I picked up the C/D with the Focus ZX5 article yesterday, and this with 4 wheel disc brakes took over 200 feet. The last two Foci they tested had ABS with disc/drum and they only 168-170 feet. Interesting....
That totally makes no sense to me either. I thought disc brakes helped you stop faster? Was there a comment about the car not being broken in yet or something? I know sometimes they will mention something like that if there is an erratic outcome to a car's test.
Good to see you finally got the C&D. I've always heard the disc brakes help in stopping distances, but their most important feature is that they don't fade as much after a good flogging. As for the increased stopping distances, were both brake tests from 60 or 70, or was one from 60 and one from 70. I wish the automotive media would choose one standard stopping distance. It would make first glance comparisons much easier.
was from 70 to 0. Which would explain the longer stopping distance. One little quirk about rear disc brakes is that they don't have the initial braking force of drums for the parking brake. They make for better parking brakes then discs do. You can have good stopping power with drums, but you will have fade issues that discs do not have. Personally I would settle for some big, over-sized disc brakes in the front and drums in the back, then undersized discs all around ;-) (Not saying the Focus's disc's are undersized by the way)
I drive an old Chevy S-10 right now. It feels fine breaking, until I get in my fiance's '99 Taurus, and remember how a car is supposed to brake! So, as long as I feel confident in the braking ability of the car I'm driving, I'm not too concerned about fade. I only go to the track once a year on Memorial Day (and no, not in the truck...my friend's 240) so even if there is some fade, I wouldn't be too worried about it.
Has anybody had an opportunity to take their Focus onto a road course track?
over on Focaljet.com. There is even a form for motorsports like autocrossing, SCCA stuff. From most of what I have read, no one has any problem with the brakes. Just wish they had more power. Chassis could really handle a lot more power than stock.
I drive an old Chevy S-10 right now. It feels fine breaking, until I get in my fiance's '99 Taurus, and remember how a car is supposed to brake! So, as long as I feel confident in the braking ability of the car I'm driving, I'm not too concerned about fade. I only go to the track once a year on Memorial Day (and no, not in the truck...my friend's 240) so even if there is some fade, I wouldn't be too worried about it.
Has anybody had an opportunity to take their Focus onto a road course track?
Are miles ahead of my old Saturn or the ones in my Girlfriend's Impreza, which has 4 wheel disc. I agree with Kev, for a Front drive car I rather have more braking force up front where the weight is. If I had rear drive, it would be a different story. Car and Driver always does 70 to 0 tests, whereas I know Road and Track uses 60 to zero. I think this is interesting. I will be at the library tonight, so I can do some research....
Have any of you current Focus owners had the opportunity to take your car out on to a track? I'd like to know how much fun I can look forward to at the track next Memorial Day.
The Feb 2002 Car and Driver does indeed show that the ZX-5 they tested stopped from 70mph in 206ft, though I don't know where Mroland came up with his claim that prior C&D tests of the ZX-3 were "168-170ft"... The data panel of the February issue shows a prior test of the car (the ZX-3), from May 2001, in which they did the deed in 182 feet. Perusal of the C&D site shows an old test of the Focus ZTS (Sedan) boasted a 70-0 distance of 196 feet... This from a car that is 180lbs heavier than MY Focus (my registration shows it weighs in at 2525lbs).
If we assume that 182 feet is "normal" for the ZX-3 (and in any case, differences of 10ft or so are statistically insignificant), then it compares favorably with (as in beating or coming within 5ft of) every car in its' category, such as the GTI, the Mazda MP3, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, Honda Civic, etc... From 70mph, it even beats Acura's much-ballyhooed RSX Type S, Ford's own Mustang GT and the Dodge Viper GTS (no ABS on the Viper, natch).
Road and Track doesn't publish numbers that can be directly correllated to C&D's numbers, they test from 60mph and 80mph.
For the record, back in their Feb. 1983 issue, C&D tested the 1982 Renault Formula-1 car, and found it's 70-0 braking distance to be a nice, even 120ft (back before the days of carbon fiber brakes, mind you). I don't believe they have ever beaten that number...
-SHOV6 2001 ZX-3 which definitely CAN'T do 70-0 in 120ft!
The answers were revealed. I am getting old (27) , I don't have the memory for numbers like I did when I was 14 and a cars 0-60 time was the most important thing in the world.
I saw a quote recently in some article that summed it up pretty well. It said, "its more fun to drive a slower car fast, than it is to drive a fast car slow". We can exploit the performance reaches (0-60, handling, braking, etc.) everyday and have a blast. How often can you exploit the performance reaches of a Corvette?
