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Yes, it's about to arrive in America in late spring/early summer. The model was always available in Europe and around the world. Fortunately the hatchbacks are quickly becoming popular in the US. The Protege5 is Mazda's response to the trend.
BTW the car has nothing to do with the Focus platform.
However, the next Protege will borrow parts from the Ford Focus but look nothing like it. Both a sedan and five-door hatchback will come to America. New inline 2.0- and 2.3-liter four cylinder engines will power it. Production will start in 2003.
I went to get a price quote on a ZX3 with the premium group. They didn't have any so he gave me a printout of how much it'd cost to order it. The total invoice with destination and other fees. It came to 13299.70, and retail was 13900. He said he'd do it for $100 over invoice. My question is there's 2 other costs on the invoice price that arent on the retail price: a $125 FDAF assessment fee and a $5.70 fee for 3 gallons of gas, is that a reasonable cost?
As with every fee, all costs are negotiable. .. it just depends how hard you want to push the situation. I was happy to pay $200 over invoice for our 2001 Focus SE. Some areas of the country you can make better deals than other areas.
My last thought has to do with the quality of the dealer. If you just shop for price you may end up with some of the horror stories you read here and elsewhere about bad dealer service. I think a good car from a good dealer at a price you're happy with is more important that just shopping price.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 00V418000
Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT LATCH
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Mfg. Campaign #: 00S55
Year: 2001
Make: FORD
Model: FOCUS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 95000
Manufactured From: MAR 1999 To: OCT 2000
Year of Recall: '00
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:
Vehicle Description: Station wagons and 3-door vehicles. The subject vehicles have a folding 60/40 second seat that becomes a load floor in the folded position. When the 60% portion of the seat is folded down and a load is applied to the front edge of the load floor, the outboard hinge pivot could disengage from the hinge.
If the seat is then returned to the upright position without re-engaging the hinge pivot, the seat and seat belts may not provide the intended level of performance in the event of a crash.
Dealers will install a revised seat back hinge pivot. Owner notification ibegan January 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Show me a car that does so many things as well, for the same price, and never has a defect - you can't.
Anyway, there are 7 Focus recalls in total and 140 Manufacturer/Dealer Technical Service Bulletin's. You can look them up yourselves at the following link:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/
Have fun.
With all due respect, (and this is my last message here), how can you call the recalls piddly details? Some of these are life threatening. If you and your family can live with it than that's your choice and theirs. I wonder if the Explorer owners thought that the Firestone tires on their trucks were piddly details too.
Here is a snapshot of those "piddly" recalls...indeed.
1. In the event of a crash, an occupant contacting that location may not be provided the interior impact protection intended.
2. A throttle that does not return to idle could result in reduced vehicle control and, potentially, a vehicle crash.
3. The rear wheel hub retaining nuts can loosen and allow the left rear wheel and brake drum assembly to separate from the vehicle. This condition could result in a vehicle crash.
4. This could result in either a loss of individual lamp functions, or in the case of a short of the broken wires that causes a fuse to open, in the loss of stop lamp or tail lamp function. Loss of stop lamp or tail lamp function could increase the risk of a crash.
5. If the seat is then returned to the upright position without re-engaging the hinge pivot, the seat and seat belts may not provide the intended level of performance in the event of a crash.
6. A throttle that does not return to idle could result in unexpected acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.
7. If the seat is then returned to the upright position without re-engaging the hinge pivot, the seat and seat belts may not provide the intended level of performance in the event of a crash.
Okay, the last one was going to be the last one, but then you attacked me so i will respond.
Yes, i posted in the Elantra forming asking for feedback when I was researching vehicles for my wife. We test drove and researched everything about the vehicles we were interested in. Yes, the Focus ZX3 was in that list and on driveability alone was placed 3rd. On reliability, it placed dead last.
The Hyundai Elantra 2000 is a very well built automobile with gobs more power in the manual than the rather surprisingly lack-lustre ZX3. The Elantra handles exceptionally well, but not quite as sharp as the ZX3. It is a sedan after all. Anyway, the Elantra ended up second on the list for driveability and 3rd for reliability behind Toyota Corrolla and Mazda Protege respectively.
It is a shame you are blinded purley by a name, which in this case happens to Hyundai. Did they make horrible vehicles in the past? Absolutely. The same can be said of all of the Japanese manufacturers when they first emerged in the N.A. market. Does Hyundai make quality vehicles now? The answer is yes, very much so. They still lag behind the japanese, but have already blown by the big three American manufacturers in terms of build quality and reliability. There cars are also fun to drive.
hey, you don't have to take my word for it. Just read most any automotive magazine or even Edmunds themselves. They rate Hyundai's quite highly.
