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Comments
VW does have an interesting under-20k mix of vehicles. But they can be a little more pricey than some of the other models discussed here.
And like some others here, I also don't like leather, making the Elantra GT less attractive to me.
This car is much roomier and more fun to drive than the VW Golf, and less expensive. That shows though, the interior plastic seemed a bit cheap, but hard wearing. It is not as luxurious inside as the Elantra. I think the Elantra is the luxury choice, with big wide leather seats, and more rear seat space.
However, nothing in this class drives like the Foucs. Of this I am certain. It feels like a sports car until you step outside and realize you have a real back seat and a ton of cargo room. I got it up 60 on a flat stretch of road, and the pickup was great. I wound it out to about 5000 in each gear to get there, and what a thrill! The engine has a deep throaty grunt that encourages revving. It has more pickup than the 3.8 liter Bonneville I currently drive.
The sport seats are very comfortable. They hold you in tight, so those of stout body may find them a bit close, but I like the grippiness. My girlfriend said the passenger seat felt like it was sinking forward a bit, but she didn't adjust it all. She found it comfortable. We loved the stereo, we put in our favorite blues CD, cranked it up (as the brochure invites) and it sounds much better than any car in the class. You can switch from the radio to CD without losing your place on the disc. Also, It remembes where you left off when you shut the car off.
It has Goodyear Firehawk GTA tires. The sunroof is tilt and slide, and the shift knob is the same black one you get in other Foci except the ZX3. I am going to have to get a ZX3 shift knob, any trades?
Basically, I am so happy I ordered one of these, and any doubts I may have had that I would have liked another car (Pro 5 or Elantra) have just been obliterated. There is nothing, nothing in the class that is this much fun.
Marc
I've had to replace all of my tires and my car has 21,000 miles on it.
One of the treads separated on one, a stress bubble on the other, and a little pothole causes the whole car to misalign. (It's the tire's fault, usually)...
Marc
John
The sunroof has one rocker switch, which you hold down until it slides back, or hold up to tilt it. It is a reasonable function, like my parents old Maxima, but I remember the one in the VW and was better. However, the roof slides very quickly. The switch is located in a rather odd looking five inch plastic panel, that isn't there without the suroof. Looks like a good spot to put some stickers, or have your kids paint something!
The rear seats function very nicely, they are comfy and you sit tall, and there is no headreast, so you just unclick the lower seat and the top part fits right in. It is the smoothest fold down seats I've yet encountered.
The brochure I got lists egg yolk yellow for ZX3 and ZX5 with Black and Grey interior only. It comes with black touches, inlcuding a black leather steering wheel, which is bound to pick up less soil as time goes on than a beige or grey.
The brochure says you can get black and grey for all colors on the ZX5 and the parchment with some.
You know, I drove a ZX3 first over the summer, they feel the same. Call around to some dealers and see if they have a ZX3 stick, and maybe a ZX5 auto. This way you can drive right drivetrain, but still see the backseat.
Marc
John
I don't think this is right. My suspicion is that the ZX3 is Black and Grey only, and ZX5 grey and beige only. I think the yellow will be available with the ZX5, I don't know with what interior color. Call Ford again, My aunt would say hound the hell out of them. Some people may be more helpful than others, or if you keep calling the staff will pas it along to thier supervisors that they need to get the story straight. Maybe I'll call too.
Keep pushin till its understood...
Marc
would you say it drives more like a sports car than a four door hatch? It doesn't feel like an economy car does it now?
Marc
Revka
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Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
Be aware, the color you choose is visible at times inside the car. They paint in places I never thought they would, so when I lifted up the back seats there was a splotch of bright blue, and also when you open the doors the sills and inside of the fenders are painted. It looks really well done, just make sure you want to "see" your chosen color.
I asked about yellow availability, and the dealer had no more info. She said to check out the website, and I explained the problem, and then she pulled out the same cheat sheets I have. Thye were printed in May, and list interior as grey and beige only, and no yellow for the exterior.