OMG, don't count yourself out YET mroland... I've got five or six years on you, and I haven't fallen in the grave just yet! And... Not knowing if you are male or female, but assuming male... I have found as of late that there are quite a number of women in their early 20's that take quite a shine to men ten years their senior. The preceding only mentioned to point out that you still have a few good years left, if you haven't gotten married or anything. If so, even my advice won't help!
Now, on the topic of "slow cars vs. fast cars", I have MUCH more fun driving the ZX-3 than my now-departed SHO. It very simply trounces the Taurus in handling and the very subjective "feel", even if the 5spd SHO would drop the Focus in a drag race, to the tune of about 2-3 full seconds. Power, while very, VERY nice to have, isn't everything.
I see that a supercharger for the Focus can be had for about three grand... Hmmmm...
Just thought I would let you know that ABS has been proven to reduce stopping distances in every weather condition except on ice and gravel roads. Which means it not only helps on a slick road but also on a dry road. C&D took a Mercedes CL500 coupe back in 96 or so and had it specially equipped with a switch to turn the ABS system off. They then did their regular stopping tests with ABS on and with it off and concluded ABS was beneficial except on ice and gravel, with the most substantial gain being on a wet road. You could also gather the same conclusion by looking at their road tests of the exact same cars with the only difference being ABS.
The revelation that ABS doesn't help on ice is news to me, but the gravel thing is something I remember... And what you don't mention is that ABS also doesn't help on some snowy roads, I seem to remember that the snow needs to be more than a couple of inches deep. The reason? Just like on gravel roads, the snow (or gravel) forms a wedge ahead of the tire, which actually decreases braking distances if the tire is locked.
I can say with some certainty, from purely subjective evaluation, that ABS definitely helps in shallow snow (say, under two inches).
Just thought I would throw that out there. -SHOV6 2001 ZX-3 that might as well have skis in the snow
My memory is a bit shot due to some college related activities. I am male, and I live with my girlfriend of several years. But I remeber that Car and Driver article as well. With or without the traction control, I wouldn't want to be without ABS. Somebody at MyFordfocus is having trouble with his sedan becuase he can't tell if the ABS is coming on. He thinks its malfunctioning. Uh oh.
When C/D tested the Focus ZX3 las summer they said "Go slow, Have Fun". Why not enjoy your ride without attracting the local police? One of the most fun cars I ever drove, and I am not kidding here, was a 79 VW Rabbit Diesel with 4 speeds. It felt like 80 at 45 mph. All the other cars I test drove this year had to be moving at higher and higher speeds to feel it "corner" and I just didn't want that. The Focus is fun just sitting in it, becau you look so cool anyway! (Actually, its the great stereo)
Mroland, I hope you caught on to the fact that my post to you was meant to be tongue-firmly-in-cheek... It looks like you did, but just wanted to be sure.
To some extent, I don't really understand the "go slow, have fun" thing, as this car is quick enough to be entertaining. No, you won't win many drag races but once you pick up a head of steam, it's all systems GO! I have to be somewhat reserved in my driving as a single ticket can affect my career (airline pilot, now looking for work, and a speeding ticket can be part of a hire/no hire decision), but I still manage to get around without feeling like a slug. Quick enough is quick enough, as they say.
Anyone know why FordDirect.com does not have the Egg Yolk Yellow as an available color on the ZX5 while edmunds.com and carpoint.com have egg yolk as an available color? What's the scoop?
This question has come up before, and still has no resolution. Nobody has ever seen one. When I got mine, I had my slaeslady look into it, and she said that ford makes colors in waves, so Yellow will show up with other Yellow Zx3s...not much of an answer. The issue is that I have sheets from May with the colors for the car, and It shows that the Zx5 is only availble in beige and grey interior colors. They only make the Yellow with the black interior, and there is no code for a ZX5 in this color. Nobody at Myfordfocus has a black interior on their Zx5, or the yellow. I think it may only come as a special model.
Isn't it great the Focus has a huge cargo area you need it to carry all the spare parts and toolbox. I like the yellow color too, so you can see all the lemons. With all the problems I've read about I can't understand why people still consider buying a Focus.
The reason people still buy is the way it drives. Have you test driven one of these yet? Nothing comes close to the feel at this price. I believe the Mexican made Focus hatches have less problems than the Michigan built sedans. This could also be because there is a larger number of sedans out there. I have 2000 miles on mine, and nothing has gone wrong. I usually expect a part to be wrong. My last car was a Saturn, I leased a new one. Supposedly great made cars, but it had three problems on arrival, all of which could have been seen if they were looking...
