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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part VI

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Comments

  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    Drebe, as always wishing you the best. i too wish there was something we could do. my dealer had a web site w/ an email address. find out the service mgr's name.i emailed my service mgr. daily asking for updates... nothing rude (even though i was tempted). simply ask for the status and projected finish date etc. email is a legitimate form of correspondence in court if it gets to that. you can save your records of emails sent and the replies you get or don't get from your dealer. even better maybe it'll help keep your car on the 'front' burner and get it done!
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    I would insist on having the car inspected by the zone service manager, so you can document with Ford the extent of the defects. The black you see around the edges of the side windows are traces of the structural adhesive used to bond these windows to the car. Like the windshield, bonding glass to the unibody increases the stiffness of the entire vehicle. Primer showing through the topcoat is very annoying, but probably won't cause a problem down the road. My '91 Miata and '99 Civic had similar problems. Having said that, you might still want to press Ford for a repaint - but keep in mind that a repaint will never be quite as good as the original factory finish. Make sure you have documentation to show the next owner why the car was painted, otherwise they'll assume you were in a whopper of a wreck at some point.
  • cahollancahollan Member Posts: 32
    My ZX3 makes a "squeek" sound when shifting too...but I have narrowed the noise down to throttle input rather than shifting.

    I get the squeek if after releasing the clutch and I give the car a moderate to heavy amount of gas, or if I simply take my foot off the gas and then reapply moderately to heavily.

    About the "Brake" light...I had this problem too--mine would flicker off and on occasionally. Come to find out when the dealer had prepped the car, he didn't screw the fluid reservoir cap on and I was losing fluid.
  • lefeuetglacelefeuetglace Member Posts: 6
    Speaking of Zinc Yellow... I'm ordering my ZX3 in yellow on thursday.... so far i've gotten a deal of 100 over invoice... is that good? I can't Wait!!
  • imsoyboyimsoyboy Member Posts: 34
    What part of NJ are you from? I'm from Near the Shore..Haven't seen you around..Only one other Sangria Red hatchling sighted...maybe I'll see ya on the Parkway
  • parsadanovparsadanov Member Posts: 16
    The squeeks you are hearing have been mentioned before in this topic. I get this in my zx3 also when throttle is applied. You can even hear it in neutral when parked, just open the throttle and you will hear it. It has been described as normal on zetec engines. Someone posted that they went to the dealer to have it checked out, it turned out to be the zetec engine adjusting the variable timing, thus producing that squeek sound. The person who posted that described it as a sparking sound.

    Igor Parsadanov
    www.geocities.com/igorparsadanov1
  • parsadanovparsadanov Member Posts: 16
    I have an appointment tommorow to get a tint job done on my car. I got a quote for $130 for all windows, except windsheild ofcourse, done with Solargard metalized film I'm thinking of doing it at 35%, anyone have any experiences with solargard film? I've been hearing good things about 3m, the tint guy said that solargard is better than 3m. Should I believe him? Also he said that the back windshield is going to be seamless. I'd appreciate anyone's comments on this.

    Igor Parsadanov
  • gabegarwickgabegarwick Member Posts: 127
    I sent a message to Bonnie Rick (in charge of the Club Conferences). Told her it was going to be you and I (if you don't want to, I can tell her differently).

    We need a name for our conference......
    Ideas???
    I'll start,
    1. Focus Family
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    I sent an email to Carlady offering to serve as a host for a club. Names -- Ford Focus Fanatics? Life With Focus? Focus Pocus? I'll let you decide... I think I've had too much coffee today.
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    or just a club for ZX3 radicals?

    I feel like a Ford salesman, - 2 people near work have stopped me and asked all about the car. In both cases I assumed they were actually interested in the sedan, but in both cases they said "No, I want the hatch!" I told them they can come have a look and drive mine if they want. (I know these people)

    Orlock has me worried about the paint, but mine seems to have an excellent job. A couple drips and a blip, all right around the hatch keyhole. Hardly noticeable, no biggie.
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    there's a whole topic on tinting, it's #30. I thought about it too, but they won't let you have much in this state and besides I wasn't sure how the back defrost might affect the tint. Seems to be a lot of info in the tint forum though.
  • foxfellowfoxfellow Member Posts: 13
    I've been driving my Malibu blue ZX3 for about two months now, but just a couple of days ago I experienced my antilock braking system for the first time, and boy, was I glad I had it!!! I was coming off the I-10 highway on a long, curving off-ramp in the rain, when I rounded a corner and, lo and behold, two cars were stopped dead in front of me (apparently following a fender-bender), taking up more than half the width of the ramp. I pressed the brakes hard and kept them pressed, half-expecting to skid. But I sensed the pulsing of my ABS through the brake pedal, and the ZX3 didn't lose one bit of traction or steering control, and I steered around the two stopped cars with no drama at all. What a terrific technical advance for a small, affordable car!

