Ford Focus - Part III

alf3 · February 2000

Silver_Bullet - no response yet re: sill plates ....but I'm hopeful - I'll let you know! Glad you got the pn's for the BMW screws.

I'm going to stop by the Ford dealer and investigate the map light - from the somewhat sketchy drawings in the owner's manual, it appears that the two might be a direct swap - keep our fingers crossed - the extra map lights would be a nice addition !!

tickbitty · February 2000

Thanks Alf for the info on accessories. Be careful about replacing stuff that is on or under the bumpers, their bumpers overseas don't have the same specs as ours and are shorter, so the stuff might not fit!

espowari · February 2000

I have a Euro plate from Germany that is on my 85 Volvo. I want to put it on my ZX3 when it comes in. Does it have holes or a place to put it on the front of the car?

drebe73 · February 2000

Hey,Parsadanov I'm sure it depends on the dealer.
My ZX3 is still sitting in the lot of the body shop of my dealer for a month now. They have no part to repair it so no work has been done, they have not supplied me with a loaner car so I am forced to take the bus. I have heard that another Ford dealer in my area does supply a loaner but unfortunatly I did not buy it from them. I dont think they have to supply one for you. If you are going through your insurance company, maybe they will supply one for you. I wrote to Ford to tell them that I was dissapointed that they have not supplied me with a loaner being that it is their fault that it is taking so long to repair. Anyway good luck with your repair, I have heard on this forum that windshield problems dont take too long to resolve.

drebe73 · February 2000

I guess Project is out making up for all the lost mileage he missed out on while his hatchling was in the hospital. You Go Project!!!!!

projectzx3 · February 2000

hey everyone! yes i have been out motoring. the car is GREAT! dre' im going to write ford about you and me and the rest of the 'gang'. its bad enough to have to wait but i cannot understand your dealer not assisting you with a loaner. there are sites on edmunds where you can praise or hammer your dealership. i'd tell them thats exactly what you're going to do. post it all over the web! and believe me people (prospective customers) do read it! be careful not to be too slanderous but you can definately mention how long you've been waiting, your dealerships name and location and thier refusal to help a good customer. to me it would just be good business to provide you ( a young customer with many more new car purchases in his future) with a loaner. they must be idiots! give me thier name and address and i'll write them. it is absurd. i am in business for myself and you don't get repeat customers bytreating people the way they are treating you. if it were my dealership i would not only provide you with a loaner but i'd make damn sure it was a zx3 equipped like the one you bought. i guess that's why i have over a 99% repeat customer base. and i am not bullsh*ting there folks.

tickbitty · February 2000

I also posted this in "aftermarket"
Does anyone know if there are "cargo
liners" and such made for hatchbacks? I'm getting
a ZX3 and will sometimes use it as a sort of mini
station wagon, but I'd like to keep it nice. But
all the "cargo liners" I've seen are for SUV's and
station wagons. I was hoping for a liner for when
the back seat is folded down for carrying the dog,
or wood or whatever. Any ideas? I guess I could
cut one out of flat rubber matting, but those cargo
liners are nice, have a lip to hold all the
"crumblies."

drebe73 · February 2000

I called the Ford body shop and they said that they are expecting "SOME" part to arrive on Thursday Feb. 10th. I didn't ask which parts but I plan on visiting on Friday to see if they did come in. I asked if they would start to work on the car with the parts as they get them, and they said they would if they could. I am hoping that one of the parts is the wind shield, I don't know if its leaking but if it rains hard enough it just might. I am going to ask about a loaner again, I just don't want to bad mouth the dealer because they did treat me rather kindly during the whole buying experience. I think I mentioned it but I did write to Ford Customer service to complain, but I haven't heard anything back. Of course I did get my first bill from Ford Credit and sent in my first payment. Man those are one expensive set of keys.

mp10 · February 2000

Just as a matter of comparison, I called the dealership to see how much a CD player for the hatchling would cost (mine came with a cassette player and the dealership took another $100 off the price of the car because I was whining). The Parts Guy asked me if I was going to trade in the cassette player - oooh, I thought, this has possibilities! I said, sure, I'd love to, do you do that? He said yeah, they had a progam for just that. Great, I said, how much would the CD player cost if I turn in the month-old, never-used cassette player? Um, let me check...the cost with the trade-in and installation would be $550... ARE THOSE PEOPLE SNIFFING TOO MUCH WINDSHIELD GLUE OR WHAT?????!!!! Buwhahaha...ahem. So much for that.

