Ford Focus ZX3

clayman1000

I am interested to know why you are have interest in the ZX3 in light of so many recalls and engine fires??

A good alternative I feel is the ZX5.

Not only are there no recalls, it is a great value.

Plus, it is much, much easier to get in and out of the back seat. Believe me, unless Ford has an easy in/out passenger seat in the '02, you will regret it.

Not sure if the engine fires affect the ZX5?

Here is a snippet from the Car and Driver review:

The complete ZX5 package includes six-spoke, 16-inch aluminum wheels; P205/50HR-16 tires; fog lamps; a six-disc, in-dash CD changer; a remote keyless entry system; power windows and door locks; air conditioning; a fat steering wheel that tilts and telescopes; Ford's SecuriLock passive anti-theft system; and electronic speed control—for the ordinary sum of $16,135 in Sangria Red with medium graphite low-back bucket seats.

Read more at:

http://www.caranddriver.com/

seminole_kev

I haven't racked up a ton of miles on it yet, but it's well built and a fun drive. Useful layout too.

shov6

Clayman1000, you seem to be putting the ZX3 and ZX5 in different categories... The only difference between the two is the number of doors and some minor interior bits. Any recalls of the ZX5 that are not related to the extra doors would mean that the ZX3 would have a recall as well. So... If the '02 ZX5 hasn't had any recalls, neither would the '02 ZX3.

I am still mystified by the assertion that the recalls make the car a BAD car. If you take the time to look at what the recalls actually ARE, you will see that they are uniformly minor and most of them are recalls of the '00 model.

As for engine fires... I have no idea what you are talking about.

I have had a 2-door ZX3 for a year and a half and have never once "regretted" any part of the purchase. My car was the subject of two recalls, neither one of which I have bothered to take care of yet, and neither one has caused me any trouble. In fact, this is the only car I have ever owned that has never been in the shop for anything other than oil for the first 18 months of its' life.

If you think the ZX5 is a great value, which it is, you have to agree that the ZX3 is a great value as well... Actually the 3-door is a BETTER value if you don't want or need all the stuff that is standard on the 5-door. You can get a stripper 3-door for thousands less than the entry-level 5-door... And despite your assertion that everyone needs the extra pair of doors, the truth of the matter is that we DON'T all need the extra doors... Or WANT them for that matter. I am quite happy with my ZX3.

-SHOV6

fdanna

I would not recommend a domestic vehicle, let alone a Focus, to my worst enemy. Don't get me wrong, I love the car to death, but it's more headaches than it's worth. Spare yourself the grief and buy a Civic.

Yes while you may find people who say "well I've had no problems with mine," they are in the minority. Recalls aside, Ford quality is on a steep decline and it's no coincidence they reported a HUGE loss for the quarter.

Pros: excellent handling, great performer, comfy, THE best small car on the market in the US.

Cons: abysmal quality, questionable longevity.

While recalls don't necessarily make a bad car, I think you'd be a little upset if you car experienced symptoms before a recall campaign was launched.

seminole_kev

not doubting that you've had problems, but how do you know that people who've had no problems are "in the minority"? Most people I know that have Focus's don't have problems, but I do not doubt that they are some problemed vehicles out there. Just dislike your statement that you somehow know the status of all the Focus's ever made. Best selling car in the world, so I'm sure percentage wise, you're going to have a few angry people on these boards.

fdanna

Ok you got me, I'm not qualified to make a statement like that. What I can state factually, however, is based up the data collected by consumer reports, that the number of problems experienced by owners is far higher than their import counterparts. Futhermore even if you were to take an unscientific look at a Honda message board and a Ford message board, you would definitely find a lot less disgruntled people.

Opinion: Ford worked hard to gain import converts and they did a good job at that. On that same note, I feel they're going to also lose those same customers with the same products.

hauschild

It's funny how all the import bandwagon jumpers never mention the fact that, for example, a nicely equipped Civic will run a guy about $18,000. I just purchased my ZX3 for $12,300, quite nicely equipped.