Do I own a Hyundai? No I do not. I currently own a Subaru Impreza RS and we purchased a Mazda Protege ES for my wife. Both are 5 speed manuals. The Hyundai Eleantra was both her's and mine second choice in a list that included the Honda Civc, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Chevy Cavalier, Ford Focus ZX3 and ZTS, Ford Escort ZX3 and Hyundai Elantra.
i will be trading in my Impreza this year for either the Protege 5, or for the Impreza WRX which has just been released here. I have yet to test drive either at this point.
Take care,
2. A duplicate of your point #6 - do we get part credit?
3. No accidents or attributable events have been associated with this potential defect.
4. This recall affects only Focus sedans, not the ZX3 - go take your message to them.
5. Another duplicate (your point #7). More partial credit? If stuff like this worries you, maybe you should stick with public transportation - I think automobiles are too risky for you.
"Show me a car that does so many things as well, for the same price, and never has a defect - you can't."
In fact, I most certainly can name a car that performs much better than the Focus on both styling, accelleration, handling, ergonomics etc. True, all cars can have defects, but this one had only 4 TSB's in 2000 and the worst was exhaust resonance. They also had zero factory recalls in the 2000 model year.
That car happens to be the Mazda Protege ES and it happens to be a sedan. I'm aware that exterior style and ergonomics are individual tastes, but the ZX3 cannot touch the ES in terms of performance. I'm talking 5-spd manual here. They are close in accelleration, but the ES is quicker, much much smoother and refined and actually has a gearbox and clutch that engages properly with quick throws and smooth engagement. The handling of the Protege is almost comparable to my Impreza and she has all wheel drive and a boxster engine set-up with a lower center of gravity. take a corner at high speeds with the Protege and you will not hear nary a tire complaint and very minimal body roll. The ZX3 can't really touch it. My wife's Proeteg is a 2000 and the 2001 sedans are even quicker with even greater handling and steering feedback. Bigger rims and tires too. Mazda also incorporated some nice interior and exterior features that sharpen the look. What did Ford do to improve the ZX3 this year??
You're a perfect Foci owner. I have not attacked you personally other than question your rather poor choice in an automobile. You on the other hand have tried attacking me personally. Well, really, whatever....
My point is simply that the Focus is a poorly, poorly made automobile and it's record of recalls and TSB's clearly show that. I just can't understand why people keep buying this thing other than sheer, total ignorance. Will it get better? Probably, as Ford first year models have a history of quality problems. Then again, most American auto manufacturers have a long, generally continuous history of poorly made vehicles. At least as they compare to the rest of the automotive industry.
If you must choose to ignore the facts and convince yourself that you made a great purchase and have a great car in the Focus then, well, good for you. If you choose to accept very old sterotypes about manufacturer's like Hyundai, then, well, good for you too. Keep Ignoring the facts.
Have fun and take care.
It appears we have strong differences of opinion, comparing several Mazda, Hyundai and Ford cars. We all know the reliability of such automobiles and depending on the price we want to pay, the features we prefer, the safety characteristics, the performance, the novelty of styling; heck we could strongly contend our own personal preferences as the ideal choice for everyone. And recalls happen in all cars, let's face it.
As far as which one's best; well even Edmunds' own comparison test places the Protege, Elantra and Focus (sedan) on the same pedestal :
http://www.edmunds.com/roadtests/comparisontests/2000economysedancomparisontest/43900/
I can only speak of the zx3, but those people comnmonly frequenting this particular chat-room over the last year or two know all the goods and bads of the z.
To constructively compare different models is useful to all; it continues to raise the benchmark as to what we expect in our cars, and to even consider other models for the future. But to angrily defend our current choice is wasteful of time and energy.
Anyway, that's my take on todays' posts.
treva.
been awful fiesty lately. i like that! very good points and counterpoints you put forth there.why do some feel it is necessary to
tell another to calm down? its about time someone has livened up this
so-called club. quite frankly, the previous format had a greater par-
ticipation from many different posters.has anyone else noticed this
as well? i miss the carlady, she wasnt so quick to squash a little difference of opinions.lets not forget,the town hall forums are non-
existent without participation from others. ive seen the number of post dop dramatically since this has become a club.why? anybody care to
comment?
Btw, I think part of the reason for a drop in posts, aside from the rough transition with the new software, is the fact that we now have more Ford Focus discussions; posts are spread out a bit more. Thanks for your participation, and feel free to email if I can help you with any other issues or concerns. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchback/Station Wagons Message Boards
Regarding the above exchange, shame on me for taking the bait. That sort of "cheap shot" use of random statistical data speaks for itself, and I should have left well enough alone. Comparing a $12K-$13K ZX3 to cars costing half again as much is flattering, but it's just another example of bone-headed pretzel logic. Anyone who's been in this forum for awhile knows I'm no fan of the Blue Oval, so the "typical Focus owner" crack was unwelcome as well. So be it - that's what these forums are all about.
