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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part XIV

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Comments

  • kostamojenkostamojen Member Posts: 55
    I found some movies of the Focus WRC (World Ralley Car) in action... Crazy stuff man...
    (movies on bottom of page, theyre small in size)

    http://www.racecar.co.uk/fordfocus/contents.html
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    i told you guys I'd keep you posted. yesterday I signed the papers and put in my factory order for my ZX3 (silver/charcoal). I bought it w/ everything on it save the traction control.

    Web site you all might me interested in:
    www.escortcabrioletclub.co.uk/focuscab.htm
    European Ford president, Nick Scheele has made the official announcemnt that Ford will offer the focus [in europe only,:( ] in drop top form. Great pics on the web site.

    I know this has been discussed before but I've forgotten. What was the name of the brake pads that don't emit any dust? I'd like to purchase and install them on my focus.

    Someone told me that the black body side rub strips on the ZX3 can be removed and Ford's body coloured ones installed as the strip comes in a roll (?) and can be cut to size to fit and put on by a body shop. Can anyone shed light on this?
    TIA
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    Supposedly the sunroof offered on the focus is a copy of the one offered in europe. On the ford UK website it's described as "tilt and slide glass screened". Anyone have any info on this?
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    I find the seats to be really difficult to operate. I'm used to the ez opening seats.
    But, I would not let that change your mind about the car. It's a great value otherwise.
    And fun!
  • kostamojenkostamojen Member Posts: 55
    I got to see a 2001 Civic 2-door today... I actually like the exterior minus the rear lights (it does look like a plastic-car though) but the Interior was CRAP! I couldnt believe it! I even went to sit in a bunch of the 4-doors, including an EX... ALL CRAP! I thought I was in a Kia lot for a second or something!

    So I went over to the Ford dealer 2 dealers down (I was at the Automall) and checked out the 2001 ZX3's... And I couldnt believe it! The interior is like 10 times better in QUALITY than the Civic! I was flabergasted to say the least...

    There is now only one reason to get a Civic over a Focus... Gas Mileage (and thats irrelevant to ALOT of people when the rest of the car STINKS!)

    And guess what... there were like 30 Civics at the Honda dealer (only the 1 2-door though sinc its still rare), and just a handful of ZX3's at Ford... The reason? Civics not selling and Ford cant keep enough ZX3's in stock! Hilarious stuff!
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Clips on body side molding and holes in door and body for the clips to attach to. Ordered by the piece not by the roll.

    Some have sanded it down and painted it to match.

    Pat
  • fordfocusloverfordfocuslover Member Posts: 9
    hey cobie just to let you know that there is a materials shortage on the charcoal interior so you may have a longer wait then if you ordered gray.
  • towcrazy2towcrazy2 Member Posts: 337
    I've been away from these boards since my wife took delivery of her 2000 ZX3 four months ago... But now, 'tis the season, and she's dropped some rather clear HINTS that there are three things she'd like to see on/in her ride before Christmas morning...

    1. Window vent shades (preferably slip-in, not stick-on)
    2. Mud flaps (factory or aftermarket)
    3. Console or armrest (factory or aftermarket)

    Anyone have any experiences/suggestions? I realize this may be redundant, but any/all tips will be appreciated.
  • towcrazy2towcrazy2 Member Posts: 337
    SB -- Thanks for the info!... I'll give them a call tomorrow...

    Now... On to the mudflaps and armrest/console!

    If it were my ride, I'd have "forgotten" about the practical stuff and gone with a K&N intake and Borla exhaust!

    Ahh well... We all have our priorities!