Hmmm....that's $4,700 difference. And, the damned fools will brag about how much higher the Civic's residual value is....duh?!?!?! I'd really like to meet the idot that would spend 5 grand more for a car that isn't all-around nearly as good as the ZX3. As a matter of fact, I don't think the Civic is any better than my other car, the ZX2. And, I paid less than 11 grand for that new! 75,000 miles and never been in the shop.

Some of you people have to wake up and begin guarding your wallets cause at this point in time, if you continue to be led to believe the Civic is a better value than the ZX3, I've got some land near Kabul you may be interested in acquiring.

Unless I'm missing something really important, it seems to me that it's all about getting the most for you money, isn't it?!?!?

muffin_man

I think the ZX3 is a MUCH better value than the Civic, if Ford can work out the bugs and improve the quality just a little bit, they'll have the best car at the best price, bar none.

silver_bullet

Hmmm... $18K - $12.3K = $5.7K according to my abacus, but you raise an interesting point ;-) I've owned a Civic hatchback as well as a ZX3. Accessing "value" is probably best done by following the approach of groups like Intellichoice, who take an average purchase price, add all the costs of ownership, then subtract the average retail resale value at the end to come up with a figure which gets divided by the number of miles driven. Voila, you get a cost per mile number that you can use to compare one car's cost to another's. What this approach doesn't quantify are factors like "fun to drive", which the ZX3 has in spades over a Civic IMO. Unfortunately, it also can't account for the inexplicable differences in ownership experiences - some folks have troublefree Fords while others have lemon flavored Hondas, or vice versa. My Civic wasn't perfect, but it didn't leave me stranded like my ZX3 did (dead fuel pump at 15K miles). FWIW, my next car won't be a Honda or a Ford.

fdanna

Yeah my Civic EX in 96 was $15,500 after the dealer discount, all options except auto transmission. My 2001 Focus cost me $15,500, BUT has advancetrac (not work the $$$) and side airbags and yes four/five years later I realize that.

Now lets look at repair/upkeep. My civic recommended oil change ever 7500 miles, the focus is every 5k. I've missed work ($270 a day in vacation time) and had to do battle with customer service fools. Value for my civic after 4 years 10,000. Value of my Focus after 4 years? We'll see... but it ain't gonna be good.

I'll go one better, how about a kia for $7k?? Man it's so much cheaper than the ZX3, it must be an amazing value right? WRONG!! They suck beyond all belief and break down even MORE than American cars!

By comparing ONLY the sticker cost of a car, you're doing exactly what Ford and GM do. They don't care that the part they saved 50 cents on is going to fail sooner. It's a calculated risk and as we can see by the number of recalls, the risk caught up with them.

Like I said, hands down, the ZX3 is superior to all other small cars in regards to performance but that's it. Who knows what will fail next. It's not just "a little bit" of improvement needed for quality, it's a HUGE amount of ground that needs to made up. But by that time, most people will already have been turned off.

hauschild

Now I'd really like to meet the idiot that would spend 10 grand for a four-year-old Civic!?!?! Sorry, I just ain't buying that one.

Also, I'm on my fifth new Ford, and have yet to bring any of them into the shop for warranty work. Hell I had 127,000 miles on my ranger, and it still had the original brakes on it when I traded it off. The only parts I put on it were two or three halogen bulbs, a rear brake bulb, and a new exhaust. ( I am using the Ranger as an example because it is the vehicle I put the most miles on. )

Furthermore, it is GM and Chrysler that lower the quality bar, not Ford. I can't believe that I just happened to get "lucky" with my four previous Fords. I ain't buying that one either.

But you guys have admitted what I had intended you admit: That the ZX3 is much more car than the Civic, and that no "reasonable" individual could possibly pay 5000 dollars more for less of a car, unless they were acting in an unreasonably loyal manner to Honda.

