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Ford Focus ZX3

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Comments

  • my41m4zx3my41m4zx3 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2001 ford focus and I notices it hade the SecuriLock theft-deterrent system sticker and had the flashing light, thought maybe this thing has an alarm? But I can’t figure it out, Searched online forever. Is there a SecuriLock theft-deterrent system on the 2001 ford focus zx3?
  • steelers126steelers126 Member Posts: 2
    I am considering buying a Focus 5-speed manual for a 70 mile round trip highway commute to work. I am disappointed to read that CR achieved only 32 miles per gallon on their highway test. Comparable cars such as the Mazda3, Corolla, and Civic got 40 in similar tests. That's a significant difference for similar cars. I owned a Civic several years ago and averaged 39 miles per gallon on the highway. Two questions: What fuel mileage are those of you who own and drive these cars getting, especially on the highway? Also, any thoughts as to why the Focus' gas mileage would be so poor compared to the competition?
  • my41m4zx3my41m4zx3 Member Posts: 2
    Well I get about 38 miles per gallon but then again the focus only has a 13.2 gallon tank
    If you want the best gas mileage you can get follow the sift lights on the dash that there for Best the economical gas mileage.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    I get about 29.7 mpg with my 04 ZX3, that's with an average speed of 75 mph, 3k rpm shifts, and driving through the hills on my 82 mile commute (one way). Still a great car though, no real problems with it in 29k miles (its 8 months old).
  • crazedcommutercrazedcommuter Member Posts: 281
    I owned my Focus ZX3 for 2/12 yrs and I avg. 30 mpg on a daily 110 mile commute. I just traded it in for a Scion Xb due to the need for more space for my kids. I had the ZX3 premium package with moon roof and auto trans. The only thing that ever went wrong in 81,000 miles was the driver power window switch that was repaired under warranty. This motor revs high with the auto tranny, but it pulls like a champ at 80 mph. The Focus does not get the same mileage as a Honda, but then it handles like a true sports car, not like the drab, boring Honda. Driving the Focus was a blast. Quick lane changes and curvy 2 lane roads made for a huge amount of fun. My only complaint was that the seats were not long enough for my legs on my commute. I'm 6' 2" and although I had plenty of room, the seat cushions are too short. The Mazda 3 has the same issue, as it is basically the same car as the Focus. The Honda's seats are no better, and neither are the Corolla's,which is why I bought the Scion Xb. Gas mileage on the Focus was a consistant 30 mpg not matter how fast i drove it on the freeways.
  • barczykbarczyk Member Posts: 5
    Sounds like you had a bad experience. But, not all he cars have the problems you had. I have a 2000 Focus SE with just over 70k miles and I have not had any problems at all really. Aside from regular maintenance, I have replaced tires and brakes and that's it. Right now I'm looking at putting new shocks and struts on since the ride is getting a little rougher than it was 30k miles ago. Anyways, sorry for your bad luck, but all the cars aren't like yours or mine.
  • mod_chicamod_chica Member Posts: 1
    i have a 2001 zx3 that just began to idle roughly on my way home. it runs fine when i'm going. i have replaced the fuel pump twice and the fuel pump. it doesn't feel like that. could it be the pcv valve or spark plugs?

    i can't be stranded...any help would be greatly appreciated!

    thanks,
    jessica
  • zintharzinthar Member Posts: 2
    I just bought an 04 ZX3 / 5spd / 2.0 with 8100 miles and, although I haven't yet filled up, it's looking like I'm going to average around 30 for this tank.
  • ukbbukbb Member Posts: 11
    could it be the pcv valve or spark plugs?

    When I had my Escort it was doing that and when I took it to a mechanic he showed me a hole in the PCV Line he covered it with his finger and it ran fine. He didn't charge me anything and even showed me how to fix it myself. $27 and a few minutes of my time and it was running fine. This sounds like what is happening to your car. Check the line and if you see a hole put some tape over it to see if the problem clears up and if so head on over to the parts store.