    By the way, I received my "yellow shoebox" about six weeks after I bought the ZX3 off my dealer's lot. I also received a phone call from a member of Team Focus in Michigan, who wanted to know what my first few weeks with the car had been like. I told her that Ford has a real winner on its hands. I raved about the handling, the steering, the pickup, the height-adjustable seat, and the quality of the standard stereo system; I suggested that they pull the cupholders a bit farther out from underneath the dashboard, give the passenger seat a tilt/slide/easy-rear-entry feature, and make the headrests less obtrusive.

    This is one of the only cars I've ever owned that I typically don't want to get out of when I pull up in front of my apartment. On several occasions, I've driven around my neighborhood after arriving in front of my building, just to prolong the pleasure of driving and listening to that terrific stereo. I've also gotten lots of compliments from passengers who have ridden in the back seat; they've all found it to be much more roomy than they'd expected.
  • gabegarwickgabegarwick Member Posts: 127
    Good point! We should probably have a name that denotes the ZX3s that we love.

    I'm thinking... How about something short, simple?
    Just "ZX3"
    So that subcategories might look like this:
    "ZX3-General"
    "ZX3-Tips,Tricks"
    "ZX3-Modifications-External"
    "ZX3-Modifications-Internal"
    and so on...

    Sound okay?
  • towcrazy2towcrazy2 Member Posts: 337
    I've tried (unsuccessfuly) to steer my wife toward an alternative to the ZX3... But it looks like she's bent on either getting one through locator/dealer-trade or factory order.

    FIRST... Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of order date vs. Delivery date?

    SECOND... Has anyone fitted mudflaps to the ZX3... If so, where did you source them?
  • loolalaloolala Member Posts: 19
    Just wondering what those new colors (Zine Yellow, Dirk Metallic) look like? Is the Zine Yellow similar to The Beetle Turbo "Mango" yellow? Thanks.
  • p345spdp345spd Member Posts: 24
    Order today -- delivery I wish I knew.

    While everyone seems to like, if not love the focus (according to many of the posts), delivery times have been and continue to be horrendous. I saw a post from someone who ordered first week of Jan, received, last Friday. I ordered FEB 22, four weeks to get build date - the last three weeks (including this week I've been told it will be delivered in two weeks9 est now is May 7.

    Delivery when? Your guess is as good as mine (or anyone else), but don't believe the dealer when he says six weeks or even eight weeks.

    I've called four dealers to find something close to the focus I want, so I don't have to wait. They can't be bothered to look around.

    Many here have noted the car was worth the wait. I just hate being jerked arounsd by the dealers.

    Mudflaps - Whichever you choose, make sure your corrosion warranty stays intact. In most cases, any corrosion or rust that occurs in those areas could be blamed on aftermarket mudflaps.
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    I ordered my ZX3 on January 25, and it was delivered on April 13. That's just about 11 weeks. From what I can tell on these posts, that sounds about right.

    You need to be patient. My dealer was very up front about the whole thing. Remember, when you get a factory ordered car, it's buit exactly the way you want it, and NOBODY HAS TEST DRIVEN IT. This alone makes it worth the wait. My ZX3 certainly was...
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    I'm thinking about putting Eibach springs on my car. Has anybody done this? What do you think?

    I've also been warned--by a GTI owner who has Billstiens--that the factory shocks might need to be replaced. He wore through his super fast after putting on the new springs.

    Any thoughts?
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    mine took almost exactly 9 weeks from the time the dealer actually ordered it (after a 6 week carorder "search,-ugh) anyway, it was ordered Jan 26 and on the lot 9 weeks later. East COast.
  • espowariespowari Member Posts: 36
    Drove it in. I had a loose break line and was low on fluid. They fixed it and I'm picking it up tonight.

    As for the windshield, they easily saw the flaws and ordered one. It'll cost me a day w/out my Foci, but oh well.