    Thanks again.
  • focuszx3r1focuszx3r1 Member Posts: 4
    Well I had my ZX3 for 10k miles, no probelms other than that whell recall..goin in on wed. As for that "knock rattle prob" on the 5-speed......ALL 5-SPEED CARS DO IT, WHETHER U HEAR OR NOT...MY DADS 1986 DODGE COLT AND 1997 DODGE DAKOTA BOTH DID IT, AND THE COLT WENT 150K W/O A PROB!! i just noticed it lasts till a higher rpm in the Z than other cars.
    So far I changed my oil 4 times, washed it many times and added gas....plus the subwoofer :-). No other problems to report, and actually, my father who thinks every car is junk except for our CR-V and his Colt, really likes it and thinks it well made....he was surprised to not even feel it idle like the Honda does..as for the handling and 5th gear power on the highway...its great!! Now that I commute to school I drive on highway alot and my car accelerates up any hill in 5th on the Taconic Parkway in NY. And when i get off and onto some curvy roads i love..though lately gas mileage has sucked ( I think re-formulated winter gas.?), on several long highway trips i got over 33 mpg..including parts of it climbing over PA ridges.. I am REALLY happy with my car..the looks and reliability and performance..and even convinced another kid in my school to get a Z...also I went to my dealer and those wheels off the Kona are sweeettt...but i bet they slow it down..
    ok thats about all i gotts say
    ps. brake dust sucks but i noticed it isnt so bad unless it rains..then they dust liek crazy, also I tried to get front and back mudflaps..but it seems "front flaps arent necessary" because of that plastic molding..that bothers me and if anyone knows of front and rear flaps TELL ME!!!
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    With the high temps and humidity here, A/C is still in use daily. We obviously have the "water on the passenger floor" problem mentioned in one or two Technical Service Bulletins... sigh. I'm going to have Ford deal with this when we go in for the 00S31 recall ("no parts available yet"). Has anyone here had this "water" problem fixed on their car? How long did it take, and what did the dealer list on the repair order? Did they mess up your interior by disassembling/reassembling things when fixing the problem? TIA.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    picked-up the beast on saturday.rear wheel recall
    completed.dealer kmows nothing of front pillar re-
    inforcement recall.what else is new? i guess its one recall at a time.

    silver bullet - is that water leak coming from
    the a/c use?
    towcrazy2- there is a brochure available at the dealer with accessories for the focus, mud flaps,
    arm rest etc.i will mail you one if you like.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    ...does appear to be coming from the evaporator core case during periods of A/C use. My guess is that Ford didn't provide an adequate drain for the condensation from the evap core - either that, or the drain line is mis-routed, kinked, or clogged. Guess I'll just refer them to the TSBs referenced on the NHTSA site and hope they can figure it out.
  • zgrrrlzgrrrl Member Posts: 147
    So yesterday around noon I get into my Z, try to start it...clutch all the way pushed in, turn the key and

    NOTHING...


    Except for the clicking noise when I turned the key and the lights on the dash flickering and flashing along with the clicking. Thought the battery wore down because I left my lights on. Nothing was left on...I try again a little later, nothing...

    I wait a few more hours and call road side assistance to see if they could give me a jump...( I was only guessing that was what was wrong)... I go outside to try one more time before they get there and it starts. Not as quickly as it usually does, but it fired up.

    ?


    This morning it was damp and foggy (not really cold) and it started, but it seemed weak.


    Anyone know what's going on?
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    NOT ALL CARS DO THAT OR YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. (5-speed tranny knocking).
    This is a MTX 75 problem.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    focuszx3r1,
    I suggest you research the subject before making statements about a very common problem(especially typed in caps).
    If it weren't a problem I wouldn't visit the "deeply loved" dealership 3 times in 2 months.
  • anonymousanonymous Member Posts: 314
    Is there any reason why regular rubber/plastic plain black aftermarket mud flaps can't be used?
    The ones ford sells have their logo on them and the flaps specially made for the focus are for the rear only and are realy tiny. They won't be very effective anyplace where the roads are really messy from sand, water, snow in the winter. I plan to bolt on regular plain black rubber flaps like I've been using on all my cars for years. You don't really notice them at all.
  • zgrrrlzgrrrl Member Posts: 147
    well anyway, I just thought it was odd that it started again which means it wasn't the battery and I have no idea what else it could have been...

    anyone? anyone? bueller? bueller?
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Sorry to hear about your new problem.
    Let the dealer take care of it.
    They get all the necessary diagnostic tools.
  • zgrrrlzgrrrl Member Posts: 147
    Gee, ya think?