I took a close look at one but my past experience with a Ford product kept me from getting behind the wheel. It was a 1977 Ford Explorer pickup called in a wrecker and scraped it at 90,000 mi. It cost me more money trying to keep it running than I care to think about. Burned me once Ford won't burn me again. Good luck with your car and I'm not being sarcastic.
You might want to consider that your experience with a Ford pickup truck 25 model years removed from a new Focus is not exactly a fair comparison.
Say you don't like the car, say you worry about its' reliability on the basis of what you've read, say that you don't like FORDS, but to pooh-pooh a 2002 car on the basis of your experience with a 77 pickup is downright ODD.
-SHOV6 ...who, if buying American, will buy nothing but Fords.
Very much so. The enigine has more torque down low than the two liters from Japan. When it starts to wind above 4000 it makes more of a growl than the "sewing Machine" Japanese cars. I really like that.
I paid $16700 for mine. I preordered it in August. It has the 5 speed, abs, moonroof, and side air bags. It is also an unusual color, the Malibu Blue. People at myfordfocus.com seem to think I got a good deal. I feel fine with it. I met my dealer through autobytel on this website. The two more local dealers were a few dollars more, and lot more intractable on a personal level. BTW bluewolf, they handle better than the current lineup of VWS, and have much more room inside. (I looked at them both, and have always been a huge VW fan until G4 Golf/Jetta arrival). You wont get anywhere near the kind of mileage the TDi gets though. I do about 24-28 mpg.
I agree with everything Marc says about the ZX5. I have the same options as Marc, except for the side air bags. I got the car for $16,200....which was about the invoice price of the car. I had a $500 Ford Loyalty rebate on top of that, plus I got the zero percent. They were also throwing in a 5year/100000 mile powertrain warranty. Now I see the rebate is at $1000 if you don't want the interest rate special. It was a $500 rebate in Nov. when I got mine. I already have 2400 miles on it. We love the car. Yes, it is very "zippy" with the 5 speed. The car seems much faster than it really is. I have not seen another ZX5 on the road around here, but the dealers do have a few in their lots....trouble is...they are all automatics. We had a hard time getting a 5 speed. I hope Ford has learned already that the majority of the ZX5 owners are going to want manual transmissions. We drove an automatic, and there is no comparison between the two. The manual feels faster to drive, is faster to drive, and is definitely much more fun to drive. We got the liquid grey, and love the color. Plus, there are so many performance products out there already for the ZX3, and that is great, since the ZX5 is the same except for two more doors and a different range of standard and optional equipment. You get all power options, an in-dash 6 disc cd player, tilt, cruise, keyless entry, etc. Try to spring for the roof.....what a great buy..plus, it makes the car look even better. You can go to myfordfocus.com and look at all the members who have the ZX3 and ZX5's. There is a special category just for ZX5 owners. There are other sites out there too. I just happen to like myfordfocus.com and Edmunds. Good luck if you get one.
Just wanted to let you know I did see a ZX5 in egg yolk yellow from afar yesterday. I work near the BN/Santa Fe automotive railroad yard in west suburban Chicago and frequently walk over on my lunch hour to see what's new. I can't get close enough to the cars to read the stickers or see the interiors; I can only gaze through the 12 ft barb wire fence, so I don't know if the car was special order, or where it was heading.
I assume so since the ZX3 is assembled there, but I thought possibly the ZX5 is assembled at the Wayne plant.
The Wall Street Journal had an article a couple weeks ago about Ford and GM. Specifically they mentioned Ford placing a greater emphasis on quality. They mentioned the Focus's problems, and stated that Ford had traced a squeaky brake problem to one bolt. This bolt caused a large portion of their warranty claims. Anyway, they article made it sound like new Foci are going to be more reliable than the earlier versions. I hope so as my wife and I would like to buy one soon...
To accommodate all Focus owners, the Ford Focus ZX3 Owners has been changed to Ford Focus Owners on Edmunds.com Owners Club board. Please stop by and introduce yourself in Meet the Members and let me know how I can help build your club.
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Hatchbacks.
I'm new to this - so forgive me if this has been asked/answered before... I couldn't bring myself to read all 200+ posts! The MicrosoftCarPoint site indicates that rear disc brakes are part of the AdvTrac option. Is this true? I am thinking about ordering a ZX5 on my return to the US (Army guy currently abroad) and am trying to get all the info I can. Thanks!
The advance trac package includes rear disc brakes, stability control, traction control and ABS.
I just bought a ZX5 a few weeks ago. You coming back from Europe or Asia? I was in the military a few years back (Air Force) but most of my trips abroad were fun stays in Saudi or Turkey.