So, to reitterate my point: There ain't no way in Sam's hell that a 17,000 dollar Civic is going to have a lower cost of ownership than a 12,000 dollar ZX3. That's 5000 extra grand that a guy could invest and expect a reasonable 5% return. That's money in your pocket, boyz!

It's all about money in the bank, boyz!!!

bpi

So the person that bought the Honda for $15.5K new was an idiot because $15.5K was too much. Then the person to whom the first idiot sold the Honda four years later for $10K was also an idiot because $10K was also too much. Got it.

What's the difference between a $18K Civic that's "nicely equipped" and a $12.3K ZX3 that's "quite nicely eqipped"?

What evidence do you have to show that GM and Chrysler, and not Ford, lowered the quality bar? If you can show Ford has high quality with your five Fords, someone else can do the same with their bullet-proof GMs and Chryslers.

nwng

oh man, lots of them in my neck of woods, just look at the used car lots. Heck, i just sold my 90 civic hatchback for $1500 to a super, duper idiot, and I was laughing all the way to the bank! I am hoping in two years some other idiot will pay $6k for my 97 accord so I can get an Element!

clayman1000

Here is the info about the engine from a post above in this forum:#1993
But, to answer my own question upon further reading, it looks like it is just the '00 and '01 model years.

Ford Focus is subject of 4 investigations

Multiple inquiries unusual for NHTSA
April 2, 2002

BY ALEJANDRO BODIPO-MEMBA
DETROIT FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

Federal regulators have opened four separate defect investigations into the 2000 and 2001 Ford Focus that concern problems with engine compartment fires, faulty air bag deployment and rear-wheel bearing failures.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation said it received several complaints involving engine compartment fires on the driver side in the area of the battery.

The agency said its preliminary look into the 2000 Focus fires began March 2 after NHTSA heard from both individual Focus owners and the insurance industry.

A separate investigation examines the potential loss of vehicle control, after a reported 21 incidents of rear-wheel bearing failures in the 2000 Focus.

In two other investigations, NHTSA is looking at 2000 and 2001 Focus compact cars for air bags that deploy at low-speed crashes and bags that cause fires after inflating. The air bag investigations cover 575,000 of the 2000-2001 model year vehicles.

It is unusual for NHTSA to open four preliminary investigations into a vehicle simultaneously.

"We are aware of the investigations and are cooperating fully with NHTSA," said Ford spokesman Todd Nissen. "But because these are ongoing investigations, it is premature to speculate on the outcome."

The Focus, one of Ford's best-selling vehicles, has been recalled several times for a variety of problems. Last November, for example, Ford recalled 279,646 of its 2000 and 2001 Focus compact cars because of a similar rear-wheel problem that threatened to cause wobbling. That problem was due to corrosion from road salt used to melt snow and ice.

After opening preliminary investigations, NHTSA will begin a data exchange with automakers over the reported problems. Then depending on the findings by the agency, the investigation could lead to an engineering analysis or even a product recall.

hauschild

Looks like I opened a can of worms. I love it when a plan comes together!

My whole point is simple. Why spend more than you have to? The wise thing to do is wait until you're retired when you have the luxury of lots of your "own" money to blow on overpriced Japanese vehicles.

In the meantime, how's about putting that extra money you would normally lay down for a Civic into a respectable mutual fund and see where that's at in four years. Better in your bank account than on some middle manager's bonus check at Honda, huh? After about four or five Fords down the road, you're going to like the way that mutual fund appears, believe me!!!

I'll be damned if some of you people aren't doing all the work for Honda's marketing department for them. Here's a newsflash, people; it ain't the 80's anymore (although it would be nice, as the music kicked [non-permissible content removed]!).

Later, dudes!

nwng

Equipped similarly, what will the difference between a civic ex sedan and a focus zts sedan be? And what about resale value, can you post some numbers that I can compare?

bpi

Exact comparisons are impossible. For example, the Focus has a steering wheel that both tilts and telescopes. You can't get it with the Civic.