    B
  • mznmzn Member Posts: 727
    #220 - Which explains why I haven't heard from Gabe!

    carlady/host
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    towcrazy2,
    Got Ford "Focus" mudflaps right from my dealer. Just the flat ones. Found out that they have contoured ones for the front. The back ones angle out kind of funny but deflect water (whatever) away from back of vehicle. Think they charged me $26 or 28 including installation. Would have got the contoured ones for the front had I known they were available.

    Pat
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Igor,
    I would swear to it, but I think Ford did away with the variable timing on the Focus Zetec Engine. Seems to me I read that somewhere in one of the reviews. Think it was "Sport Compact Car" magazine. But then not all of these reviewers get their info right, so as I said, I can't swear to it.

    By the way, your ZX3 looks real nice. Has a real deep shine. Nice job!

    Pat
  • silyboysilyboy Member Posts: 90
    I paid 125 for mine so the price you were quoted is fair. I do not have either of the films you described on my windows. I have a 50% Llumar film on my windows. I love it and it def. keeps the interior cooler. I think the bigger issue besides the tint film is the experience and quality of the install person. The install job is what you really notice so mayabe ask the perosn how long they have been tinting...........
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    to gabegarwick- i like the way you think.
    zx3 is a great name for the new club you + silver
    bullet will be heading-congrats!
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    I hate to sound like a broken record, but the factory springs and shocks are designed to work with one another. If you alter the springs, you will have to alter the shocks to match the new spring length and rate. Shorter, stiffer springs will wear out the factory shocks pretty quickly. If you want to monkey with your car's suspension, don't do it in a piecemeal fashion, picking your springs here and your shocks there. All of the parts have to work together for your car to perform any better than stock, and handle safely and predictably.
  • dch22dch22 Member Posts: 8
    create a "focus group"
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    That all makes sense. Forgive me if this has been addressed already, but there are about 3500 posts on this board, and I just found it.

    Does anybody have suggestions for a good spring/shock combination? Any good advise is appreciated.
  • rvtex1rvtex1 Member Posts: 23
    I too would like to thank gabe and silver_bullet for volunteering to head the club. Since all these posts have been about the ZX3 and there are other clubs already available on the focus family, it would seem to be appropriate to have ZX3 in whatever name is picked.
    My ordered ZX3 is supposed to be assembled on April 24th, then shipped to Houston. Well, we'll see if Ford has improved their delivery time from those ordered earlier in the year.
  • norwaydougnorwaydoug Member Posts: 249
    Hi Gang,

    The dealer was not able to take a part off an existing Focus to scavange an 'abs ring.' They told me to call them tomorrow to see if they can do more.

    Most likely scenerio:

    I will not have my car until the part arrives from Germany which is expected in mid-May. I believe the part is made by Bosch in Germany. Ford apparently has never heard of overnight shipment.

    I am speechless.

    ND
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    This month CR Mag reported it will write an indepth road test article on the Focus 'this summer'. All in all, they are 'impressed ' so far.

    A report from the 2000 North American International Auto Show from the Mag at:

    http://www.consumerreports.org/Special/Samples/Reports/0001ato0.htm

    Talks about what to expect next year.
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    i want to thank gabe and silver bullet for volunteering to lead the club! names...anything is ok by me but how about 'Focus Focus' ... sounds kinda like Hocus Pocus... we are all driving a little bit of magic ya know!
  • projectzx3projectzx3 Member Posts: 256
    try calling ford dealerships/ parts stores other than your own. get the part # and search. i know you shouldn't have to but if it might get you your car sooner than it may be worth it. remember... i might still be waiting if it were not for finding my left fender on my own...with a little help from an edmunds poster (who i think wants less notoriety...but to whom i am indebted). just trying to help:)
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    It is unbelievable that Ford won't overnight the required part from Germany. Many Bosch parts are available from alternative sources here in the US - has your dealer tried to source the part using the Bosch part number? I've done this when working on BMWs, and have often found the correct part at a much lower price than the BMW dealer was asking. If your ABS is the only thing not repaired, why not just drive your car until the part arrives? The braking system will function normally, you just won't have working anti-lock, and you'll probably have to stare at a glowing warning light - big deal. BTW the ABS ring is a toothed ring mounted to the wheel hub that provides rotational information to a sensor located alongside it - this is how the ABS computer knows which wheel is turning, and how fast.
  • calico1calico1 Member Posts: 52
    First, thanks to Gabe and Silver Bullet. I meant what I said about helping any way I can, so don't hesitate to ask. Congratulations, guys! I agree that ZX3 needs to be in the name.

