Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Ford Focus hatchback
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Also, about the burnt orange - I haven't seen it, but do remember that within last month (Nov) there were some posts about it on one of these Focus lists - a rollback should turn them up. The writers were enthusiastic. I'll confess this color tempts me - I'm a sucker for the unusual.
Cheers to all.
I just picked up a black ZX3, 5 spd., A/C, power door locks.
Wonderful!! Can't say enough good things about it. Handling is great. I'm a little used to peaky engines in cars such as Hondas, so I feel a little let down when I'm winding the Zetec out a bit. In the zetec there is way more power spread throughout the rev range. That means you don't have to flog it just to keep up with traffic. Any honda civic owner will tell you they have to spend all their time above 4,000 rpm to make it move.
I will have to adapt, but I'll have fun all the while.
p.s. go out and buy one now!
The one I saw was all black and with auto.
A 5 speed is a good price point, though. Maybe it will make Honda bring back a Civic HB Si.
This Hatch has an 'under rear window shelf' which can be removed. Seats 4 humans(full-size adults) quite easily(60/40 split fold-down would, obviously, elim the 4th passenger) and without the shelf, the hatch is large enuf for a mid-size dog - provided it is not too active and no luggage to clutter the space (would still seat 3 adults if folded the 40 side, driver, f/seat passenger and small adult or child if folded the 60 part)... max cargo space (only front seat pass) is listed at 18.5 c/f.
does any of the above make any sense to u? I'm not sure I'm describing coherantly - kinda like, if u can't see, u can't imagine?
Had one person describe as 'a single person's mini-van' space/size wise - that description seems apt! lol
Thanks for the input on the orange color as well....I'm still intrigued by the color and the "focus!"
If you purchase used you're going to have a loan anywhere from 7.5% to 9.5%. By the time the used car is paid off you'll have spent roughly the same amount without getting the car you really want! Check out the loan calculators available thru Edmunds or many other sites. Buy the Focus.
ProjectZX3 -- did you mention that the Tire Rack does have some offerings for the ZX3. If so, it doesn't show up on their web site (through the function that let's you see how a particular car looks with certain wheels). Also, what will be the prioritization of your project modifications? I assume tires and wheels first?
Thanks
my son who will be the primary driver on our zx3 is 6'3" 185 lbs and had plenty of room when we test drove so i think you'd be ok. as far as the sunroof, i believe there are already aftermarket ones available for the Focus. Hey gang! I talked to my sales rep and our zx3 is to be here on Dec. 12th or earlier YYYYEEEEEEEHHAAAAA!!!!!! The car has been built and will be here! He apologized for the delay (tenative date was the 6th)but Ford is experiencing some delays in transport.
Does the front seat lift up to ease entry into the rear seats? That's a feature I like about the Golf 2-doors. The seat back not only folds forward but the seat also lifts up and pivots forward.
If the ZX3 doesn't do that, is it still very easy to climb into the rear?
I test drove a Pitch Black ZX3 on Thursday during my lunch break. I was HIGHLY impressed. The car felt solid, road and engine noise were WAY below that of my Civic, and the handling characteristics made the ZX3 a fun car to drive.
The only thing that may prevent me from buying one today is the lack of power window availability until February. I know the Focus is supposed to be an inexpensive, basic means of transportation, but there are just some creature comforts that I really like. And there are some I've learned that I don't need. For instance, even though I have cruise control on my Civic, I've only used it once during the past year, and that was for a 30 mile trip on the turnpike.
Anyway, if there was a possiblity of getting a ZX3 with power windows today, I would be driving one tomorrow. Ford has a winner here.
Doug
Last weekend while running an errand I checked the local small Ford dealer, who previously had only a wagon for demo, and lo and behold there was a Rainforest Green ZX 3 with medium graphite interior, fresh off of the truck. It has exactly the equipment I wanted (5sp.,AC, floormats). The price was $ 12,853, and my "out the door" price (including local 5.5% sales tax) was $13,667. I bought the car Monday night and took delivery the next night.
