in advance.
  • stephenbeckstephenbeck Member Posts: 3
    i emailed my local ford dealer, using its own website and build a car/get a quote form and received three emails in response--none of them giving me a quote--only one even mentioned a focus. So I email them again, and this time get now response.
    I then visit the showroom, sit down with a sales rep who grabbed me as I came in the door, and I explain that I want a quote on a Focus ZX3 premium with ABS, side airbags, in either red or green. And I specify that I prefer to be contacted by email. The sales rep said he'd contact me by email. One week later, I get a thank you form letter that mispells my name, has lots of typos, doesn't even mention Focus, let alone what type, and closes with a call-if-I need-anthing.
    I'm in Manhattan, NY, and while I realize that dealers don't get rich from selling Foci, I thought I'd get some kind of response, especially since I plan to pay cash for the car.
    What do I do? Go back and beg at the dealer or move on to another dealer or car? And if I go back to the same dealer, does this indicate how they will treat me for service calls?
    Suggestions?
    Thanks.
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    I love my Focus and all, but if the dealer didn't want to sell me the car, I wouldn't force them. If they have better things to do than sell me the car I want, I would go to another dealer or buy a different car entirely.

    I dunno, it's up to you, but don't give that dealer the satisfaction of you chasing them down anymore.

    -SHOV6
  • fdannafdanna Member Posts: 263
    Why not try autobytel.com or some other online service? That's how I bought my Focus. I can't remember the exact site I went to, but basically you tell them exactly what you want and they allow dealers in a predetermined radius to give you price quotes. You can accept whichever one you want (it's a double blind bid, they don't see who you are and you don't know who they are until you choose). After you pick then you go to the dealers and there's no negotiation, it's all etched in stone already. I wish I could remember the site!! Anyway, I would definitely do it over again...my car ended up taking 3 months on order to arrive, and then the dealer tried start the negotiation process when it arrived, but I pointed out that this is all done and it's a binding contract. Done deal and I'm happy.
  • vinceburlappvinceburlapp Member Posts: 64
  • vinceburlappvinceburlapp Member Posts: 64
    I have info on a new Hatchback coming to the US!


    http://www.thehollywoodextra.com

    Go to the car page, to the Nissan March

  • tgrcubtgrcub Member Posts: 22
    FDanna...

    I had that same experience when my car was new back in May... every now and then, the brakes on my 2001 ZX3 ( no AdvT system, though ) really didn't seem to catch right away, and I had to really press hard on them to have what I view as a normal engagement... I've been very careful the past few days since having my rear brakes fixed for the squeek problem ( which, by the way, the dealership did no questions asked )...
  • ffitzffitz Member Posts: 13
    As per my post earlier in the week, I picked up my Sangria Red 2001 Focus(premium pkg) on Thursday afternoon. Delivery went smoothly, everything was in order! OFF I WENT! 35 mile drive home. I initially encountered snow. rounded the mountains, then it started raining. heading into Eagle River and on into Anchorage, the sun decided to shine on my Focus and me.....a good sign indeed! Drives great. I am in Anchorage, Alaska. I have put 151 miles on it already. Today I put the studded tires on (4) along with four 15" Focus alloy wheels. Did this because of the incline of my street, and my driveway. They get icy (still winter here, but warm enough to make driving treacherous at times). I will put the 16" wheels back on after the weather breaks.