    Now, to imsoyboy (a tangent somewhat off the topic for which I apologize) -- I am no longer in the Jersey area, which explains why you haven't seen me. I grew up in the Lehigh Valley of PA just over the Jersey border, and spent many years living in Philly. Spent childhood summers on Long Beach Island, high school and college summers in Wildwood (go figure!), and adult summers in Cape May. I'll keep an eye out for you in your ZX3 when I'm up this year! I was going to fly up, but I'm reconsidering since I love to drive my calicomobile so much, and it is the perfect shore car, don't you think?
    Calico1
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    to calico - it reminds me of the bumper cars.thats
    probably why i find it so appealing.spent many a
    summer at wildwood.also,worked 4 summers as a teen
    in cape may.
  • imsoyboyimsoyboy Member Posts: 34
    I definitely think you should drive up...awesome car for the shore...cool to zip around in. The car was original bought for ME. But it seems my husband has abandonded his Accord...loves the little hatchling and grumbles when I tell him to take the Accord.
  • jamers85jamers85 Member Posts: 100
    Since most of us here if not all are planning to modify our foci, i think "TEAM ZX3" will be nice.
    It sounds sporty and we are a team here.
    Anyway i've already got my new york vanity plate.
    yup, it says TEAM ZX3. And it goes perfectly with the "FOCUS SPORT" frame. NOw i'm just waiting for my Borla and Rims.
  • ninja500ninja500 Member Posts: 14
    I took delivery of my Pitch Black ZX3 last night. I love it. The dealer was great. My sales guy had all of the paperwork done, the financing was arranged. We were in and out in 30 minutes. It was an almost a 12 week wait because of the options I wanted. After reading some posts about problems with the pain etc I was somewhat paranoid. Mine looks really nice. Only issue I have is a loose piece of molding on the door that has a nick in it. Called my sales guy after I got home with the car. Called their service dept. Drove back down to the dealer so they could see it. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get this part. They said no problem we'll get on ordered right away. All in all great experience and great service. I am in the Seattle Washington area and the dealer name is Bowen Scarff Ford. My sales guy is Randy Good. I would recommend him to anyone. This is just a really cool car. It's the first vehicle I have owned that I can corner like I ride I motorcycle. Steering is spot on and the suspension doesn't float at all. Great fun. Good luck to all of those having problems, I know how frustrating it can be. I would definitely check with other dealers regarding parts problems. There are always some sour apples out there but there are good honest reputable ones too.
  • skater4skater4 Member Posts: 35
    Hello all. I received a survey in the mail yesterday from the RDA Group, whoever that is. It was a customer sat. questionnaire about my ZX3, and they had included a dollar bill as an incentive to fill it out. Well, with that kind of motivation, who could refuse? :-) Anyway, I went ahead and filled it out. It may not amount to anything, but if you have something to get off your chest about the car, service, whatever, you may as well. At least it will be on record somewhere. Has anyone else gotten this survey?
  • focuszx3rfocuszx3r Member Posts: 92
    I love my car so much. It feels like it has lots of power (cant rev over 3000 yet) and the handling and ride quality is superb. I drove it 100 miles yesterday around my area, I couldnt resist it.
    I have a question though: My right headlight seems brighter then my left. I believe it is supposed to be like that but I am not sure. I gues it has to do with not blinding oncoming traffic.
    I gotta say I love the sound of the motor, it has a real sports car sound to it. I cant wait to finish break in so I see what it can do!!
  • focuszx3rfocuszx3r Member Posts: 92
    When I was driving at midnight last night I saw a few dear on the side of the road, I thought of Drebe73 and slowed down fast, cuz I dont want to get in the same predicament he is in. Well I am happy to say i didnt hit a dear, the #1 enemy of the ZX3 :-)
  • zx3fanzx3fan Member Posts: 2
    This is an update to post 456 re clutch problem.
    About 5 days after th post I got my Twilight blue ZX3 back. The Dealer (Montebello in the LA area) took the slave cylinder off a new car. Total downtinme was 2 weeks.