    BEFORE I take it in I was just wondering if there is something *I* am doing wrong..or if anyone has had a similar problem...it's one of the reason why people post here.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Thank you for clearing this up to me.
    Unfortunately it's not that easy to diagnose the not-starting engine.
    Please bring your irritation with the car to the dealer.
    Concerning doing something wrong. Well, unless you drive without oil or run out of juce I don't see what you could do wrong.
    Even the battery won't drain if you leave the lights on because the car has a drain protection system.(whatever they call it).
    Returning to your situation. It could be anything:
    from the manlfunctioning clutch pedal switch, ignition lock to the loose ground on the starter.
    Sorry, cars became too complicated knowdays.
  • jwkessler1jwkessler1 Member Posts: 99
    zgrrrl - The problem you described "sounds" very much like a battery. The key is that other things, like lights, were going off. Only a lack of electrical power will do that. A bad key or clutch switch would prevent cranking, but wouldn't make lights go out.

    That's not to say it is the battery however. A poor connection in a critical area can look like a bad battery. Typical areas are the battery terminals and ground connections. This stuff is fairly common on old cars where corrosion has had time to work it's nasty deeds. On a car as new as all of ours, it would be more likely that some electrical connection is loose. That is some assembler forgot to tighten or crimp something properly. That type of problem will come and go.

    The good news is it should be easy to find and fix properly.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    thanks for the heads-up.i will be checking for same. so far,so good.
    zgrrl- all of the above makes sense. vadp is right,todays mix of electronics + mechanical parts leaves way to much for diagnosing. i
    havent had that problem yet. however, i believe there is a sensor when inserting key and if it is obstructed, engine will appear dead. nothing
    happens, as if you have a dead battery. this has happened to me twice.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    I always wondered how reliable that fancy sounding
    "securilock passive anti-theft system" thing is.
    So far you're the second person to report some problems. Never happened to me. Yet.
    The manual warns that large metallic objects can cause problems if they are too close to the key when starting the engine.
  • drebe73drebe73 Member Posts: 243
    Thanks for all the input about the wheel well felt. Your knowledge and wisdom is stagering.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Sorry for no earlier response, drebe. On my car, there is the small "mud flap" plastic piece in front of both left and right rear wheels, and the side skirt has a black screw visible when you look at the end of each skirt at the rear wheel. If that screw attaches both the skirt and secures the wheel arch felt, then it looks like both sides of my car are the same. I'd guess the body shop folks weren't paying attention when they reassembled you car - make them compare it to another car on the lot; they should see their screw up pretty easily. At any rate, they need to make it right.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    it was a cold day in february,i had taken a rare lunch break. went to start car,nothing happens. i had other keys and a orange key fob
    (courtesy of dealer to identify what team i was assigned to) and by the way since discontinued. whenever i call dealer they ask me what team
    im on and i say orange.they tell me orange is no longer. so i tell them
    im on the recall team. this happened again once in the summer. it was probably due to the position the keys were in.
    also,i had the funky reading gauges once on a very cold day. they all went the opposite way than reset. it never has happened again. the key cylinder does stick quite often, not lately anyway.
  • rubiconrubicon Member Posts: 12
    Does anyone know of any books or guides for maintaining and repair your Focus (like a Chilton's manual)? If so, what's a good one and where is a good place to buy it?

