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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part XIV
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Comments
A girl car generally has a small interior (girls are smaller than guys!), is affordable and durable. Girls are very sensible when they buy a car. (Bug is an exception). Who would someone buy a car that is too expensive to own? Answer: A guy.
The Focus meets the needs of many groups of people because of its superior interior space, its decent handling and braking, it is attractive and its affordable. That's its appeal. To me, that is what a car should be...and that is why I bought the Focus.
Let's hope it is reliable. And I can add to my list.
ND
Pat
Why did ford choose to line the rear wheel wells w/ felt? For sound deadening? Won't the felt collect and keep more moisture which will contribute to corrosion? TIA
Are you afraid if you drive a ZX3 you will turn into a woman? Or people will think you are one?
I've done some online research but it's all rather confusing.
IYO, what's the best cover you can buy? TIA
The series of engines is called "Duratec HE", for now those engines arer used in all new Ford Mondeo (excellent car, great value, quite like our focus)
New engines will be:
1. 1.8l. 125hp
2. 2.0l. 145hp (hopefully will get it in Focus)
That second engine 2.0l/145hp. in Mondeo(2900 lbs)
will accelerate 0-60 in 9.8 sec.
I heard it somewhere that this engine will be a standard engine in our American 2002 Focus.
Sounds like a perfect fit.
This engine is 35 lbs. lighter than 2.0 zetec!
Finishing with Mondeo, it's size and finish quality are very very similar to... Audi A6!
Pat
thanks for the update on the sunroof. Does the sunroof slide INTO the roof or UP and OVER the roof? TIA
On to other matters: Anyone have extensive experience driving things like the Chevy Cav Z24 or the Sentra SE? These cars are supposed to get better horsepower and torque than the ZX3, but my ZX3 test drive went pretty well. The acceleration was pretty decent (under automatic.)
I had short test drives with the Z24 and SE, but it was hard to tell the difference with the ZX3. Shouldn't these two cars beat the pants off the ZX3's 130 hp?
Also, worth it to pay less for a 2000 ZX3 (ie. is the Advancetrack and 4 disc brakes on the 2001 worth it.)
BUT, the ZX3 can beat ALL of them, even VW's in terms of Handling, especially with the larger/wider Premium package wheels in the 2001. If you plan on doing some stoplight racing, you can always modify
Over all Satisfaction: 9
Fun to Drive: 8
Quality of Build: 8
DesigN: 10
Engine/Transmission: 8
Value: 10 (partially due to me getting a really good deal)
These are all based on my current feelings, and are of course very subjective and depend on what a person finds important about a car. Fun to drive? Hell, I don't know. It gets me where I want to go but I'm not trying to drag race or slalom or anything. I must say I just love this car but nothing's perfect. Those of you who have ahd problems, I'm definitely not trying to diminish you at all, I'm just saying that mine has been great so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
With just over 5,200 miles on it...
Fun to Drive: 1-10 10
Quality of Build: 1-10 09.5
Design: 1-10 09.5
Engine/Transmission: 1-10 08.5
Value: 1-10 10
Over all Satisfaction: 1-10 10
I was thinking about build quality the other day. Of all the new cars I've owned since my first in 1976, this is the first I haven't had to bring back to the dealer right away to get something fixed. In fact since I picked the car up in August I've yet to visit the dealer.
With previous new cars I've encountered screws falling out, rattles and buzzes, transmission failures, oil leaks, poor mileage, premature part failures, paint problems, and other more minor issues.
Perhaps Ford needs to do more to make everyone happy, but at least some samples of the car get out of Mexico in pretty good shape.
I knock off points for design more because of the common failures I keep reading about on the boards then my own experience. The surge/hesitation (which I do have) and gas gauge issues are in my mind the biggest of these. In my case I keep getting my foot caught on the accelerator pedal. I never had that happen on other cars, so I attribute this to a design issue. I suppose I'll train myself to avoid this eventually.
Engine and transmission I knock down again more for other people's complaints then my own. I do have the slight surge, which is a bit annoying at slow speeds but not a showstopper by any means. The poor fuel mileage some are reporting may be an issue as well, but perhaps that's more due to driving habits. I don't know enough to include this since I typically get around 30 Mpg with the A/C running and that's fine to me.
Over all I rate the sum of the parts higher then the average of the individual components because of the value part of the equation. The simple fact is I know other cars may be better designed and built then the Focus, but if I can't afford them I really don't much care. The Focus walks that fine line between quality and affordability and does it quite well. My choice was a used car or a new Focus. So far I don't regret the decision.
Quality of Build: 1-10 9
Design: 1-10 9
Engine/Transmission: 1-10 9
Value: 1-10 10
Over all Satisfaction: 1-10 9
eight months, ten thousand miles
in for second recall today (wheel bearing)
My brother and niece both have ZX3s
Both love their cars. My brother had the air conditioner leak, seat belt problem. Both fixed, dealer provided a loaner.
My niece has a stick, no problems over 13,000 miles.
They obviously purchased from a good dealer (service) Ashley Ford, New Bedford, Ma.