But the Civic EX has an invoice of $16,006 and Edmunds' TMV for my region is $16,235. I think that's pretty reasonable.

The Focus ZTS has an invoice of $15,023 and a TMV of $15,381. I think you can do better. Now do you add ABS and Moonroof to make them more "comparable"? If so, it's now $15,909 and $16,308 respectively. So the prices look comparable at this point. However, there's a $1,500 rebate on the Focus and if you're a "loyal" Ford customer (I think you need to currently own a 97 or newer Ford that you bought new), there's an additional $500 rebate. So right there you're looking at a price difference of $2K if you compare the EX with a ZTS.

shov6

Thanks for the info, but an investigation does not mean that Ford is "guilty." However "unusual" it may be to open four investigations simultaneously, it doesn't mean that any of them will result in a finding of faulty design and/or defective equipment.

As for the engine fire debate, I love how they say "several complaints" without being specific, since they WERE specific about alleged rear-wheel bearing failures. If we let ourselves believe that "several" means, say, five or six, then we are talking about one in every 100,000 cars (and that's only including the 2000-2001 cars, not the quarter-million additional cars of the 2002 model year that are likely to end up being built). Hardly sounds like a pandemic to the Focus line. Even 21 ALLEGED bearing failures hardly raises my pulse, since I have to question how many of these occurred after the wheel bearing recall and are actually people trying to jump on the bandwagon and get some money out of it.

Anyone who remembers the Audi "unintended acceleration" debacle of the middle-80's knows how quickly the complaints about a vehicle ramp up once an alleged problem becomes common knowledge... There aren't enough zeros in the world to calculate the percent increase in complaints against the Audi 5000's before and then after the scandalous (and false) accusations were made on "60 Minutes." In any event, even if each and every one of the 21 cases mentioned are true, that's only slightly more hair-raising than the five or six engine fires. 21 out of 575,000 cars? YOU do the math.

A friend of mine had his old Mitsubishi Colt burn to the ground after a sudden engine fire about ten years ago. I do not think all Mitusbishis are pieces of crap as a result of that... Because, you know, sometimes things JUST HAPPEN.

-SHOV6

nwng

a friend of mine was looking to buy a car in that price range and I went along to test drive with him. My impression is the focus has better handling than the civic, but the shifter/clutch action is not as good. I like the chair like seating in the focus. The back seat of the focus is very comfortable and roomy, it's a shame ford did not make rear headrest standard. I always wonder why only the civic has a flat rear floor, if honda can put it in their econo fwd car, other mfrg should be able to do it too. As far as the resale goes, I think the $1500 rebate took care of that, it's a matter of "pay now or pay later". Being said that, I am not sure if it were me i would spring for a focus zts if the rebates are not available. As for my friend, he is still looking. We'll go test drive the protege, sentra se-r(my pick) and the corolla(zzz..)this weekend.

shov6

I can now add another story to the list. A friend of mine I hadn't talked to in two months just bought a ZTS and has an ear-to-ear grin... Two thousand miles and he couldn't be happier. That's three people I know who have them (in addition to myself), and funny, none of them have burned, had wheels fall off, or indeed been in the shop.

More updates as they become available...

-SHOV6

clayman1000

You are making a good point about the number of problems verses the number sold.
As an owner who has had a cracked windshield, a blown trans and more problems due to falty repair of the trans, I.E. loose engine mounts and broken tie rod which were repaired under warranty, plus, the recalls, I am twice burnt and three times shy.
But, I really do love the car. I am seriously considering the ZX5 especially since I do not see any recalls yet. It seems to have a lot of bang for the buck. The rebates are hard to walk away from. Decisions, decisions.....

muffin_man

I wish there was some way to determine the exact number of people who have had problems with their cars. I would really be tempted to buy a Focus if I was more confident it would stay together. I just think forums like these will probably draw more complainers than happy owners.

