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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part IX
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interpert those numbers in terms of success?
Unfortunately they can't satisfy the demand. The industry as a whole is running at the near full capacity. Supplyers can't instantly crank up parts production. This explains why it takes 10-12 weeks to get the factory ordered Z.
It's hard to see why Ford is still building so many escorts. I suspect the April and May numbers will increase for the Focus and decline for the Escort.
We'll see if Ford will keep building Escorts for MY 2001. If not, the waiting time for the factory ordered Focus will be much shorter.
story.i agree that they woefully underestimated the demand for the hatch.heres hoping that our present
z purchase will retain more value.of course, it will depreciate but maybe it will not take as big a hit as normal.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/columns/caught/000
605_Caught.asp?idSection=0
I'm considering your suggestion to leave the the chrome ZX3 badge on the rear, but I might move it down to just above bumper, like GTI did. Should look cool. Thanks.
zx3
Additionally, once I had my recall completed (fuel injector replacement) that slight hesitation or slippage around 3000 RPMs has left and it is now smoother than ever!!!
take note of location of badging. i never really
gave it any thought till i read your post.when i
took note of my z,there is a lot of busy look to
back-with the focus,zx3,+ford blue oval+dealer name.i was thinking as well the location you mentioned would also be distinctive.im going to give the meguiars a shot since i have a good base of 2 carnauba waxings.i like the no hard work part.
To others:
I withdraw my post about DRL's. It's a direct contradiction (in a way) of what I posted about DRL's over a month ago.
My (lousy) excuse is I wasn't thinking here about Bikes -- only that drl's look nice. But a month ago I was thinking about Bikes.
(Sheesh!!.....shoulda stood in bed).
zx3
http://formen.ign.com/news/20352.html
btw--This car seems to be about the best overall value on the market today for a fun to drive hatch. It is her first new car after driving a crappy, used Geo Metro for the last 4 years. This was the car Iso strongly recommended she buy based on her limited budget and the excellent reviews here and in just about every magz.
Thanks to the forum for the info.
:-)
Here are links to the pics
The carpeted ones ($44.00) for front set:
http://www.icollection.com/stores/Assets/product_images/large_AFOCS005.jpg
The vinyl/rubber ones ($43.00) front set:
http://www.icollection.com/stores/Assets/product_images/large_AFOCS006.jpg
Gabe
I've identified the following pros and cons in my brief test drive:
Cons-
1/ Feather-light clutch. I thought my (ex-)Civic's clutch was light, but then I test drove the GTI and it was even lighter, and now the Focus has the lightest clutch I've ever driven. It's light, and feel-less, like an on-off switch. Not a big thing, but more feel is defn welcome.
2/ The Zetec engine is peppy, but is not overwhelming in the power department. The low end is not bad, but the engine kindda runs out of breath in the high end. Of couse, I expect things to get a little better once the engine's run in.
3/ A small thing, but the big C pillar makes it almost impossible to check the left blind spot. Nothing blind spot mirros can't fix though.
And on to Pro's -
1/ Suspension and overall driving dynamics. I cornered as hard as I could with the sales man sitting in the back, and I wasn't even close to the limit of the car yet. The suspension exhibit very little roll during hard corners, and keeps all 4 tires planted on the ground all the times. This is one of the best handler I've driven in this price range.
2/ Quick and accurate steering. Small steering wheel.
3/ Shifter and gearbox. This is one of the best M/T gearbox I've driven .... it's definitely in the Miata territory. Gears are closely matched, short accurate throw, no vague feeling even when shifting quickly. I never expected this from Ford.
4/ Interior refinement. It's defn in the Golf territory. The ZX3 I test drove had dark charcoal interior. Materials feels rich, seats have nice cloth and nice sport bucket seats. Layout is ergonomic, and stylish.
5/ Styling - some ppl like it and some ppl don't. But either way it is making a statement, and I like it.
