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Comments
In July I traded my '00 Explorer for a new '02 Focus ZX5. My reasoning was almost identical to yours (more practical, cheaper to operate, etc.)
The insurance, however, is substantially higher than what it was on my Explorer. The Explorer was about $850/year ($425 every 6 months). The Focus is running me about $1,100/year ($550 every 6 months). I have spoken with other SUV owners who are seeing the same thing. My parents own a '00 Mercury Mountaineer and a '00 Dodge Stratus. The Stratus is much more expensive to insure than the Mountaineer.
So, you get lower operating costs with the Focus except when it comes to the insurance. The Focus is worth it, though. Much more comfortable, easier to maneuver, more fuel efficient, and ultimately much more fun to drive (it handles like a go-cart!). My fuel costs have been cut in half ($120/month with the Explorer down to $60/month with the Focus).
My '02 Focus has been trouble-free so far.
Later!
See ya!
Today, I made my deal for a 2000 Focus ZTS, with 22K miles as an off-lease purchase.It drives nice, but WHAT did I get into? How and where do I find out IF all the important stuff got fixed? Can the VIN be used to get repair/maintenance records without knowing the previous owner? Should I just roll into FORD and let'm give it a once over? Tell me this car is not a lemon of all lemons?Are there serious TSBs/Recalls not to be missed? Thanks alot.
Ron
As fdthird said the dealer's computer will have all the info.
Try this website:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/incentives/index.asp?
It's Ford's own website and it shows all rebates/incentives for where you live. I think that Edmunds has a list as well if you go to their "New" tab and click on Ford.
I spent much of the summer of 1999 working in Europe and fell in love with the focus. Even got to take pictures with the ralley car in Ireland. I was so excited to arrive home to find out the focus was coming to the US. I went to the dealer immediately to order my Focus. I was lucky to get my focus with every option I wanted except power windows, for some strange reason the early ZX3’s didn’t have that option. I do all highway driving, about 120 miles to work everyday . I must say that the car drives wonderfully and is economical and very stylish.
Then the problems started. I was subject to the brakes wearing out way to early as outlined in www.fordfocusbrakeproblems.com . I just ate the cost and replaced it with aftermarket parts and have not had a problem since. I wish this was the only problem I had.
In August of this year my ZX3 was up to 50,000 miles, I replaced the 10 AMP fuse that controls my rear brake light. Later that evening I smelled smoke coming from under the dash.and pulled over. I shut off my car and removed the keys. To my amazement the car continued to run. I had to stall the car to get it to turn off. I then restarted the car to make sure it would still run and it started right up. Again to my amazement the car would not shut off. I then removed the fuse and the car shut off right away. I replaced the fuse and the lights all came on again. Then removed the fuse again for good. I continued to smell smoke occasionally. Another side effect from this is that my hatchback pops open every time I shut off the car. I then called my dealer, Ford Customer Service and the National Highway Safety Administration.
I met my service manager to review the problems with my car. He stated that he would look at my car, but informed my that an extensive review would require removal of the complete interior including the dash. He estimated the dismantling would cost close to 3000 in labor alone. I told my service rep that I was not willing to pay due to the fact that I believe that this was a quality defect and asked for a free estimate only. I expressed my disappointment to him and informed him I would never purchase a Ford again. I also said that I didn’t know what to do now , fully knowing that electrical problems can be a nightmare. My service rep said the best thing I could do would be to trade it in. I reiterated that I would never purchase a Ford Motor Co vehicle again. He said he didn’t blame me and that the dealership sold every type of car. I asked him what he would give me for the car and he said nothing. My service rep recommended that I open up a claim with my insurance co. After analyzing the car they informed me that they would not pay due to the fact that it was faulty equipment from the factory. I returned later that evening to the dealership to pick up my car. Much to my surprise my car was all apart. My Service Rep informed me that they had found burnt wires in 2 locations, under the dash and in the deck lid wire harness. He informed me he would see what he could do and provided me with a rental car.
