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Ford Focus ZX3 vs. VW Golf - READ ONLY

156 messages,  Last post on Jul 30, 2002 at 6:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Hatchback

Messages Page 7 of 16

#59 of 156 ZX3 awarded Sport Coupe of the Year by pcleveland2

Feb 21, 2000 (1:08 am)

The ZX3 tied with Civic SiR for Sport Coupe of the year in the 2000 Cars of the Year granted by the Automobile Journalist Assn of Canada. Both ZX3 and SiR beat out VW Beetle 1.8 and BMW 323 Ci.


The Focus went on to take first place honors in two other catagories. The ZXT, Family Sedan under $25,000 and the LX the Economy Class.


Now let me see, how many awards does that make in 2 years? Is it 23 or 21? What ever, can Golf come any where near that?


I've driven a German Golf, owned a number of VW Rabbits, a Beetle Convertible, and a VW Baja Bug. Enjoyed all of them except for the Rabbit rust problems and diesel blow by problems. Now, when it comes to enjoying the handling and comfort, none meet the Ford Focus ZX3.


Focus ZX3 Rules!!!!!


proud daddy of a ZX3

#60 of 156 VW Golf by qword

Feb 24, 2000 (12:42 am)

Pcleveland-
    True, but there's got to be some reason why the VW Golf has out sold everything in it's class for nearly 5 long years.

#61 of 156 over there.. by tomcat630

Feb 24, 2000 (10:19 pm)

How do the golf and Focus compare in price across the pond? Also, what about the Opel Astra? I hear it's #2 in Euro sales.

#62 of 156 Golf sales stink in USA by zxthree

Mar 03, 2000 (4:49 am)

The Golf sells very well in Europe, where there are trade barriers limiting Japanese cars and where blatant xenophobia and nationalism are common factors. The most open, unrestricted, and competitive auto market in the world is our market here in the US, in which the Golf gets creamed by cars like the Civic. The only way VW can boost sales is through slick styling, because their engineering is second-rate. Chrysler pulled the same stunt with their "cab forward" design. Yes, cars like the Intrepid and the New Beetle look cool, but Honda builds a better engine, and a better suspension, and a better shifter, and on and on...and that's the stuff that really counts.

#63 of 156 Honda has a better shifter? by focuszx3r

Apr 03, 2000 (12:19 am)

honda cars have the most rubbery shifters. I hate the may they feel, I think I am gonna break it everytime I shift. If you are gonna buy a hatchback, get a Focus, its the best value for the money

#64 of 156 Focus by orlock

Apr 03, 2000 (5:28 am)

The Focus speedometer goes up to 140 mph. The Golf goes faster? How much faster? Are we talking about chasing down a Mustang or Camero?


I can hit highway speed in less than a mile in my ZX3 and have no trouble with the steep grades of Southern California.


Honda can afford to make better engines, because they make far fewer of them. Honda might make 300,000 engines a year where Ford maybe makes two million with maybe triple the staff than Honda. Hondas usually cost more than Fords (although the Echo is a couple grand cheaper than a Focus).

#65 of 156 Speedometer? by judas

Apr 05, 2000 (6:41 pm)

So what if the speedometer goes up to 140. The ZX3 couldn't do 140 if you drove it off a cliff. Edmunds lists the ZX3's 0-60 time as 8.8 seconds, the time 0-60 for a NB with the 1.8T is 7.1, and the Golf with the same engine will weigh less and be more aerodynamic (I haven't seen test times for the north american 1.8T golf). Hows that for faster? I think the focus 130 hp and 130 lb/ft would be lucky to get that thing up to 115 or maybe 120. Not to mention the Focus' torque peak is around 4200 rpm, whereas the Golf's is 1750. Highway speed in less than a mile? Even anemic 4 cylinder econobox's will hit 70 or 80 in a QUARTER mile.

#66 of 156 Re:judas by kdominczak

Apr 08, 2000 (4:57 am)

VW Golf is a very good hatchback car.
Focus zx3 is a very good hatchback car as well.
But 2.0 ,115 hp Golf weights 300 lbs. more than 130 hp zx3,Golf with that engine is just lazy and overweighted !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(1.8turbo is far superior,though),that's why zx3 is faster on the start.Speeds over 120 mph are not meant for either car.
Both cars are very comparable,on some things golf is better on some zx3 is one,
ONLY THE PRICE IS NOT COMPARABLE
I'll take zx3 and $5000,that's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For $20k you can buy something more than a very nice compact car these days.

#67 of 156 I beg to differ by judas

Apr 11, 2000 (2:07 pm)

GTI's are meant for speeds over 120, and they are quite capable of reaching them as well. As for getting something more, list off the performance cars for less than 20K that can keep up with a 1.8T GTI. There aren't many, if any at all. The problem is your typical American thinking. Americans associate hatchbacks with cheap cars. Mostly because almost all of the hatches here are cheap cars. Most other areas, being a hatchback isnt a negative. GTI/Golf's have more interior room than Jettas, and they cost less. So why would people pay more for a Jetta? Sure, you can get something more. Like a Chevy Malibu. Or a really stripped down Accord. Maybe. Those cars are a lot of fun. You might be able to compare the ZX3 to the Golf. In some ways. But it's really no match for the GTI, in pretty much any category. The only thing that has impressed with me with ZX3 is that it has pretty darn good handling. The engies not impressive. The fit and finish and interior design are nothing spectacular.

#68 of 156 carlady by mzn

Apr 13, 2000 (1:09 am)

FYI, our review of the Focus lists the Chevy Cavalier, Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Saturn S-Series as competing models. I really think the Golf is another animal altogether.


carlady/host

Messages Page 7 of 16

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