And lest anyone think I am pointing a finger at complainers, I would be the loudest complainer of all if I wasn't happy with my car.

silver_bullet

... as far as Focus ownership is concerned, revolves around a good relationship with your dealer and service dept. This is also one car where I'd seriously consider purchasing the extended warranty agreement, if you can get the price of the contract discounted somewhat. We had most of the "usual" issues with our 2000 ZX3, but they were dealt with fairly by a competent service dept. In this age of "Globaloney" and cost cutting, one has to expect suppliers to cut corners somewhere. Ford just needs to add a few of those pennies back where they'd do some good.

nwng

that's what I don't want to do. I like the ride of zx3 and am considering a zx5. In the past 12 years I don't have to go to a dealership for any types of issues or services and that was between my wife and I for 2 toyotas and 2 hondas(except for timing belt change, I got discount coupons from the dealer). I just don't like to take time off work and arrange for a ride, it costs me money even if the repairs are covered. Did I say I really like the zx5? ranting done.

seminole_kev

I take it you don't get scheduled maintenance done at the dealer then, correct?

nwng

For most of the basic stuff I do it myself(oil change, spark plugs, coolant drain, brakes) I spent a few bucks on the factory service manual and that is extremely helpful. For not so frequent things(once every 60k or more) like a/c refrigerant, muffler, tranny fluid, I went to the local muffler or lube place. I did went to the dealer to have timing belt changes(cause they sent me coupons). Besides the oil change, I can pick a nice summer day and perform the maintenance. I can do the oil change in about 20 minutes, it will take me at least this long to wait in line at the local lube joint. And I know I am doing it right, such as put in a new drain bolt washer everytime and torque the drain bolt at the correct amount. But I do understand a lot of people do not want to go through the hassle of doing the maintenance themselves. Knock on wood, I really did not have any issues with those cars that I need to have the dealer serviced. For example, a few years back my tercel's door weather seal cracked after 130k miles, I ordered the part online, took me 10 minutes to take off the old one and 10 minutes to put in the new one. I'm sure if I take it to the dealer, they will have to hold it for at least a day to do it.
I'll stop....

fdanna

Everyone does this at one point or another... they say "well I don't have that problem, so something must be wrong with you or something you're doing."

The fact is, by saying that "my friend" doesn't have that problem is statitistically insignificant. Furthermore, by trivializing a safety warning you only harm yourself AND disrespect the people who have actually either a)been injured or b) reported the problem.

If there weren't a significant number of people complaining about a serious safety related feature then no warning would need to be posted. It's nice to defend your brand of choice, but to be completely apathetic about it is really just a personality flaw.

shov6

Exactly how does one trivialize a "safety warning" that isn't even a warning? An "investigation" doesn't constitute a "warning." As for statistics, I think I made my point already, that one in a hundred thousand (as a for instance) is the very definition of "statistically insignificant." Hell, even one in 10,000 would count as statistically insignificant. The numbers that are quoted sound compelling until you think about what the numbers really MEAN. And think of this... I still haven't read of any injuries or deaths associated with these investigations... Although I can assume that some minor injuries were blamed on the airbag deployment (which, ironically, can be peripherally blamed on the very organization that is doing the investigation... The fast-deploying airbags in most of today's cars ARE fast-deploying because NHTSA decreed that they need to be designed that way to protect UNBELTED passengers... But in a purely Darwinian sense, those people don't deserve to be protected if they won't take the simple step of clicking their belt). In any event, injuries incurred by passengers when they are hit by most airbags are nothing new, if in fact there are any such claims against the Focus. In fact, VW's Golf/Jetta was "investigated" by NHTSA some years ago after some spectacular injuries caused by their airbags received some publicity, such as a toddler literally having his/her head separated from their torso by an airbag (which, of course, begs the question "why was that toddler in the front seat in the first place!? Naturally the mother couldn't be to blame for anything, it must be big, bad Volkswagen). As I recall, the investigation found nothing irregular about the VW's airbags.

