Ford Focus Owners-Meet the Members
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Karen and I'll be your host. Let me know what discussions you would like to have included in the Ford Focus ZX3 Owner's Club folder. Perhaps take a look at the already established Owner's Clubs for ideas? Anyone care to be a representative/Community Leader for the club? Let me know!
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Owner's Club Host
My name is Karen and I'll be your host. Let me know what discussions you would like to have included in the Ford Focus ZX3 Owner's Club folder. Perhaps take a look at the already established Owner's Clubs for ideas? Anyone care to be a representative/Community Leader for the club? Let me know!
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Owner's Club Host
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
carlady
Host
News & Views and Hatchbacks Message Boards
Nice to meet you Karen S.! Will check out the other clubs to get some ideas, even though I already have some. Car lady, I hope you keep checking up on us now that we have the club.
Pat
Been around since last March and bought my 5 speed on March 31st. Enjoy checking daily on the site and enjoy the feedback pro and con on the Focus. I still have had no problems after about 9,000 miles and have had the wheel bearing repaired but have not opted for the "A" pillar fix yet. Not sure if I want the hassle. I am going to have the master cylinder (clutch) done one of these days. Very happy with the car and about the only thing I can add that does not square with the majority is the gas mileage. I have always had between 33 (city) and 37 (highway). This has been my experience from the second tank to the present. I am certainly not complaining. Glad we have a club. Happy driving to you all and remember to enjoy life and not worry about the small stuff.
I'm Charlie and have had my autumn orange ZX3 since February 20th, built in December... now it's got 13,500 miles. It's my 11th and most fun vehicle I've owned to date.
My brother and his daughter also own ZX3's, one a a rainforest green auto, and the other a 5 speed silver. So during the holidays, we had our own ZX3 get-to-gether at my Dad's house. See, Dad's a Chevy man from way back, so having 3 Fords parked in his yard...well...:)
Good luck with the club... it'll be great, and worth the wait!
For Z-Club "Forum Leaders" --- I nominate Silver Bullet, PCleveland2, ZX3Beast.
They're always here, good guys, and full of info. (Wot more could you ask, O' lovely ladys)???
My Z has 5000 "trouble-free" miles since Delivery in June. Been in Ford Dealer Service dept ONLY for Recall'S or oil change.
I bypassed having "A-Pillar" thingy done, after following posts written by above guys, and others.
MPG is around 26City/30+HiWay. Sweet, sweet car.
QUESTION:
Am I hurting the engine of my Z, by letting it warm up 15-20 min.(idle speed) on these bitter winter mornings --- while I wait in nice warm house, guzzling hot coffee?
FGaydos1 said doing it, "uses gas" -- but didn't say if it harmed engine.
Anyone else care to comment on this?
Thanx to FGaydos1 for Reply and thanks in advance to any one else who cares to weigh in.
(Ford Dealer wants $140 (Pts/Lbr) to install Factory engine-block heater).
zx3
group with a great sense of humor. the carlady has
done a superb job in allowing a lot of latitude in
our discussions this past year and keeping the pur-
pose of the forum in perspective.my" beast" was
built dec.99 and purchased jan.00. i sincerely appreciate all the advice,tips and responses posted
the previous year and look forward to reading everyones input in the new club.
Pat
I'm Holly, 24, from Southern California. I have a White 2000 Zx3. I got it in May and I have just over 5K miles on it.It has automatic trans, cruise, power windows, power doorlocks, power windows and and alarm with keyless remote.I also have all five windows tinted. I love my car, except for all of the recalls of course. I love the standard CD player, the leather wrapped steering wheel and especially sitting up high.
Now if I could only sell this car and buy something differently.
Now to the question of warming up the car. I can see 30 seconds or so to get the oil flowing seems reasonable... (OD I start the car and put my seat belt on and go). Letting it idle for 15-20 minutes seems way to long and wasting fuel. A long time ago the theory was that this would hurt the transmission and other related on moving parts, since they do not get a chance to warm up. In my cab driving days I always shut the car off when idling for long periods.. sure it got a bit cold in the car but my engines and transmissions lasted well past 150K.
