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Here's the link
http://www.detnews.com/2001/autos/0110/12/c01-316926.htm
Then again, it took three years for Ford to try out the best flavor of the Focus, readily available in Europe, how long before they try out diesels?
Marc
If you buy a Focus in Europe you will get:
_ Body colored folding mirrors, not cheap black plastic ones that you have to duct tape back on when someone bumps into them (seen quite a few like that). All cars in Europe have folding mirrors to protect people from injury.
_Extra lights in the bumpers
_Stylish triangular marker lights set into the back of the front fenders that help as an extra safety feature when changing lanes on the highway
_Rear seat head rests. I think they started that here recently, but then stopped.
Oh... and there is a geally nice ice green popular on Focii there.
All in all Focii in Europe seemed more substantial than here.
It's a shame that our manufacturers will cut corners wherever they can because they aren't forced to do something.
The first Focus I saw today after leaving the house after my last email, had just cables hanging from where the mirror goes. I wonder how much it will cost her (the lady driving it) to replace the mirror?
Oh and BTW my friend in Switzerland has a diesel Focus wagon. I don't think they can import their diesels here anyway because European diesel is low sulpher content. Ours isn't and doesn't have to be till 2006. I really think our government gives extra long time periods for everything so that another leader can come in and change it before that time! I mean.... look at what happened with the 80 mpg cars that the big three were supposed to come out with. Clinton gave them such a long time that Bush just came in and forfeited the whole thing before the time was up.
John
P.S. I hope ford gets some ZX%'s built quick...my Neon's approaching 86,500 miles...."She can't take much mooorrrreee Captain!"
I dont know about the power chip. Some people at MyZX3.com said they had trouble getting service with the chip when they brought the car in. I might make more suspension/tire mods as time goes on. I am more into handling than speed. The car is fast enough for me. I drove a WRX, and I would be sure to plant it in a tree after a month because the pickup is so astounding above 3000. I like the idea of the focus, it loves to wind out, but you still won't be going fast. Like the 78 Rabbit diesel I drove years ago. 4 gears, 42 hp, and it felt like 70 at 45 mph. What fun!
Here in SE Penn, there is a lot of traffic. However, twisty 2 laners are a 15 minute drive away. I think if I lived in someplace less dense, a fast car would be in order, but for here, I don't want to be riding up everybody's bumper. (which I was doing in the WRX).
Now, the Elantra will have appeal to those who are "unemotional" about their hatch. As far as driving dynamics and styling, the Focus has it all over the Elantra though. I hear that Suzuki is coming out with a 5 door next year, and the Matrix/Vibe as well. It will be a tough market for the ZX5, unless hatches are as in as the marketers think they will be.
I love what you said about the Tempo! Ten years ago, when I had taken my driver's exam in a 5-door Escort, I would never have believed the first car I would buy would be a Euro style compact from Ford, that was fun to drive. No way could the company that sent us such awful vehicles as the Fairmont, Escort, and Tempo pull it together. Well, this is the way to build in younger customers. A "FORD", I am still scratching my head.
Marc
What colors does the cloth interior come in with exterior colors? Is all three interior for all exterior? I think it is just an error in the Ford website for the seats. It seams to be a work in progress.
Marc
John
No I do not have adobe acrobat reader. I only have access to internet at work. They are very very nice to us, but we cannot download any readers or realplayers, or open any e-mails with attachments. Great fear of virus for our little company.
So, I just was wondering if the Dark Charcoal is listing as avialable with the Malibu Blue. It is probably too late to change my order anyway.
The seat issue is this; the seats are different between the Sport (ZX3) and Lowback (sedan and wagon). I find the sport seats much better. My info from Ford as of May shows the ZX5 with Sport seats and Kangeroo pockets. It is the last piece of the puzzle.
Well the last piece is really, when are they going to arrive?
Marc
PS - How has your Neon held up? My friends have a 98 or 99, and they can't wait to get rid of it before the warranty runs out. They said its falling apart, it sure makes a lot of odd groaning sounds for a 3 year old car. All the Gen 1 Neons I see have paint problems as well.
Dark Charcoal isn't available at all for the ZX5 (you can finally do the 'build and price' option at fordvehicles.com).