BTW, I think the greatest "personality flaw" in this issue is assuming something is true before it's been fully investigated... This has nothing to do with brand loyalty, it has to do with presumption of innocence before all the facts become available. I would defend any brand on this basis, not just Ford. I wonder, though, if YOU would be satisfied if all the investigations came back absolving Ford, or if you would be predisposed to think they are guilty anyway just because you read that the investigations were underway in the first place... You know, where there's smoke, there's fire, and all that.

-SHOV6

cobie

Hear, hear, shov6. Well said.

hauschild

5-Speeders:

What are ya'll averaging in the miles-per-gallon category? The first two tanks I've run thru on my new 3 produced 27 mpg, all city driving. I'll be making a 400 mile trip this coming Friday, in which I would expect no less than 30, but we'll have to see.

I never got anything less than 32 mpg on my old ZX2 (city driving, up to 40 on highway), so this is going to take a bit of getting used to. I realize the 3 is significantly bulkier and less aero-dynamic, but the engine is the same AND the 3 is geared higher than the ZX2.

Are the SVT's out yet???

shov6

I think that you'll find that the typical highway tank will not average over 32 or 33. A 400-mile trip? Better plan on stopping.

I have seen on SVT on the road, so I know they are "out there" by now. This was just last week, mind you...

-SHOV6

mariposarosada

Where is the tilt-wheel lever located on the focus? I'm looking at a picutre of one online and am trying to determine if it has a tilt wheel. Is it on the bottom of the column, the side? Thanks.

seminole_kev

It's a flat lever that's located on the underside of the column. You pull it down to "unlock" it so you can move it around. Push it back up to lock it into place. Hope that helps.

mariposarosada

Does anyone recall if they've seen interior decibel levels measured in the Focus? I'm most interested in those at 70mph. Usually Car and Driver measures these. I'm sure they had printed an article on the Focus, but I don't remember seeing it. Thanks.

hauschild

shov6,

You called the ball. I averaged 34 mpg going and 33 mpg coming back with cruise set at 79 mph. I guess I can live with those numbers.

zonaz

Hey kids --
I haven't been on the board for a while, so I hope this isn't an old topic that I couldn't find.

anyways, after closing my hatch lid today, and getting in to proceed on my merry way, the door light on the instrument panel lit up. "oh," thought I, "I must not have closed it all the way" so I hit the button on the dash and got out to close it again. It didn't work. I turned the car off and used the button on the key fob. No luck. I used the key in the lock on the door, no luck. No matter what I tried I could not convince the door to open. Now, I have no way of opening my hatch door. And the car still registers it as open, because the light turns on on the dash when you get in to drive it.

Anyone have any bright ideas about what's going on and what I can do about it?
I'd appreciate any advice I can get.
Thanks in advance.

-zonaz

revka

Sorry to hear about your hatch release problem. You may also want to check out our Focus ZX3 problems & solutions discussion. Use your copy/paste so you don't have to re-write your message. Good luck.

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

silver_bullet

Yup, my car did this too - it is pretty common, as many have reported the same thing at focaljet.com. Your hatch is probably caught on the first catch - it is still stuck, but the "door ajar" lamp illuminates. Try forcefully shutting the hatch (be careful not to dent or scratch anything), listening for a click as it locks. Verify that DA lamp is out. Get it? Good - now see if you can manually open it with the key. If so, an adjustment to the catch mounted at the bottom will usually fix it, but our dealer ordered an entirely new latch assembly. If it won't close, you need to head over to the dealer and let them work with it

cobie

Does anyone know if the new HID lighting system for the focus (they're on the Mach Audio Focus)
is available yet. If so, what modifications are necessary to install it on a regular focus?

