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Comments
Question I have is why don't I get this static shock from my ZX3? What am I doing differently from everybody else?
Pat
ND I have followed your story from months back when you were having so many problems with your first zx3. I would write the people at fmc that you wrote to before letting them know what is happening now. I firmly believe in documentation regardless of whether the problem will be solved. At least you will have it on record that you are trying as a consumer to cover all bases with your attempts at rectifying the problem. If you are not satisfied with what is being done for you, you can continue to battle fmc, but also the attorney general in your state is a great resource as well. Good luck at any rate.
I had been looking at the z for a long time. When I finally was able to buy, I went to the local dealer, as I believe in supporting local business. Their attitude was that they had a autumn orange on the lot, if I wanted a z from them that is what I would have to take, of course they lost my business. Nothing agains Autumn Orange, it's just not what I wanted. I then went to their competitor 7 miles down the road. I told them exactly what I wanted with my first choice being zinc yellow. The dealor got on the phone and started hunting, within two days I had the car I wanted. They had to go 350 miles to get it, but I was thrilled. Bottom line, if your dealor is not willing to work with you when you are buying a car, ask yourself, how are they going to respond when you have a problem. You should get the car you want, with what you want, it is your hard earned money.
LIMBUS: I just moved to tampa about 2 weeks ago and have been looking for a good reputable dealer in the area that i can start using as my service center for my Z... you said Jarret-Bodiford Ford in Plant City... what is your husbands sales persons name? and do they have a reliable service department?
thanks,
NJ
Some possible variables;
Tire formulation (brand and model.)
Road surface material (concrete vs. black top.)
What other materials have been added to black top, like old tires, ground glass, etc.
Moisture level in the road surface.
Atmospheric Humidity.
What you are wearing.
The materials in the shoes you wear.
Your egress technique.
The moisture level on your skin.
What you ate for lunch.
The phase of the moon.
Yup - Static can be a fun thing to analyze.
Just got back yesterday from a quicky 600 mile round trip adventure w/o any problems ( I am now at 9,500 miles took delivery 6/24). As usual, took forever to get through all the posts...
The one "concern" would be I THINK I heard a slight tick coming from under the hood stopped at a light...very subtle - even when I turned the air off - I could be paranoid and hearing things...
And regarding the SHOCK...I thought it was just me!!! I know it's going to happen every time I get out of my Z and just get it over with and touch the door on my way out. Looks like I'll just have to try keep my foot on the ground when I get out. But with my short legs...
Actually, I hold on to the brass-looking door latch on the door-post every time I exit. I have to tell my passengers to do so, too. No shocks since then.
My z's just turning 5000 miles. Up for it's first oilchange. I'm gonna leave these changes for every 5000 miles. I think that's just fine.
treva
I think you can safely repaint the side strips - I have seen pics of 1/2 a dozen or so ZX3's - but I'm not certain if these owners removed the strips for repainting (Ford uses adhesive to mount them to the body panels) or left them on and masked the body panels.
Is it a hand crank sliding roof like older Volvos and BMWs have, or is it a pop-up or removable glass panel?
What are the Ford dealers charging for the ESP warranty plans lately?
It's nice since i have already been reimbursed for one rental car through FORD... they also extend the basic coverage to 5yr/75,000 miles and add rental car reimbursement, and some thin like $500 hotel/food reimbursement incase ya break down in the middle of nowhere... I felt it necessary to buy since i bought the car and moved 1200 miles away from home within 3 weeks..
hope this helped.
NJ
are different terms and variables.i never buy
them for a new car, however i wouldnt hesitate
covering a used car. my son + daughter have
already had work done on their used vehicles where the repairs were higher than the initial plan cost. in these two cases,it was well worth
it. if i decide to keep this z beyond 3 yrs. i may
consider covering it under an extended warranty. if peace of mind is what you are after,by all means go for it.
up here the past few days,including today.
raw and rainy. hows the new bass box?
i think i heard you on i-95.boom-boom-boom!
Maybe its got something to do with my job hauling gasoline and jet-a. Can't afford to get any of that static.
Jimmy
I would wonder if this could eventually harm the electronic module in the key though. I doubt the key was designed to withstand that type of abuse repeatedly.
pcleveland2 - Yup - Static control around explosives is at least as critical as in the electronics field. And the results of sloppy practices can be a lot more spectacular. Of course a zapped critical flight control element on a 747 can be spectacular as well.
One of the first examples of an ESD related faux pas occured when a plastic cover was removed from a military solid rocket booster back in the 1960s. The resulting zap ignited the rocket, and the result was not pretty. From here the military became a leader in ESD control.
Okay....I'll try again.
The Body side moldings are adheared to the body after painting and are one of the final things done to the car on the assembly line.
I would not try to paint them as the bother outways the cost of purchasing new body side moldings from your nearest auto parts supply.
Many people paint the fascia plastic the same as they paint the car and the paint peels and fractures. These moldings are to protect your car from dings. Most likely the paint will chip if you use enamel, arcrylic laquer, or base coat clear coat.