I've yet to really test the service at my dealer Century Ford, Rockville, MD. So far, so good, considering their high volume sales and long lines at the service bays. I've had to leave it on the recalls. Short wait on oil changes.
cg
Will stay away from this board for a while. (you know - less pollution will never hurt this forum).
Just one more thing.
Yesterday I was cleaning the interior.
Used the Lexol Vinylex with good results.
It doesn't leave as greasy or shiny finish as some other brands.
http://www.autobarn.net/ch1215.html
Well, I am a working person and do not really enjoy my trips to dealership. I have not made up my mind yet whether I should laugh or be mad but I know that Ford (Academy Ford at Laurel, MD specifically)deserves something for this.(can you, guys, suggest anything?)
I live in USA temporarily and I am from Eastern Europe (Latvia). This means I have experienced socialism and in theory I am ready for anything that state or a company can do to you. But this is over the top by any standards!!!!
I have tried to justify Ford on these pages (recalls are unfortunately "normal" in contemporary car manufacturing for any brand) and I still think that Focus is a great car ( a deservedly big hit all over Europe as we all know). Unfortunately it has not been taken seriously enough by Ford of North America and may reflect the overall flaws within Ford I was unaware of before I decided about my choice. Too bad.
Can I not opt for this sleeve (it makes putting the cover on and off easier) and just let the pressure of the cover fold the antenna back? The antenna seems plenty flexible and non abrasive.
TIA
Vadp, don't go away mad (maybe you aren't) but I hope you know that most people on here do feel that your problems are valid, despite whether they themselves have had any problems. Good luck all.
I just need some time to polish my social skills.
I'll be back soon.
Thanks for caring.
Have fun! This board rocks!!!
Automatic is just easier. If you commute or drive in traffic aften, automatic is a godsend. (I drove my VW bug with the worlds stiffest clutch in Thanksgiving day weekend traffic, Va to NY in 1985. Should have taken 6 hrs, took 15. My knees still hurt. Ouch.)
1.If you live in isolated area with a lot of snowfall, or in the area with a lot of small non-congested roads ,and if you expect livelier acceleration, than the manual will be a lot better than automatic. Usually getting manual you can get a slightly better fuel economy than in automatic.
2.If you live in a congested, rural area and in a relatively warm climate(not a lot of snowfall),while driving a lot in traffic (lot of stop lights, stop and go) while not driving very aggressive (with out a lot of passing, quick starts and stops etc.)than automatic will be better for you.
Manual vs. Automatic, one will have as many advantages as disadvantages over the other.
There is no better choice (like some hard-heads are claiming)
It's all about a compromise.
You can't get everything at once in life and that's the way it is.
Good luck with your decision.
If you decide to go with manual don't worry about learning how to drive manual, it just takes couple weeks of practice, you we'll be all right...
Wish we had a edit option here. Had to delete 501 due to my poor English.
Pat
I've been looking for that kind of product, and could not find anything like it.
Thanks once again.
Our forum is the best.
Pat
I hope I'll get it right some day.
Pat
Thanks.
Anyway, the dealer had NO models with the moonroof and none with advancetrac. They said "we don't stock fully loaded models because this is an economy car."
Talk about a slap in the face by the hand of reality.
Ford needs desperately to educate the public and it's dealers that small cars don't always mean economy and sacrifice. I make 57k a year and I'm obviously not rich, but I can afford more than a Focus. I want the Focus because it's practical and handles better than cars costing thousands more. Unfortuantely I fear that this hatchback mentality is going to seriously reduce the resale value of the car which is leading me to believe it's useless loading the vehicle up. The dealer kept trying to talk me down....even though I told him money was not a concern!
On top of that I need a car within two weeks and if I want a loaded one I'll have to wait 6-8 weeks...and since they always lie, it means 3 to 4 months.
So back to my point. We'd be all better off as a country when people start realizing that fuel saving, small, safe, and fun to drive cars are better than large obnoxious, gas guzzling, view blocking, tipping, land yachts.
My last 2 cents is about the manual transmission. The overwhelming majority of people drive manual transmissions in europe for a number of reasons. Namely, fuel economy, driver control and cost. European cities are congested and trafficky....but no one every complains that they have manual transmissions. I live in boston and I never regretted manual tranny's ever. The clutch must be light and the stick must be smooth and you're all set (just don't break a leg).
http://www.ford.co.uk/focusrs/
I have read a lot of posts lately where people say "---- is a great car, I have owned 3 in the last 10 yrs and I never had any problems!" Yeah, because the real test of a reliable car is whether it will last you more than a couple of years without degrading into a pile of JUNK. All my previous cars were used and it is amazing how fast they decay. I'm hoping that since I bought new this time I'll at least get an additional 50,000 over what I'm used to.
Ive been to several fords in my area, each one carries Different focus stocks... The biggest one, carries EVERY type of focus, and I just saw a fully-loaded (before the moonroof was out though) ZX3 with advance track and auto, and that dealer usually ONLY carries the fully loaded ones.
Meanwhile, another dealer in an off-beat location had very few foci, and they had almost nothing on it.
They were just giving an excuse instead of saying "We only sell the economy models cause thats what you people are buying from this dealer"