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Ford Focus hatchback

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Comments

  • mznmzn Member Posts: 727
    I think we've got room for a ten mile address! Please post the link and we'll all benefit.

    carlady/host
  • tom_71tom_71 Member Posts: 3
    Hi, I was wondering if it is normal for the Aspire 3-door automatic to shift fairly hard when accelerating? The A/C really drains power and enhances the hard shift.

    Is it because of the 1.3 liter engine? And is it normal, or is my transmission bad?

    I'm very concerned about this, and hope they were just made that way.

    Tom
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    I can't find the website it was on again. Oh well, we win some we lose some. If I find it again I'll post it.
  • mznmzn Member Posts: 727
    Thank you, dae3, for taking the time to locate the link. I appreciate it and so will our users!

    carlady/host
  • sentient_lifesentient_life Member Posts: 10
    I've got a '95 Aspire, w/3-speed Auto. I've got over 105,000 mi on it, with the only service troubles coming from the front wheel bearings failing. With only 63 hp, this thing needs A LOT of help to accelerate. My car upshifts with a small jolt all the time. I just chalk it up to being a very small, poorly powered engine. I haven't had many opportunities, but I've beaten Geo/Chevy Metros every time! 8~O
  • sentient_lifesentient_life Member Posts: 10
    The greatest car to ever be produced by Ford, er Kia Motors, may make a return. The Aspire, trounced by many as the Expire, having never enjoyed the fame and fortune of the Geo/Chevy Metro, might be reintroduced in 2001. Here is the location of the article, scroll down a little:

    http://www.fordnews.com

    Man, I can't wait for the Focus ZX3...
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    ZX3 Hatchback $12,280

    Cool, I'll take mine in silver please with
    5-speed and throw in some air conditioning if you don't mind. :-)
  • tom_71tom_71 Member Posts: 3
    Ok, thanks for the reassurance. It was a previous rental for the first 41k miles. So I'm not sure how hard people have driven the motor. I'd only hope it to be in as good shape as yours at 105k.

    Tom
  • manchildmanchild Member Posts: 18
    - Air Conditioning
    - Power Windows
    - Power Door Locks
    - Power Seats (not available on any model)
    - Cassette Player (CD Player is standard)
    - Cruise Control
    - Tilt Steering Wheel
    - Sunroof (not available on any model)

    IMHO, $12,280 is where you'll start. After a few options packages, the price will probably be closer to $15,000, though most customers could probably bring the dealer down a grand or so in negotiations.

    On the other hand, the options list for the Focus, which also includes Leather Seats, is much better than for the Honda Civic, which also has 27 less horses under the hood. The other big competitor, the VW Golf, starts at $14,900. Hmmmmm...
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    I think that the hatch version of the focus is what ford thinks younger buyers looking for as cheap as possible will go for. One main reason I think this is that it has a CD player standard even though it is the cheapest model. I am 27 and I haven't bought a tape for over 10 years. None of my friends buy tapes. I can't believe that so many cars come with tape players anymore. A CD player isn't even expensive anymore. Everyone of my friends has an aftermarket CD player in their car. I also don't see why people will pay $500 for a CD in their car from a dealer. For $500 you can get a good CD player and good speakers installed that will blow away anything the dealer will do.

    Back to cars........ The Honda hatch is also very cheap and it doesn't come with anything standard. At least with the focus you have the option of adding options if you want them. There are very few available options for the civic hatch.

    As for the Golf. By the time you add options to the focus to match the standard equipment on the golf I would imagine that the focus will still be cheaper. Besides, they are going to make tons of the focus so you won't have to be calling around dealerships just to find one. Ford wants to sell a lot of these and is going to be building a lot.
  • jenevievejenevieve Member Posts: 11
    so when is this car supposed to be available for someone like me to buy? i'm on the verge of buying a golf or a subaru outback sport, but if it's not too long a wait, i might take a look at the focus.
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    The last that I heard it was October but things may have changed since then.
  • occupant1occupant1 Member Posts: 412
    Ken, I agree, the 1991-1996 Escorts were good...but not nearly the same caliber of the other cars of the time...I had a 1992 Pony to thrash around for awhile and it was OK, not bad, but not especially good either. I see the resale values are not too good.