This car is great. The Zetec engine is very flexible. It will pull 5th cleanly from below 2000 rpm (if you are too lazy to downshift). 70mph equates to just under 3000 rpm, with plenty of extra punch on tap. Dynamicaly, it reminds me of an Alpha Romeo 2000 GTV.
Since I park in a parking garage the lack of power windows is annoying, but livable. The only other bother is the upshift indicator, but I am starting to not notice it so much anymore.
The fit and finish are very nice. The lack of tilt wheel doesnt bother me too much, since the seat can adjust up and down, the the standard steering wheel position suits me fine. The only other slight disappointment is that the brushed aluminium center dash insert shown in some early photos (the November issue of Automobile)was replaced with a gunmetal colored one. Not quite as "rad" I guess. This car also reminds me a lot of the first generation VW Scirrocco (1975) with regard to being a "hot hatch" made from more mundane stuff. Cheers. Andy
as for ease of entry on the ZX3, i do not think it is as easy as the golf/gti, when i checked it out, i do not even remembering the seat sliding forward, and if it does, did it go back to where the seat was set, or to the most upright position???
So far the car has been great and love the way it handles with 2 minor concerns. One the first tank of gas only got me 20mpg and I certainly hope that improves since I was taking it easy on the gas pedal for breakin. The second item is that the ABS light came and stayed on. Guess we take it back to the dealer to get it fixed. Wonder if they have the parts in??
I had to wait 2 grueling weeks before my car finally arrived. Believe me, it was worth the wait! The car is a dream to drive. It handles very well. All of the controls are easilly accessable. My girl friend thinks it's just the cutest thing on 4 wheels. Last night my girl friend and I along with her two very big brothers went out for a ride. Both her brothers are at least 5 foot 11 and weigh at least 230 each. Believe or not they both sat comfortablly in the back seats. On a side note, the sound system is just amazing.
To sum up this little story, I love my zx3. The car looks and drives superb. I feel like I purcahsed a well designed car at a very affordable price.
Also, thanks to ProjectZX3 for infor on the tires and modification prioritization. My idea is a bit different. I'm thinking of a more stealthy approach, with only tires and lowered suspension visible. I'm thinking of going with the widest possible 16", prob 225s. It seems that jumping up to 17" costs $300-400 more, not too justifiable to me. So after wheels and tires, I'm thinking to go with Eibach springs and Koni shocks, maybe a sway bar too. Then I'd like to get bigger & better brakes, probably Brembo. I read that brakes can slow 0-60 stopping distances by about 40 feet. So I'm thinking they're a must for autocrossing, which I'm anxious to get into using my ZX3. Then on the power side, I'd love to add a header and cat-back, with a not-too-obnoxious chrome tip, 2.5" max. Maybe a supercharger some day, but that's way down the road.
Just want to say congrats to all of those new ZX3 owners, and to sway those on the fence. I'll have had my ZX3 for 1 month next Thursday and I already have 2300 miles on it. I have only a 22 mile commute to work, but my wife likes taking it on road trips with our two kids more so than with her Sonata. There's actually more back seat room in the ZX3 than in our 4-dr midsize (97' Sonata), so that should say something! I'm liking the car more each day, so I hope those of you still deciding will be convinced and join us few more-than-happy ZX3 owners. But please, no automatics -- that's like having cake with no icing.
I can't believe someone is actually considering not buying the car because of a lack of power windows, but to each his own.
Today I read a column in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Al Haas, their auto guy, in which he wrote, "You can argue that the ZX3's styling isn't as sporty as it is unusual, but you can't pretend this car isn't sporty machinery. One of the reasons the Focus was 1999's European Car of the Year is its athleticism. The dynamics of this car are stunning. It's hard to believe that an automobile this inexpensive can lay claim to this kind of handling and steering response."
Sweet review!
Also, I saw a ZX3 today for the first time, in CD silver, and it looked incredibly cool. A great design, IMHO, and more "of a piece" than the sedans. I'm honestly jealous of everyone who already owns one.