I got some good news today - apparently my ZX5 shipped yesterday and should arrive in about 10 - 14 days! Yeay! And FINALLY!
I saw some 2002 ZX3s last night at the Ford dealer. (yes I have been lurking, but it is around the corner from the library.) It can't be long now.
They had a sedan in the French Blue, I just love this color. Not more than the Malibu, but it is definately my second for the Foci.
If you need a good deal on a ZX3, this dealer still has a handful of 2001 ZX3s. They have a flourescent green "Leftover" sign mournfully tacked on the window. Poor things.
Any day now
Any Way now
They shall be released.
Marc
Anyway...Marc, my neon is a 96 Sport Coupe (Plymouth) built in the USA....I've had a few mechanical problems, and the only paint trouble was door/window trim and the wiper arms....all replaced under warranty. The red paint has actually held up rather well to the Arizona sun. I do keep it garaged,and try to keep it clean and waxed though. I'm noticing a few squeaks/rattles starting to develope, the power window regulators have never really been worth a damn....but every time I get PO'd at it, I remember that I only paid $14,600 for it in 1996....and I guarantee you that nothing in that price range from that year can outrun my car. I've embarrased quite a few people on the street and on runs to Mt Lemmon...the car still accelerates strong, and handles really well....the only thing I really hate is the A/C...when you turn it on, it's like taking away 2 of the cylinders.....or like thowing the anchor overboard.....it's very annoying. I still get 30 mpg with mixed driving with the DOHC 150HP eng, have used mobile one exclusively.....I'm ready to get rid of it, but when you take into account the entire 5 years and 86000 miles I've put on it, it's been a good car, not the best built, but pretty good. If I only had 16 grand to pay for a car (ie, couldn't afford a maxed out zx5), then I would consider a new Neon R/T....the new models are supposed to be built way better than mine.
John
John
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
I think the Mazda 6 is a bit too much $$$ for me. Really, ther Pro 5 is the top of what I could afford at the moment, with the ZX5 just a tad more than I'd like, and the Elantra GT perfect. But I had to go with my heart.
You are right about the Ford website, its a mess! I guess they don't expect people to check it as often as we do. The build it/price it shows no Yellow for the Zx5, but the whole time the picture in the upper left corner is Yellow! What a tease!
Both Road and Track and Car and Driver have tests of the Neon R/T this month. They said it was a ball for the money, but the interior seems a bit cheap. They both seemed to like Protege MP3 more. I drove my friends Neon this weekend, so good to back on a stick after a month hiatus, I was in withdrawal. I am not comfortable in those seats though. It is a bit of a tight fit for my short but wide legs. The car is noisy, like my old Saturn, the power steering pump in particular sounded like a moaning slide guitar!
Meanwhile, it looks like the steering wheel in the 2002 Foci is redesigned, the Ford logo is larger, to remind us of what we are driving. No Zx5s in attendance at the dealer, but I did see that SE wagons and Sedans no longer sport a tach. Even with the stick. Cheap. I loved that grabber green, much more than Rainforest. I think it would be my second for the ZX5, since French blue is out.
Marc
Actually I have found test drving cars can be quite lucrative:
1999- $50 GC to CDNow from Oldsmobile Alero
2001 - $25 GC to Borders from Saturn (LS1)
2001- $50 GC to Amazon from VW (Jetta Wolfsburg)
My CD collection would like to thank the car companies!
I've recently driven a Honda Civic (even more underpowered but a lot more refined), Nissan Sentra (better power), and the Hyundai Elantra GT. The GT was by far the most fun to drive, but then again, it was the only one with a stick shift. Six footers beware the low moonroof on the GT. My usual ride is an '88 Volvo 740 turbo wagon, which compares favorably with the whole bunch. On the basis of my first impression, I'm no longer seriously considering a Focus.
The ZX5 is located in Fairfield, CT at Miller Ford off Exit 24 on I-95. I'll be interested to see what other people think of this model.
It must have been loaded to the hilt with auto, leather, and the traction control for 20K. Driving the car with the stick shift makes a huge difference. The stick is a joy to row, and it maximizes the engine power.