    The Aspire shifting thing is something you should be HAPPY for. These 3-speed automatics in the Aspire, Festiva, and Metros are built tough for a reason...durability under load. The 50-70 horsepower engines aren't enough to overcome the tires nor the transmission. If you are driving your car hard enough to cause a really hard shift (like pulls the steering wheel out of your hands) then maybe you should buy a tachometer and not let your car shift at 6500rpm...

    I like the Focus, but for my $12,280 I would rather have two slightly used Geo Metros, or maybe a Plymouth Road Runner, 383/727, in Sub-Lime...we can all dream can't we?

    $12,280 will also buy a Golf III/Jetta III with a V6, or a late eighties Mercedes-Benz 4Matic wagon...hmm?
  • manchildmanchild Member Posts: 18
    But how many miles are going to be on that Benz wagon, or even that V6 Golf? That alone would make the Focus a little more attractive, wouldn't you think?
  • tom_71tom_71 Member Posts: 3
    I ripped out the blaupunkt cassette player that came with my car, and put in a cheap little 35Wx4 sony CD player i got at the sony outlet store for 65$, and changed the stupid paper cone speakers with a pair of 30W 50$ sony speakers from Wal-yworld. So I had to pay 150$ for a system that should have been in the car the first place. Oh well..

    Tom
  • travismltravisml Member Posts: 10
    Hi Folks,

    I may be a bit out of date here, but a great link for pictures and info on the Focus is ford's uk site. http://www.ford.co.uk/fo2 will take you directly to the focus.
    Please let them bring the 5 door here.
  • manchildmanchild Member Posts: 18
    Fordnews.com has just opened up its 2000 Model Information Center, which has complete pricing info on the Focus and other Ford Models. A quick MSRP check reveals...

    Ford Focus ZX3 Hatchback w/ these options:
    - Air Condition
    - Anti-Lock Brakes
    - Power Door Locks w/ Remote Entry
    - Side Impact Air Bags
    - Floor Mats

    With the 5-spd manual: $14275
    With the automatic: $15090

    Judging from these prices, I'd be willing to bet that some Ford dealerships will advertise the 5-speed Focus with those options at $12995 and still make a few bucks from that deal. That should get people around here interested, eh?
  • wolfarthwolfarth Member Posts: 8
    Dealers in the metro DC area are quoting me about 5% over invoice, with delivery in 4-6 weeks. A loaded ZX3 (without power locks but A/C, A/T, side air bags & ABS) can be had for $13972. Still a thousand dollars above Manchild's target, but the automatic transmission accounts for $750 of that difference.

    BTW, one dealer has a black wagon arriving the end of August. Anyone want a dirt magnet?
  • mznmzn Member Posts: 727
    Thanks for the link, travisml. I'm with you. Let's get that 5 door Focus stateside!

    carlady/host
  • manchildmanchild Member Posts: 18
    Actually, that's pretty much what I was expecting for a ZX3 with an automatic -- $27 less, in fact -- though I figured they would include the power locks option with that. Still, that's a deal that could hit the VW Golf where it hurts.
  • wolfarthwolfarth Member Posts: 8
    I just talked to a MD dealer who confirmed a letter from Ford sent in the spring: ZX3s will ship after the release of the sedans and wagon. Official release of the hatchback is November, so cars will not appear until late Sept./early October.

    The dealer did not have the color options for the ZX3, making it difficult for me to order. (For some reason, he's not convinced that the ordering codes are already available on the Internet at www.kbb.com!)

    [BTW, Very small color swatches are shown at www.fordvehicles.org, but they're too small to be useful. The overseas Ford sources use different names than the US..... Have any of you found a good source of color information?]

    At 3% over invoice, a loaded ZX3 with shipping is less than $14,500: a good deal, if the quality is in fact Job One.
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    I wonder how long the Escort ZX2 will remain in production. I saw a picture of a Focus coupe on a German website. Maybe this will replace it.

    I am glad that the 3 door is coming earlier than the spring. Hatchbacks were looked down on by buyers as econoboxes, but now the image has faded with time, Hooray!

    BTW: Earlier someone said that they do not buy domestic cars, only trucks. Well, I consider my Contour and the Focus as equivalents to US made Hondas, Toyotas, etc.
  • fischdafischda Member Posts: 272
    Well, I just spent hours on the Hatchback and now Focus threads. First time poster. I was ready to negotiate on a VW Golf, test drive a Civic DX Hatch, and now I'm all misty about this Focus. A few weeks ago, I saw 4 truckloads of Foci (sedans, wagons, and hatches) on I-76 in PA. Wonder if they were headed to the DC area? I need a car now! I love my Ford Ranger 4X4, but can't take the 5-spd in DC traffic anymore. What can you tell me about any of the current hatchback offerings mated to an AT?

