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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part XIV
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RW
RW
GoodLuck!!
I've rented the Ka from Hertz in Britain, when I've been back 'home'. Despite it's debatable exterior styling, it's actually quite a comfortable car, and roomy inside. Though it is smaller inside than the Focus. I was only really put off by the large amount of black plastic designed onto the exterior. It's very much VWBug shaped. A Love/Hate thing.
The Puma on the other hand is a smart little runner. My brother's 1.7L version knocks the socks off other 1.7L+ small. My U.S. Focus couldn't keep up for sure. The Puma's variable valve-timing helps a lot. It's my opinion that much of the Focus interior styling came from the Puma. Now, if the Puma was brought out here, oh well I might have to seriously consider switching over. Now that's saying somethin'.
treva
Is that 9.95 5k service available at all bay area ford dealers? I was going to bring mine into the Sunnyvale Ford dealership since Varsity Ford is a bit further from me. Did you buy your ZX3 from Varsity?
I will admit it is fun to drive, and driving from orange county to downtown LA the gas mileage is great, but the everyday it breaks down it makes me want to get rid of it.
advise or info would be greatly accepted.
here is a list of my problems compare it with yours:
1.hood release latch breaks off on first try.
2.pass side reverse light intermittently stops working after two weeks.(loose unit or wiring, bulb good)
3.winshield cracks on own, no rock damage or major temp changes, first month.
4.outside window molding pops off after second month.
5.steering wheel rubbing sound, air bag sensor spring broken, after second month.
6.car stalls more then a dozen times coming home from Las Vegas, July.
7.After fill-up gas gauge will not register full tank for twenty miles, car not on or accessories on.(even had it register full tank then empty tank then full tank)
8.Finally, the best, a fuel line came loose dumped a couple of gallons of gas out of my car while parked in lot, Oct 2.
thats my list anybody else with something remotely similar???
Are you sure you read manual right. Should be 5W-30! That's what it is for the 2000 Zetec Motor. No difference in motor that I know of between 2000 and 2001. Can not believe that Ford would recommend 5W-20 oil year round. Maybe in the winter, but not year round. Check your manual again.
Pat
Pat
3. Windshield stress crack.
4. Window molding comes off.
6. Engine stalls.
7. Gas Gauge sending unit.
Seen these before before on this or the other board. The windshield, engine stalling and Gas Gauge are all covered by TSB's as I remember. Hope Ford fixed all for you under warranty. I think most are very happy with their ZX3, but at times some get fustrated with Ford. Also there are good dealerships and bad dealerships. Hope you have a good one for service.
Pat
One time my gas sending unit did not register until I was half mile down the road.
I believe I will be in the latest recall for rear wheel problem.
Should I mention my gas sending unit problem? It seems to be working OK now.
I did indeed buy my green zx3 from Varsity Ford in Menlo Park, in mid June. But their Service department is at the Palo Alto branch. I'm pretty sure Sunnyvale Ford would offer the same price since they're all part of the same conglomerate.
I'm down in Sunnyvale myself, so I'd be interested in hearing your results from Sunnyvale Ford.
Nice to hear from someone 'local' !
treva.
I guess i am getting used to my ZX-3 because other than the engine stumble around 2500ish to 3200ish RPMS i am more than happy.
I did notice a real wind gust feeling the other day on the highway. Cruising about 110 KMH or about 75 MPH the car was getting me nervous so i pulled ahead of the transport truck that i thought might be causing it and still the same feeling. Flags were at hlf mast because we had an ex Prime Minister pass away so i noticed the flags. The flags that i passed were all just kinda droopy and billowing in the breeze.
Had a front wheel bearing go on my old Mazda RX-7 and it felt the same but i grabbed the top of all tires to see if i felt any slop and everything felt tight. Will have to check my build date but it may have been the road worn by trucks as i went back into the same lane.
I have the same chatter (diesal sound) as some speak of but i am almost 100% sure that it is normal.
All in all i am pleased with the car.
Whyford?
I asked him what was the problem with his ZX3, he said his car stalled while driving in a highway...it turned out that he ran out of fuel but he said his gauge was showing half full when it happened. And that was enough to convinced me to have my fuel gauge checked. The dealer said nothing wrong with the gauge on the dashboard so instead they changed the fuel sensor inside the fuel tank. Since then i only had the fuel gauge problem once since i had it fixed 6 months ago. And the problem didn't last long; only for a minute, then the needle moved to full.
Also I've noticed that some of the people in this group are interested in the 4dr hatchback. I occasionally drive a German built Focus Ghia 4dr hatchback. It is a very impressive small car with good handling and performance. The extra set of doors helps. That car has a 2l Zetec and 5spd, and everything else but leather and sunroof, even the headlamp aim is adjustable for vehicle load. I think the 2dr hatch looks better.
Has anyone else had experience with the Zetec engine stumbling like that? (Darn, I really liked the car, too.......)
--Skipperson
radvlik
maintenance check-up til the 24th, but I'm noticing that when I apply the brakes at low speeds, there's a creaking sound...like when you rub your hand on a baloon. And sometimes, it's there, when your foot is off both the brake and accelerator, and the car is coasting. Could this be a rotor problem, like mentioned in previous postings? I'm going to take it in this week, as I'm concerned about this "creaking"... and about all the talk of a recall. Thanks.
http://www.impreza-rs.com/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/014135.html
and
www.mini.com
Came out this morning and it is working OK.