He must have been putting on a huge markup because he was the first in the country with the super rare ZX5.
Has anyone else seen one stateside?
Marc
The SVT is three doors only, a hopped up ZX3. It hasnt arrived. It has a turbo DOHC 16 valve engine with 170 hp. It comes with 6 speed only, traction control, and 17 inch wheels. It also has the Euro tuned suspension. This may be the car you need, a GTI chaser for $17000. My ZX5 on order is only 16700. I got the stick and no leather.
Marc
Good theory on the ZTW wagon. That wouldn't surprise me. Only other thing is if the Dealer was asking for way more than his own fair share.
If you need pickup, look elsewhere really. The Focus is very good, but other cars in its class are much better.. All the tests agree, handles great, not the fastest. A Neon R/T or Golf 1.8T would have more power.
I can't believe you saw a ZX5!! Murphys law eh, the first sighting was by someone casual about the car.
Marc
Marc
Some negatives...well, none that haven't already been noted in regards to the ZX3...not great low end grunt and very pronounced road noise at highway speeds (maybe not any worse than most small cars, but it is something that irritates me).
So why didn't I buy this car? Bottom line is I simply could not justify buying this car over the Hyundai Elantra GT. The sticker on the ZX5 was around 18,700 and the dealership offered to sell to me at "factory invoice" which they claimed was 17,700 (they added in an "advertising fee"). I tried to bargain further given that it was the last day on the month, but they wouldn't budge. Even with zero percent financing, and the fact that insurance on the Elantra is about 15% more than on the Focus, I just could not justify the Ford. By the way, the rumor that Ford is supplimenting the 36 mo bumper to bumper with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty is true.
The GT, when you include option package 11 (ABS, moonroof, traction control), beats the Focus in side-by-side features. I think the GT has edge in power and acceleration, as well as a much quieter highway ride. Focus definitely has the edge in looks (my personal opinion) city handling, and an overall feeling of solid body construction and finish. Overall, the only negative to the GT I could find is that the fit and finish is a little cheap in some places (for example, the trunk area carpeting, stereo, and overall seat quality, despite the leather), as well as a feeling that the GT may depreciate a bit faster than the Focus. However, this is realy nitpicking, especially since my Hyundai dealer located and is selling me the GT I want (Pewter 5 speed with Moonroof, ABS and Traction control) for dealer invoice (about 14,600).
Who knows, if I hate the GT after a year or so, maybe I'll sell it/trade it and try the Focus, but right now, my decision was pretty easy, even though I really wanted to buy a car from an American manufacturer for patriotic reasons.
By the way, if anyone in the New England area is looking for a 5 speed ZX5 (impossible to find around here..all the dealer orders seem to be for automatics), Autofair Ford in Manchester New Hampshire has the one I drove, and is expecting another one exactly like it.
Marc
John
John., I still think, if you like small cars that handle, there is no comparison. Even though the Elantra GT has the Euro tuned suspension, I could little tell the difference in tuning between that and the regular Sedan. (I drove 2, a GT auto, and a sedan stick) The Elantra felt like a "big" small car; Big drivers seat, slow steering, and a really smooth ride. The Focus seemd to feel larger inside than the outside suggested, but it is still not "large". Most importantly if you like handling, the Focus seemed to scream, 'lets find a nice twisty two lane and have some FUN!' I didn't get that with the Elantra. Elantra GT has hit a chord though, I see them every day now. I think it must be the standard leather.
Marc
The Elantra is great value for a car, but the Focus lit my fire that extra bit more, and I thought it was worth the extra $1500. I don't like leather either, and I really think Hyundai should offer it as an option, maybe even at no charge. The Hyundai dealer said that people as for it without to save even more money. Isn't the Elantra the cheapest car you can get with leather? Leather is a love it or leave it proposition, like a sunroof. I have to have a sunroof, but my friend who just bought a L300, couldnt stand the sunroof in her Saab.
Marc
I am glad to see a vehicle that is offered in Europe come to our shores. I think it will be a good seller.
Thanks
I saw a Black one with a grey interior. Oh Yeah, the grey cloth inserts have special black piping, which looks really nice, I haven't seen this on any other Foci. The ZX3 also got a new cloth pattern for 2002, as I have seen a 2001 next to a 2002.