I returned the following day to pick up my car and was told that he could not due anything until Ford authorized the repair. The service rep informed me that parts would cost 908.50, labor would be in the neighborhood of 3000 and costs could be higher if they found anything else. He then tried charging me 10.33 for some wires he had replaced in the deck lid. I refused to pay and he finally removed the charge. I found it odd that the estimate was hand written and was informed that is how they do their estimates. He claimed he called the regional rep and should have an answer in a week. Of course I never heard back and then was informed they could do nothing I drove the car home and found the trim above the license plate in my back seat. I called the dealership and was informed that the part broke off during inspection of the vehicle and they would get me one soon. I wish I was just informed that this happened instead of discovering it for myself. On the ride home the vehicle continues to smoke occasionally and now the hatch pops open anytime I apply the brake or use the turn signal. I tied down the hatch as best I could and am forced to still drive this piece of crap.
I was forced to pursue legal actions and filed a 93A, Consumer Protection Act, and Ford denied it. I am now awaiting a court date in the MA Superior court system. Hopefully things will work out. I still love the way the focus looks and drives I just now hate Ford. I will also never purchase a vehicle in the first model year of production.
The poster's asked the following question:
How and where do I find out IF all the important stuff got fixed?
Answer: there is no way to know but through the dealer's computer.
Once you've established the car's history, you can move on and bring all the info and make sure that the dealer performs all the remaining fixes.
I wondered if anybody knew why there it is so hard to find Focus Wagons with ABS on dealer lots, at least here in MA (and if there is anywhere that you really need ABS, it is here!) I have searched high and low and found very few. Many dealers here still have a bunch of left over '02s that are great buys, but not one of them has ABS--virtually everything else but (moonroofs, side air bags, the whole bit). Just for curiosity I started looking for '03's and it is the same thing. Why is Ford so adverse to putting anti-lock brakes on the Focus Wagon?
I did a quick inventory check online of a few Ford dealerships here in Southeast PA and came up with 6 Focus Wagons with ABS. 2 SE's and 4 ZTW's. These 6 wagons were out of about 15 wagons available at 3 local dealers. The total Focus count for these three dealers was approximately 119. So 13% of the Foci sampled were wagons, and of those wagons 40% have ABS. Not the greatest wagon/ABS availability here either based on the sample. It could be that Ford is concentrating on building the higher volume sellers (sedan, ZX3) with more options than the lower volume wagon models. It is an interesting supply quirk, though. Have you asked the dealer to try and locate one for you? That may be the easiest way to find one in your region...
Its nice to see that some dealers have ordered them though, I guess I'll just wait for now...
I know I would want every single safety feature available to save my butt in case something should happen...
Check out Ebay, occasionally you'll find one there under Ford Focus stereo or similar.
See ya!
http://www.parts.com/
http://www.fordpartsonline.com/
http://www.handa-accessories.com/
http://www.fairhondapartsforyou.com/
http://www.hparts.com/flindex.html
thank you
In order to use them you have to know the factory part number.
Also, I read that Ford has changed some wiring on the '03 6 disk head units. So they won't work correctly on the '02 cars. Be carefull about that.
Go to your dealer and obtain the correct part #.
Then enter it in the part # window of fordparts.com
BTW, I hear that people have a lot of problems with the 6-disk systems and there are revised models to fix them.
Here is some codes and descriptions from the car ordering guide for the Audio Options:
581 = the regular 6-disc in-dash 6006 head unit
585 = the regular 1-disc MP3 head unit
58V + 916 = audiophile 6-disc 9006 + sub & amp
585 + 916 = audiophile 1-disc MP3 + sub & amp
-Dyn
Here is something that might work for you for rock chips ---> http://www.magnetbra.com
Do a Google search for Clear Bra and X-Pel for more info.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/classifieds/automotive/4903462.htm
My son, who has had his 2002 Focus SE Sport sedan since March, 2001 is spending 4 months in LA doing a work/study thing for his spring semester of his junior year in college. Last Sunday, he and Dad set out towards the west coast from Long Island. I just got back last night and I am here to tell you that the car did 3255 miles like a champ! Several 800 miles day were part of the trip. Absolutely no problems with the car and during several 12 hour days on the road the car was very comfortable. Once you get out west the speed limits get up to 75 mph and the Focus had no problem handling that and beyond (80+ was a common speed out west - drive any slower and folks past you like you were standing still). I-40 covers both desert and some mountainous terrain and the car performed great no matter what the terrain. One problem I did find was a lack of grip in snow we ran into in Virginia the first day so I will be looking at snow tires for him before he heads back up to Ithaca, NY for his senior year in college next fall...any suggestions??