I thought this forum was supposed to be for owners of cars to exchange info, not for some people to tell others who have bought the car what a stupid purchase they made and how they are about to go down the drain!
Telling us about problems and solutions is great so that we can all share the knowledge, but you know if I love the car and you hate it you ain't going to convince me I'm a jerk!
With 16k on the odo., I've had two mechanical issues, the first involving the clutch master cylinder gasket (caused a hard-to-shift condition), and the second being the failure of the clutch pedal return spring. I believe both were addressed in a recall/TSB. Otherwise, have only been to the shop for annoyance recalls and regularly scheduled service (would have been more annoying if the dealer weren't 5 min. away). Averaged 27.8 MPG over a 40 mi. (round-trip) commute that is 60/40 hwy/city. Averaged 32 MPG over approx. 6K pure highway miles (70-75mph). In comparison to my old ('94) Civic SI, the Z feels more refined from an interior quality, ride and handling perspective. Accelaration is very slightly better, although still only average unless pushed hard. The strange drivetrain/engine sounds at low rpm are annoying, but I've become used to them. Handling and stabiity on the road are the car's finest attributes, in my opinion, and account for 90% of the car's sporty, more expensive feel. In summary, I'm very pleased with the Z and feel that its combination of price, interior space and performance fit my requirements (urban one-car family with pets and commute to the 'burbs) perfectly. I can't speak to the car's longer term value or reliability, but for those shopping for an inexpensive, reasonably sporty HB, it's worth a look. I personally and still debating whether to keep it beyond warranty expiration - reliability over the next 15K mi. will be the determining factor. Sorry for the lengthy post.
r - Not lengthy at all - a good report. Keep us informed, and don't be a stranger
Anyhow, after 7 separate trips to 3 different dealers, for about a total of 10 or so days in the shop, the problem is licked -- for now, at least. I've written and called Ford, contacted the NHTSA, and finally got someone in the state attorney general's consumer protection section to intervene for me under our state lemon law. They sent a demand letter to Ford to fix the problem, but not unsurprisingly, told me that the problem was not significant enough to warrant demanding a new car (though everyone admits that not being able to get out of your car in a split second is a safety problem, and in my state, it's also a basis for flunking the state vehicle inspection).
I guess the only silver lining out of this was that the dealer I bought my car from (and the one who did the final fixes) had treated me well and always came through with a nice loaner. Meanwhile, I also had the FOUR recall notice problems fixed, and then had to have the ignition switch replaced (key wouldn't turn!). What a year!
Other than the above, no complaints. Handling and performance have been fine, and I still love that new edge design!
Has anyone else had the door latch problem?
I've been a zx3 owner since February, 2000, and joined the forum back then. I remember seeing how the posts were very positive at the beginning. Then came the recalls and bad service. The later posts reflected the unhappy experiences of ownership after the miles started to add up and more problems surfaced.
But a forum like this is meant not only to be a platform to share good experiences, but to share the bad ones as well. And we've got members in this forum of all ages and backgrounds, who bought this car for various reasons. Some are enthusiasts, while others, like me were looking for cheap, versatile transportation. In my case, I didn't expect the great ride, room and handling.
My autumn orange zx3 has 14,700 miles, mostly city driving. Four recalls later, plus oil changes and tire rotations... Hopefully, my good luck will continue... if not, I've got the extended warranty to back me up, plus a dealer with a service dept. that has a great reputation. I plan on keeping this car for as long as possible.
Maybe alot of people who used to post have heard all the good and bad stuff about the first year model, and hopefully we'll be hearing more from the new owners. I'm curious to see if the reliability improves over the long run.
Charlie
As for the new edge design, let me share this: just yesterday, my wife came back from a trip to Germany via Lufthansa airlines, which was giving out these freebie packs to the passengers. The freebie pack included promotional material from Audi on their new A2, which looks cool to me, but only because the design is so similar to our ZX3's! (here's the web link to the A2:
http://www.audi-a2.com/de/noflash/index.html).
Pat
On page 126, there's a nice article on the ZX3 subtitled "Go slow, have fun". I think they've nailed it - it sums up the spirit of the ZX3 very well.
In addition, you'll also find a direct link to Edmunds.com's Long Term Road Test of the 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 there. Keep a look out for other new discussions, reviews, and articles that I will be posting in that area!
Happy Motoring! ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks/Station Wagons Message Boards
And she paid about $16k, I paid $12K.