Marc
Marc
I haven't revved it beyond 4000, (OK once I got it out to 4500) and I can tell the car is itching for more. I throw it into turns whenever possible, and it loves it. We had a lot of rain, especially yesterday, which is good for the area, but not driving! I love the stereo, and the seat, I could drive it for miles without fatigue. This is by far the best car I have ever owned, but its not a long list.
Marc
are there any?
damn those beancounters!
I have a set of rear headrests from a 1991 Civic RT4WD if you need them.
Marc
Marc
The ZX5 also has different, nicer cloth on the seats. The graphite fabric has sporty black piping woven in. Also the car comes with a nifty embossed Cd holder.
There is your thousand dollars!
Really, after owning one for two weeks, its well worth it. I think it looks much better in the 4 door, and it is a very comfortable car to take 2 couples out in, rather than having to stuff them through the front door.
Marc
John
I am so happy to have a 10 best winner, I would put a sticker on it for sure! When I was younger, I always encouraged my parents to buy 10 best winners, (88 Integra, 91 Maxima, 94 MX-6) so now I have one of my own.
This is the best car I have ever owned, maybe best I have driven, jury still out on that. This is not an economy car, its in disguise, its really a sports car. It begs, literally begs, to be thrown into corners. The steering is the sharpest I've ever encountered. There is no slop, the most minute movement of your hands results in a change in direction, you always know exactly where the wheels are. It eats away miles on the highway without any fatigue.
The ride is a little sharper than I expected. Than again, the Saturn was definately comfort over handling. If you like small sporty cars, this is it! Not to mention the radio, the great seats, the cargo room. There are many, many nice touches to this car. The light inside goes on as soon as you unlock the doors, or take the key out of the ignition. The radio can be played for an hour without any key in the ignition...
For more insight, go to www.myzx5.com, this is where I have encountered many other Focus owners, all kinds, and thier absolute praise for this car. By the way, no problems as of yet.
Marc
PS - A Galant???? thats not a small light sporty car...
John
One thing I like about this than the WRX is that it isn't always tearing at the car in front of it. The Focus is happy to play when you are, but shift below 4000, and takes turns easily, and it moves without complaint. It responds however you like, while I remember the WRX to be always trying to get away from you.
Either way, both 10 best winners, so you can't lose.
Marc
John
We did not think there was any comparison to the auto and 5 speed. The auto shifted fine, but it reminded me of an underpowered 4 cylinder that you had to almost "floor" to get adequate acceleration. The five speed is so much different. You can drive through the gears without much effort. You can accelerate without "mashing down" the accelerator. These 16valves work better at higher rpm's for throttle response. With the five speed, you are just a shift away from that response, or you can "tach" it higher by leaving it in a lower gear. The auto is easy to drive.....but we did not want easier....we wanted something more fun to drive....the ZX5 is a very fun car to drive with the 5 speed. It seems to "beg" to be driven a little harder than necessary. After driving the auto and the 5 speed, I seriously think we would have paid the $800+ just to get the 5 speed! The five speed is obviously faster...but even more important than that....it is obviously much more fun....
Maybe the auto will be in higher demand later, and may demand more money than a five speed...but, we bought the car for the practicality and what we wanted now...not what someone else may want down the road. I think there will always be plenty of people who prefer the 5 speed...especially in this great little car!
Out of the five regulars with ZX5s at myfordfocus.com, 4 of them have stick, and number 5 wanted it but his wife couldn't drive one. Ford may be in error making more of this model with an auto, because look at the crowd that is buying it so far.
I spend more online time at the myfordfocus site these days then here.
John the car is great, no trouble as of yet. And yes, it does beg to be driven harder than needed. So comfy for four people as well. The do it all car.
Marc
PS - Hey Brad, I think you are MYfunZx5 right??
MALIBLUMARK......you are right! I agree with everything you said about the ZX5. Myfordfocus is a great site for information too!