6/ Price - it is Cdn$20K fully loaded. Few cars in the price range can compare to it and is as fun to drive (other cars I'm currently considering for my sister are Sentra SE, Tiburon, Civic Si(R) ... all of them cost more than the Focus if equally equipped)
Needless to say, I was very impressed after the test drive, and recommended it to my sister. The dealership said they have a supply problem though, and that'll only get worse from now (cos no more factory orders for 00 models) till the 2001 models come out in ~4 months. I guess if they can't find a model with the the color (orange, black or deep blue) and features we want we can always wait for the 2001 models ....
Does anyone know what differences the 2001 model will have?
Thanks for the info folks.
#17
Here is a site that sells a set of kevlar dust free front brake pads for $89 + $5 shipping.
Will be available for shipping in July.
I wonder if anybody has any experience or any additional information regarding the quality of that product.
http://www.ebc-brakes.com/autopads.htm
As far as the Zetec, I think we'd all like a few more horsies, but torque is more than adequate. Also, your observation that it runs out at the high end seems curious. I've found that this engine is happiest in the 3000 to 5000 range, and if your gunning it, it's really strong until shifting at 5500 to 6000. My problem is there isn't ENOUGH low-end torque.
Interesting to note the difference of opinion...
Power - I think the engine has enough low end torque (there's no such thing as too much power / torque = ) The power thing could be the engine's still green and not run in yet. I thought 130hp would feel more powerful than that.
But otherwise I was very impressed with the car. Now, if they can actually locate a car in Ontario with the color and features we want....
#17
I don't see many ZX3's in West Palm but did see 3 that weekend. I was hoping that other ZX3 owners in my area would join this board. Welcome and be cautious of the elderly drivers. It was on military and community where I wrecked my car that day in January.
I have an apointment on friday to check out the ratteling in the back and the loose drivers side window. If my window is rolled down all of the way and I shut the door, the window rattles in the door. The passanger side does not make the sound and is very solid. I'll keep you posted on what happens.
I see VWs all the time with dusty frony wheels. It looks aweful. Makes me think the owners don't love their cars... =]
thanks much
http://www.blueovalnews.com/
As far as performance enhancement, there doesn'y seem to be a consensus. Superchips claims +13hp ns +25fp of torque on the Zetec, but whose to say how accurate that is.
Any personal experince out there?
Focus ZX3 4,717
Escort/tracer 7,849
According to this numbers Ford reduced production of ZX3's in April by almost one thousand units comparing to March!!
No wonder waiting times are so long.
source: Automotive News, May29
Having said that Focus sales are doing well here. The turbodiesel is selling particularly well. Almost everybody on the newsgroup seems to have a diesel station wagon. The most common complaints on the ng here are from people awaiting delivery, and from people complaining about squeaks and rattles. Sound's familiar, doesn't it?
Oh well, I still don't have mine. It should be here tomorrow or the day after or whenever :-).
zx3
- forza focus!!! (no, I'm not mad about it, but y'all seem so nice)
http://www.geocities.com/audiolizard/
To all prospective web designers, Netscape does not like framesets with only one frame. Lame, huh? Thanks for the support, and keep the links coming. If you have a webpage about your focus, I'd be glad to add it.
you can get a superchip for your zx3 at www.kustomz.com/focus.html for 229.00. you need to provide an eec calibration which can be found behind the glove compartment and to the right. they will do free upgrades on all chips with the kkm sticker at no charge as it gets upgraded. i've had it in my car for a while now and there definately is a difference, but i think horsepower/torque increase is in the single digits.
The concept sounds, and probably works great UNTIL your vehicle is in a accident where it has to be jacked up. That's where the problems begin. While the emergency people are jacking up vehicle to get the driver out, the car is trying to level its self. They have to know how to disable the system.
Same with the air bags. If the air bag failed during accident, it can go off while they are working on victim in vehicle. Again, they have to know how to disable air bag system.
Lots of cars and lots of systems mean real problem for the emergency crews. The concepts of these advanced systems are great except in a accident where the system fails partically or completely, or where the system attempts to work after the accident takes place. Auto makers should be placing a disable switch in a common universal place where emerigency response crews would know where to look for it.