    UKBB
  • ukbbukbb Member Posts: 11
    You can go here and download the electronic version (in pdf form) for free.

    http://www.genuineflmservice.com/default.asp?page=E4

    UKBB
  • ukbbukbb Member Posts: 11
    Imagine my surprise when I went to set the wipers on my new to me '03 ZX3 to intermittent and it doesn't have it. The car has just about every option with power locks, power windows, 6 CD Tuner, even a rear wiper. But no intermittent wiper? Even my el cheapo Escort had that option on it. I saw this over at www.focusperformance.com that says it will upgrade my Focus to intermittent wipers.

    http://tinyurl.com/65jhg

    Has anyone done this and is it as easy as they make it sound also should I worry about my warranty if I mess with it?

    UKBB
  • bbbb51bbbb51 Member Posts: 1
    hello all i just got a used 2002 focus with the 6cd in dash player and just found out it will not play any cd,s that i burn. If anyone has any idea what i am doing wrong or is this just the way they made these cd players , whats wierd is it plays store bought cd,s fine.
  • 204meca204meca Member Posts: 369
    After reading the small car & hatchback related boards for months, the Focus ZX5 looked like the best contender to replace my 92 Civic Si on the basis of a good combo of performance, economy, handling and comfort. I was in SoCal for a week & rented a ZX5 SES from Budget.

    LIKES: Handled very nicely while maintaining a comfortable ride, functional 5 door set up with plenty of room in hatch with seats up, plenty of usable cubbies/spaces in front, nice, well placed, functional armrest, basic controls easy to decipher, especially the stereo (handy steering wheel controls) /AC. A small thing I especially appreciated was the automatic volume control of the stereo, seems to be a Ford specialty that should be emulated by other makers. AT is smooth, responsive, low revs on highway. Height adjustable front seat (though awkward mechanism). NIce combo of standard features (PW, PL, PM, remote

    NEUTRAL: Power with AT adequate, not exhilarating, I liked the exterior look, wife does not, highway noise par or slightly better for class as is equipment.

    DISLIKES:Gas mileage less than 30 mpg with mixed, conservative driving. Both my wife & I found seats comfortable initially, but that was short lived - after about 1/2 hour started to notice a lack of lower back support.

    BOTTOM LINE: Nice car over all, lack of lumbar support in seats is a deal killer.

    What I Really Want: a hatchback (prefer 4 doors) under $17K, 30+ city mileage, 38+ highway; both front seats height adjustable with good lumbar support (especially important for my wife), adjustable arm rest, decent cornering and relatively smooth quiet ride, readable, straight forward stereo & heater controls, basic luxuries of PW, PL, PM, AC, sunroof, ABS, SAB. The two main contenders now are used 2002-2004 GTi (class act of bunch, I assume it do as well or better that the amazinging gas mileage of our A4 w CVT), Spectra5 (quite nice, but gas mileage falls short - I look forward to what the Edmunds long term test results), Mazda3 (stereo controls & HAV control are small and confusing), or Honda Jazz if they bring it to USA. Looks like I will continue to ready what y'all have to say on Edmunds and keep on slumming around in the ol' Civic w 169K. It lacks the comfort and convenience of all the above cars, but it still gets 33+ mpg in mixed driving, has a certain verve and has the proverbial old shoe feeling.

    RENTAL CAR NOTE -- BEWARE OF USED RENTAL CARS - maintainace may be poor: I spotted the ZX5 on the lot and asked specifically for it. The agent asked how many miles I expected to drive. When I said:" less than 500 he indiciated that it was due for an oil change, but since I wasn't going far, he rented it to me. I inquired how often they change the oil -- normally at 5,000. However, this rig had 8,100 and the oil had yet to be changed and was just above the add mark.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Thanks for the test report. I have owned three ZX3's and they all drove well, although the first two had some bugs. You said:

    after about 1/2 hour started to notice a lack of lower back support.

    On my 2000 ZX3, when you raised or lowered the seat, the seat back and the cushion where linked and moved up and down as one piece.