    Also have noted after oil change that oil smell!
    Dealers please take note of overfill notices posted here.
  • ninja500ninja500 Member Posts: 14
    I know we all have heard the various instructions for breaking in an engine. I have found out through experience with motorcycles which rev much higher that the average car that it is really an incremental process. You get car new. Take it easy, 3,000rpm or under for the first 100 miles. Once you get 100 miles you can start gradually increasing the revs little by little. It not like there is a magic number that if you go over 3,000 rpm that you engine will blow. Just use your head. Drive normally and watch the rpms. Don't sit at a red light and rev the engine up to 5,000 rpm. Without a load this can cause problems. I would say that on average most people never get their car up to the red line. But think about this. You are very careful and you don't go above 3,000 rpms for the first 1,000 miles. What happens the first time when you get up to 4,500 or 5,000 or 5,500. You are stressing the engine to a point where it has not been before in a driving situation. I believe that Ford runs the engines at the factory for a while to make sure they actually run properly. I also believe that they run them at fairly high rpms so this really help getting the overall break-in process started. My humble opinion is to devise an incremental schedule of gradually increasing the rpms so that by the time you hit 1,000 miles you have had it up in the higher rpm areas. After all the horsepower peaks much higher than 3,000. So I would just advise to use your head and gradually work your new engine and transmission into the higher rpms. Just my 2 cents.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Ninja500, your advice on break-in is good. Ford most likely does test run the engines at assembly to check for major problems. Your advice parallels what you hear from BMW - gradually increase the rpms and load as you get past 1,000 miles, then drive the car normally. Vary the engine rpms, and don't lug the engine early on.

    The right headlamp has a different light pattern than the left lamp. It is designed to illuminate the extreme right side of the roadway more than the left (to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic). My guess is that is what you are noticing.
  • lefeuetglacelefeuetglace Member Posts: 6
    everyone i've been asking says the 2000 model
    year is almost over. will ford give any
    rebates/incentives within the next two months
    on the 2000 focus? i'm planning on ordering
    tomorrow and it will probably be a two month
    wait on my zx3. i would like to know if i can
    get any money out of ford.
  • tomp8tomp8 Member Posts: 23
    I would also be interested in "expert" advice on a spring/shock combination for my ZX3. I would agree that just using lowering springs would probably put excess strain on the shocks, however, I am not an expert in this subject ;)

    I would personally like to lower the height between 1" and 1.5" and make the suspension slightly firmer as an inital "upgrade".

    Any suggestions on springs/shocks?
  • tomp8tomp8 Member Posts: 23
    I know that this has been discussed somewhere, but has anybody heard more info on adding rear disk brakes to the ZX3? The disk/drum brakes setup works quite well, but I think rear disks would look great with those alloys - and shorten emergency stopping.

    Baer doesn't seem to have any ZX3-specific info on their products yet...
  • p345spdp345spd Member Posts: 24
    For some very good advice on breaking in any engine, try Reading: http://www.micapeak.com/TL1000S/faq/#Q4

    Ninja500 >>> I know, it's only a TL1000.
  • hkoenen2hkoenen2 Member Posts: 70
    When I folded my rear seat down I noticed that the left outside hinge on the seatback was loose and not attached which made it hard to get it back into place. So I took it to my dealer today to have them look at it and order the needed parts. The mechanic looked at it and could not figure out the design, decided to look it up on the computer which did not tell him what the hinge is supposed to look like. We decided to go to the new car lot and see what it looks like on a working seat and we ran into problems. Seems that the keys for the 2 hatchlings on the lot where nowhere to be found. It took him 30 minutes to find a key (in the spare key box) that opened the door. "How do they sell these cars?" was his very frustrated question.

    Anyway we got into the car and determine that we need to very small clips that hold the seatback in the hinge. We go to the parts counter and try to order them. WE go through all the books and cant find the number for the clips or the complete hinge. They were going to call HQ to figure it out.

    Also showed him my sticking driver inside doorhandle and mechanic determined to order the whole handle just in case it was needed.

    The mechanic was great and I will try to get him to work on my car exclusively. The dealership still is not up to par and frustrating to deal with.

    Lesson to be learned from this to other hatchling owners. When folding the seatback down either lift the seatcushion up and forward or do not place weight on the seatback. Putting any weight on the seatback when not flat will pop off the two little snaps that hold it in place.
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