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once I receive it back from the dealer I may trade it, but it maybe my last ford
I test rode a Eleantra GT, Mazda 3 with the 2.3 and a Corolla S. They all rev faster and higher to get going especially in 1st gear. The Corolla is a POS to drive to me, the engine sound horrible and the shifting action sucks. The Eleantra shifts awesome but 1st gear is LOUD and the gearing is too tall. The Mazda 3 is total fun but the price tag scares me for what is still an small car. I mean that thing is close to 19 to 20k.
I got my ZX3 new for 11,300 before tax, Lic so I saved a bundle compared to what small fun cars go for now.
The more I test ride these others cars the more I like my car. Ford built the Focus with a flatter torque curve and Its great for someone who lives in Seattle with tons of traffic.
Plus you get the 5yr/100k mile powertrain warranty.
The 2.0 is a Mazda engine. Mazda tuns it for more high revving horsepower at cost of low end torque.
Pass on the Focus ST. The 2.3L really doesn't add enough performance to justify the up to $20k sticker price. If you are thinking of spending that kind of money, definitely go with the Mazda3...Have yet to see a better interior on a sub 20k car than the Mazda3's.
Mark
I am driving a toyota eco rent-a-car and love the car but hate the transmission... keep feeling that i should shift gears when this is an automatic! Is the focus a similar engine? I did liked the way the focus drove...but the breaks were low...they said they would fix it.
OH... the list I printed from the kelley blue book site, Does shows a Focus ATW-4CYL Zetec (2.3L) Wagon in 2004. and the prior writer was right, I couldn't get any good information from the Ford site either in regards to the different styles of sedan focus's or information on prior year models. Tess
DS
If its a combo freeway, city than its about 23 average.
@.
what are your tire pressures? 55 may not be the best speed. have you tried other speeds?
You may be right that 55 MPH is not the optimum speed for economy. I was told by a co-worker that it would be better at that. However, I have made some trips on freeways at 65-70 MPH and it was about the same.
I have not tried premium gas brands yet either. I have always figured that the economy increase is cancelled out by the increase in gas price. Has this seemed to be the case or not in other people's experience?
EPA mileage tests are so far removed from actual driving that you can't really expect your real world mileage to match. There are too many factors involved - altitude, tires/pressure, driving style, terrain, ambient temperature - to really predict. Keep your air filter clean, use the correct octane fuel, increase your air pressure by a few pounds over OEM spec (but don't exceed the maximum on the tire) and go light on the throttle and you'll get the maximum fuel mileage for your car. Also make sure you're measuring it correctly.
I had asked the dealership to take a look at the fuel economy when they had it in a couple of weeks ago. My wife was the one that picked up the car so I did not get to talk to them about it. But their comment to them was, "Let's wait another 1,000 miles or so and take a look at it." That sounds to me like they don't want to deal with it because they don't foresee anything they can do to help it.
Each vehicle is unique and your driving style may simply fit one vehicle better than the other.
If it's within 10%-15% of EPA it's probably normal. More than that may suggest a problem.
don't let them sell you a new one.
also, your local gas formulation can make a difference.
my sister was out for a visit with her hybrid car last weekend. they filled up locally got about 36 mpg. after they got back home they put gas in it again and said they are getting 42+, like they were before.
Although one trip I filled up at home, drove 280 miles to Fargo and drove for 3 days in city traffic, filled up and still got 28. So I have a feeling if I had filled up before all the city driving I would've been in the low 30s...
oh and I have ~5200 on it now...
I have not been impressed with mpg overall, but if I assume that 2-3% of the mileage is missing then The actual mileage is about right - 32-33 mpg's on the highway.
Remember also that your speed is being under measured aswell. be cautious with the fuzz.
I know all of you 2.3 owners know that this little car just wants to move out.
1. Leather seats
2. Weather package
3. ABS
4. Side airbags
5. Traction control
6. Moonroof
7. Perimeter alarm system
I'm surpised at how much trouble it is to even get the Focus with ABS and side airbags. The dealership told me it's doubtful they would be able to locate one because of how rare it is Ford builds the car like that. Shouldn't ABS and side airbags be standard equipment on cars already? They are proven to save lives and it's not like they are some new cutting edge technology.