Thanks, I am still waiting (it gets worse every day, thinking about rowing through the gears and cornering while I drive my temporary tank. ) Does anyone have thiers yet?
Marc
Marc, do you know when yours will arrive?
Are you related to the fake butter people?
1. The interior of the Liquid Grey ZX5 was whats called "medium graphite" which I guess is the same as what others have called "grey"
2. The shift knob was not silver but it was large. As I recall, it was white or cream colored, but I might be mistaken (I actually thought it was kind of ugly...nitpicking again!)
3. On the whole "Buy American" thing...its clear that that term is more fuzzy now than it used to be..I was aware that the Foci are assembled in Mexico..however, its pretty sure that Ford Motor Co and its continued health (or lack thereof) are really critical parts of the American economy, whereas Hyundai is less integral (obviously, there are many American employees of Hyundai USA who would say they are very much part of the US economy). Basically, I wanted to support Ford especially with the zero percent financing, but just felt the Elantra was too good a value to pass up.
4. I've had my GT for about 24 hours now and am enjoying it (what an improvement over my 99 Jeep Cherokee Sport!). I will say that its clear to me now that my initial impressions were right...The ZX5 really has superior handling. Someone said "the Focus seemed to scream, 'lets find a nice twisty two lane and have some FUN!" I agree wholeheartedly...the GT is fun but not quite like the ZX5.
5. Ultimately..the transferrable warranty and giant price difference ($3000 bucks for a similarly equipped vehicle) swayed me, and I convinced myself that depreciation on the vehicles was likely to be similar since Hyundai will improve in that area (neither one will be great at holding value).
I got a call from my Ford dealer when I got home last night, I could tell by his tone it wasn't the "message". Anyway, they have confirmation that the car is coming the first week in December, which is fine. Every other week is more $$$$ for the down payment!
I asked if he had any, he said they had a white one but it sold. He will call if it comes up again.
Meanwhile, today there was a customer in the store who had an infra-red ZX3. He said "Its great, no problems, you'll really dig it." I Have not found anyone who has said they have had major problems with the Focus. I think it was first year teething problems. Even Car and Driver who finished a long term on a wagon said it was "reliable and fun".
By chance, I ended up test driving a Sonata GLS last night. Very nice car, tons of pickup, a gorgeous interior. The nicest was the roomy and comfortable rear seat. I accidentally threw it into a decreasing radius hairpin, and it held well. I can't say the same for the salesman. The Hyundais are really nice these days. A world away from what they used to make. They had a red Elantra GT, I have to say I like the styling of the Focus more. These seem to be main competitors for each other. I am sure the Elantra is more fun to drive than a Cherokee sport! I would pick it over the Liberty for sure.
Focusmatt - How is your ZX3 holding up?
Holly, Is the moonroof a tilt and slide type? I guess it has a sunshade. I would like to know more about it because I havent seen a Focus with a moonroof.
Marc
John
My friend just got an Elantra, and while it's a good car and great bargain, to me it's just another compact. What separates the Focus from the competition are the choices. Whether it's the four body types, dozen exterior colors, or options like the moonroof, 6-CD player, traction control, side airbags, or just a bare-bones system, you can get exactly what you want in a car. Its competitors (Toyota Corolla, Saturn S-series) are BORING. Smaller engines and no extras. I'm considering buying the ZX3 or ZX5 against small midsize cars such as the Chevy Malibu and Mercury Cougar. My only hangup is the engine - I'm used to and in love with my Buick's 3.8 V6, so I don't know if I could do 4 cylinders.
As far as 4 vs 6, power is always nice, but so Is gas milage. All I would say is pick a well designed 4 cylinder. The one in my current car, DOHC 96 Neon, is really good as long as you don't turn on the A/C. And I couldn't imagine driving one with an automatic. On the flipside, I drove a focus automatic rental car and was really pleased with it's performance, even with the a/c on. I've also driven a 2000 Jetta with the base 115 HP engine, and again, not real speedy, but much better than I expected. So....just drive a few till you find what you like.
John