The Protege have several engines available which differ greatly in power output and smoothness:
1.6 L, 1.8 L and the new for this year 2.0 L. Also the chassis were stiffened quite a bit for the '01 update. I haven't test driven the current Protege as yet, but heard already a lot of praise for its handling and cornering abilities.
And again I would GLADLY pay 1.5-2K over the comparably equipped Focus just for the Japanese quality.
1. Metal on metal grinding sound from the rear wheels. Quite loud, usually starts after taking a left turn at medium speeds. Sounds like the bearings are shot or something (?). The noise sometimes stops when travelling in a straight line for a fair distance.
2. "Pulsating brakes" as Ford would call it. Seems to me like the front disk(s) are warped.
3. Broken oil cap. The technician busted it the last time I had the oil changed. The part had to be ordered.
4. Service #00B59. Clutch master cylinder and return spring replacement.
5. Front suspension creak mostly at low speeds, bumbs, and low speed tight turns.
6. Upper body cladding is bending/warping outwards near the door handle.
The last trip included an oil change, rear seat recal, rear wheel recall, etc... To make things worst, my dealership hadn't even started the previous days work....
I *just* got a phone call from the dealership telling me that the disks are indeed warped! They want CAD$340 to fix it! And because the car is one year old last week, Ford won't pay for it! They want to fix it and have me talk to the Service Manager tommorrow and talk to him about it - like that's going to accomplish anything!
"DETROIT (AP) - Ford Motor Co. is warning customers of a defect that can break the rear windows on some 2002-model Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer sport utility vehicles.
"Ford said Tuesday it has asked dealers to pick up the affected vehicles, provide a loaner vehicle and make the repair, then wash, vacuum and return the affected Subs to customers with a full tank of gas."
Gosh, Ford sure is sucking up to its gas-guzzling SUV customers. Guess us humble Foci owners just don't rate in comparison.
The reason for doing a search on my 2000 Focus, was not because of the warranty though. I was actually looking to see if any one else was experiencing some of the same difficulties that I have had/am having.
This vehicle has been in the shop 8 times since I purchased it. For a total of more then 50 days. Besides the 6 recalls that I have experienced, I have also had problems with the throttle body sticking (accelerator was hard to push) {one more time and I am going to fight for the "lemon law"} and twice the windshield has cracked. ($340.00 per each windshield out of pocket.) The starter went out on us this weekend leaving us stranded. $370.00 out of pocket later, I am wondering what else can go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I love my car. (when it is running right) I have also notice the squeaking of the brakes and the noises the engine makes, not to mention the feeling of the engine frequently "missing".... but the gas mileage and the size of such a compact, "sporty" car being able to hold even my 5 children with the back seats down...I am at my wits end. Has any one else had the problems I have had...yet still love their vehicle..or have I completely "lost focus"??? lol
The service I have received from Ricart Automotive (Columbus, Ohio) has been excellent..and when my Focus was out of service for 41 days for the accelerator problem, I was given a rental car (van) for free. Thank the Lord that I have had an excellent car dealership to deal with throughout this ordeal!!
"The high-tech concept of the entire A2 family offers the ideal basis for ultra-low fuel consumption. For example, the all-aluminium body with Audi Space Frame (ASF) is 43 percent lighter than an otherwise identical structure made from steel. On the three-liter version, it proved possible to reduce the car's weight by 135 kilograms compared with the 1.4 TDI, to 825 kilograms. And the 3-litre A2 1.2's drag coefficient was pushed down to a sensationally low cD = 0.25 - the lowest for any production car in the world.
"Another key aspect of the three-liter A2's low fuel consumption is its modern, ultra-efficient 3-cylinder turbodiesel engine. The 1.2 liter TDI power unit, developing 45 kW (61 bhp), has an aluminium engine block and cylinder head. A high-pressure direct injection system with pump-injector technology, in conjunction with the turbocharger's variable turbine geometry, generates substantial torque and assures efficient operation. This engine's power is transferred to the road through an automatic-control manual gearbox, whose electronic shift program has been adapted to the performance characteristics of the 1.2-litre TDI engine. As a result, the A2 1.2 needs precisely 2.99 litres of fuel per 100 kilometers (overall consumption acc. to 93/116/EC) and thus has a theoretical operating range of 669 kilometers."
The dealer replaced the throttle body. Now it's fine.
May I ask you what kind of the engine noises you have.
BTW, your dealer should replace your brake shoes to fix the squeaking brakes (I assume you're talking about the rear ones). Ford issued a TSB long time ago regarding this problem.
Your engine missing? I think you're talking about the infamous engine hesitation/bog that is most noticeable around 2,000-2,500 rpm during steady driving or light acceleration. I don't know if there's a fix for that one. Seems like Ford designed it that way (computer mapping?) to keep the emissions down.