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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part X
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The z is supposed to have received a top, 5-Star rating in CrashTest.
Are you saying the z drops to "1-Star for rear-seat passengers"? Or were you referring to small cars in general?
Also, if a Dealer told me noisy brakes are "normal" -- that wouldn't "turn me off" on the Z, it would turn me off on the Dealer.
zx3
If the is normal for the brakes to squeak (meaning Ford knows the brakes squeak, but they cannot do anything about it), then that is a turn of for the car.
*superf22, you are very correct in saying that it will make it expensive. The base price for 2001 is 12,125- which is only about 70 more than a 2000 and can be justified by them making the floormats and smokers pkg std. now..... but to give you an idea I had them spec out for me a 2001 ZX3 with all the options i want. I was looking at the power pkg, premium pkg, abs, traction control, moonroof & auto trans. (so the only option i am NOT looking at is the side impact air bags) They said the MSRP (sticker) on that vehicle would be 17,360!! The trac control is a 1225 (MSRP) option alone....... so yeah the pkgs add some cost to it, but to get some options you need to order them, so it is a beautiful catch 22......
But until today, I've not heard of a Dealer saying "noisy brakes on a z are normal". Nor seen Ford literature or tech papers saying same.
My VW-GTI had noisy brakes. The VW dealer didn't deny the problem, he fixed it. He was a competent dealer.
If he'd denied the problem, he would have been incompetent. Which would have turned me off from the VW dealer -- not from the VW-GTI. Which is well-built and normally has quiet brakes.
The Ford dealer in question ("noisy brakes are normal") is incompetent. I am turned off by him. I am not turned off by the Z. Which also is well-built and normally has quiet brakes.
My Point:
I think our bullets should be aimed not at the z --- but at the incompetent fool who can't fix its occasional problems.
zx3
I had just washed the car and it was looking really lovely. What is the world coming to?
for better mpg vote superf22 for president...you won't regret it.
torinopaddy, so sorry, some punks had nothing better to do. it irritates me so bad to think some moron is bragging about it to his friends. hope you get it fixed soon
in that case I'll add this to my presidential platform. vote for superf22 and i'll improve the night patrol at bars..."must be on the window paint, telling me I'm not the same...sounds of nothing, sounds of beer, speak to me when no one's here...I'm on "night" patrol, yes I'm on rat patrol" --they might be giants.
gotta go drive...
I'll offer my 17 years experiance in Ford dealerships to those in need. Ive owned a wide variety of makes, and am very neutral on comparative issues. Great group here... keep up the posts. What seems trivial to one person may be very helpful to another.
Any prices on the 2000 for trade in yet?
Just curious.
Examples include-
#- Focus Name/"Common" Name
B2- Fort Knox Gold/Harvest Gold
B7- Egg Yolk Yellow/Zinc Yellow
E4- Infra Red/Bright Red
FL- Sangria Red/Toreador Red
K7- Malibu Blue/Bright Atlantic Blue
SU- Rainforest Green/Tropic Green
TS- CD Silver/Frost Silver
UA- Pitch Black/Black
YZ- Cloud 9 White/Oxford White
weren't made especially for side air bags. The
link below gives some info. I'm sure there are
others.
http://www.dezarnaud.com/
zinc yellow is the color on the 2000 zx2's and mustangs with the same code as the one on the focus, B7.
conclusion: the yellows on the mustangs, zx2's and 3's are the same.
I'm still tempted to buy.
Sorry to read the post about the vandalism of the side mirrors. That is awful.
zx3Beast, do they say what BMW model they're mistaking our z for? Anyway, nice to hear it.
I'm putting 3rd coat of Meguiar's Liquid Car Wax on tonite. With 2, I can already see my reflection, surrounding scenery, in color in the wax's mirror-finish. The z now has 1050mi, trouble-free. Keep on truckin'.....
zx3
zx3
outstanding in that color.
fgaydos- z value - www.kbb.com
i know the value is only an approximation
trade-in or retail, but if anyone checks it out,
you will flip-out, you will not believe how little
the z depreciated.the value retained is amazing if these numbers are somewhat accurate.
zx3 - no mention of a particular model- probably just the look reminds them of one of the bmw models.
Thanks beast, the resale value is terrific. I'm pleased. Might be tempted to trade it for a 001!
Didnt mean to come off cocky, but its what ive seen. I love it in either shade and am looking forward to finally getting mine in. What a wait!
BTW, the Kona seat covers will have a part number available in September or so.. this according to the product analyst at Ford handling that line.
Worth the wait I believe since they fit so great.
Z on !!!
shape + angles can influence the perception of the
shade of colors.especially the way natural or artificial light is diffused off the surface.
I'm going to be Focusless for a while, as soon as the insurance clears. I had the new rear view mirror fitted this morning, but the rest of the work is going to take a while. Just in time for my first oil change too.
a time when ones personal property could be defend-ed as an attack upon the individual.no more.it
really fires me up when i hear about this nonsense.
years ago,they would just let the air out of tires.
obviously,we all know how it has progressed.heres
hoping the rest of your z experience is a pleasant
one.
drebe- hows your zx3 doing? worth the horrible wait wasn't it! have you mastered the 5 speed yet? and where's another old friend... tickbitty? out cruisin i bet!
well 8000 miles here and no problems. the zx3 seems to run better and better as the motor breaks in a bit.
i went to a carmax that had two 'used'00 zx3's on the lot. i was curious. the automatic with 6000 miles had a no haggle price of 13695. the 5 spd with 3000 miles was 14250. go figure? all i can say is i am glad i got in early on this car. resale looks good. but i ain't sellin'!
its value in its first year? the sales mgr.where i
had purchased my car wanted to unload one of his
special 1999 program taurses.claiming they would
hold value better.at that time i guess he just didnt get the appeal of the z.besides those shopping for a hatch have different thoughts in mind.even though im approaching the old foggy crowd,i didnt want to enhance the experience driving a taurus. please excuse typo in previous post.
In easy to read format, there are text and diagrams of instrument panel, seats, locks, controls, audio system, storage, routine maintenance schedule, underhood engine diagrams.
It's the same stuff as the owner's manual, but it's condensed, easy to read, and practical. I got it from Ford months after the car came. Everyone with a Focus should read their manual carefully. If you are driving a Focus, and haven't read the manual, there are surprises and delights in store for you!
Oh, if you have access to a new stand, check this week's Autoweek (July 3rd), There is a long term update on their ZX3. He spoke highly of the ZX3's dynamics, especially steering, and liked the clutch and shifter. He wasn't enthused about the seats.. He had to wait a month to get a broken door lock fixed (parts!). He had driven their test car for 4,383 miles, got 25.6 mpg, and spent only $23.71 for oil and filter change. A clutch was lubricated under warranty. As Mikey would say in the old cereal ads: "He likes it!". More musings later.
Anyway, I couldn't get it fixed right away so I parked the car tight against the brick wall of my apartment building the next night, preventing anyone from getting in. The next morning the hood and roof of the car were covered in foot prints. Someone had been all over the car trying to figure out how to get in!
Today I live in the wilds of upstate NY, a spot named Nineveh Junction. Try to find it on the map. I have few such problems now, though about 10 years ago a bunch of punks from NYC were up on their summer vacation and decided to paint nasty messages on my car, house and mailbox. A neighbor saw them and reported it so they were caught at least.
It's really not just today's kids. I think many kids are naturally brain damaged. The only cure is growing older and getting stuff of their own for other kids to destroy.
"TEAM ZX3"
Now if only I can get that annoying ratteling fixed.
in the water?
First of all, let me say I am not writing to discourage anyone or turn anyone off to the ZX3. I love my car. LOVE it. Just like everyone else. I just think this may is useful information to some and I do not regret my anything at all.
So, today I talked to the service manager about my brakes and he continuied to tell me (like everyone else a few days ago) that this is a sometimes normal occurance with metallic brakes. I kept telling him I didn't buy it, it may be normal to make noise SOME times but not EVERY time I brake. he said they'd take a look at them AGAIN to see if anything was wrong. They did, he said, nope, there's nothing wrong (my sales person was involved too, asking what was going on etc etc)
Then the service manager went to see if he could find anything from Ford. He entered my VIN # and showed me the report issued from Ford that said the front brakes may squeal at times but it IS normal and should go away after a few hundred miles w/o replacing anything. I already have MORE than a few hundred miles on it blah blah blah *I* don't think its normal blah blah blah.... So, the manager agreed to replace the front pads if they were still squeaking when I came in for my next oil change, and I can pray this solves the problem. So, sure my particular service department isn't exactly bending over backwards for me, but I saw the report and it seems to actually BE Ford. Anyone?
Even more, what was interesting was the report also mentioned the back brakes may let out a sort of groaning noise on occassion. The report said this was "normal" and basically should this happen don't bother replacing anything because it'll just keep doing it. Once again, this report was from Ford.
So, to be a bit crass about it...WHAT IS UP WITH THAT? I know every car is not perfect, but were these reports for MY car in particular or does the VIN just bring up all cars that were made at the same time (in that batch per se) will have this problem?
If so, WHAT IS up with that? They produce something, wait for enough people to complain THEN maybe they'll do something.
I know I may be pretty naive as a frist time new car buyer but and this can sometimes happen and I just happen to get lucky but, COME ON Ford, cut me some slack.
Anyway, there's more on my mind but this is already way long.
And for the record, I love my Z, I am not trying to discourage anyone from buying a ZX3, they really are great. I just hope no one else has this problem.
thanks
Constant noise that occurs with every application of the brakes is not normal - and I don't care how many service bulletins someone cares to wave in front of my face. The fact remains that many of us have braking systems that don't make a sound - how does your service manager explain that? Zgrrrl, I'd try another service department. This sort of complaint is a nuisance to a dealer, because they won't get reimbursed for their labor or parts if Ford says there is no problem. The dealer has to be willing to spend the time and money to make you a happy customer, then eat the repair bill. I never take gripes like this to the dealer - I just fix it myself, but I realize this isn't an option for most people.
Here's an offer for you. I've replaced my front pads with EBC Green Stuff Kevlar high performance street pads, and have my original factory pads (which never made a sound) in ziplock bags. If you want them to do a swap, let me know and I'll send them to you free if you'll pay postage. They had 1300 miles on them when I removed them.
I have been an infrequent user of this site and maybe a similar subect had been raised before. Sorry if this is the case. Yet, i would like to tell my story and maybe someone has been in a similarly unlucky situation.
i live in a DC area and own a silver Zx3
About a month ago I got into an accident with a guy cutting me off (he admitted the blame and his insurance takes care of the costs but My God, don't some people know that they have side mirrors!!!! It particularly p****s me off when I learn of the resale value)I got away with minor scratches on the bodywork but with damaged front suspension from hitting the curb in order to avoid collision. I just got my car back and overall the Ford gyus must have done a good job, wheel allingment is fine. Still, the steering response (One of the best features on ZX3!!!) has changed, it feels much more loose, power steering does not get the wheel straight. I just wonder if that can be tuned up at all?
I think the groaning sound one may hear from their brakes occurs when you keep your foot on the brake for a long time. What happens is the the hydraulic fluid is being pumped within the brake system and the pressure slowly builds up to its maximum operating pressure. Under these conditions a groaning sound is heard. This is normal and it applies to all modern cars. Perhaps in the Focus it is louder.
Now on to squealing brakes. To be fair to the dealer, you have not had your car long and it may take time for this sound to go away. I do not think you are driving too much stop and go traffic and I think the brakes are not fully seated yet. Perhaps the sound will go away.
Giving it more time may cure the problem.
However, equally important, is that you have not been shy about complaining to the dealer. He has agreed to change the brake pads if necessary on your next oil change. I hope it all works out for you and the squealing goes away. As I have said before, your brakes should not squeal.
This is a good point below:
If it is normal for the Focus to have squealing brakes, IMHO, it does not mean that it is acceptable. No brakes should squeal. Persue all you can upon your next oil change.
Keys: I recommend everyone to buy a 3rd key. If you lose 1 key, you cannot reprogram a new key. You must have 2 keys to reprogram. (see the key section of your manual). Otherwise, you must ask the dealer to program for you and this is very inconvenient and they may even charge you for it.
I bought a 3rd key and followed the instructions in the manual and reprogrammed the key. It took a few tries to get it right. The key was 15 dollars.
I am going to keep my 3rd key in my office so that I will always be able to access it while in town.
Going for my first oil change this week. My z has 4000 miles. I am changing my oil every 4000 miles (Some say 3000, some say 5000 and since I am so diplomatic...I am going down the middle).
Check out www.ford.ca for a nice picture of a yellow zx-3. First you see a purple flower, then a blue flower and then a yellow flower. And then a yellow z pops out. The Canadian website is a lot more interactive than the US site.
ND
This is the site for a Yellow Z:
http://www.ford.ca/english/Default.asp
zgrrl: Silver Bullet's advice is RIGHT ON!
ND
< zinc in the water?
Hey! I've promised not to use the "Z" word, and I've been doin' good so far, so don't get me started again.
I'm thinking of joining Zincholics Znonymous (ZZ).
gotta go drive...
possible but im thinking improbable.todays asbestos
free brakes are much softer than years past.there is a tendency at times for brakes to squeal.do you
have auto or 5spd.? you may be braking too
long,
sudden or hard.brakes do need a chance to seat properly,very common.i think things will work out
alright,give it a little more time.
bteevs1- i hate to say this,but whenever a front-end or rear-end collision occurs(i had my share)
it never seems the same to me.wether its real or perceived, it always seems to be something wrong.
nothing more powerful than a satisfied mind.
jw- if you check-in,they only serve mellow yellow!
www.zinc.org/
Odds and ends:
--After 1,500 miles, getting about 30 mpg in 5 speed.
--No noise that I've noticed from brakes.
--Need to get a cushion or something for my lower back (not enough seat support there).
Happy Fourth!
Jay
Now where did I put those maps???:>)
Was crossing the Betsy Ross bridge yesterday returning with said map light from dealer and as I 'roared' onto the bridge I noticed a police cruiser just hanging back and following me. It 'killed' me to go the posted 35MPH on an empty 6 lane bridge but I had heard they aggressivly ticket this bridge. He followed me all the way over and then u-turned. Whew.