projectzx3 · February 2000

it's inexcusable not to provide a loaner car in drebe's situation. if ford's corporate hq knew your situation i guarantee you'd have one tomorrow.

mp10 · February 2000

Drebe, tell them they can get the windshield overnight. Well, my dealership did - it's the only thing they *were* able to get. As for Ford Corporate Customer Service, I called them and as I've stated here before, they were totally unsympathetic and uninterested. When I filled out the followup survey, I let them have it. I said they should stop worrying about the dealership (the survey seems to focus on the dealerships, no pun intended) and ask some questions about Ford Corporate. I explained the whole miserable story about getting parts and said the blame was with Ford for building a factory in a Third World country before making sure they could get the parts out, not with their dealerships. m.p. [rant over]

foxfellow · February 2000

Dragway, I've also been trying to get information on the availability of an easy-entry, tilt-and-slide passenger seat for the ZX3. I think this feature will make a big difference in the everyday liveability of the car. My dealer has been unable to find this information for me, but one of the postings I read on this forum suggested that this feature will be becoming a standard feature on the ZX3 at some point. I took the bull by the horns and sent several emails to Ford's Owner Connection site. My first reply from them was completely off the subject; they told me that manual seat height adjustment is a standard feature. After I reiterated my request, I got this response:
"We have found that the 2000 model Ford Focus ZX3 that is available in North America comes equipped with a seat that slides forward and the back flips forward. This is a standard feature of the vehicle.
"The feature that allows the seat to tilt forward with a hinge on the front of the seat to allow for more access to the back seat is only available for vehicles being made for the European market. Regrettably, it is not available for the North American market."
Unfortunately, this response has only left me more confused than I was before. The first paragraph suggests that the feature we both want is being made standard. However, then the respondent goes on to write about some other kind of seat, supposedly only available in Europe, which sounds very much like the tilting-but-not-sliding-forward passenger seat I saw on the ZX3 I test-drove several weeks ago. Perhaps a European Focus hatchback owner can provide some clarification? Better yet, maybe some Ford employees are reading these posts and can respond?

foxfellow · February 2000

Hey. . . I just had another thought. . . maybe the "seat that slides forward and the back flips forward" is Ford Customer Connection's description of a standard hatchback passenger seat: i.e.: one that tilts, but will only slide forward if you reach under the seat and pull the seat-track adjustment lever. Then, when the front passenger gets in, they have to manually adjust the front seat again. Ohhh. . . how frustrating it is that I can't get a straight answer!

drebe73 · February 2000

Now that you mentioned it I recall the sales man saying that the seat slides forward and then resets back to the original position, but for the one day I had mine I remember that not to be true. I'm begining to think that these people at Ford corporate have never actually seen a Focus ZX3 in real life.

bjammin2 · February 2000

I'm afraid that for those of us brave souls who had to be first on the block must suffer the lack of a tip slide passanger seat. I'm sure that ford has or will soon make the zx3 with the easy access seat. They do it on the cougar and it would be stupid not to put one in the zx3. I think the seat situation is similar to the cruise control situation. They weren't ready to have it on the first cars but will later in production. This doesn't really bode well with me that ford will put out a product that isn't perfected yet. But as I've said before, I love my zx3 as it is and I always get out of my car a little happier:-)

fossil69 · February 2000

My two month old zx3 is back at the dealer!! my
speedomater (cant spell) crashed!! I was driving and it droped to 0. then i would go twenty and it would say 70. took it in yesterday. The dealer said 5 to 6 weeks. I yelled and said take one from a car on the lot and use that one. Well..... I'm picking my black,zx3 up on mon!

