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Comments
duce the odds of it sludging. with yesterdays 8cyl. you could stretch the interval between changes, i wouldnt push it with these 4cyl. today.
just an opinion.
I just want to say that I feel your pain about the mileage although I am not experiencing it. My Echo is a 2001 four door with the five speed manual. I would say my driving is a 50/50 split and I get around 38 to 39 miles to the gallon.
My Echo took its place alongside (but did not replace) my '93 Ford Escort Wagon. The type of driving is split about the same and I consistently get about 36 mpg with the Wagon which is also a manual.
Given the talk about oil changes on this board, I am curious as to what Ford recommends for the Focus. I would let that be your guide even if your dealer recommends shorter intervals.
Toyota recommends 5k or 7.5k intervals depending on driving conditions and I think I will change it based on 5k intervals although my dealership recommends my first change at 3,750 miles. I think my dealer is pretty good for the most part, but I think the shorter interval will only serve to line their pockets more.
To anyone considering the Focus (or any car), you really should not just read about the car from many different sources, but take a test drive and let that weigh heavily in the final equation.
Sorry for the long post. I now return you to your regularly scheduled car. ; )
BTW, most Oil Change Centers recycle old motor oil [By enviromental decree in the Commonwealth of PA , I think] into diesel fuel. So while frequent oil changes maybe a waste of money, at least they are not hurting much either.
Jimmy
And a correction to a correction: 5k referes to 5k MILES not 5000km.
An oil change every 5000 miles is sufficient for just about everyone, just like the manual says. However, of course if doing it more frequently allows you to sleep better at night, go for it.
SHOV6: 27/28 mpg is not unbelieveable for mainly highway driving at the speeds you quoted. 33/34 is not going to happen...not berating..just flat out don't believe it.
Now, Read this, I am getting 24-25 miles per the gallon only on city driving. Thats 100% city driving, and having a heavy foot on the pedal
I am also getting 31-33 miles per the gallon on highway, at speeds of 70-75 miles per hour. I got this mileage when on a 300+ miles of pure highway road trip. Now I punch this little car heavy!! While I understand that not every car is going to perform the same, it is a shame that Ford cant fine tune these things to perfrom the same in gas mileage. Other than that it is a great and fun car to drive.
While I envy the mpg on the oc the Echo, I know mine is not bad!! I dont envy the Echos looks and handling, steering, interior, but the miles per gallon is great.
Difference here,is that the Focus is more of compact/sport car. THe Echo is an economy car.
Dealership wise, no complaints, my dealer took care of all recalls, when I dropped it off to get it serviced, the funny thing is that I didnt even remember I had recalls, and the dealer took care of them with out me asking. Nice touch, I must admit!! Waiting on the SVT, thinking about buying one, not thinking on trading yhe zx3 in. I think I was lucky because I got one that gives me excellent gas mileage!!
Pat
Konafocus posts about the Echo's handling and steering. I find both to be pretty good, actually.
Am I understanding Run4life correctly? He has not put anything in the Focus he owns for nine thousand miles. Does this mean that you are running the car on air? ; ) Does this mean that you have yet to do the first oil change? : (
I will return the control of your board back to you now. : )
Here are a few questions for you gurus:
1. Are these cars slow? I haven't driven one yet. My last 2 cars were a BMW Z3 and a V6 golf. I've seen their 0-60 times listed as any where from 8.0 to 10.5. The SVT one will be too late for me.
2. How much should I pay for a 2001 in Phoenix, AZ?
3. How much for a used 2000? What problems should I look for?
4. How do they rate with their competitors (Civic, Mirage, Sentra, etc).
Much obliged.
Sorry if this has been asked before but it would take a week to read all 968 messages.
By the way, I drive my ZX2 a little agressively and rarely get less than 30 mpg. Can't help but wonder why there is so much concern about ZX3 fuel economy. Granted it's a little heavier, but isn't it geared taller - I thought it would get better mileage than the old ZX2.
My 2 cents on oil changes - if you are going to keep the car, every 2500 miles. Yes I know modern engines don't foul the oil as fast, but it takes very little contamination throuh an engine to take the "edge" off it. If all your driving is on the highway change it every 3500 miles.
Schoon - if you shop for a 2000, get the VIN and have a Ford dealer check the OASIS service computer to make sure all the recalls have been done. The standard used car checks apply; otherwise, and I'd look for evidence of water leaks on the passenger's floor, erratic gauge function, noises from the suspension/drivetrain, and suspiciously low fluid levels.
I guess I can understand all the griping about mileage. I feel there are bigger fish to fry and the mileage doesn't really matter. When it gets empty I fill it, pretty simple.
Ford, I think was aiming this car at the generation X'ers (thats what the "X" in ZX3 is to indicate). And, as a whole, that group really doesn't "focus" on gas mileage. They worry more about about getting to class/work on time and when is the snow going to melt so they can rollerblade again.(sorry if that offends) I should say, out of fairness, I'm speaking more of the Gen X'ers I run with.
danderson in Cleveland
But we can certainly do without the simple-minded approach to this problem as "just fill it up when it gets empty"; or "it's only $300 more per year--deal with it". Some of us are adults with budget priorities and ... ah skip it. The latter approach lets Ford off the hook when they should be stepping up to the plate to correct the problem and please their customers. It's not like we bought these cars out of vending machines.
