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or
http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_053187
and then
http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_053192
anyone wanna go show GM fans why the interiors in their cars are so cheap in comparison?
seriously, the pics for this focus indicate a nnicer interior than the CTS.
Any ideas?? I am scared of being stuck away from home and this happening or even driving. The guy at Ford said it could be the passive anti-theft kicking in, but they won't do anything....
Help!!
Nevertheless, I bought the ZX5. The mechanic at my BC ford dealership told my sales agent that he's never tried modifying the turn signal to decrease the volume, and wouldn't really know how.
I intend to investigate further. I've sent an e-mail to Ford and will post their reply here when it comes in about 3 days from now.
Does anyone know how the turn signal can be modified?
I can't stand this loud turn signal and refuse to live with it. I find myself avoiding using the turn signal whenever possible. Not even the radio drowns out the sound.
I wish FORD would offer its customers the choice of taking their vehicle in to have this loud and irritating tick-tock turn signal modified AT NO CHARGE. IT'S WAY TOOOOOOOO LOUD!!!!!
I gave back my leased ZTS and purchased the ZX5 5-door hatchback. With the greatly increased rear visibility, I feel much more at ease and safer. Changing lanes is a breeze in the ZX5 compared to the ZTS. In addition, the visibility out the right hand side of the car is awesome (because of lots of glass). And, I no longer worry about possibly running some little kid over while I reverse.
My mother told me, "Better safe than sorry...give up the sedan with the high back and get the hatchback."
The Service Dept. at my dealership explained that the loudness is caused by the RELAY. They had tried changing the relay in a Ford truck of a customer who had also complained about the loud turn signal, but it met with no improvement.
The dealership offered to change my relay at no cost to me...'cause they'll do it under warranty. But they're pretty sure changing the relay won't make a difference.
engine stalls, and I cannot start it sometimes during 30 minutes, sometimes during 30 hours.
(That time engine stalls 100 feet away from my home at Saturday afternoon, and Emergency service convince me to wait till Monday - they told me it will be safer to keep car near my home then at the dealership).
When I came to dealer, they tested car and even drive about 150 miles - but cannot reproduce the problem.
Finally, after 10 such breaks engine stalled forever and vehicle was towed to the dealership during working hours. They had nothing to do rather then admit - problem could be reproduced - the engine cannot start.
They replace some "computer" part - probably
it is expensive, because I waited two weeks
for delivery and installation.
When this part was replaced, it was necessary re-program keys, otherwise anti-theft device could block the ignition.
The part number in my invoice says:
1M5Z-12A650-SB PROCESS 730730
I wonder why such failure was not stored in the computer memory? Because of that I cannot prove that engine stalls. I even considered to use camcorder to record all the symptoms.
If problem cannot be reproduced, customer service does something minor (cheap) to pretend they are trying to fix it.
I believe that this problem with Focus engines was found much earlier and was very well known before I bought this car (July 2002), but Ford is trying to postpone replacement of "computer"
part as much as possible.
Good luck!
I like the looks, specs and price of the ZTS, but after having owned a flawless Civic for the last 7 years, I really don't want to spend time in repair shops.
I'm 6-6 tall and getting older,and do love the seating height'n all. I've owned British & French cars plus a Pinto awhile ago.So, I do know about pain and problems.If I get this modern marvel Focus, should I head over to the Ford Dealer for some serious part inspection/replacement? What can I expect down the road? Will I loose my shirt? Thanks for the input.
Ron
I drove it to compare, the seats feel cheap and the road noise is considerably more than the 03 as (I believe) the 03's have more sound deadening insulation.
My suggestion is drive the thing for at least 50 miles in your usual driving areas before buying.
I sent an e-mail to the service dept. at my dealership to ask them to look into it. I told them of the possibility of a speaker, and also asked if they could install a 2000 model unit.
My service representative is taking my issue seriously, even going so far as to sit in four Focus's to hear how they sounded. They were all loud. He's having a mechanic look into the situation for me, though it is merely a design feature of the newer focus'. My 2000 turn signal was just purrrrfect, and I would be willing to pay up to $200 to have it switched/installed.
