Are you in the market for a new or used vehicle and having difficulty finding something in your budget? Or are you finding yourself making trade-offs to find something you can afford (i.e. less cargo space, lower trim level). A reporter from a national news publication would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by this Friday, 11/21 for details.

Ford Focus hatchback

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Comments

  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Don't air bags only stay inflated for less than a second. How would they block vision? Why would someone keep driving after they deployed anyway?
  • charliemikecharliemike Member Posts: 87
    Just the experience will incapacitate you for a few seconds.

    I own a 98 ZX2, and I like it alot. It's a solid car. I have 41K miles on it and I haven't had a single problem. No fit or finish problem or mechanical. I have never been so pleased with a car. The fact that it is American (Mexican Made) is just more satisfying.

    If you are going to wait a few months, I'd go with the Focus. It's just plain newer. But if money is an issue, and so are options, I think you'd do great with a ZX2.

    DC
  • pkingrochpkingroch Member Posts: 3
    Probably, I don't really know. I haven't been in that type of accident before. I do know that the experience has caused people to take a header into a tree with their car after hitting a deer, killing both driver and passenger.

    Air bags don't deploy twice. A deer will only weigh about 120-150 lbs, vs. a tree or vehicle that will have a much greater impact on the vehicle force wise. If the bags are going to deploy, I want it to be for the tree or vehicle, not the deer.
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    i had to delete prior messages because my son also reads these messages once in a while....enough said by me...hope you understand. i appreciate everyones support!
  • hondattitudehondattitude Member Posts: 17
    (projectzx3)-That really isn't a good scenario with the deer and other things. What did your son have to say about his Christmas Present? ha ha I'm sorry I just can't believe this happened. What a shame
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    Hey, you guys may remember me from a few weeks ago, wondering if I could get a ZX3 with Air and ABS for under 13,000. You thought I was nuts?Well, I went to one of the online services that you DON'T have to pay a fee for, nor is there any obligation. They have "guaranteed" me a price for that car with those options, for 11,777. That price includes all fees including destination, tax, tags, title. I don't understand it, but it looks like I might be able to get exactly what I want for 11,777. Wow! I'll let you all know if I do this and how it goes. I was going to take the offer to my local dealer to see if he'd match it, but it seems so good that I'm afraid of insulting him or incurring wrath.
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    One little change to what I just said, I looked again and I think the taxes are on top of that, so it would be about 12. I'm just not sure how I go about getting the special ford finance rate of 4.9 if I have to find my own lender though, rather than financing through the dealer? Anybody know how that works? (this will be a first ever car loan for moi.)
  • hatchqueenhatchqueen Member Posts: 27
    Dont be surprised if this dealer is lowballing you only to try to switch you to a higher price later. As far as financing, I've I heard alot of mouth time on credit unions and their excellent rates. My own credit history is making things difficult...The lowest quote I have so far is $300 over invoice, not great but we'll see what happens.
  • tmetravlertmetravler Member Posts: 14
    Has anyone heard of the variable valve timing ztec engine supposedly to be in the zx3?? Several articles including Edmunds about the vvt engine as standard equipment on the zx3??? Anyplace to search? Or shall we all go to ford & pound on the doors & ask ourselves?? Thanx in advance!
  • wrczx3wrczx3 Member Posts: 4
    The VVT engine configuration on the Zetec is gone. It now uses a simple Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. Much easier to work on yourself, if you are inclined to such behavior. I am told it does not affect the performance stats for the car...either config produces the same level of performance. Ford opted for a simpler design (maybe read as lower production cost?) in the face of no real performance gain. The exhaust cam timing was adjusted to allow the engine to pass emissions cert without VVT.
  • wrczx3wrczx3 Member Posts: 4
    While the Focus remains a front disk/rear drum configuration, I understand that brave souls (or ones with deep pockets) can opt to visit the Ford SVO catalog for parts bin rear disks from the Contour SVT. Supposedly, the Focus and Contour share this common rear hub assembly allowing for dealers or owners to upgrade to 4 wheel disk. How this interacts with ABS I haven't a clue but at least you now know where to begin looking for disks. Also, fans of the WRC effort can find more at http://www.fordracing.net
  • granthalseygranthalsey Member Posts: 4
    What is the cheapest price any one has seen for one with ac? I got a quote for $11288 (5 spd, ac). Seemed good to me...
  • brent17brent17 Member Posts: 7
    I ordered mine yesterday for $100.00 over factory invoice in Clinton, Illinois. All new cars bought through autobytel (in Clinton) are $100.00 over invoice with exception of the SVT line. Hopefully in two years Ford will produce a Focus SVT.
  • jamers85jamers85 Member Posts: 100
    i got my zx3..e.t.a within a day or two(i hope) for the invoice price. My credit is not that great but the credit union i borrowed money from is charging 6.25% apr for 60 months with 10 percent down on the cost of the vehicle. what do you think?...is it a good deal.
  • charliemikecharliemike Member Posts: 87
    Car and Driver named the Focus to it's 10Best list this year.

    Would you have imagined just a year ago that for $11-12k you could get a 130hp 3dr with A/C?

    The ZX3 may be the CRX Si of the next decade.
  • wrczx3wrczx3 Member Posts: 4
    If you have a chance to buy a ZX-3 with AC for ~11.3, you might want to snap that up rather quickly. Here in North Florida, the ZX3 stock is slim (none arriving) and the demand remains higher than average. My neighbor, a Ford salesmsan say he can make me a deal on a Mustang but not on the Focus. Says Ford is requiring dealerships in this region to take "deadwood" models in order to rec'v the increasingly popular Focus. He did leak an interesting warning: the Focus campaign is targeting the younger (or younger-minded) buyer and his dealership knows this population is not as saavvy in negotiating. They feel they have a "captive", exploitable group of buyers who generally only care about how much a month they are paying for the vehicle. I'm sure you can see where this is going....
    As for Jamers85, it sounds like a good deal was had on your part if you got to *SEE* the invoice price on an invoice, not simply written or verbalized. And 6.25% for 60 with 10% with a shaky credit history ain't bad. Might want to buy a lottery ticket to see if good things come in threes....?
  • ford29ford29 Member Posts: 8
    Anybody know any relatively simple ways to get more power out of the ZX3?
  • briand789briand789 Member Posts: 49
    Try a header and a K&N air filter to start.
  • mznmzn Member Posts: 727
    Friends, our discussion software can become a bit unstable after 500 posts in a topic. I'll freeze this now and ask you to continue the conversation by clicking here. See you there!

    carlady/host
  • darylsdaryls Member Posts: 1
    I want everyone to know I just purchased a New 2000 Focus ZX3. Black/Graphite. I wanted a 5spd but this one is an Auto. This cars fit and finish is better than a Honda Civic I know because I had owned a 99 Civic. This car is sexy! I purchased my Focus in Oxnard, CA. The day after it arrived at the dealer it was in my driveway. The wait was well worth it. This car is quiet on the highway handles great. I hope it holds up over time. Its a blast to drive feels like you are driving a sports car. Hope your jealous.
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