I have a new ZX5 - just over one month old and 1200 miles - and instead of the proported 25-26 mpg for city driving, I'm getting about 20. I live in a high traffic area (LA) and I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. Anyone else have this problem? Will the fuel economy pick up once the engine is more broken in? Any comments are appreciated.
its normal for the mileage to increase as the car gets broken in. mine started out at about 20mpg and now its about 25mpg after 2800 miles. just be patient and enjoy the car.
This came up over and over again on the ZX-3 board... And to make a long story short, it depends upon how you drive it and how many miles you have. City driving will frequently dwell in the 20mpg range, and hwy might be as low as the high-20's. It will improve, slightly, as the car gets broken in. My mileage overall was, I believe (spreadsheet has gone the way of the dodo after a hard-drive crash), 26.6avg over the first 10k miles. It has since picked up to just over 27.2, with all 15k miles included at this point. There were two 1000-mile trips in that last five thousand miles, which helped, but overall it's about what I expected.
Two things will dramatically reduce your mileage... Really wringing it out on a regular basis, and "jack-rabbit" starts. I think what happens here is that you really have to rev the Zetec over 4grand to get the best performance (torque peaks at 4800, and power at 5500, if memory serves), and that will KILL mileage. If you drive it more sedately, as I suspect you might HAVE to in LA traffic, your mileage will be better.
Needless to say, having an automatic will make things even worse. My numbers are based upon the 5spd model I own.
In the end, a few mpg are immaterial to me as I love driving the car so much. As long as it's over 20mpg, I am not overly concerned... I literally paid no attention to the mileage ratings on the window sticker, as a few dollars a month is meaningless when I am having so much fun with the car. I hope that the superb driving experience the car offers will allay any complaints you may have about the mileage, they sure have for ME.
This questions comes up many times at myfordfocus.com. We have found that it tends to improve as the car breaks in. The Zetec engine is made very tight and works itself out. I get about 23 on a suburban commute to work, and about 26-28 with a nice long highway ride or country back roads. I have a 5-speed. Also, check your hoses for any leaks. Somebody at MyFordFocus had a vacuum seal leak and her mileage went up considerably after that.
Comments
Marc
Has anybody had an opportunity to take their Focus onto a road course track?
Has anybody had an opportunity to take their Focus onto a road course track?
I agree with Kev, for a Front drive car I rather have more braking force up front where the weight is. If I had rear drive, it would be a different story. Car and Driver always does 70 to 0 tests, whereas I know Road and Track uses 60 to zero. I think this is interesting. I will be at the library tonight, so I can do some research....
Marc
The best I've ever gotten it from 0-60 was 8.8 seconds! Normally it's 9.0-9.2.
Focus is a good performer, just needs more torque.
If we assume that 182 feet is "normal" for the ZX-3 (and in any case, differences of 10ft or so are statistically insignificant), then it compares favorably with (as in beating or coming within 5ft of) every car in its' category, such as the GTI, the Mazda MP3, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, Honda Civic, etc... From 70mph, it even beats Acura's much-ballyhooed RSX Type S, Ford's own Mustang GT and the Dodge Viper GTS (no ABS on the Viper, natch).
Road and Track doesn't publish numbers that can be directly correllated to C&D's numbers, they test from 60mph and 80mph.
For the record, back in their Feb. 1983 issue, C&D tested the 1982 Renault Formula-1 car, and found it's 70-0 braking distance to be a nice, even 120ft (back before the days of carbon fiber brakes, mind you). I don't believe they have ever beaten that number...
-SHOV6
2001 ZX-3 which definitely CAN'T do 70-0 in 120ft!
I am getting old (27)
Marc
Now, on the topic of "slow cars vs. fast cars", I have MUCH more fun driving the ZX-3 than my now-departed SHO. It very simply trounces the Taurus in handling and the very subjective "feel", even if the 5spd SHO would drop the Focus in a drag race, to the tune of about 2-3 full seconds. Power, while very, VERY nice to have, isn't everything.
I see that a supercharger for the Focus can be had for about three grand... Hmmmm...
-SHOV6
Non-supercharged 2001 ZX-3
I can say with some certainty, from purely subjective evaluation, that ABS definitely helps in shallow snow (say, under two inches).
Just thought I would throw that out there.
-SHOV6
2001 ZX-3 that might as well have skis in the snow
But I remeber that Car and Driver article as well. With or without the traction control, I wouldn't want to be without ABS. Somebody at MyFordfocus is having trouble with his sedan becuase he can't tell if the ABS is coming on. He thinks its malfunctioning. Uh oh.
