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zx3for_me - Hopefully someone will be along soon to address your question regarding what's suppose to be under the vehicle. I suppose you could also find out with a quick call to your dealer service... or by checking out another one on your dealer's lot. Good luck. ;-)
Revka
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(I'm helping my daughter look for a new car, and a zx3 at $5500 off msrp looks pretty good).
This is from the Ford Partner site:
"As a top Partner, we're celebrating the Ford Motor Company 100th Year Anniversary
Celebration by extending a $500 Centennial Days Cash Bonus when you purchase or lease select
2002 or 2003 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.*
Eligibility for the $500 Centennial Days Cash Bonus requires you to buy between
May 17, 2003 and June 30, 2003. You must take vehicle delivery by June 30, 2003.
The Cash Bonus may be applied toward the vehicle, or sent as a check
directly from Ford Motor Company.
This $500 Centennial Days Cash Bonus is in addition to any other retail incentives
available, on the selected vehicle, at the time of purchase or lease.
HELP CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF FORD SUCCESS!"
Maybe the dealers are finding a way to work that in for regular customers as well?
But I'd say $5,500 off "any" car in stock is incredible. A few months ago deals like that were popping up on Chevy Impalas, but they were mostly $26,000+ cars, whereas most Focii are around $17,000.
I remain happy with my ZX3. It is smooth, refined, supple and, with the PZEV, exceedingly quick.
Please help. I'm thinking the sedan with Zetec or the ZX5, possibly the ZX3 (the latter becuase it seems priced lower; generally I prefer to have 4 doors). I've test driven everything from an Echo up to a Toyota Highlander (too big but loved the power seat and power lumbar). The Focus alternative for me seems to be a Civic (it's not intolerable), but I can't get excited about it... It's hard for me to find a comfortable car that rides relatively smoothly. P.S. I drive just myself usually and I don't carry a lot of cargo. ANY advice appreciated, shoppping this weekend. Thanks!
Oh, also, how is the ride on the highway? smooth or an amusement-park-ride?
In comparison, I also have a 2003 Honda Civic, and it had two defects on delivery (c pillar rattle and binding/squeaking clutch pedal), plus the car is and always will be low to the ground and cramped. I don't care what the recent Edmunds small car test says, the Civic isn't the best, the Focus is! And, much much cheaper....
The lumbar seat gives me a backache in 2 miles, there is a drive line whine in low speed driving, none at highway driving.
I am 5' 8"..need a pillow to drive.
Otherwise the car has been ok in 650 miles.
You may want to check my earlier posts.
Just drive at least 50-100 miles before deciding on a Focus..
I'm stuck in the boonies for today.
Have you tried pressing on the brake while (before) shifting into reverse?
Have had the rental SE (don't know what year) for a week now. Test-drove a Civic and CR-V yesterday. Forget 'em! You want a primitive, uncomfortable seat, and a lot of noise, try the CR-V! :-) Both have bumpy rides, the CR-V less so. The Focus has smoother and more comfortable ride than either, IMHO.
However, my back finally found the infamous Focus seat "steel bar" yesterday as well :-o That thing is sadistic! I would have to use a cushion. Otherwise the seat is OK for me.
I really want a telescopic wheel in the car I buy.
Focus mileage hasn't been great.
The Foci appear to be selling well around here (DC area), it is hard to find the ZX5 in stock.
If I have money to get another car today, I will definitely buy another Focus. This time a ZX5 with the new engine. I liked the Protege5 too, but the ride was harsh on the test drive. However, since I don't have money to spend on car now, I just hope this one of mine will run another trouble free 50K!
I remember my best friend had the same problem (he didn't know about lifting the little knob) with my car trying to shift into Reverse. Actuall this is mentioned on the "getting started" manual! New car owners, please at least read that one before complaining! He had my car for a few weeks when I was away, and he is now considering getting a ZX5 himself. His other choice is probably the Civic. No hatchback and boring zzzzZZZZZZ IMHO!
Not bad for this level of performance!
My experience with Focus is split. I had a 2000 with a 5 spd and didn't like it much (problem with the 5 spd). I replaced it with a 2001 ZX3 equipped with an automatic and love the car. I have 34K miles and other than minor problems....I have been pleased.
Try the zx5 and see if you could live with the seats. Try asking to borrow one overnite!
The package is called something like European Appearance, but it is somewhat pricey at 3500 bucks. The total for the SVT was 22,500. Great Scott..that is 10 grand more than I paid for my current ZX3!