On the question of power windows, my two cents is that I could not care less. In today's sedentary society a few twists of the wrist may be more exercise than most people are accustomed to, but I'd rather not have power do-dads in the doors that can break. (Yes, manual windows can break, too, but its far less likely.) To each his/her own, but I wouldn't refuse to buy an inexpensive car like the Focus because of this.
In any case, happy driving to all!
But P L E A S E ! ! continue the good updates, like one of favorite band in the 80's useD to say~~~~~>I J U S T C A N ' T G E T E N O U G H
Also, does anyone know of an aftermarket turbo or Supercharger system in the works yet? And is the eibach suspension kit available yet? How Much?
this is an excerpt from www.fordnews.com/zx3.htm--
"The Ford Focus is already selling at a record pace and Ford Motor Company is finding it difficult to keep up with dealer demand. This has caused small delays in popular options being available for the ZX3. However, on or about February 7, 2000, Ford will make available power windows, power remote mirrors, a Convenience Group with tilt/telescoping steering wheel and map lights, as well as an option for speed control available on the very popular ZX3.
According to Julie Roehm Ford Focus brand manager, dealers should be able to place their orders any day now to receive delivery of the new ZX3 with these popular options near the end of February."
The MPG for my commute and around-the-town driving is about 25-26. The manual does say something about not trying to gauge MPG until a certain amount of break-in mileage, I think 3000 or 5000.
Needles to say, I'm very pleased with the highway mileage.
Also, I've driven a Zetec sedan with 5 speed and ZX3 with the automatic, and the sedan's engine seemed much quieter to me on acceleration. Was the difference due to the automatic allowing the engine to wind up a bit more, or is the sedan just quieter?
Thanks!
http://www.ajac.org/coty.htm
CHECK WHO ARE THE WINNERS AND LOSERS OF THE 2000 SPORTS COUPE OF THE YEAR AWARD IN CANADA.
http://www.detnews.com/autosweekly/9908/18/lead/lead.htm
said that Ford will offer special "bundles" or packages to the focus buyers, including a gift pack mailed to new owners, and other bundles including a "sports package" with a roof rack, a "pet package" with custom pet bed for the back, etc. I know it's just trendy gimmicks, (not a reason to buy or not to) but wondered if this is true at all or if Ford gave up on it. I thought the roof rack, in particular, would be a nice option that doesn't seem to be offered as far as I can tell. Any owners heard anything?
It was blue with 5 sp. The dealer acted like they all do with manual trans cars, undesirable to sell.
Check other dealerships....or try looking through~~>
www.autobytel.com
it's where i got my price and bought it
1. Test mules of AWD Foci have been spotted around Dearborn, MI. I believe they were 3 doors, but possibly 5 dr hatches.
2. Roush is supposedly working on a hot Focus. I don't know anything about it. I do know that the ZX2 Fusion was a great idea that never happened. 220hp Supercharged 2.0 Zetec. I think they estimated 0-60 in 5.8 seconds.
3. Ford is considering an SVT Focus to replace the Contour. Obviously the direct replacement would be a sedan, but maybe a hatch too? No love for V6 fans as all rumors have a massaged Zetec as the engine available.
4. Ford still hasn't ruled out the Cosworth Focus, or Focus R that graced the cover of Car and Driver to my knowledge. AWD and 220hp for $20K?
I will be selling my ZX2 in 18 months at the most (I'll be 30 and looking for a birthday present). If Roush or Ford makes an AWD turbo Focus, I will buy it without a second thought.
Hope this helps everyone. My "sources" include BlueOvalNews.com; Car and Driver, Road and Track, and Motor Trend.
(www.tirerack.com)
Try that site and see. Prime Wheel's #134, which was on the Roush Fusion, are nice and cheap at about $425-500 for 17" on Ebay.
CM
if so could some one direct me?
Dwight
Does anyone know where there is a picture of a malibu blue or twighlight blue ZX3 on the internet