Will post the reply when I get it. It may take a couple of weeks because my service representative is off getting married and honeymooning.
p.s. It's not just the loudness of it...The turn signal also has a TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK! It hurt my ears the first 3 days; it doesn't hurt anymore...i've gotten somewhat used to it...but I'd still much rather have the 2000 model unit.
The ZX5 steering wheel feels "loose" compared to my ZTS. The ZTS seemed to float on air and I often drove with only one hand. In comparison, the ZX5 steering wheel seems to often react to bumps in the road by slightly moving to the left or right. Mind you...the car does not swerve in the road...nothing dangerous like that. I just feel like I better hold on or the car will mischievously take over.
My service representative at my dealership explained that the "looseness" was as a result of the bigger tires on the ZX5. That is, the 16" tires are wider and so have more surface area on the road.
A mechanic test drove the car (to rule out a problem), and checked the tire pressure. Everything was A-ok.
The ZX5 definitely has a different "feel/ personality". The looser feeling and bumpier ride feels sporty. The 2000 ZTS felt like I was in an airplane floating through the air (on auto-pilot...I barely had to touch the steering wheel).
One fun thing about the ZX5 is that it takes corners really well...it just seems to corner itself perfectly.
Does anyone know what else may be contributing to the different "feel" between these two cars? The service representative didn't seem to think it was also because the ZX5 is 7 inches shorter than the ZTS. The two cars have the same height and width.
Do you have a link to the "2004 lemon aid" resource you are recommending? There are a number of websites that use that term so if you'd like your advice to be helpful you need to be more specific.
If TSB's are your game go take a look at the list of them for the Civic (I used 2002). I stopped counting at 53. I only saw about 40 total for the 2002 Focus.
Good luck with that Civic!
Big Co. Rental with 21K miles. It seems OK, for now.Although,on the way home I noticed the 'Door Ajar' light on the dash(Ouch!). Maybe, after slamming the doors & trunk a few,it'll go away for awhile. Anyway,this Focus has remaining Basic
Warranty.Also,from an Oasis report,it's stated the vehicle was issued Extended Warranty Coverages-
60/100K Powertraincare w/Roadside Assistance.Would this added warranty transfer to me as the new owner? Should I ask the local dealer,or with verify Ford HQ?Would it cover the Fuel Pump,or....?
Thanks-Ron
Although, it also seems in town to suck gas! Should I run over to the Ford Dealer for a check-up? What will they do or not and for how much?What will a computer check produce. I kind of don't want them to touch what ain't broke,yet.The VIN came up with Extended Service Protection 60/100K PowerTrain.How do I verify that will transfer and is in effect?Good Luck to all concerned.
Ron
"when sold the profit margin on both are compatable...both the same profit margin"
Huh? How do you know that? You have access to their books? I think if Ford and Honda were both making the same profit on their vehicles, Ford would be in a lot better financial shape right now.
willie340 I think you should put your Focus problems behind you and get on with your life. You had them, remedied the problem and now are in car nirvana. Why must you continue to relive this painful portion of your life? You paid your dues man, now go out there and live the good life (and stop telling all those of us who have bought a Focus that we screwed up).
Go to a Civics board and join with your fellow Honda owners. Trust me, you'll feel much better if you don't continue to associate with people who would buy a Focus! Come on man...we feel your pain.
Again, how do you know Ford and Honda make the same profit on the Focus and Civic? I'm really anxious to see your numbers.
"have you read the auto book called lemonaid 2004?"
Hmmm...Lemonaid 2004. I dunno. Have you mentioned that? It seems like I remember someone bringing it up at some point but I can't quite place it...hmmm...Does ANYONE know when the WATERSHOW is???
As for the fuel pump, I know a few people that own or have owned Foci (count myself in that category), and none have had a fuel pump failure. I know people that have had fuel pumps fail in various makes and models (including Hondas!). The one thing they all had in common was the tendancy to rarely have their gas tanks above 1/8th full and to always use the absolute cheapest gas they could buy. Interpret this however you want.