mariposarosada

I'm interested in new wheels and tires for my ZX3. I know what tire I want--the Yokohama AVS dB. However, they only come in a few sizes. Does anyone know if I can get wheels that will work with any of these tire sizes and still fit the car? I don't know much about wheel/tire sizes, so any information could help. The tire sizes can be found at:

http://www.yokohamatire.com/window.cfm?tireModel=avsdb

silver_bullet

Do you have 15" or 16" wheels on your car? Stock size for the 15 is 195/60-15, and 205/60-15 should fit, but will be about 0.5" larger in diameter and will make your speedo read slower by 2%. Factory 16s come with 205/50-16 tires, so you'd want to stay close to that size, and not go too wide either. I'd call the Tire Rack and ask their advice.

seminole_kev

how ya been? Saw you posting over in the Pro 5 topic. Make sure not to mention TSB's around them ;-)

silver_bullet

One or two folks over in ProtegeLand are a bit sensitive about their cars, so I need to watch what I say. After owning 20+ cars (many of them British - horrors!), I've got pretty thick skin I think the P5 is a cool car and a great bargain - I just happened to decide I could live without it right now. If it had been available when I bought my 2000 ZX3 (now gone), I might have been swayed for the extra $3K-$4K it would have cost on top of what I paid for the Focus... or maybe not.

seminole_kev

I really do like the Pro 5 and it was a tough choice between it and the ZX5 for me. Anyway, are you still looking at the MINI? I really like them but, alas, no dealer within a 12 hour drive! One little import place here had two of them, but I have no idea how they take car of warranty work and things of that nature. If I was looking at 3 door hatches in that range, it would be tough to choose between the MINI, SVT Focus, and the GTi.

silver_bullet

... to me right now, but there isn't a dealer in my state. I've been told by the dealer I'm working with that BMW will pay to have the car transported to "the nearest dealer, even if it is hours away". That's nice (if true), but not very practical if it is your only car. I crossed off the GTI and the SVT (sorry, but I'm still bitter from my ZX3 experience), and the Si doesn't seem very exciting either. If the MINI doesn't pan out sometime next fall, I'm just going to keep driving what I have now (a '97 Nissan pickup, purchased originally as a "stop gap" - but the darn thing runs perfectly, hasn't a single rattle, and is paid for).

seminole_kev

Don't be sorry to me. To bad you didn't have a good experience with the ZX3 you had. I (unlike some here) am pretty much a realist and know that no cars perfect. The Focus sure had it's share of teething problems. Not to be a jerk, but the 2000 ZTS I have is running great. @30K miles.

Nothing wrong with keeping a vehicle that's payed off and runs fine! If I were you, I'd stick with the P/U until BMW gets their dealer situation in Texas squared away. Probably won't be long until there's a few MINI dealers in Texas. If I didn't love having the extra set of doors, I probably would have still bought one of those MINI's and worried about servicing and warranty later ;-)

silver_bullet

... and I think I'll follow it Glad you've had good luck with your ZTS. I've been on the ZX3 forum since the early days, and the only thing about ZX3 problems that seems predictable is that they are unpredictable! Some folks seem to get perfect cars, while others get nightmares. My ZX3 fell somewhere in the middle. I miss it sometimes, but I won't buy another one. Here's hoping BMW chases the bugs out of the MINI before I take the plunge!

seminole_kev

post on the other Focus site?

zonaz

I remember you from back in the day when you first got your car... but I've been away for almost a year now, so I don't know the story... my car's problems have been all my own rotten luck... sideswiped while I was at work, running over a construction spike in the middle of the city... until this stupid lock thing. Any idea how long it would take to fix? (I tried the closing it tack before I posted, and even crawled in the back to see if I could figure out why the pins weren't rolling back, but no luck.

silver_bullet

now belongs to a friend (who used to be my fiancee - and no, we didn't split up because of the car). She likes it, but it is still under warranty... I'll be curious to see if she changes her tune after February 2003. I don't keep up with focaljet.com these days, except for an occasional peek to see how SVT deliveries are going. Zonaz, sorry your hatch won't cooperate. I'd plan on leaving it at your dealer for at least one day, if not two (depending if they need parts that aren't on the shelf).