The molding you can buy has a impregnated top coat that will resist chipping.
On a hot day our using a heat gun carefully peel off your body side molding. You might want to wipe over the goo that's left with isoprypol alcohol.
I had more to add but i don't have the time to type..gotta run
Good luck
Whyford.
The 2000 owners that have had their body molding painted have first sanded the texture off.
But on the bright side, the 2001 model ZX3 comes with body colored molding not black!
I will try and dig up a picture!
Gabe
What the do have is body-matched chin molding (the front lip under the car now matches)
see this link for pictures, there are pictures at the top as well as farther down the thread:
http://www.teamfocaljet.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000504.html
the first thousand miles are goin to be tough , between knowing i need to be gentle with the car during its breakin and the overpowering desire to floor it down a country road i am at my wits end !
well off to drive just thought i would say thank you to all who have posted , your valuable insight into this car has helped me make the discision to buy )
NJ
hundrerds as well and wound up selling his
box in less than a year. i thoroughly enjoy
the stock system. then again i had started
out with an 8 track player. what a difference today in choices.,it can be overwhelming . i
still prefer the old tube amp for home . good
to hear from you,glad alls well,enjoy the z.
the latest kbb trade-in value is 11,565. i still
cant believe how well the value is holding.
thats a great sign for the future. i still love the z
warts and all.
back on subject...
drove to work and back and all was fine lol
I was flipping the pages, when low and behold a customized red ZX3 was sitting there with "AEM" across the front window...
Aparently, Ford is offering an AEM installation kit with AEM springs (2 inch lowered ride), AEM air intake, AEM stainless steel exhaust, and the Wings West kit AT the ford dealerships...
Get this, its ALL under the focus warranty too! Thats just sweet... (until the suped-up focus comes out in MY2002)
is the only choice!~
When I brought my zx3, I sold my Sentra. The zx3 is just so much more fun to drive. And the Civic, ho hum, but I have to admit that I wish I still had my old, well very old, Civic General Flea as a summer car. You just don't see them any more.
Pat
Published: September 22, 2000
Source: Roush Technologies
By: Robert Lane
Jack Roush's commitment to excellence transcends the race track as does his love for cars, and as a result, produces not only race-winning cars but award-winning vehicles as well. Roush, chairman of Roush Industries and an avid car enthusiast, challenged his Design, Engineering and Marketing groups to create a true high-performance, reliable and exciting Mustang, "A True Muscle Car." The result, a Roush Stage III (GT Mustang), is currently being developed thanks in part to a recent initiative by Ford Motor Company and SEMA. To complete this project, Roush engineers will utilize the technical support and information offered through the recently established Technology Transfer Program made possible by SEMA's "Partner in Technology" initiative with Ford Motor Company.
As a result, Roush Industries, headquartered in Livonia, Mich., will develop a full-line of Ford high-performance production vehicles. Currently, the Roush Performance team has an established line of Staged vehicles that includes performance and styling features such as suspension, wheels, tires, exhaust, aerodynamics and interior. The new Stage III vehicles will go a step further by providing engine enhancements developed by the same core of engineers who produce Roush Racing's 700-plus horsepower Winston Cup motors. Roush Racing is the most successful Ford racing team in history and Jack Roush intends to continue to build upon that reputation with the vehicle line. Roush Performance vehicles will introduce performance and quality levels unprecedented in the performance industry.
This project is the largest financial commitment in Roush Industries' 30-year history, and will launch with the Roush Stage III (GT Mustang). The vehicle will be introduced at the annual SEMA convention on October 31 in Las Vegas. Though the Mustang will be the first Stage III vehicle developed by the Roush Performance team, horsepower upgrades for the Focus, F-150 and Expedition are planned and anticipated to be introduced later in the model year.
The new Roush Stage III vehicles will touch on all of the major areas of the car &endash; styling and aerodynamics, brakes, exhaust system, power train, suspension, wheels and tires, seating and ergonomics, and interior. Completing this project has required Roush to expanded its level of resources to respond to the challenge. To adequately service this project Roush Industries is dedicating over 250,000 sq. ft. for vehicle assembly between its Orange County, Calif., Dallas, Texas, Mooresville, N.C., Denver, Colo., and Livonia, Mich., facilities. It also marks Roush Industries' first opportunity to focus and combine its engineering, prototyping, tooling, testing, manufacturing and assembly capabilities on an internal project.
"I have challenged my engineers to create a car that delivers affordable performance and quality at a level never delivered outside the OEM's," said Jack Roush. "Our goal is to become America's premiere manufacturer of performance vehicles. I'm confident we have the engineering talent, racing heritage and the means of production that will get us to our goal."
Roush Performance, a subsidiary of Roush Industries, is committed to the development and manufacturing of OE-quality high-performance niche vehicles. Headquartered in Livonia, Mich., Roush Performance has a dealer base of 250 dealers across the Continental United States and a dedicated staff of more than 50 employees. Roush Performance details are accessible through the Internet at www.RoushPerf.com.
Jimmy
Think about painting them if you have the $$$ for it.