Like everyone else who answered -- you don't approve of it, but don't say it "positively will" damage engine.
I've asked this question on-and-off for years, never got "Definitive Answer" pro or con.
It must be one of those grey areas where experts have not settled the question.
I'll not pursue the matter any further, and thank you, PC/2 and other guys who answered.
I'm sorry you had a bad car. Is there a lemon law in your state?
zx3
I have a 2000 A.Orange ZX3 that I purchased in the first week of March 2000. I love it much.
I am glad we have this club but I am not sure how it is different from the other list.
Would like to see a section on "repair and maintence" or maybe "help with problems." Perhaps those who modify their cars would like a separate section of "modifications." Don't know if there is enough interest in this board to have alot of different sections. Hope so.
You got my curiosity up. First post was Part II, msg 461, Jan 29, 2000. That's the first one I could find, but it reads like there was a post before it. Not that it matters any. Lots of people predate me.
Pat
But, it LOOKS so sporty, feels and DRIVES like a big car, and the SPEED is terrific (can pass BMW's on the 101 like they're a '78 Plymouth). I searched and waited about two years, for my perfect little car, and I FOUND IT!!!
I too have a slight complaint about gas mileage. In the city, I get only 20-25mph, and on the highway, it's about 30mph. Twice I've driven up to San Francisco...75,80 all the way, and got exactly 30mph. Oh well.
I'm probably older than most of ya'...let's just say 40-something and leave it at that...but I guess I'm still a kid at heart...or a little crazy??
This is a neat site too ! ! !
KarenS
Host
Owner's Club
Although, no one paid me very much mind back then. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Jimmy
Tues., Jan. 30th, 5-6pm PT/8-9pm ET
Ed Hellwig - Associate Editor, Edmunds.com.
Associate editor Ed Hellwig came to Edmunds with a diverse automotive background that included stints as a gas station grease monkey, automotive spy photographer, and ice rink Zamboni driver. Ed spent five years making sure he hated cold weather at the University of Colorado in Boulder where he somehow earned a degree in American history between beer runs and football games. Upon returning, he proclaimed "snow sucks" and forever pledged his allegiance to the Southern California sunshine. Prior to joining Edmunds, Ed toiled under the iron fist of Tom Lindamood at A&M Specialists, a press vehicle logistics company, as a road-tester and delivery driver. While tooling around in Bentleys and Porsches was less than grueling, Ed just couldn't shake the editorial urge and jumped at the chance to join the Edmunds team. He's now responsible for writing road tests, editing our "Future Telling" column, and assisting in performance testing.
KarenS
Host
Owner's Club
As for the warm up in the mornings, I let mine run until the tach drops to or below 1000 rpm, about 5 minutes. I was told by a friend of mine who is BIG TIME into tuning cars, that 5 minutes is OK...if you start to go to 10 or more, you could damage your catalytic converter due to carbon build up from the exhaust. I asked if it would hurt the motor and he said no, not really, it is more damaging to the cat.
Thats all for now. Looking forward to some exciting and informative posts here!!!
Well, I'm happy to see this forum up and running. Hi to all!!!
carlady
Host
News & Views and Hatchbacks Message Boards
Ken
Thanks!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I'm Matt, I bought a 2000 Kona edition Focus in Austin, Texas. I bought it before I knew it had reliability problems...I have only driven Nissans and Volvos in the past and am really, really scared that I bought a lemon.
Constant reassurances would be greatly appreciated
It's really funny that I dislike GM products so ardently... I work for GM in financial reimbursements.
Pat
I've gone through the 4 recalls on my 2000 ZX3 (built in 1999) and they were all taken care of. I've had enough cars to compare this one to and for me after 13000+ miles this is the best ride yet for the money.