    I've been looking for a Chilton's manual for the Focus but I don't think they make one.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    i just got my car back saturday,what silver bullet posted is correct.
    you can see why he does most of his own work on his cars. he knows it will be done right the first time. my past experiences with body shops
    are unpleasant ones. they always miss some screws, moldings, trim,
    appliques,etc. really no excuse for body shop to miss this, just goes to
    poor inspection and follow-up of completed work.
  • chicagodriverchicagodriver Member Posts: 21
    Is it just me or does anyone else's driver's chair squeek some. I noticed it sounds as though its coming from the junction of the back and the seat. Will the dealership fix this or does it just call for some wd40 sprayed in the right spot? Also zzgirl, which dealership are you using for service. I bought mine at Packey Webb and they seem like nice people so far. My salesman called twice already just to see if the car was doing alright. Besides the slight squeek from the driver's chair everything is great. I'm taking my car on its first road trip to Carbondale for the halloween weekend, should be a great ride and a great weekend.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Doesn't affect the Focus.
    Just thought some of you might be interested in
    reading this article.

    http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories/airbagfix1023.htm
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    My seat doesn't do that.
    I read several reports on this problem.
    Including the European Focus.
    The fix usually included a trip to the dealership and parts replacement.
  • khtkht Member Posts: 13
    I have had my focus for 3 weeks and in that time I have religiously garaged it. For some reason I left it outside last night and to my surprise when I got in it this morning, it leaked. At the driver side A-Pillar, was a huge wet spot. Has anybody else had this problem on a 2001 Model? I think it is just weather stripping that isn't attached properly (i hope that's all it is)

    What was the cause of the leaking in the early 2000 models? Was it easy to fix? How long did it take? Does it make the car smell moldy afterwards?

    Without any hassels the dealship provided me with a rental car (no charge of course). The only problem is that it is an ugly little Mitsubishi Mirage DE with an auto that seems to prefer neutral to picking a gear (any gear) when accelerating. To think that this car is more expensive than my ZX3 (the way it is optioned auto/CD changer).
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    1. Called ford customer svc yesterday to find out exactly what kind of sunroof the focus has. Ford UK describes it as glass, tilt and slide. NO pics! Anyway, customer svc didn't know but said they'd call back in a few days after a bit of research. Anyone know the type of sunroof it has?

    2. Side air bags -- in the focus are they the type that blow upward to protect head as well as your side? TIA
  • fordfocusloverfordfocuslover Member Posts: 9
    This problem was huge about 6 or 7 weeks ago. They had to fly in all new computer parts for them from Japan. Talk about a big headache. It put a lot of people's lives at risk. The bags were just coming out for no reason. Thats why you have not seen like ANY new Windstars on the road yet. One thing people don't realize is that it is not always Ford at fault.....a lot of the time it is suppliers.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    As a Ford customer I couldn't care less where the problem originated. FoMoCo decides what parts to outsource and to which suppliers.
    It's more concerned about keeping the Unions happy than creating good relationships with the supplyers. DC and GM are the same.
    If the things will continue in the same direction the '02 year model Focus will be even more plagued with the problems, than today's cars.
    After all it looks like any non big three originated cars are increasingly becoming a much better deal, including the Koreans.
  • pd01pd01 Member Posts: 25
    What's with this side airbag recall i've been hearing about. About them deploying for no reason, is there anything i will have to worry about. I'm considering a 01 ZX3. Are there any other things wrong with it? A/c Leaking, starting probs, and so on?
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Never heard of.
    Please provide details or a link.
    Thank you.
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Got wheel bearing nut fixed. In and out the door in under 20 minutes. Don't have any teams to ask for at that dealership. Forgot to ask about the oil weight thing.

    Oh, saw two ZX3's in Jamestown, NY area this morning. Getting to see them more often in Western New York State. Saw a ZX3 Koni version (dirt coloured) the other day. That one really took me by surprise.