alf3 · February 2000

All of the little niceties that you folks are looking for on your ZX3s obviously cost Ford, and ultimately the consumer, money. I wish my ZX3 had the cool little triangular side marker lights, rear amber turn signals, and locking gas flap that are standard on the Euro Foci. Heck, in England, power front windows are even standard ! But the ZX3 was built to sell at a certain price point in the US, and for the suggested MSRP, it's quite a value. Sure, the ZX3 doesn't have 4 wheel discs standard, or standard ABS, BUT it has the 2 litre Zetec standard, vs. the 1.4 litre you get as standard equipment in the UK. Bottom line - it's a great car !! As far as it being released before it was 'perfected' - thanks, but no thanks. Ford will undoubtedly continue to improve the Focus specs, and the price will undoubtedly grow as well.

agntsilk · February 2000

this is a cool club i stumbled across
links and such its new but its a good one
its geard tword the aftermarket of focus and its all focus
http://home.talkcity.com/FerrariDr/clubfocus/Club_Focus_web/HOMEx.html

norwaydoug · February 2000

My car is still in the shop being repaired for the damage due to the driver hitting my beloved ZX-3 in the parking lot. The damage due to the deer incident is still not fixed.

FORD has no idea when the body panels will come.

Currently, I have no news regarding the repair of my Focus. The Insurance company wants to bang out the dents and the Dealer and I want new panels for the car.

I am driving a Taurus and feel old and very uncool driving it. I want my ZX-3!

NorwayDoug

silver_bullet · February 2000

Alf3, you are right on target. It is amazing to me that Ford product planners came up with such a nice car to begin with! Zetec engine, 5-speed, balanced handling, simplicity and low weight are the things that make this car great. Getting 15" alloys, leather steering wheel and a CD player standard at this price along with such a well-balanced package is icing on the cake. Look at it this way - Ford left room for everyone to personalize his or her ZX3. That's part of the fun of ownership. If getting in and out of the backseat is a critical issue for you, maybe a ZTS would have been a better choice :-) Seriously, don't beat up on the product planners who have given us a neat car at a very difficult-to-achieve price point. Yes, Ford will probably add "content" as the months go by, but the price (and weight) will go up too. Love your ZX3 for what it is! 4 wheel discs? Look at the Civic Si! It has them and doesn't stop as well as a Civic EX with disc/drums... go figure. Just my opinion, and I don't work for Ford!

mp10 · February 2000

I have to agree with Silver Bullet about the sliding seat issue - I bought this car just because I *don't* haul people around very much - I wanted it for hauling big items from a store like a rug, or a bookcase box or whatever, for which a sedan is pretty much useless. Personally, I would never sit in the backseat of a car like the ZX3- not having a door back there would make me feel totally paranoid about being trapped in the event of an accident...eeeewwww! And you *know* how our little hatchlings are accident magnets... But the window crank is totally bogus and its position needs to be redesigned or they need to make automatic windows standard. However, on the whole, now that I have my zippy little silver hatchling back (3 whole days without a mishap!) I just love it.

tickbitty · February 2000

thanks Silver B.......I went to the macneil website, http://macneilauto.com/Fordliners.htm
but it doesn't look good. THey list a liner for the wagon "in development" but nothing for the hatch. I emailed them anyway, to ask, but..

tickbitty · February 2000

block heater is another 15 or 20$ option here in the states. Guess they figured you need it standard up there! (I was in Quebec last month -- brrrrr!)

cefurod · February 2000

I love reading the post on this site but lately, it's just been all complaining. I was relieved to see that not everybody (alf3, silver bullet,mp10) were such babies. Sliding sets? How tall are you people? If you were so worry about this, you shouldn't have bought a hatchback. Cruise control? Now how often is that used? We all knew cruise control wasn't an option when we bought the car. If you people are unhappy about the lack of options, you should've waited a few months until they become available. As for me, i bought mine with just a/c. And for $12,800 out the door, I'm sure no other cars of this value could compare to it. Arrgggg!!

fossil69 · February 2000

waiting for my dealer to change my speedomoter but i miss my zx3. I love my car and im not to fond of the tarus im driving (213 thousand miles)
I think the focus is a great car! I just want accseories to come out for it. I saw a sedan with a bra on it but no black out are avalable yet. Why is the bra out and nothing else? Another thing can we get a moon roof for the zx3 not a sun roof but a moon roof?

danny1234 · February 2000

1. LABELS on the back of the car...

Has anyone noticed if they have both
'Focus' and "zx3" labels on the back of their cars.. They were showing the focus in car&driver television this sunday, and they had BOTH the labels.