    In subsequent years, they changed the mechanism so only the cushion goes up or down. This can result in an uncomfortable gap between the top of the cushion and the bottom of the seat back, and may have been what you were experienced. if you forego the seat height adjustment and reset the seat height so it closes the gap with the seat back, the seat is much more comfortable.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    204meca,

    You are right about the lack of lower back support - at least on the 2005 model. I have rented a 2005 Focus ZX4 SE (which is the plane jane four door) for a week now, and it has much worse lower back support than my former ZX3's. It isn't an issue of the seat being lowered, as I had suggested in my prior email. They must have changed something.

    On the other hand, I have been using the rental Focus for a 35 mile commute which is almost all freeway, and been pleasantly surprised by the 30 mpg on my first tank, despite having an automatic. This matches the mileage I typically get on stick shift cars of this size and weight, and is much better than the 26 mpg I got on my 2002 ZX3 with automatic (and older style Zetec engine).

    The pzev engine continues to have flat spots and hesitations, except under hard acceleration it feels "out of tune" though of course the mileage proves it isn't. These flatspots and hesitations are similar to what I had experienced in the 2003 2.3 pzev I had. I think it's because the engine must run very lean under light throttle (cruising etc.). I guess it's a trade off between the nice feel of a Golf or Scion and the outstanding emissions levels on the new Focus...although maybe Ford can do something about the flat spots and hesitation as they further develop the technology.

    You are right about rental cars. This 5000 mile old, 2005 Focus from Hertz feels less "tight" than my 44,000 mile 2001 Golf did when I sold it. Theoretically there isn't any maintenance required on this rental unit, but rental drivers must beat the heck out of it.

    BTW, you might want to be a little cautious if you buy a used Golf GTi vintage 2004-2004. I love VW's, but always worried about the heat put out by these smaller engines (and turbos from other manufacturers) the heat is hard on oil. In fact, there are now widely reported serious sludge problems in the 1.8 turbo when installed in the heavier Passat - synthetic oil and 5,000 mile changes are a must, which is no problem when you buy new but who knows what the former owner did, right? As I said, the problem so far is limited to the Passat but does emphasize the importance of regular oil changes using the recommended synthetic oil.
  • 204meca204meca Member Posts: 369
    Decision time has come & gone. I really wanted get an economical small car such as Focus, Scion, or Honda Jazz, but we decided on a different route. We have reducee our car population by one. Sold the fun, economical 92 Civic daily driver and the boat towing, people hauling 97 Caravan Sport. They have been replaced with a compromise vehicle to tow the boat and a haul a reasonable amount of gear while still being relatively fun to drive & beating 30 mpg on the highway. And the winner is a Subaru Forester XS.
    All good cars and tough choices, but the Subie feel right for the next few years.
  • ridefreeridefree Member Posts: 2
    Yes. I bought the unit and then procrastinated putting it in thinking it would be difficult. Boy was I wrong. Not much I have ever done to a car has been simpler. The unit works like a charm. Don't wait another day. Bother the warranty? I doubt it as it is an actual Ford part. (at least mine was and in the Ford factory part box to boot!)

    Robert
  • ridefreeridefree Member Posts: 2
    This is not specifically going to help but might not hurt. I only have the single player in a 2001 ZX3 and it will play CD-R.....at least the one and only that I have bothered to burn so far. I don't recollect what brand the disc was though. You might try a different brand of media.

    Robert
  • myers4myers4 Member Posts: 1
    Great forum... I am researching Focus fuel economy and happened to land here. There is a site that compares MPG across all major car brands, and it is user-driven to some extent. They list the manufacturer's city and highway MPG, then ask owners to post what the cars ACTUALLY get.

    I would encourage y'all to post your MPG on thatr site. Only one or two Focus owners have posted so far, leaving a dearth of information on this model.

    http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    and refrain from using profanity (masked or otherwise) in your postings.

    Actually, the "Rules of the Road" state:

    "No profanity
    The Forums do not tolerate profanity, obscenity, or racial or sexist slurs. This includes abbreviations and profanity with strategically replaced vowels. Even if a coarse expression is common in popular culture, it may not be acceptable."