    Pat

    Pat
  • miata23miata23 Member Posts: 26
    PD01,

    Perhaps the side airbag recall you "recall" is the one involving recent Cadillacs. I am not aware of any such recall for the Focus. I'm not aware of any recurring problems (so far) for the 2001 model year Focus. All the Focus recalls to date have concerned the 2000 model year.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    squeaky seat - yeah,i have that too. suppliers -garbage in,garbage out.
    there was time when the factory had built a majority of its own parts
    or had very reputable,high quality control suppliers. kiss it goodbye
    with outsourcing. it started in other mfg. industries back in the mid-
    eighties and has gotten worse.we had been forewarned a long,long time
    ago. we all pay the price , pay me now, or pay me more later. if you buy a domestic vehicle,you would have least expected the majority
    would have been built here. just not the case anymore. quite sad in many respects. pro american, absolutely.i dont blame the worker, only
    the fat cats. they call all the shots.
  • pd01pd01 Member Posts: 25
    Thanks for clearing that up, I'm not sure where i heard it from but it was very concerning to me. I have another question, does anyone know if ground effects would void the warrenty in any way?
    I'm looking into getting them if I do buy a ZX3.

    THANX
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    Shouldn't void warranty, in fact, I think you can special order the package thru dealer when you order car. But I think the added weight will cut down some on power and mpg from what I have read on some of the other boards.

    Also, for info on recalls and technical bulletins, click on Edmunds.com (upper left corner), then go down to "safety" link and click, then follow instructions. All the info on recalls, etc., that you need is there. Not everything applies to the Focus ZX3, but lots of info available. Technical bulletins are problems and fixes which have come up on a % of focus. Don't know how Ford, or for that matter any other manufacturer, determines the amount of problems needed for a TB. Basically its a guide for the mechanic at the dealership to be able to fix what someone at Ford has determined to be a problem with a certain amount of vehicles, (and sometimes what some call a "secret" recall, i.e., light blue paint peeling off).

    Pat
  • rlr207rlr207 Member Posts: 11
    My black 2000 has 6000 wonderful miles on it. It is the perfect college car. What other cool, affordable, roomy car can you move out of your apartment with, carry 3 other friends with room to spare and easily coast down the PA turnpike at 80 mph?
    So, I love the car, but when it came time to have a couple of growing pains taken care of, it will take 3 trips to the State College Ford service department and tons of detailed, written instructions. Trip one I brought it in to have a screw tightend in the hatch, the leather steering wheel cover looked at because one corner in the back came unglued and a mysterious clunking in the suspension unmasked. Well, they had to order the steering wheel (I waited 2 weeks for their call, I ended up calling them) fixed the screw (big deal) and didn't fix the clunking. When I took the car back to have the steering wheel replaced (I guess they've never heard of glue) they replace it with one without the leather. This second trip I also asked if they could do the wheel bearings work and replace the A-pillar plastic per recall notice. Also, to check the cruise control because it makes a flapping noise when it is turned on. He forgot to check the cruise and he has to order the A-pillar stuff along with yet another steering wheel. So now I have to return again to have him replace the A-pillar, replace the steering wheel and also look at the cruise control. As my mother always says, do it right and do it once. Oh the joys of car ownership.
  • zgrrrlzgrrrl Member Posts: 147

    I've always said get the focus if you don't mind putting in some time to deal with the new model pings...

    Let me clarify: Get the focus if you DEALER is proficiant in dealing with the new model pings.

    I don't even want to get into the nightmare I had to deal with as far as service goes yesterday.

    I had mentioned my car not starting - it didn't yesterday morning. Road side assistance took it to the dealer after I had called them to make sure they'd get a chance to look at it that day (otherwise I would have just tried a jump and gotten on my way to work - temp solution to problem). 2 diff people said it'd be fine, they'd get a chance to look at it that day but a later phone call to make sure the car got there proved they were wrong. The service advisor didn't even know the car was there or coming in today they "might be able to get to it today"


    it's the same old story - can you get to it today? If not, I'll need a loaner, I am already missing work today - my salesperson said they'd be available - blah blah blah.

    Had to talk to Ford Customer Service, The service manager AND the sales manager.

    They would have let it sit for 2 days had I not insisted they look at it that day or find something for me to drive.