Wish that was all I had to worry about, what am I saying. Me worry?
a genuine problem that has been reported by many here. i have been
steadily averaging 25-27,mixed driving. its o.k. and thats all it is,o.k.
what will ford extract out of the new svt focus? its esentially a re-worked zetec. for 18,000 + , i dont know if its worth it. i wouldnt
mind the light mpg if it was matched with a performance of a 6. this
current zetec configuration in the zx3 doesnt cut it. the mpg is poor
for the performance. just another$.002.
1. Substantially redesigned 2.0 Zetec, with higher compression cast aluminum pistons, variable valve timing on the intake cam, bigger valves, two-stage intake manifolding, larger exhaust (with an under car catalyst!), and forged connecting rods (7600 rpm redline!)
2. Four-wheel disk brakes and ABS from the Euro-spec Focus
3. 17" wheels and a lowered, stiffer suspension, also courtesy of the Euro-spec Focus
4. Even the seats and additional instrumentation (oil temp and pressure gauges) are pirated from the European version
See a pattern here? Looks like SVT will be selling us the car that our cousins across the pond have been enjoying all along. As you'd expect, all these goodies aren't free, and the $18K-$20K price projected for the SVT is in line with what Europe pays for their better-equipped versions of the Focus. Now, if the rest of the car gets fussed over as well, and is assembled with a bit of extra care, we might finally have the car most of us were hoping for from the beginning. IF it is backed up by sales and service people who really know and care about the product -- and this is the Big "If". Fuel economy? Don't ask. I suspect SVT customers don't care as much for "mpg" as they do "mph".
Tuesdays: 4-5pmPT/7-8pmET
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(The latter may be rather late for East Coasters, but is available if you want.)
Let me know if you are interested in a chat and the day/time convenient for you.
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
It goes on to say: "Highway MPG 31. For Comparison Shopping all vehicles classified as COMPACT have been issued mileage ratings ranging from 15 to 42 mpg city and 21 to 49 mpg highway".
That is also what my sticker said when I purchased the ZX3. City 25 + or - mpg, and Highway 31 + or - mpg and that actual mpg will vary. That is the range that I am falling in. I think it is also the range most of us are falling in. Those of us who live in the City and drive in the City get 25 + or - mpg in stop and go city conditions and those of us who live in the boonies get 31 + or - mpg in hammer down 65 to 75 mph nonstop turnpike conditions if we have the vehicle described above. Don't understand why the EPA portion of my sticker describes a sedan when the vehicle is a ZX3. Guess the EPA considers the XZ3 a two door sedan.
Don't know what the sticker said for a manual tranny. Couldn't find one at the time and wasn't looking for one either. Glad I got the automatic. Very happy with the automatic. Can hit 60 mph in second gear in under 10 seconds and the handling is great on the back roads and in the snow. Got exactly what I wanted!
a- is the focus reliable or is it like the old american car generalization: unreliable and gas-hogging)
b- is there a large selection of mods for this car?
c- does anyone know when the SVT focus gonna be available?
thx all, more questions might crop up =[
z back from getting both the A-Pillar recall and the rear-seat hinge recall work done. They were very good : only took 1.5h. And I checked that the B-pillar, seat-belt retractors and all is fine.
Just thought I'd mention Palo Alto Ford service department. Credit due to them, I think they're very good, and have had all my dealings with them.
I did also mention the stumbling at 2k rpm, and as such they hooked it up to their "ECG" equivalent, but couldn't find any computer error codes or apparent misfiring. Apparently, I was the first customer to mention this 2k-stumbling issue ! Anyway, for the moment, I guess I'm reassured a little more.
treva
It is also my understanding that FMC is working on this problem, but regretfully this is hearsay which I can not verify.
1. Is there a difference in the zetec engine, 2000 vs. 2001?
2. Has the clunking from the front end that many have reported been identified?
3. Is the fuel economy acceptable as I see feast or famine reports describing fuel economy.
4. Is the 5-20W oil for the 2000 and the 2001 model Focus?
I have the opportunity to purchase a 2000 Kona/Focus at a great savings ($14200 and low interest rate that amounts to $1090.00 over the loan period) vs. a new 2001. The Kona has had all recall work of the 2000 model completed (built in July 2000). Is the quality difference between the 2000 and 2001 worth what will ultimately be $2000.00 difference in the purchase of the 2001 over the 2000?
I am cordially soliciting input from both the 2000 and 2001 owners.
Thanks,
RKO
2. Think that depends on the quality of the dealership and if the vehicle in question has been in the dealerships shop. I personally have no experence with the clunking you refer to.
3. See msg # 989. I average 29 mpg overall. Don't live in city.
4. The 5w20 oil IS ONLY FOR 2001 Zetec motors. I asked at Master Tech about this and he said not to put it in the 2000 Zetec. It is used in the 2001 Zetec because the motor is built to tighter tolerances than the 2000. The oil has to get into tighter places.
Can't answer you question as to should I buy. Man, that your choice! Personally, I'd be waiting for the RS Focus Ralley model 170 hp with european tuned suspension. If it ever gets here. and if Ford keeps the price down around the current versions.
I've recently updated the Focus FAQ I am putting together. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions anybody might have. The URL is:
http://users.ev1.net/~sturgeon/car/focus/faq/focus-faq.htm
You can contact me at the address below.
Thanks!
Jon
focusfaq@ev1.net
I did find a dealer in one of the 'burbs, Issaquah, that had two bare bones ZX3's (the model I want) for about $100 below MSRP, so I'll head over there tomorrow.
I was just wondering if anyone knows if Focus sales are so strong that a 15% mark-up is warranted.