    It seems to me that stringing *#(&$#5' together as a mask for something else does not even begin to approach the "strategically replaced vowels" restriction.
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    One would think but as soon as I don't call someone on it, the person who does just replace the vowel and gets their post removed goes nuts. If you want to discuss further - please feel free to email me so we don't disrupt this discussion.

    Thanks!
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    'nuf said.
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    These questions/answers belong in our Ford Focus ZX3/ ZX5 Owners: Problems & Solutions discussion.

    Thanks!
  • maestro52maestro52 Member Posts: 2
    I'd like to answer your message, one issue at a time if I may.

    First, I have a 2001 ZX3 with 155,000 miles on it. There are only 4 recalls to this model issued. That's pretty low compared to the previous year that had 15 in the first 6 months.

    Outside from these few recalls, I have had my car in for a broken control arm which I did when I ran into an 8" curb with my wheels turned at 5mph on ice, and regular oil changes and maintenance. It has never had a tune up and the struts and shocks are original. Ford brakes laster 40,000 (normal) and the second of brakes were Midas which lasted 85,000. I'm now on my third set of brakes, also Midas. Original exhaust, 3rd set of tires.

    Now for your issues:
    1. DPFE sensors, no problem at all. None, zero zilch.
    2. I've already told you about my brakes. Excellent, perfect.
    3. CD player. No problems. I clean it every 40 hours of play.
    4. Fuel pump. This was a recall and fixed free.
    5. Thermostat housing leaks. I have no problem with the housing, just replaced the thermostat and gasket, and filler cap. Car has never overheated, never leaked.
    6. I have an automatic so I cannot answer to this issue.
    7. Headlights have not been a problem. No melted clips.
    8. I have no issue with the belt, the coil, the adjuster, or anything else with the seatbelt system. It has worked fine.
    9. I average 28 mpg, 31 on highway, 26 city, without tuning it up for over 150,000 miles.
    10. No problem with license plate bult or any other bulb. Looked at owners manual and it gives very specific steps with pictures of changing all bulbs.

    I'd also like to add that both my sons have the same kind of car and in 2002 versions with no problems at all, my wife's entire family drive Ford as they are ford employees and retirees with no problems, and I have friends who I recommended this car to who have had no problems. I am not a Ford worker, nor do I believe Ford is the end all of cars. But this Focus ZX3 with the Zetec is the most reliable car I've owned and maybe you must drive very hard, like off-road!!!
  • 2fastdre2fastdre Member Posts: 59
    Has anybody seen a ZX3 or ZX5 with 2006 Sport Appearence package? Ford website says that this Package is a late introduction, but I wanted to get a preview.

    I am seriously considering getting a ZX3 in a few months for commuting.

    2FastDre.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    If you are getting it just for commuting, a used ZX3 might be good, a new ZX3 S (cheapest trim) with optional aircon is a steal...

    but wait until Ford has at least $2-3K in rebates on them, this happens about 5 times a year.
  • fordfocusfordfocus Member Posts: 37
    HI fdanna, thanks for your info, which 3 components? Clutch, flywheel, thow-out bearing, slave/master cylinder? I wonder if your trick will work in Canada...thanks
  • fordfocusfordfocus Member Posts: 37
    hi micweb, how did those Monroe's hold up over the long term? My rear shock is leaking after only 40k km (covered by now expired warranty at 60k km, total 100k km on car now), but don't know about going aftermarket since in my mind OEM would be designed for longer life? I just want the original, soft, plush, keep-tires-on-pavement confident, ride...are the Monroe's stiffer than OEM? Are OEM made by KYB?
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Uh...my long term never seems to get beyond 10,000 miles or so per car...the most miles I put on a car in the past five years, was 44,000 on a 2001 VW Golf...so I can't help you there. But Monroe and KYB both have an excellent reputation. Don't know who makes OEM. The KYB's I put on my recent ZX3 are too firm.