    Turns out they needed to replace the battery. Simple, took them 1/2 hour. Got the car back a 5 (car brought in 8:30)

    And I know it sounds like I did a lot of complaining for such a simple thing - and if I were silver bullet I could have taken care of the whole thing myself and not had to get all worked up but after all, I bought a new car so I wouldn't have to worry about it starting in the morning of all things. A jump would have taken care of that day ... If I wanted that, would have kept my old PAID off vehicle.

    Well, a good way to find out what is really going on in any service sept is to talk to the shuttle guy. Turns out they just fired 2 mechanics last week and have no intentions on rehiring any time soon...and a few other choice tid bits that burn me up.

    Funny thing is, my paper work came with a big red circle sticker on it that said "you will recieve a survey from ford regarding this visit. if you rate the service anything other than completely satisfied" please contact our service manager first.

    Interesting. Never seen that before. Not until customer service had to call them for me.

    Anyway, chicagodriver COURT STREET FORD. And I doubt I'll buy another vehicle from there.

    And I've already taken my Z on the long trip down I-57 to Carbondale (I graduated in '94 still have friends who are professional students) Nice ride (after Effingham that is) the place where I am most likely to get pulled over...so be careful :)
  • chicagodriverchicagodriver Member Posts: 21
    I remember before that you said you work out in the western burbs'. Well if you're close to wheaton I would suggest bringing your car to Packey Webb, haven't been there yet for car problems but helpful other ways so far. Or if you're out by darien/westmont try willowbrook ford. My boss brought his car there and they were most helpful. Sorry to hear about the dealership hassle but at least everything is good now.
    Strange thing but I went to carbondale from 94-96 then transfered out of state for my major (marine biology), but had a blast while I was down there. Friends are thinking it will be crazy riots and stuff but I remember 94 being pretty calm. Alright enough babble got to get back to work.
  • zgrrrlzgrrrl Member Posts: 147
    I may try those other dealers for important and frustrating things (ie: recalls) but in "emergencies" close to home, I seem to be stuck with this cruddy one. *sigh* How likely a delear I did not buy my car at will be to give me a loaner is questionable as well...

    But thanks for the tip - I am going to look those places up.

    Re: carbondale halloween riots, it's been pretty calm since my freshman year ('90) 'cause after that they started sending people home for "fall break" so they wouldn't be in town to cause any trouble. Went down in '98 for Halloween no problems then. Well, calm as opposed to the 70's and 80's ... all the hype about it creates more of a problem than anything...all the energy was poured into Springfest (remember CNN coverage?)

    So to go FULL loop on the matter and stay on topic - be careful...DO NOT park your Z on the strip!! Or anywhere near "downtown". They were rolling small cars in '94 (spring) and that's what wound up on CNN. Protect your Z!
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    If I ever get something like that with that type of warning along with lousy service, I'll not say anything to service manager. I keep it and send it in with the survey along with my comments about it. MAN OH MAN, UNBELIEVABLE! Where do they get off doing something like that, especially after the way your situation was handled. The service manager had better hope I get past the owners office. Think we have to learn to be more forceful in dealing with these guys. Better yet, find a dealer where the employees are happy doing their jobs!

    Pat
  • pcleveland2pcleveland2 Member Posts: 516
    sorry i yelled, but it seems like customer service is not customer service any more. have to go find a tree to hug and calm down.

    pat
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    lots of stuff going on in this forum with recalls, service, etc. All understandable as that's what this forum is for!

    BUT, I've seen a lot more ZX3's around here lately, in many colors, and I am just so struck by what a cool little car this is! Great futuristic styling, looks "different" but (to my eye) it is just fantastic looking and the shape of things to come. I'm so happy to have one, and I can't BELIEVE that I was able to afford a brand new car for under 12,000, when most of the low mileage used civic hatchbacks I saw for sale cost that much. I've just been so happy with this car in every possible way. Just hope that it holds up mechanically for years and doesn't let me down! We will see...
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