The car will be 2 years old the end of this coming March, now has 27,000 miles under her belt and she has had nothing but oil changes (including one at Terrible's Lube last Thursday in Las Vegas) and runs like a top!
We may hear about all the Focus problems, but Ford did build a hell of a lot of these cars and many are great transportation.
FDIII
I like the Focus, too bad Ford had to rush it and screw ups its perception to alot of people.
My Focus was a 2000 SE Sport with the Zetec and the 5-speed manual. It came with a better suspension compared to the LX, which is what 90% of the rentals are, so it was even more planted at high speeds.
fdthird, don't you just love those speed limits out west? Set the cruise at 85 and the state troopers don't even bat an eye. Feel dangerous and push it past 90 or even into triple digits and you won't even stand out!
FDIII
It's quite peppy with the 130/135 horsepower/torgue rating.
On the other hand the majority of the rental Foci do have the old 110 hp SOHC's under their hoods. That engine is slow and noisy.
In terms of fuel economy, mostly highway driving, Focus 30-32 mpg, Corolla 33-35 mpg. Again, I guess the Focus is a heavier.
Engine noise: about the same. At least the Focus has the Auto Volume Control on the radio
Handling/Ride/Fun-to-Drive: Focus by a wiiidddeee margin.
Reliability: Don’t ask, I’ll save that for another post.
I'm still really enjoying my focus too. 35000 miles. I don't know what gives it that quality (well, the way it handles is definely one reason). Like our Taurus, I take the corners a little too fast, tire squeal like crazy. Focus, nothing. Plus the body roll, passengers don't like it, but even though it does that, the car always feels solid.
Going back to the bra/bug deflector topic: There was mention about the plastic film the Audi people were putting on the hoods. I purchased similar stuff for the rear bumper of my 2002 ZX3 to prevent scratches. I tried to find out what products are out there to prevent scratches on the rear bumper and this product came up more than once. I haven't applied it yet, as soon as I got the stuff the temps dropped below the acceptible level for install, but it seems that it will be easy to install and virtually undetectible. Why would Ford put out a car that is designed to have easy access to the rear, but not protect the bumper (the wagon has one, but it has a different bumper)?
What are the hp and perf numbers for this powerplant?
148hp and 152ft/lb
Same engine as in Mazda6 from the Duratec HE family (designed by Mazda) which also includes 1.8 and 2.0L, only available in Europe.
Mileage should be similar to the 2.0L Zetec.
The PZEV 2.3L Focus also gets a bigger fuel tank -14.5gl
suit. I believe they settle when you do that. IT only cost me $900. Their customer center had the gall to imply that it was lack of regular maintenance that caused the gasket to fail!!!. They were very unresponsive and unsympathetic. I would have even settled for a rebate on a new car.
Nobody reveiewed a Focus with that engine yet.
To get an idea about the engine performance read the "First Drive" review of the Mazda6 here at Edmunds.
and with lots of torque available over a wide rpm band, the 2.3-liter engine was satisfying. Mazda has tuned this motor to deliver a flat torque curve and an appealing exhaust note. Ninety percent of the engine's maximum torque is available between 1,750 rpm and 6,000 rpm, making it quite tractable for daily commuting in rush-hour traffic...
..Most people who opt for a four-cylinder with a manual transmission will be happy, if not overjoyed, with the selection.
In the much lighter Focus you will be definately overjoyed.
Also, check out this site.
http://www.duratecperformance.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi