By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
It is simply ABS in reverse, I drove an Alero with GM's version of Traction Control and it handled like a ship at sea. Perhaps I'm old fashioned but give me good old wheelspin anyday.
I did get one call from Ford HQ several weeks after I mailed back a survey. But since the needed parts had been ordered, they figured the dealer had done all they could. I don't really care whose fault it is that parts are not available, I just want my car to run.
carlady/host
Maybe if you ask to see the dealer submitted order form for your car. It has the order number for your car, then you could go and find it on the status report yourself (provided they let you look at the status report). The information should be there, even if it doesn't have a build date yet. For example my car is order number 106, so on the status report under focus I simply look in the order column for order number 106 (which my salesman always highlights for me anyway when he sends it). I know that this is going in way too much detail, but sometimes dealers aren't forthcoming with information unless you ask the right question using just the right words. Even then they may not be.
But I did notice on the status report that several (what I think are ZX3s) orders from july have a build date set for the week for september 18th. I also was warned that it could take as much as 3-4 weeks for the car to arrive after it is built.
Maybe if you ask to see the dealer submitted order form for your car. It has the order number for your car, then you could go and find it on the status report yourself (provided they let you look at the status report). The information should be there, even if it doesn't have a build date yet. For example my car is order number 106, so on the status report under focus I simply look in the order column for order number 106 (which my salesman always highlights for me anyway when he sends it). I know that this is going in way too much detail, but sometimes dealers aren't forthcoming with information unless you ask the right question using just the right words. Even then they may not be.
But I did notice on the status report that several (what I think are ZX3s) orders from july have a build date set for the week for september 18th. I also was warned that it could take as much as 3-4 weeks for the car to arrive after it is built.
Cap, Wow I really love the Autumn Orange. The Kit looks great. I myself am partial to that new kit that was linked to earlier. Wish I had the cash to hook mine up. Where did you get the spoiler its a great addition, Id like to add one to mine. How much did it cost? How much does purchasing, painting and installing a kit cost?
Edmunds ordered this model, was told it would be 6 to 8 weeks before delivery and ended up waiting 15 weeks - ouch!
"More than once our executive editor found himself squealing the front tires from a stop when trying to stay ahead of West L.A. traffic. "Cool. I can beat a large percentage of vehicles from a dead stop—especially all those tiresome SUVs—when I'm commuting in this car," he noted."
hope this helped.
NJ
NJ
For those who have posted saying they hesitated to get the zinc because of it standing out for the police etc. I had a New York State police car on my tail as I was passing a truck on Rt.17, I was a little nervous but as soon as I got past the truck and in the right lane, he past me and gave me the thumbs up. My mileage was not so good but, my heavy foot on the gas was probably a big factor! Happy days!
We missed somewhere. I travel Rt.17 (I-86), NY, between Exit 20 and Exit 14 at least twice a day in my Malibu Blue ZX3. Also travel anywhere along it in the big truck-tanker. Don't see many ZX3s in Western New York at all. One in the Fredonia area and a couple, give or take, in the Buffalo area. Have seen a few traveling back and forth along Rt. 60 between Jamestown and Dunkirk, but I think these have been dealers demos. Come to think about it, I did see a Zinc ZX3 somewhere a while back. But not recently.
Oh, read your profile. Smart move! Have a good friend who lost his co-worker to a client recently. Client took a knife to her. Definately not a good field to be in, but then someone has to do it. Best left to the big guys or girls.
Pat
Yes it could have something to do with it. It is connected to the computor. In lay terms it senses the air going thru the air filter into the engine. They could have left something a bit loose and it could have disconnected. Best to get it back where the service was done.
Pat
I wanted to update you all regarding my Focus. Yesterday, I brought my car and the mechanics took some time off their work and listened to my engine. They all admitted that they heard the tapping noise.
Today the mechanics looked at it and they were stumped. They do not know what's wrong with it! They called the Ford Hotline and spoke to the staff, and I got the impression that they are aware of this issue, but at this time, they have NO fix for it. There are no TSBs (I checked the technical service bulletins on the net before I brought it in and knew that anyways!). The mechanic at my dealer told me that Ford is working on the problem and it might be days, weeks or months before an answer.
I told him that this is my second Focus and I am disappointed that I must spend so much time at a Ford Dealership with car problems. I bought a NEW car because it is supposed to be trouble free. This got me sympathy from the guy, but little else.
I have the car back now. It had an oil change (of course I smell oil in the passenger compartment) and the tires rotated. It taps away as always.
I am going to drive it for a couple weeks and if I don't hear anything, then I suppose, I have to see the manager (again) and request justice.
They claim my engine tap and the tractor-like noise while shifting in 1st and 2nd and the Loud idle are all from the same source. I believe that is the case.
I think I need a new engine and transmission. (opr just one or the other). And if that is the case and with my previous experience....then I will request a 2001 model for free of course. That is my plan. I will give them 2 weeks....I will not give them months to sort this out. I must battle again.
To be fair to the Dealer: They were polite, they admit there is a problem and I believe them when they say that Ford is 'working on it' and a repair procedure will come.
ND
PS: It's computer, not computor
It's calculator, not calculater
It's English....why should it make sense?
thanks for the info... the stalling seems to have stopped after the first few start-ups and driving a bit... i am, however gonna drop by service again to make sure everything is ok and get a pre-mature oil change (probably around 1300 miles by then) before i leave for florida on tuesday or wednesday... I'll keep ya posted on this maf/stalling thing...
NJ
I can now officially join the group because I'm a proud owner of a 2000 zx3 in sangria red. I wanted a few extras, but it seemed that either the zx3s were basically stripped, or loaded. I bought a stripped one with a/c. Over a 1,000 miles already and I'm very happy.
For the price the specs are just great, it looks good, is very functional and is fun to drive. Below is a link to a photo. Expect to hear more from me in the future.
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~dolen/focus/focuspicacho.JPG
NJ
Did that make any sense? I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Reed
as much as we love them.
NJ..I tend to agree that it was your computer system adjusting to the new component. Still bringing it in is the most prudent thing to do. I am pleased though that it is running well. Sometimes small problems occur and it is part of the new car buying experience. I hope you have many safe and happy miles.
ND
Spelling never was my good point. And we were not allowed to use calculators. In fact I don't think there were any portable calculators until I was in high school. And computers, they took up a whole room. No wonder I know nothing about them.
And would probably go with the RS kit. I wish I had the cash to do it but dont think I'll ever be able to come up with the thousands of bucks to do it. Too busy actually paying for the car, the insurance, my rent, utilities, school loans, etc.
Its no wonder I cant afford to eat, but I digress.
I think I would like to get a spoiler though, I like the wings west beacuse it looks to follow the line that goes across the side of the car. But I think the roof spoiler gives a good finish, as if it was supposed to be there.
Also, I too notice that sometimes when I start my car I get a strong rumble. It only seems to happen when I make a short stop, ie at the post office, after having driven it for a bit. So I guess it could be considered a restart.
Side note, I wanted to comment on how impressed I am with the asthetics of the car. I really like how they incorporated the line across the side into the door handle and the fact that the lines created from the front grill where the turn signals are carries into the lens of the head light. (That elongated football shape is what im refering to.) I also really like the smooth curves of the interior. I apreciate the artistic styling of the car as if they really looked at the designing it from an artists standpoint.
NJ
Just dropped by to leave latest "quickie-report" on how my Z is doing.
Autumn Orange.
5-spd.
Air.
Smokers.
3000mi. 30mpg (75% hiway/25% city)........
No failures, No defects, No glitches. Absolutely flawless. Ford Dealer has yet to see my Z in his shop for so much as a "hiccup".
("How Suu-weeet it is!!)"
Service Mgr told me ..."You ain't the only one Pal! -- I l-u-v those cars".
Talked to sales mgr, telling him how pleased I am.
He said, "I can't keep the damn things in stock! D'ya know the yard about back is empty again? I just got off the phone, trying to get a few from other dealers around here. No luck so far, but I'll find some, don't you worry".
I' told him I wasn't worried, I'm not in the market for a new one.
He laughed, we shook hands, I left smiling.
Conclusion:
I'm impressed with the quality, road handling, reliability of the Z (and other Focus models).
Coming from a veteran VW-GTI owner that's high praise, guys.
Good luck to you all, and "Happy Z-ing".
Zx3
gotta go drive...