Anyway, I put the special order in last week and the dealership told me it will take 2 to 3 months to build. They are doing a straight up invoice deal at $18,754 minus whatever rebates at the time the car comes in (hopefully more than the current $2,000). Is that the best I could do, or should I try and talk them below invoice?
the focus is an entry level car. most are not willing ot pay what you might for it. i searched for a long time 6-7 months ago, but couldn't find one with abs and sab. bought an '04 zts(5 speed) with same equipment you describe, except sab's and leather.
with 3500 rebate, bought for 13k plus ttl.
the prices seem higher for '05s.
car is bette than i expected, though.
I'm happy with the price of the Focus and certainly won't complain with invoice minus the rebate, I just wanted to know if anyone has done even better than that on an 05. I'm hoping that the rebates on the 05 are higher when my Focus comes in. Maybe $2,500?
If I were you, I'd be happy with my deal, enjoy the anticipation of my new car, and hope for a huge rebate when it comes!
The Focus is a Joy to drive, as is noted on these posts, therefore
I would not get lazy and skip gears. You will find that unconsciously you will end up riding the Clutch and then burning it out prematurely. Good luck. Your price was good.
I will shut up now.
Question for anyone, do you think the Maintenance plan that Ford pushes is worth it. I didn't opt for it but had some thoughts. They wanted $585 for the 3 year 36,000 "high use" plan that includes oil every 3,000 miles, tire rotation every 6,000, various inspections with gas filter and air filters 15,000, also covers struts (NYC kills them) and clutch plate. Trying to get them down on the price as I do like taking my cars to the dealer. Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks, DS
As for the Maintenance "deal" No good. It will never pay for itself on the face of it. First of all, the air and gas filters on this car are long duration filters. I read that somewhere.If you insist upon going to the dealer for regular maintenace, you should be able to find coupons on the ford web site for reasonably priced oil changes etc. My advice to you being that this car was hanging around for one year on the lot, do the first oil change early as possible perhaps 1000 miles and make the dealer pay for it.
Thanks, Dan
Yes, I thought it strange that there was no tack. Actually the 5 available left overs (last month) were all manuals, no tacks and one had no ABS. My dealer had two identical vehicles, right down to the color. My biggest issue was he 115 miles already on it, not disclosed until I picked it up. I might have walked from this as well, but like anyone getting to the delivery point of a transaction, you really just want to get out already. The dealer will be re-painting some areas that had minor scratches, so my inconvenience is worth some discounts. I thought the service contract, for the right price, might be good. I will know when I bring it in next week. If not, I should get a least 2 oil changes from them.
Thanks, Dan
ABS isn't all its cracked up to be anyway.
read this article
http://www.hwysafety.org/safety%5Ffacts/qanda/antilock.htm#4
As for side air bags, its my understanding that by 2008, side air bags will be standard equipment due to tougher regulations coming online.
here is another good article this time about how side air bags which could save 600 lives per year.
http://www.hwysafety.org/news%5Freleases/1999/pr040699.htm
Also its estimated that 15,000 lives have been saved by air bags: http://www.hwysafety.org/safety%5Ffacts/airbags/stats.htm
Personally, I think side airbags should have been standard long before now.
Mark
As far as side airbags, yes, by 2008 all cars will need to have side airbags and side curtain airbags for the head. It's unfortunate that cheap customers and bean counters at these companies are being forced to adapt to this mandatory equipment. Customers are too stupid to realize what's good for them and the bean counters are cheap enough to capitulate. It's finally taken the goverment to step in and say, "here, eat your spinich, I don't care if you don't like it, it's good for you!"
I wouldn't drive a car without ABS or side airbags as a minimum, even if it means waiting for two to three months to have a car special ordered with those features.
Carole
2) I'd recommend 3K city, 4K highway. No time limit.
3) Changed
4) Not sure with Yellow coolant 50K or 100K, green coolant 30K
Nothing is more annoying that haveing a shift knob come off in your hands.
Mark.
I also own a 1998 Jeep 2.5L wrangler stick and a 2005 dodge cummins 2500 diesel stick and both vehicles immediatly return to idle after the gas it let out from a 3 grand rev. But on the focus it takes almost twice as long. Is this normal?
-Matt
The Sandman