Then again, I saw another ZX3 on the freeway, and it did not have the 'zx3' label, only the 'focus label. What's going on here? Am I and others missing some labels?

2. Fog lights

Do your fog lights come on with the parking lights on? .. I think they are supposed to turn on with the low beams, but the fog's indicator light (on the ring surrounding the light switch) goes on even with the parking lamps. However, even though the indicator light is on, the lights do not go on.

and some other comments... Someone had asked if the combination dome light with map lights could be installed in the zx3 easily.. the answer is yes. Both of them seem to have the same structure and connectors. I'd like to get them and install them soon.

close to 6000 miles on my hatchling, the weather is getting a bit warmer out here .. in the 30F's and the car is again feeling very smooth and refined. It seemed to sound somewhat coarse on very cold days, with the temperature in the teens(F).

Project zx3, congrats on getting your hatchling back, and hope you and your son have a great time with it. fossil69 and others with their cars awaiting work at the dealers, hang in there.. it's tough, but can only get better.

foxfellow · February 2000

I just got a very pleasant call-back from Jesse at Ford's Customer Connection Customer Support Center. He wanted to talk with me to clear up the ambiguities and misunderstandings that were piling up in our email correspondence. He told me that, at least for the foreseeable future, a tilt & slide passenger seat, such as is offered on the Cougar, will only be available on the European ZX3, not the North American version. The Focus brand manager told him that there currently aren't any plans to make this feature available on the North American car.

This certainly isn't a deal-killer for me. I agree with other posters who have written that Ford has done a terrific job of making lots of attractive content (the Zetec engine, the alloy wheels, fog lights, the CD player) standard on this car, at a very low price. I wasn't expecting a tilt & slide seat initially, but I got all excited when I read on this board that the feature might be becoming available. Not because of my current life situation -- I'm a single guy who doesn't transport more than one passenger at a time very often -- but because of the chance that, maybe three years down the road, I'll be worrying about things like infant seats and such. I really admire the styling of the ZX3 and am nearly 100% convinced I will buy one. It's just that, maybe a few years down the road, I'll have to trade it in for a Focus Wagon! But I'll worry about that when it happens.

tickbitty · February 2000

I was thinking the same thing, I actually climbed in back when I test drove, (they let me take it away by myself so I went down the block then pulled over, adjusted, sat in back!) It was easy enough, BUT I was thinking that a few years down the road I might have to load a BABY back there which would be a pain - even WITH the "easy entry seat" So, I'm thinking maybe by then they will have the 4 door hatch available! I'm so anxious to get this car they could skip the back seat altogether!

Anyways, people loaded lots of kids and junk in their 2 door "bugs" back in the old days, I suppose I can do it too. I've decided that the Focus is actually the REAL new "People's Car," functional and affordable, unlike the "new beetle" (which I must admit I do admire but can't afford)

Have you guys seen the giveaway purple ZX3 on Yahoo? Go to yahoo autos and enter!

tickbitty · February 2000

hope one of us wins!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/promotions/yahooautos/

silver_bullet · February 2000

Here's how mine works: With ignition on, parking lamp position - pull the switch, foglamp symbol illuminates, foglamps DO NOT. Rotate to headlamp position, pull the switch - foglamp symbol AND foglamps illuminate. Switch on the highbeams - foglamps should go off. Anyone else agree with this?

jcu1886 · February 2000

1. My Focus has both labels, "Focus" and "ZX3" on the back.
2. The fog lights work only with the low beams.

danderson
Cleveland

drebe73 · February 2000

I called the body shop today and found out some good news , they said that 1/3 of the parts to fix my car arrived today. I was told that more parts are becoming readily available so the remaining parts that I need should be in within the next few weeks. WOOHOO!!! I hope that means that some work will be started. I'll keep everyone posted.
In reference to DANNY1234, I know for sure that my hatchling has both the "focus" and "ZX3" emblems on the back.
I have a question. When I bought my hatchling there was a rubber piece attached to the 3rd break light, it kind of clipped onto the top and bottom edge of the lens . I asked the sales guy and he didn't know what it was. I just think it was something to protect the lens during transit. It comes off but I don't want to throw it away if it is something important. Does anyone know what it might be?