Will make an appointment this week.
ever,it is still a major disappointment in my opinion.regarding this
safety issue.i also have noticed the interior rattle to left of driver head.
cannot locate source.
Well checked my sticker inside the door pillar and it was built in Mexico 4/00 so does this mean i have the rear wheel recall or is it done by VIN#?
Also noticed i got a 6" scratch in the paint to boot! ARGGGH!!!!
Well guess i will book an appointment and try to buy some touch up paint at the same time.
W
Pat
Jimmy
4 door hatch basically = the wagon, yes? IMHO Although I do find them sharp cars...
And regarding loaners. I've worked in a service department of a car dealership before as a receptionist during college... and the whole "the only way to get a loaner is to purchase the extended care contract" or whatever is usually baloney.
I know it is up to each individual dealer to decide who gets a loaner, and sure they want to make sure they have loaners on hand for those who have contracts such as that BUT most of the time they will "cave" to anyone who has purchased a new vehicle from the dealership. Be firm, explain your sitation w/o being a jerk AND talk to the service manager. Chances are, if one is available, they will let you have it.
This is what the service department keep saying.
Stumble/hesitation in their opinion is normal too.
The intermittent gas gauge problem in their opinion was my fault because I leave the key in the ignition(engine/ignition off).
I just want to warn those of you who are consiedering the Focus (5 speed in particular).
This is what you should expect from your brand new Focus. If you can leave with it - fine.
I can't, because I was driving enough of high mileage cars in my life which had all kind of problems. I don't want my brand new car to make noises my previous junk cars never had.
Frankly, I wouldn't recommend this piece of junk with fantastic handling manners to anybody.
NO MORE FORDS FOR ME!!!
It was the first and last Ford car for me.
Also it was my first brand new car.
You blew it Ford.
Any ideas out there?
As well, I thought that in purchasing any car splitting the diff. between invoice and retail price was entirely fair to the dealer. A friend says no. What's your opinion?
TIA
It must be Focus Problem, not yours, as I too leave key in ignition (key off, ignition off) when I fill up and I do not have the problem. Tell that to your dealer!
Have to agree with you about the dieseling/rattle
sound. I have the automatic, but if I had the manual I would be very upset. Seems that they should be able to fix this if they put their mind to it.
Don't dare talk about the stumble. She doesn't like to hold steady at 2100 rpm in city, but as to a actual stumble under acceleration, she doesn't do it. Steady acceleration all the way up thru the gears. My son says he feels a very slight, almost unnoticable, stumble. I still wonder if this isn't just a thing with the manual transmission like the diesel/rattle. Maybe in the programing of the engine ecu woth the manual tranny.
I haven't driven the manual or heard one, but sure am glad I didn't get one. Wanted one, but when I drove the automatic, I fell in love with her. Have to admit that I would like the opportunity to drive one just to experience those two problems. Ford put together a great little car, but can't seem to get rid of the minor bugs. I sometimes wonder if they are even working on them.
Ramble on to much, just my opinion.
Pat
Think you are "right on" on the subject, but there is always that one dealer who, oh well, you know what I mean. I can tell you some real horror storys about one near me. Even things about what they did to a fire department's ambulance. And telling little old ladies who came in for their first service with new cars that their tires were wore out. If I were Mr. Ford, they wouldn't have the Ford name in front of their dealership. I've heard things are better there now that they got rid of their old "service manager". Guess you can't always blame the owner.
Pat
Edmunds.com (top left of page) had a excellent section on dealing with price. Check it out. Don't think I have ever read any thing better on how to purchase a car. Go to the dealer armed with the facts from Edmunds. I did and I was very pleased with the outcome.
Pat
happy driving!
To me, a stumble would be more of a misfire - a very obvious fault that I would be very unhappy with. What I experience is a very slight non-linearity in the power curve that sometimes becomes noticeable at certain speeds in a specific gear. It's as if the acceleration isn't quite as strong (it goes "flat") at that particular point. It can be a bit disconcerting if I happen to be steadily cruising at that speed, but that’s a rare event and a small change of speed will soon get the car out of that state.
Perhaps it’s more of a problem for folks who drive a lot in town. I’m out in the boonies, and I’m usually up and beyond that point quite quickly. I mostly notice it driving in town.
Also the recall is only for the left side!! Not both! So i was only ordered 1 part.
Good night all!
pedals - i have experienced the same as you have described.it is the same in the zx3 as well.
engine + trans needs to be re-worked. i still believe the zx3 zetec
is a better performer than the one in the zx2. it seems to be more responsive and less harsh. i have found this to be true in the auto +
manual versions. the latest rear wheel recall is a disgrace and a
testament to poor workmanhip. i hope thats it with the recalls. cheap
parts + cheap labor adds up to cheap product. id rather pay more for
the quality. as an overall value,i still think the z is hard to beat but
time in the shop is money out of my pocket. id rather pay upfront,because it always cost more later in aggravation. again,i have learned the hard way. my choice,my problem, i will be looking elsewhere when i decide to trade.
All of the manual trannys as I understand are made in that country. It seems that the Mexican QC is still not up to date. I really wonder what other parts and modules were outsourced to the Mexican vendors. At least the engines are made in the US.
pcleveland,
on my next visit to the dealer (the 4th one) I'll try to make them fix the fuel gauge. You see where my frustration with the car coming from?
This constant battling over the OBVIOUSLY broken things, not chasing the phantom squeaks, is what makes me seek of Fords. Anyway, I'll give them one more chance to fix the car. If they can't, the lemon law looks like a logical next step.
Happy motoring to those of you without the problems.