    I wonder if the Focus will go "chunk" (like the Golf), or go "clank" (like the Civic) when you slam the door. I prefer a good solid chunk. Fell in love with the Golf's spitited ride on the test drive, and the 4-wheel disk ABS is awesome! Have owned Hondas with suspect brake longevity. BUT, I do like Ford trucks, and will consider waiting for the Focus to see how good "Europe's best" is.
  • mznmzn Member Posts: 727
    Welcome fischda! I'm glad you found us.

    carlady/host
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    The Focus was a Car of the Year for Europe auto journalists. It means a lot more than Motor Trend's award, btw.

    I can't wait to look it over and drive. My Contour is solid, much more than my mother's 94 Sable. If the Focus is newer design, I expect it to be as good as my car.
  • cool3cool3 Member Posts: 4
    I don't understand Ford's logic. Why do they think that Americans will want to buy a 3 door hatchback, but not a 5 door version. Reg Football, sign me up on that petition. Now Ford has at least four customers for the 5 door hatchback.
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    Sign me up too. That makes six.
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    I counted my wife.
  • wolfarthwolfarth Member Posts: 8
    Yes, indeed! That is what we want!

    BTW, a local dealer sent me word tonight that he has a silver Focus sedan. So they are coming....
  • sgroversgrover Member Posts: 2
    I drove a loaded focus se today and I gotta say it was nice. I'm actually holding out for the zx3, but after all I've read, I had to drive one. Of course the loaded se is essentially a zts, but I can see what the appeal is. The strangest thing I found was that the fuel door was actually plastic, not metal like the rest of the side panel. Also the horizontal adjustment on the driver's seat is actually a hand crank, kinda like a door window handle. I've read great reviews on the handling, but have heard nothing about reliability during the year it has been in Europe. Any one else hear anything about it? I could see myself buying one but I sure would like to know if it has had any first year problems across the pond.
  • richspirichspi Member Posts: 1
    I love my 92 Probe's hatchback! I can get my bike
    without taking so much as a wheel off, spare wheels, cooler & duffel bag. I can also fit two bikes (front wheels off) & as many as 3wheeelsets.
    I know its a high liftover but most of my stuff is
    pretty light. In the winter I can fit 3 cross country skiers (in winter clothing), their ski's,
    boots & poles! Will the Focus hold as much?
  • sentient_lifesentient_life Member Posts: 10
    I was at www.fordnews.com recently and went to their 2000 model year feature. They have all the new cars listed, with the features and pricing. As far as the Focus is concerned, I noticed that there is one significant omission. The only variant of the Focus that will have an option for speed/cruise control is the ZTS sedan!
    All of us that have a long drive to and from work would sure love to have at least the option to have cruise control on our car (at least I do). Hopefully, that was fordnews.com's mistake. I sure want the ZX3...
  • cool3cool3 Member Posts: 4
    To compare find out how much cubic feet of cargo your probe has and compare this to 18.5 cubic feet for the zx3.
  • cool3cool3 Member Posts: 4
    Don't worry sgrover, according to a 4 year research on the now defunct escort, the focus should be as reliable as the 2000 corolla.
  • tjts2tjts2 Member Posts: 18
    I really like the Focus. I didn't think that Ford would actually be able to make a car I would actually consider buying. The last Ford I liked was the 80s Taurus wagon (don't ask, I am a freak.)
    But I just don't understand Fords strategy. The cheapent model comes with the most powerfull engine while the most expensive (wagon) has the lesser. What the hell are they thinking? I would love to have a 130hp wagon with a a stick. Oh well. Leave it to Ford of North America to mess up what the Euros created.
    I was previously considering a Civic hatch, but the Ford hatch is a much better value in a more attractive package. I am just aprihensive about the quality.
    Here is some advice: If you can wait, dont buy one of the early examples to come of the line. Wait a couple of months to order yours. I have seen that with many new models (from a variety of manufacturers) the first examples have some build quality issues in general.
    I curently have a base 95 Meon with no options (power steering and AC does not impress me HA HA HA.) Its noizy as hell but bullet proof despite all the bad press (go figure.) For $8600 new, it was the best deal I ever got, on anything. I just hope the Focus prooves to be just as good.
    Does anyone think that I could get my hands on a base ZX3 for $1100 or less?
  • tjts2tjts2 Member Posts: 18
    SORRY
    I ment to Say "Neon" and "$11,000". Not "1100"(I wish.)
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    The reason they put the 130 hp engine in the hatch is because it is supposed to be the sporty model that appeals to younger buyers. That is also why the hatch has a standard CD player and alloy wheels standard. The 130 hp engine is an option on the sedans and wagon and is standard on the ZTS sedan.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Waah! I want a 5-speed Zetec wagon! When is Ford going to wake up? (I have given up on DaimlerC and GM). Is there strategy on transmission something like "Let's just hand over those 90 or 100,000 units a year to VW." ??