mp10 · February 2000

It's pretty sad when we get excited hearing that the parts will arrive "in a few weeks.." At least they're telling you there's light at the end of the tunnel - keep on truckin'... m.p.

mp10 · February 2000

As I have the cassette player, I inquired at a local shop (not one of the chain stores) about putting in the CD player. The Owner confirmed that the "kit" is not available for the Ford Focus - he suggested leaving the cassette in place and adding a 6-CD changer, which would go under the passenger seat. The controller would be snuggled in where the dashboard and the shift hump meet with brackets. It's a super duper controller and displays the name of the artist instead of "CD 1" - with installation it would be $375 (on sale from $525). At least it's less than what Ford wants for a single CD player installed on the dash. ($550). It's a top of the line brand but darn if I can remember it...

mp10 · February 2000

I mailed back the survey and a letter which blasted them about the problem with obtaining parts. They called all day but I was at work - they finally left one message that said to call them back on an 800 number to "discuss" the situation. I'm going to call but I don't really see the point - when I called them the first time to ask for help with the parts problem, they said they couldn't do anything about it. So what are they going to say now - that they're sorry? Big deal... m.p.

drebe73 · February 2000

Do it man! Call them and tell them about everything we all have been through.
Maybe if you have more than just one story to tell then they will take the complaint more seriously. You never know.

drebe73 · February 2000

Hey MP10, I bought my Sony 10 disc changer for my previous car ('96 Cavalier) because it had a stock cassette stereo plus the speakers sounded fine to me. They used an RF modulator to run the changer through one of the radio stations. I was very satisfied with it. It came with a remote so I could control the changer without taking my eyes off of the road. If it sounds like something that might interest you I'd say go for it. I paid about the same price you mentioned. I am thinking about putting the changer in my ZX3 even though mine came with the CD player. It's great on long trips to have 10 discs in shuffle mode. I wasn't sure where to install it because I didn't want to take up floor space in the trunk. Now that you mention under the passenger seat I might just put it there. But the manual says do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with airflow to the back seats. The changer isn't very big so I think it will be OK. I'm also concerned about sand, dirt, and water getting in the changer if it's installed under the seat. I guess I'll figure it out once I get my car back, its no use guessing I barely remember what the interior of my car looks like.

hkoenen2 · February 2000

The wife took the car grocery shopping today and when she came back to it someone had hit it in the front. Tore the front plate off and punched two small holes into the bumper. Wonder what kind of a kismo they had on their car to cause that? Not sure what the bumper cover will cost me but I would think its less than my $500 deductible. Luckily one of the holes is covered by the front plate and maybe I have to find a bumper sticker for the front bumper to cover the other hole.

mp10 · February 2000

Good grief... m.p.

mp10 · February 2000

The Stereo Man suggested the trunk for the cd changer, but I nixed that immediately, so he suggested under the passenger seat. I made him try it out to make sure it would fit and that I could reach it, etc. Seemed ok. As for not blocking the airflow, I presume that means so that heat/ac reach *humanoids* sitting in the deathtrap seats in the back, right? I mean, it wouldn't affect the performance of the car? I dunno, I always end up with all kinds of stuff under there anyway - mittens, cans of defroster, rolls of toilet paper (hey..you never know when you'll need it!), so it might as well be a CD changer. Unless someone knows of serious problem this could cause (speak up, speak up!). I was wondering if the price for this jobbie was reasonable - probably top of the line, but not ridiculous? I'd rather have this 65 year old guy do it (since 1955) than some 17 year old at Circuit City...I think. m.p.

projectzx3 · February 2000

hk all i can tell you is the bumper cover only took like a couple days for my dealer to procure. so hopefully they will fix you up quickly.... mp i think its worth calling them and giving them an earfull. if you can prevent one person from going through what you've endured than its the right thing to do... and its good for Ford too. our zx3 has both emblems on the back. Dre hopefully they can at least get a windshield in just in case the damaged one leaks. I'm glad they're making progress albeit slow. Our family is having fun in the ZX3!!! No complaints at all. I haven't forgotten my 'fallen' comrades. If there's anything i can do at all just ask. Good luck with repairs.

xqu · February 2000

I've got both Focus & ZX3 emblems on the back.