But wait....the following link will bring up the sticker from the dealership. If anyone saw pictures of the Focus R years ago, this is what it looks like.
http://www.willowbrookford.net/pages/present/flm/notlocalized/sea- rchinventory/windowsticker.asp?orgid=1599&vin=3FAHP39533R1563- 81&year=2003&model=FOCUS
http://www.svt.ford.com/news/news_eurofocus.asp
On the other hand, the wheels have many spokes and look like a real pain to keep clean.
also, does anyone know when the 2004 fords will be available?
esto May 27, 2003 1:04am
Hey Ford, how bout making a turbocharged PZEV motor for the SVT focus and not some low torque Zetec rehash like u have now....
They also mentioned two recalls that were needed doing: one involved replacing the rear-wheel bearings with updated ones, the other one I can't remember at the moment.
Also, all four tires need replacing. I know I liked driving fast, but I expected the RSA's to last a little longer than this. Two of the tires were bald on the inner threads, suggesting an alignment issue - I'll be getting an all-4-wheel alignment performed when the tires come in tomorrow. By the way, I've decided on Yokohama Avid Touring's from Tire rack, being drop-shipped directly from Nevada to the local Just-Tires store. I did contemplate the Dunlop Sport A2's but the survey results / reviews on the tire-rack & discounttires websites swayed me over to the yoko's.
Other than that, I'm so keeping this car. Even though I've been attracted to the 2.3L engine, the recent house-purchase is putting all's things automotive on hold. Even so, I'm still loving the car's handling, sound system, and performance that I'll hold on to my z for a couple more years. Yeah I know the blue-book value ain't much, which is probably more reason to keep these keys as long as poss.
FYI, my local dealer in Sunnyvale had 2 SVT's with the Euro package. I noticed their very nice new front lights and grill.
treva.
My 2001 ZX3 just turned 2 yrs old and I'm still happy with it. I took it in for service at 59,000 kilometers and they replaced the fuel pump for free. I've had no problems with the car and it's been Ford serviced. All the recall work has been done as well. I'm very happy with Ford service at the moment. My only questions has to do with tire replacement. My original Goodyear RSA tires are worn out at 60,000 kilometers. My driving is mostly highway but I'm wondering if that's normal wear. I see new tires advertised as being good for 130,000 kilometers, including Goodyears. Any suggestions on which tires I should consider. We do get a lot of snow up this way but the all-seasons radials seemed OK the past two winters.
Anyway, if you didn't get great miles from RSA's you aren't likely to get great miles from any tire, except maybe a tire that is sacrificing handling for mileage (thicker, harder tread).
Someone start talking!
25,000 miles on my 2002 and still running like the day I drove it off the lot. What a car!
When will the new 2.3 engine be available in all states?
I've got a 2002, manual trans, with premium package. I haven't had any problems so far, and I doubt I'll have any. I have put on nearly 26,000 miles to date; tire wear seems normal, no brake problems.
Gas mileage could be better, I guess, but it really isn't a small car, nor does it drive or ride like one. I get 27 in commuting and around 33-36 on the highway. I can't speak for the auto tranny.
Really, it's a bargain considering all aspects from the smooth ride (not on choppy pavement) to the responsive handling. You'll learn to definitely appreciate the hatch; downright cavernous with the seats folded down. Also, the seats are pretty decent.
Enjoy!
This is the quietest 10,000 miles I've spent on the car... just a year ago my car had broken down 3 times!
Quick question. What are your approaches to servicing this vehicle at ~20,000 miles? I hate to bring it into Ford and get ripped off, but by the same token, I have no "trustworthy" local mechanic to rely on at this time. When did you all decide it was time for a tune-up and other "beyond the oil change" replacements/checks?
Thanks,
Rich
The car hasn't let me down so far, although mixed mileage is a consistent 28mpg -- quite disappointing. Even hwy mileage at legal speeds is only 30/31mpg.
I can tell you that the bar is chrome and bolts right onto the existing strut tower strut anchor bolts. Installation cost was insignificant and it only took about 15 minutes to do. hope this helps.
I don't think I will consistently hit 34 mpg, but it shows what the car is capable of when driven gently on a freeway commute with little stop and go.
Mileage goes down on high speed interstate runs and mountain trips.
I am impressed by the mileage this 2.3 liter engine attains. Also, the acceleration, even when babied, is equivalent to or better than other economy cars when driven moderately, imho.
Practically speaking, if you aren't happy with the speed limit on the 2.3, you should buy an SVT, which has a much, much better suspension to handle the higher speeds, and tires with a much higher speed rating (V, I believe). Also 4 wheel disc brakes and ABS, two very important items at high speed.
In my limited experience the suspension is the most important factor, not the built in speed limiter
If you google "ford focus performance" you'll get a lot of hits.