    Hey Ford, newsflash- young, active buyers like to row their own boats! Ask VW and BMW if you have doubts...
  • waclawibwaclawib Member Posts: 3
    Hey,
    Someone asled about the feel of the door on the Focus, and I can attest that they feel more solid than Civics. My Dad (in Europe) has a ZX3 (it is called Trend over there) and the door close with a very solid sound. Overall, in Europe it is a well-built car. I just hope American quality will be at least as good.
    BTW, the American ZX3 has better engine than the Euro car, which is GREAT! I cannot wait to drive this 130hp car!
  • searchmansearchman Member Posts: 1
    Will the focus with an automatic be towable with all four wheels down?
  • toyomantoyoman Member Posts: 5
    I think ford has made a mistake in offering the ZETEC engine on only some models, the base engine is just not compatible with the rest of the car. Even though it has been improved, its design goes back quite a few years.
  • 69pont69pont Member Posts: 1
    In response to ford reliability I own a 93 escort
    wagon. I bought it for my wife to commute to and
    from Brooklyn hoping it would last a few years,(
    cheap transport.) but it proved to be the best car
    I have owned. except for normal wear items the only thing I have replaced was the turn signal
    flasher. It now just turned 150,000 hard N.Y.C
    miles,still gets 30+m.p.g. If the new Focus is close I wouldn't worry too much about reliability!
  • dae3dae3 Member Posts: 55
    The only model that you can't get the Zetec engine on is the very bottom level 4-door sedan. It is standard on the ZX3, ZTS, and optional on the wagon and the SE sedan. Any one who is buying the bottom of three trim levels with no options isn't going to spend more to get the up-level engine anyway so why offer it.
  • ddaleyddaley Member Posts: 7
    To further what '69pont' said about the Escort. I'd agree it's a bargin reliable car. And with the Focus getting all the hype now and sales over all booming I'll bet a very good deal can be had on them. Pick and Escort over: Hyundai, Daewoo, Kia, Suzuki. Quite solid basic trasport. No more no less.
  • harms1313harms1313 Member Posts: 1
    Can someone please tell me what the seating capacity is on all the Focus models?
  • tjts2tjts2 Member Posts: 18
    All models will seat 5 people. Even the hatch. Mind you that the latter three will be complaining. But four large adilts would be fairly comfortable.
  • tjts2tjts2 Member Posts: 18
    I have stumbled on a gold mine of Focus publicity pictures. Many are are of the US specs cars.

    Go to: http://www.wieck.com/public/index.html

    There, type in the "Search Criteria" box "Ford Focus." They are in cronological order of release. There are about 160. When clicking on a picture, open it in a separate window because your back button will now work to take you back to the list. Enjoy.
  • tjts2tjts2 Member Posts: 18
    I was wrong. Do not write "Ford". Just "Focus."
  • sgroversgrover Member Posts: 2
    ok, I asked the question about the reliability of the focus. I understand where the escort owners are coming from, but as a owner of a 95 windstar (please no comments, it hurts enough just to think about it) I am a little hesitant to get bit by the ford quality bug again. That being said, I'm torn because I really like what I've seen about the focus. There was a response about similar reliability to the one of the 2000 toyota models, but I have no idea how that comparison came about. Anyone want to clue me in?
  • chuckdvchuckdv Member Posts: 4
    From a lifelong GM person:
    GM has nothing similar to the Ford Focus. I wrote them and asked if there was anything similar in the works...No response. I guess they don't care.
    (Don't anyone say Metro)
    I am exited about the Focus. I was England 2 months ago and they are all over. The design caught my eye. I can't wait to test drive one.
    Does anyone have any information on the Toyota Echo? I am interested in a comparison.
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