Thanks in Advance
Jimmy
stuff is nonsense.theres more going on than that.
btw,i was traveling g.s.pkwy.from cape may.i was
passed by a silver z pa.plates.traffic was moving
at 80 +.the faster the z goes,the smoother she seems.an exhilirating ride.your z is going to be o.k.the marriage of electronics + mechanical parts
is always a sophisticated nightmare when even a
minor glitch occurs.one little part,component,
assembly can set an entire chain of events in motion.for your sake,i hope im wrong and that it is
just a re-set problem.best of luck!
of deer ready to run.i live in the heart of deer country.sorry to hear about your experience.i hope
its only minor.recently my oldest son was side-
swiped by a deer.he lost the side-view mirror,
and major dents to front side panel.for wings west
and ground effects try the following:
www.focussport.com
the custom seat covers yet? your report is good news. the only problem i have is that tractor sound like others have posted.i do not have the engine tap sound yet.there seems to be no performance issues.avg.mi.28.5.im o.k.with that given the way
ive been driving it lately.take care and good to hear from you again.
I washed my car yesterday. Now I have water in my driver's side headlight. Can't catch a break right now. When the dealer calls me regarding the tapping engine, I will tell them about my wet light. Frustrating. Just a wonderful car though at the same time. No visible crack is apparent.
I definitely feel for the guy who struck a deer. I feel your pain. Good luck with the auto repair.
Question: Are these modified body panels painted prior to attaching them? I saw one West Wings Package in Green (same color as my car) and I have to say it didn't look all that good. The parts had this 1-2 mm space caused by a adhesive black strip at the mating point of the modified part and the body. The paint job on the wings was not pretty at all. Looked different. Man, I thought it looked grim. So for all of you putting on the panels, make sure you get a good paint job, because it can ruin the look of the car.
I agree with Drebe73, the thoughtful artistic fluidity of the lines of our Focus is great. It is a complete design.
I am very curious what Ford will do in 3-4 years when they do the inevitable 'update' of our car to keep it selling. I think anything they will do will make it worse. I wish the only thing they would do is improve the quality of the interior plastics and keep all the shapes the same. The only exterior thing to do would do some mods to the front fasia and rear, but everything else the same. I suppose that is what they will do. And put that triangular side blinker in! Ok Ford!!!???
The Focus edge design makes the Cougar look crude and gimmicky. Sorry, the Focus zx3 is just brilliant looking. The 2002 Ford Mondeo will also be a classic. Hope it comes to North AMerica.
ND
PS: I hope I haven't offended any Cougar owners. I just think the Cougar is a designed to make a statement, while the zx-3 is designed to meet the needs of the driver. To me the latter approach makes the design enduring and satisfying.
I have an appointment at 8AM Mon. to have front seats of my Z covered in vinyl. Color, is Black&Pumpkin combo that the fancy, expensive, Recaro Seats use. (A Recaro seat in that color combo is on display at the Custom-Seatcover Dealer's showroom. Wow, that is so cool, so neat. It sold me).
When I get back this way again (dunno when, things are hoppin') I'll post here, how the job turned out.
I'm not doing the backseats, as they are permanently folded down. I only need 2 seats. Heh, heh ... my Z is now a "permanent-hatchback", you might say.
Later...
zx3
NJ
BTW, my local ford dealer carries Roushe, so I could actually wait and get one if I wanted... (but I still PREFER the focus-R from what ive seen)
Also a quick gas milage note: after 2 fillups on my new 5-speed Kona, I am averaging about 25 mph. This is about 75% highway/25% city, going 65 on highway and AC on most of the time. Not great, but not all that horrible considering I am somewhat aggressive with the rpms when I accelerate. Those of you getting < 20mpg...I dunno, seems like something funky has to be going on there.
Don't you considering purchasing the Focus?
My..my..my
What about the recalls?
Suddenly changed your mind?
Here is what vocus used to say at the Echo forum:
"Right in the Focus forum here on Edmund's, a story is told by someone with a Focus ZTS whose
accelerator stuck at 70mph because the recall was
improperly repaired, causing her to run through a
toll stop. That's not exactly a car I wanna
recommend to someone."
Here is more as a direct response to my comment on the Echo looks:
"Move on to the Focus and keep up with the
recalls so you don't miss one."
Are you allright?
Don't sound like you anymore.