Pat
exhibited the same tendacies.ive have posted previously that i did not believe this to be a flaw
or cause for concern.i do consider it to be a quirk
of the zetec.it is only prevalent as you approach
1900 to 2000 -2100 rpm.it is ever so slight if you are holding in that range.it also corrects itself very rapidly as you accelerate.the zx3 5spd. is exactly the same way as i remember my former zx2.
to me,it is no different before or after the injector recall.i tend to agree with previous post that it is deliberate and has to do with a balance of fuel economy/performance.if one quickly gears-up
it wouldnt even be noticeable.
overlooked.i havent really gave it any thought till i started reading post about it again.try hitting
right before 2000 than accelerate,it is very slight
but it does exist.im not concerned at all about it.
i just wanted to quell any fears for those considering a purchase of the z.
The Electronic Stability Program is not an active suspension unit. It works with the anti-skid and the ABS to control under and oversteer while cornering. As such it is designed to keep you out of accidents in those situations when normally the car would lose traction. As I understand it, the system works by controlling the throttle first and, if that is insufficient, by independently braking the wheels to keep the car on line.
In the case of an accident, I don't understand how this system will cause trouble while jacking up the car. The suspension is totally passive, how can the car "try to level itself"?
Personally, I consider this as a very positive safety aid in that it is one of those like ABS that can help you stay out of accidents in the first place. I am not the most safety conscious of drivers but it is reassuring to know that, in treacherous conditions and at the limit, the car will intervene to help me stay out of harm's way.
My response was to find another Ford dealer who gave me a loaner -- which was a dark blue Focus sedan. The sedan has an automatic, a regular 2-liter engine, and all power. My impression: the automatic trans is surprisingly smooth, resulting in quick acceleration. However, the non-Zetec engine IS real noisy when accelerating at lower speeds. Makes me glad I got my ZX3. The Zetec's noise, by comparison, is kind of a healthy, low level growl that belies its power; the sedan's noise is just plain annoying. The power door locks and windows, though, are nice.
Oh, when I dropped off my Autumn Orange ZX3, the driver at the dealer who took my car asked me about the color and said "I've never seen that before." Guess we are rare breed.
some side notes: from reading through this forum before placing my order, I already expected to wait 10-12 weeks, even though the dealer said 4-6. Also, boy do I wish that the dealer showed me how to put the car in reverse. I made a big fool of myself trying to demo the car to a coworker when I couldn't even pull out of a parking space!
of course I figured it out eventually, but it is totally non-intuitive.
now I just have to figure out what to put on the license plate....
(rs)
Also, when I went to see a ZX3, the dealer, in that 'I know it all' attitude, explained that there was a sensor somewhere in the engine compartment which when hit, cause 'the engine to collapse' immediately (i suppose in the event of the collision). I promptly opened the hood, and there it was: a big red button with big lettering: ENGINE COLLAPSE BUTTON.
Of course, being the child I really am, I pressed it. Not only did the engine collapse, the wheels fell off, the ejectable seets fired (ouch! - no moonroof), the ZX3 cruise missiles hidden under the back skirt made a 'clunk' when they hit the asphalt, luckily displaying 'off-mode'; the air bags went flying like balloons, zipping around left and right before one of them hit the dealer right in the face and momentarily blinded him.
That was when I chose to disappear from the scene in a hurry...
Here is an article:
http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/automotive/01cnews/000521a.html
I know that there is no better experts in styling design than Italians.
How do you like "Fiat Multipla"?
I've seen it in one of European car magazines, oh man is this thing the ugliest car ever or what?
It's so out of proportions, just plain ugly ,looking just like a pit-bull mixed with a tall poodle.
Some people here in the States are saying that our zx3 is so radical in styling, wait until you see some of those other European cars(beasts)!
"Citroen xsara picasso" also makes me vomit through my ears! Talking about the Beasts lets talk about the Beauties too. I really like Opel Astra Coupe 2.0l. 190 hp(turbo). Different Opel, Corsa II is nice too. Why don't we get some of these here in the States?
It's all a question of personal taste, though. Tell me how it looks from your side of the Atlantic? Is Focus considered as a radical styled car there?
Peugot 306 is a fine looking machine, though.
What I get for talking first and reading last. Should take my own advise.
Pat