(MyfunZX5)
Car and driver has been a huge fan of the Focus, 3 times ten best winner (eligible three times), and every review is favorable. It was a big swaying factor for me, without their recommendation, I would have stayed away from a Ford.
By the way Ben, I shopped the Outback. It was a bit expensive for me, and I didn't like the driver postion, pedals to small and close, and no lumbar support. Great car though. My girlfriend has a 95 Impreza with 90000 mi, and it runs like a champ. Maybe our next will be one of these. It is especially dog friendly with the removable plastic mat in the cargo area.
Marc
Marc
I do like the ZX5 a lot, especially at the price, but by the time I'm ready to buy there should be some slightly used OBS's out there too for about the same price as a new ZX5.
I am a little scared about buying the ZX5 because of the long-term reliability. I had a 1995 Mystique 5 spd with the Zetec. I really liked most of the car, and the Zetec had enough umph for most situations (even with less power than now), but I didn't like some of the rattles or having to replace a blown head gasket at 65,000 miles. I would like to keep my next car for more years than I pay for it, and the long-term reliability scares me. I feel much more confident in the proven reliability of the OBS.
I haven't driven either yet, though, so that may have a great impact on my decision. I don't want to tease myself too much yet. I have to wait until probably early 2003 to buy anything (I'm getting married this summer).
In my gut I really wanted a 5 speed, I love the control it gives you. But I live in a metro area where shifting can become a pain. Even though now I hear that the focus has one of the most calf friendly clutches out there, plus a short throw shifter. So the only ZX5 they had was a auto, and I knew it was the best decision for my situation but I really wish I didn't have to sacrifice the performance.
The seats in the Focus are different. The Zx3/Zx5 come with "sport" seats, that I find far more comfortable than the "lowback" in the sedans and wagons. I have really broad shoulders, and the sport seats offer much more support, and side bolstering for cornering. The Focus seats are much higher than any other economy car, it is not nearly as on the floor as my old Saturn. Very easier to get in and out of. However, they are not butt hieght, so you will sink in a bit, a strech a bit to get out. Still, it is higher than the Elantra, which I have driven. They are very comfy as well. I can drive for miles without fatique, and my head really rests on the "headrest" providing support and reducing neck strain, a first for any car I've been in. You may want to check out the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe coming real soon. They are tall wagon like vehicles. Smaller than an SUV, but taller and bigger than a ZX5. Also the PT Cruiser has chair Height seats, that was really comfy seats.
Marc
I'm a big auto fan, and I tend to be a little fickle as to what I want from month to month. I think I've finally narrowed it down, though. I really like these sport wagons and hatchback/crossover vehicles. The ZX5 and OBS are right on the top of the list.
My fiance thinks I'm crazy for liking hatchbacks. She always asks why I want to drive a car that looks like a Dodge Omni?! She just doesn't get it. A car is an appliance to her. Cars have no soul. How wrong she is...
You are so right Ben- Hatchback/Sport Wagon is the Way to go. I have always loved this body style. I really prefer it over a more bland, and far less practical sedan.
I think my girlfriend is getting it a bit about cars, she will never be into the way I am. SHe likes what I like, and trusts my judgement completely. She had a a 91 Civic wagon with 4wd before the Impreza (2 door). We both agree we miss that car, the Swiss Army knife of cars. It was hit by a drunk driver while it was parked on a busy Philly street. The good news is she was inside in bed sleeping. That was about 2 years ago. I suspect we will get something like it for her next car. (Outback Sport)
Marc
Ben
I went with basic ABS. The articles I read on the Focus, all had this setup and stopped from 70 in 168-172 ft, with "excellent control", which is in Audi/BMW territory, and better than anything in its class.
I understand the review in this months Car and Driver, they have Abs with traction control, so compare the numbers. (I don't have it yet!). One person at Myfordfocus.com has a ZX5 with traction control, everyone else seems to have the standard ABS.
I have a stick, so I figure I don't need an elctronic nanny for wheel slippage, I can start in second gear when the weather is bad.
I can't believe you haven't gotten your C&D yet! I've already recycled mine.