    I am thus far very happy with my purchase. I sat in my garage for hours last night getting to know it (owners manual, checking features and just plain gazing at it!). IT LOOKS GOOOD! (the boy and his new toy)

    I noticed an earlier post about the tilt and slide feature for the passenger seat. Mine does not have this. It must have been a later upgrade. Making adjustments to the stereo and clock were easy.
  • camelardcamelard Member Posts: 171
    I am new here. Just picked up my 2002 Focus ZX3 a week and a half ago. Bit of an adjustment from my previous car (a 2000 Cougar, really long story), but I am really enjoying it. Mine is also Sangria Red w/dk charcoal interior, 5 speed, power and comfort group.
  • focusmikefocusmike Member Posts: 2
    and I was looking for some info about the gas mileage on the car. It is the 2002 focus lx premium. I had a 97 jeep wrangler that was a soft top. It had gotten bad gas mileage (but I did put on a four inch lift on it with 33" tires). I was wanting a zx3 really but I guess I am buying this lx. But I have already signed on the line but it has not been three days yet. I think that I have three days to return the car. But this lx sedan is better that the jeep :-( I guess. I still want a zx3. btw, the lx focus is just a very basic model. Not even a cd player, how basic. But there is a cd button on the stock radio. I should have stuck to my guns and held out for the zx3.
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    The latest issue of CR is out and boy do they slam the Focus.
    It is dead last in small cars predicted reliability. Where the Echo is +80% more reliable than 'average' the Focus is minus 80%. Yikes! Thats even worse than the Elantra for crying out loud.
    Read it and weep.
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    I don't generally listen to reliability issues different magazines put forth. It's been my experience owing both american and japanese vehicles that, properly taken care of, they have, in my experience, the same general reliablity. I once had a Toyota that was always in the shop yet I also had a 91 Tracer w/ 90K on it that NEVER had an unscheduled trip to the mechanic. So far my focus has been in the shop for its rear wheel bearings but that's it. It's the luck of the draw, I think.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    CR is fine for toothbrushes and washing machines, but I don't look to them for advice on cars -- even reliability data. I've owned 20 cars in my life, and have had bad examples of supposedly "good" cars and vice versa. Every manufacturer makes lemons :) Now, Ford SERVICE on the otherhand... :(
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    Mine still hasn't seen the shop for anything other than oil... Then again, I still haven't quite made it in for the wheel bearing recall. :)

    Another tale of a supposedly unreliable car from my past includes my family's long-since departed 1980 Chevrolet Citation. Aside from a couple of interesting blown fuses, the car needed three clutches and two exhaust systems in 110k miles, the last 35 thousand of which were essentially my first 35 thousand miles of driving. If the mindless overexuberance of my youth behind the wheel couldn't kill that car, I don't know what could... That thing just ran like a train. Not bad performance, either, with the 2.8L V6 and a stick. 112hp, as I recall, but it had decent torque. Hey, think back to what was available in the 80's, it's all relative.

    -SHOV6
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    I agree w/ shov6. I , too, had an '80 citation w/ the V6 and 4speed. The thing was a tank. It went EVERYWHERE (one time w/ all season tires I travelled throught the mountains in 17 inches of unplowed snow w/ no mishaps at all) with few problems. At 55K I had to replace some engine seals as they were leaking oil everywhere. Other than that, I never made any unscheduled mechanical repairs. I finally got rid of it because at 80K it was all rusty (it was a white car) and I really wanted something newer. Despite the citation's bad PR, it performed very well for me.
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    ...my little off-roading experience in a soybean field in North Carolina. Not an unscheduled one, either. A fraternity brother of mine had hundreds of acres of land near Benson and we had a beat-up-the-pledges retreat there. After a certain number of adult beverages I went tearing around in the back roads and the soybean fields themselves... That car went everywhere the 4WD pickups could go.

    Aside from an AWD Talon TSi my dad had in the early 90's, that Citation was the best "snow" car I have ever driven. If there was a way to get that thing stuck in a NY winter, I sure didn't find out how.

    Moral of the story, not every "unreliable car" is unreliable... My Focus being a perfect example.

    -SHOV6
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    I guess the point of mentioning the Consumers Reports issue is many folks use that to price out their used cars. If CR gives a thumbs down on the Focus it will come back to haunt you in the wallet.
    Plus, I have not had the greatest luck with this car. A crack in the windshield, a dead transmission and all the recalls leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
    Understand, I love the car but don't believe it is reliable. It IS fun to drive but I will never purchase another.
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