    I recommend shopping for "menu" pricing on struts/shocks at some Ford dealers. OEM is best - exactly the right spec matched to your VIN. Pricing does vary a lot from dealer to dealer, on the menu pricing deals it includes installation which is the biggest part of the cost. That having been said, any number of independents seem to do fine strut work at great prices, including Pep Boys (used them), Wheel Works (used them), Big O Tires (used them) etc. Sears also has great ad specials and uses Monroe, I believe.
  • fordfocusfordfocus Member Posts: 37
    ok thanks for your response, that was fast...you must have ESP to have known I posted here! I will learn more about this 'menu' pricing...but thanks again
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    Hi. I'm wondering if any of you cart around bicycles with your ZX3 and how you do it. The most convenient form of bicycle rack I've seen is the type that attaches to a trailer hitch and folds down when one needs to get into the hatch. Have any of you had any experience getting a hitch ball (or whatever it's called) installed on your Focus?
  • ohionycbamaohionycbama Member Posts: 1
    I just purchased a black 02 ZX3 from a local Mazda dealership today. It has 36,000 miles on it and got it for $8500+tax/title. I hope that was a good deal. I have only driven it home so far, about .3 miles, but I really hope that she treats me well. From reading some of the entries here it kinda seems like it is luck of the draw when it comes to how well these cars holds up. I think I am going to take it out for a spin right now....thanks for the great forum. Glad there are sites like this where questions can be asked and answered from other owners!!!!
  • ianlianl Member Posts: 1
    I saw a Ford ZX3 Kona with a nice Ford roof top Bike rack, I'm busy searching to find one for my car. I need to cart bikes and a Kayak so fitting a tow hitch mount will not do it for me. I will lt you know if I find one.
    Ian'
  • maverickmaverick Member Posts: 11
    Host, Is there any chance that Ford will import the Ka? I think it could be a big seller for the fuel conscience.
  • deeaccddeeaccd Member Posts: 4
    Was reading one of my auto blogs and the line was that Ford has recently hinted that they might bring the EU Focus to America. Anyone heard anything similar? Would love to see that here, and even though I like the Mazda3 and LOVE the Volvo V50, this new Focus might be just what I need (and who'd thunk I'd EVER consider a Ford since my 85 1/2 Ford Escort I got in the 11th grade...)
  • reuel3reuel3 Member Posts: 114
    I haven't heard anything about bringing the Ka to the States so far. I did a couple of searches and didn't find anything that would indicate such a plan. It would be an intriguing prospect with current gas prices and the push toward more efficient cars though.
  • 06zx306zx3 Member Posts: 1
    iv owned my 2006 zx3 5speed for 4 months now and its great but i want to change out my exhaust and put a magnaflow on it they havent posted weather there going to make an exhaust for the 2006 or if the 2005 will fit the 06 model if ne one has ne idea on if it will fit or not reply plz o and will an 05 cold air intake fit the 06 models
  • gemsetter03gemsetter03 Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone know which wires on the Mass Airflow sensor on a 2002 ZX-3 are for the Air Temp sensor positive and Negative?
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    It's your dime and your earplugs, but I chased after horsepower for several years and through many mufflers and discovered that the factory mufflers on a well designed car (which the Focus is) provide the best balance of power and quiet. The Magnaflow sounds great, but adds nothing, and gets annoying after about a week of commuting. I'd save your old muffler, at least, oem mufflers are VERY expensive if you decide to backtrack.
  • huntleyhuntley Member Posts: 14
    deeaccd . . . regarding your question about the Euro Focus coming to America. The current Focus in the US will be tweeked, with very minor changes. See it here: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=29&article_id=10702 :cry:
  • 2001zx3owner2001zx3owner Member Posts: 1
    hi i bought my zx3 last may and im very happy with the cars performance and i do beleave you will love the car. the only thing i can recomend is buying a K@N air filter to boost the performance of the engine and the whole car. i also recomend buying a set of nitto neogen tires for the car. :shades: :D;)
  • exalteddragon1exalteddragon1 Member Posts: 729
    That focus here. They need to find a way...
  • gnbubba12gnbubba12 Member Posts: 3
    i was wondering if there is some way to remove anything that is pzev on my 2005 focus that also restricts performance. i have already replaced the intake with a cosworth cold air intake. cosworth exhaust is next to be put in. any other advice is greatly appreciated. I want to stay away from artificial aspiration (still under warranty), but anything else is okay.
  • lunarmistlunarmist Member Posts: 41
    For anyone in Massachusetts:

    When we received our Mass registration renewal in Jan '06, it came with an offer to test drive any Ford and get a $100.00 Gift card. I did drive a V6 Fusion but was not impressed, especially the cheap hard plastic inside trim.

    Since I did not make a copy of the offer coupon I do not have the phone number or website to check the status of the offer. Anyone out there have the info ?

    Thanks
  • theman123theman123 Member Posts: 170
    Hey,
    Edmunds just selected the Ford Focus for 2 awards. Well, one award and one top recommendation. The First, it has just been selected as one of the top coupes for 2006 by edmunds.com
    Top Recommended Coupes

    Also, it won the award for Lowest TCO. I guess it's kind of hard to win if the car is living in the shop like all the Honda fans would want us to believe.

    Lowest TCO coupes

    Well this is good news. Thoughts !?!?!?!
    :)
  • snaptabsnaptab Member Posts: 21
    Well the weather is finally starting to get nice in central PA.....so I'm out and about on the weekends cruising the car lots. Thinking about upgrading from my 60,000 mile 2001 ZX3 5 speed. But....I'm not seeing any new small hatchback models that make me want to switch! I am finding a bunch of too expensive 4 door hatchback Mommy-mobiles and a lot of overpriced foreign ZX3 wannabes. Where's the new ZX3 SVT now that I can finally afford one? Oh well, my "classic" ZX3 still looks great and is running fine with zero problems in 5 years....guess I'll just drive on!
  • gotclawsgotclaws Member Posts: 1
    I have an '03 zx3 with 16" rims running avon tech tires and would like to upgrade my suspension. I would appreciate any feedback-good and bad to what is available. thx e
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    A national news magazine is looking to interview college students who has “pimped” out his/her ride Have you tricked out your car with big rims, outrageous stereos, wild paint jobs, spoilers, ground effects, neon lights, nitrous, the works . Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Friday, June 9, 2006 by 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET containing your daytime contact information and the make and model of the car you’ve “pimped” out.

    Thanks,
    Chintan Talati
  • jlascekjlascek Member Posts: 1
    I also have a 2001 ford focus zx3 5 spd it has 39000 miles on it i am running into the same problems as jessica is. I got the check engine light checked it said excessive flow into the EGR valve i checked it out replaced it the problem still occurs. My problem is simple but i cant figure it out...... It doesnt so much idle rough its when you go to step on it that it seems to choke out and not want to go... as the rpms rise it seems to just start to sputter... does anyone have anything that can help me out with this problem? thanks in advance

    Justin
  • jschmidt05jschmidt05 Member Posts: 4
    I HAVE A FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND IT IS THE BIGGEST PIECE OF JUNK I HAVE EVER OWNED. I HAVE HAD ELECTICAL PROBLEMS OVER AND OVER AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME TRY THIS PART THEN THIS PART THEN THIS PART. I HAVE CHANGED THE STARTER, BATTERY, 2 ALTERNATORS AND 2 SERP BELTS. AND AM STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE DEALERS CANT TELL ME WHAT IT IS . JUST TO KEEP CHANGEING THINS TILL IT GOES AWAY OR TOTALLY BREAKS. WIFE IS PREGNANT DONT WANT TO BE ON THE HIGHWAY TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAVE IT BREAK. BUT THEY DONT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. SO MOR THAN ONE PROBLEM FORD DEALER WANTS ME TO JUST KEEEP CHANGING PARTS TILL THEY GET IT RIGHT, AT MY EXPENSE. NOT COOOL AT ALL FROM THE FORD "EXPERTS".
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