My fog light will turn on with both high beam and low beam, not 100% sure so I'll go out to check it out. But it won't on with the parking light on. If I pull out the switch the signal will on but it's wrong.

My CD change works fine under passager seat, make it face back if you worry about the dirt, water...

tu5 · February 2000

ZX3 fans- why would you ever order your focus, its not like there are tons of options to order on them. its pretty much gonna be which color you want and 5spd or auto. there are tons of these cars at dealer lots in Iowa. the best deal i've seen so far was a green 5 spd with only a/c and floor mats, it stickered for only $13100. dont know if it had cruise and tilt though. sounds like ill be waiting for the '01's to come out, so they can get all the problems resolved that you guys are having with yours. sweet little pocket rockets though. the two blue colors are by far the neatest ones of the choices.

rbm · February 2000

One of the more prevalent methods of cost-cutting
in recent years is in the installation of cheap interior headliners. I sat in some cars where you could reach up, put a finger or 2 in the gap (especially in front of the rear window), and literally pull the whole headliner down. I can easily envision my kids pulling such stunts, so I won't even consider a car that has that possibility.

When I looked at a Focus, the first thing I checked out was the clunky cupholder inserts which seem to dominate the lower part of the dash. Then I pushed on the headliner in front of the interior light. The material crunched and caved in to expose the bare lightbulb underneath.

I'm sure I could have found several more cheapo details but I only sat in the car for a minute.
Once I see stuff like that, it doesn't matter how good the rest of the car is. My point is: Ford is
still not marketing a world car. That level of shoddiness would not be acceptable in a Euro-spec
vehicle. I thought my new 5-speed wagon might be a Focus, but since they don't even sell one, I guess my short list is 'focused' on the VW Passat.

tickbitty · February 2000

In my case, I did have to order. There are not that many on lots around here (1 or 2 on each lot I've seen)and although I was very flexible about the color and other options, I wanted 5 speed and ABS. NONE to be found, even in a supposed regional "dealer search" those with ABS were all automatics.

tickbitty · February 2000

come on now....the passat is a wonderful car, but for 7000$ more it better have way more than just a good headliner over the focus wagon. It just isn't fair to compare details like that on cars with such different price tickets. That's a near 50% price jump! The great thing about the focus is that it puts folks like me, with the used car or escort budget, into a category that you passat folks would even consider! Wow!

dragway · February 2000

You took the words right out of my mouth tickbitty. I like the focus and even better I like the extra cash in my account and not VW's, or Ford's for that matter.

alf3 · February 2000

Hey Silver_Bullet !! Looks like I may finally have a firm lead on the Ford scuff guards for our ZX3 door sills!! I'll post details when I find out more !!!

silver_bullet · February 2000

My fiancee bought a Passat last month, and I just got my ZX3 last week, so I can comment on both cars from an "ownership" perspective. BTW, I'm 43, and have owned 19 cars in my life, including 6 BMWs. IMHO Ford has done a remarkable job with the Focus. The closest thing in price VW can offer is a Golf GL, and if you can find one, you are looking at another $3K on top of the ZX3 - that's about 25% of what I paid for my car. I'm not alone in pointing out that any manufacturer can do a nice car if the development budget is there, but show me another new car for $12.5K (what I paid out the door) that does what the ZX3 does... you can't. Yes, my fiancee's Passat is a nice car, as well it should be for $21.5K. That extra 9 grand I didn't spend will come in very handy when we go looking for our first house. My point? Try comparing "apples to apples", and don't get so bogged down with nitpicking little details on a car at the Focus' price point. BTW my fiancee LOVES my ZX3, and is rather jealous!

silver_bullet · February 2000

Alf3, good deal! Let me know what you find out. I installed the license plate hole cover caps after painting the caps with Ford touch-up paint -- they look factory! Thanks. Back when I had my Miata, the aftermarket produced a variety of sill covers for that car, and the one I went with was a very nice brushed aluminum piece that had a lip that rolled over the outer edge and protected it as well - wish someone would do that for the ZX3, or maybe the Ford part does this too.

Ford Focus - Part III

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