So far I haven't had to leave my car in the shop and I sympathize with those that have. My brother's 2000 ZX3 is an example of what can go wrong with a car, but he still loves it. But as another example, his daughter's ZX3, which has been trouble free for close to 20,000 miles now. They bought their cars from the same dealer on the same day.
And I've seen the lists of recalls on other brand names, so the Focus has plenty of company. And recalls do indicate that there are fixes for those specific problems. Hopefully, now that we are by the first year, we'll see fewer recalls and some real improvements in parts quality and service. Like the service lady told me their techs are getting to be experts at fixing them. For us first year owners, I guess we've been the guinea pigs. So now we're into a new model year and time will tell. I wouldn't give up on yours, since there are alot of good ones out there, besides those with problems.
Charlie
Amy
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
-Gary
Tuesdays: 4-5pmPT/7-8pmET
-or-
Thursdays: 5-6pmPT/8-9pmET, 6-7pmPT/9-10ET, 7-8pmPT/10-11pmET
(The latter may be rather late for East Coasters, but is available if you want.)
Let me know if you are interested in a chat and the day/time convenient for you.
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Great little car - I can't wait to get to know it better!
I remember seeing something about polishing and the problem with it permanently sticking to the molding. Does anyone have a remedy for that problem? Haven't had a problem with polishing yet, but want to be proactive in case it does.
Haven't had any major problems with the car yet, but did get a recall for the rear seat hinge and called my dealer - they're going to call me when the part gets in. I did have a problem with a 1 inch scratch in the paint on my hood on delivery and Ford repainted it for me. Unfortunately for me, the clear coat is peeling off. I called about that too, and my dealer said he would take care of the recall and the paint at the same time.
I too, noticed the fuel gauge problem but my key was in my pocket when I filled it up.
Oh, I noticed that when the roads aren't plowed well or at all, the snow really piles up behind my front tires and causes my wheels to lock if I put on the brakes. I got into the habit of cleaning them before I drive off and avoiding patches of snow but it sometimes is unavoidable. It also doesn't matter how fast or slow I'm going - if there's a lot of snow accumulated, then I have a problem. Any others notice this problem? Any suggestions?
Pat
My budget prevents snow tires, so I'll have to make due with cleaning my wells every time I go somewhere or when I notice loss of control while driving.
One morning, though, I noticed so much snow behind the driver's front side that the tire had made grooves in the snow. :-( I started taking the thruway to work because they plow first and I don't have to crawl to work. They're pretty good at plowing (central new york), so I'm not too worried, but I hate losing control like that.
i wish now i had invested in snow tires. you are right, the stock
goodyear tires do not inspire confidence when braking. in fact, i have
found them to lock-up real quick,regardless of speed. they are fine in the rain and dry surfaces but snow is a whole different game. if i could
have predicted all the snowfalls here,i would have bought them. snow in
the philly area is for the most part a one day event. however, one may not get to drive another day without the proper tread surface. new
shoes are on order.
On the down side, I hit something with my left front tire, impacted on shoulder of tire and ruined it. Only have winters on front right on and for rest of season. Matched directionals. Will have to order a new one before next winter. Hakka Q's held up extremely well except for the lack of road hazard warranty which I am not happy about.
Pat
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KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
do you think that if I buy the focus mud flaps, it would cut down on the snow accumulation in the wheel wells? Or would it cause more of a problem as there will be less space between them and the tire??
We're still seeing snow up here in CNY and even though my focus snow-driving skills are getting better, I'd like a prevention or something that will allow me not to worry so much about driving in snow that's not been plowed.
Thanks'
Jessica
Mud flaps? Good or bad idea for less snow in the wheel wells???
Fantastic cars; traded as relatively new SUV in for the ZX3 because of the adv. trac snow handling. Ended up acquiring a car from the dealer (trade) rather than order. A mistake? I don't believe so, but the color isn't exactly what we wanted, but do you really notice when you're in the car?