When C/D tested the Focus ZX3 las summer they said "Go slow, Have Fun". Why not enjoy your ride without attracting the local police? One of the most fun cars I ever drove, and I am not kidding here, was a 79 VW Rabbit Diesel with 4 speeds. It felt like 80 at 45 mph. All the other cars I test drove this year had to be moving at higher and higher speeds to feel it "corner" and I just didn't want that. The Focus is fun just sitting in it, becau you look so cool anyway! (Actually, its the great stereo)
Marc
To some extent, I don't really understand the "go slow, have fun" thing, as this car is quick enough to be entertaining. No, you won't win many drag races but once you pick up a head of steam, it's all systems GO! I have to be somewhat reserved in my driving as a single ticket can affect my career (airline pilot, now looking for work, and a speeding ticket can be part of a hire/no hire decision), but I still manage to get around without feeling like a slug. Quick enough is quick enough, as they say.
-SHOV6
Did anyone find my keys?
The issue is that I have sheets from May with the colors for the car, and It shows that the Zx5 is only availble in beige and grey interior colors. They only make the Yellow with the black interior, and there is no code for a ZX5 in this color. Nobody at Myfordfocus has a black interior on their Zx5, or the yellow. I think it may only come as a special model.
Marc
Maybe the Daewoo Nubira Wagon would be a better choice.
I believe the Mexican made Focus hatches have less problems than the Michigan built sedans. This could also be because there is a larger number of sedans out there. I have 2000 miles on mine, and nothing has gone wrong. I usually expect a part to be wrong. My last car was a Saturn, I leased a new one. Supposedly great made cars, but it had three problems on arrival, all of which could have been seen if they were looking...
Marc
It cost me more money trying to keep it running than I care to think about. Burned me once Ford won't burn me again. Good luck with your car and I'm not being sarcastic.
I'd like one anywhere from no options to leather, side airbags & abs.
I don't think I've seen one yet, are they around?
Are they pretty zippy with the 130HP engine?
Thanks!
Say you don't like the car, say you worry about its' reliability on the basis of what you've read, say that you don't like FORDS, but to pooh-pooh a 2002 car on the basis of your experience with a 77 pickup is downright ODD.
-SHOV6
...who, if buying American, will buy nothing but Fords.
I paid $16700 for mine. I preordered it in August. It has the 5 speed, abs, moonroof, and side air bags. It is also an unusual color, the Malibu Blue. People at myfordfocus.com seem to think I got a good deal. I feel fine with it. I met my dealer through autobytel on this website. The two more local dealers were a few dollars more, and lot more intractable on a personal level.
BTW bluewolf, they handle better than the current lineup of VWS, and have much more room inside. (I looked at them both, and have always been a huge VW fan until G4 Golf/Jetta arrival). You wont get anywhere near the kind of mileage the TDi gets though. I do about 24-28 mpg.
Ford is not still making 1977 pickups.
The Wall Street Journal had an article a couple weeks ago about Ford and GM. Specifically they mentioned Ford placing a greater emphasis on quality. They mentioned the Focus's problems, and stated that Ford had traced a squeaky brake problem to one bolt. This bolt caused a large portion of their warranty claims. Anyway, they article made it sound like new Foci are going to be more reliable than the earlier versions. I hope so as my wife and I would like to buy one soon...
Sedans and station wagons are made at the Wayne, Michigan plant.
*this refers to Focus sold in North America. I don't remember where else they are made in the world.
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Hatchbacks.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
I just bought a ZX5 a few weeks ago. You coming back from Europe or Asia? I was in the military a few years back (Air Force) but most of my trips abroad were fun stays in Saudi or Turkey.
Two things will dramatically reduce your mileage... Really wringing it out on a regular basis, and "jack-rabbit" starts. I think what happens here is that you really have to rev the Zetec over 4grand to get the best performance (torque peaks at 4800, and power at 5500, if memory serves), and that will KILL mileage. If you drive it more sedately, as I suspect you might HAVE to in LA traffic, your mileage will be better.
Needless to say, having an automatic will make things even worse. My numbers are based upon the 5spd model I own.
In the end, a few mpg are immaterial to me as I love driving the car so much. As long as it's over 20mpg, I am not overly concerned... I literally paid no attention to the mileage ratings on the window sticker, as a few dollars a month is meaningless when I am having so much fun with the car. I hope that the superb driving experience the car offers will allay any complaints you may have about the mileage, they sure have for ME.
-SHOV6
2001 ZX3 5spd
I get about 23 on a suburban commute to work, and about 26-28 with a nice long highway ride or country back roads. I have a 5-speed. Also, check your hoses for any leaks. Somebody at MyFordFocus had a vacuum seal leak and her mileage went up considerably after that.
Marc