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Hatchbacks Hatchbacks - Archived Discussions Ford Focus ZX3 Hatchback - Part IV 
430 messages, Last post on Mar 24, 2000 at 3:30 PM
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| Tickbitty... did i hear you say your car is going to be a stick?? you won't regret it! (no offense to automatic owners) if i had to commute to a downtown location it would have been a very difficult decision for me... stick or auto. to mlw, there is no comparison between the civic and the focus... 'car of the year on 2 continents'. the 'reliability risk' is justified for all of the fun you're going to have driving the focus. just purchase an extended warranty. for a couple of bucks you're covered. | |
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For MLW, who is considering a Civic and a ZX3... I owned a 1984 Civic, which was a wonderful car, great hatchback, nimble, and reliable as dirt. But my 1993 Ford Escort passed it up as the most reliable car I've ever owned; it earned the name "Trusty" because in almost 70,000 miles it never had one problem. That Escort was built in the same Hermosillo, Mexico, plant where the ZX3 is built. Since the Escort, I've owned a '96 Contour SE, and will finish the lease on my '98 Explorer when (if!!!) the Twilight Blue 5-speed ZX3 I've ordered gets here. I once thought that Honda had an edge over Ford in the reliability department, but my Escort shattered that belief with no trouble. By the way, since Honda doesn't sell the Civic SI hatchback any longer, the ZX3 is also a lot closer to the spirit of my old '80s Honda than anything Honda currently makes. Good luck to you! Don |
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| Before I bought my ZX3, my last car was a '99 Civic CX hatch that I only kept for a few thousand miles. It was a nice enough car, but it can't compare to the ZX3 as far as overall design, features, power, and fun are concerned. Every time I got into the Civic, it made me feel like a cheapskate due to its stripped equipment level - not even a tach or cargo cover is standard! IMHO, that car was no better assembled or finished than my ZX3. Admittedly, the Honda is a nice "appliance", but for the exact same price I paid for that Civic, the ZX3 is a much better equipped and more satisfying car. | |
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Before I bought my Focus, I test drove Civic HB too. The Focus feels more solid, quieter and for the same price, you got A LOT more: fog light, 15' alloy wheels, CD, height adjustable seat... Just sit in both and turn on the radio (Civic has only a radio) then you'll figure it out. Plus current generation Civic was designed four years ago so it will show its age very soon. Most important, I can't live w/o a tach for 5 speed and it is not available for Civic. About the reliability, it's too early to say now, at least I have 4,100 trouble free miles on it so far, I'll let you know when I pass 100K :o) |
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Hi all. Just have to say that I've spent the last week moving into a new apartment, and I couldn't have done it without my wonderful Focus hatchback! I moved all the furniture with a rental truck, but otherwise have shuttled everything else in my little hatchy. I can't believe the amount of stuff I was able to cram in there. I even got a 6-foot stepladder in there, something that never would have happened with a sedan. This car has a beautiful form, but it's incredibly functional, as well. I don't know why I've never owned a hatch before; I think I'm now a forever convert.  Still no problems (fingers crossed). Things seem to running smoothly. Now have 3500 miles, and have noticed a definite improvement in gas mileage.Focus rocks! |
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Thank you bjammin2. I know now that I am not crazy. My service department told me the same exact thing. I think they drove my car a mile down the road and called it a day. I don't remember hitting any huge bumps or holes, however, I have taken a few fast right corners. Now, I just want to trade mine in for the SVT model--I haven't even paid the interest on this one yet. Thanks again. |
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| After a 2 week search for a car, my husband and I returned to the first car we saw and fell in love with....the Ford Focus ZX3. We got the Sageria Red automatic...I am truly in love! Years back we owned an Escort but sold it and regretted ever since. Thanks to all the postings which made our decision so much easier!!! | |
| I've read in several places that cars should not be allowed to warm up for more than a few seconds before taking off. Most experts say to start the car, put on your seat belt, and go. When a car is started cold it is sending a higher ratio of fuel to the engine then when it is warmed up. This excessive fuel can strip the cylinder walls of oil if the car is left in idle, therefore causing wear. Start it, buckle up, and go. I've been doing this for 20 years and have never had engine problems or burned oil. The last new car I had that burned oil was a 76 Olds, and it burned oil when new. | |
| My car exists!! Somewhere.... I know because I finally got a VIN #. I heard that there is a website or something where you can track your vehicles whereabouts by the VIN, anybody know where I could do that? Thanks! | |
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| Ragtop99 is correct - you should not idle a car to warm it up. Ten seconds is enough time for oil and fluids to circulate except on the coldest of days. You should drive moderately until your oil temp comes up (the coolant temp gauge won't help you here), but sitting idle at startup should be avoided. | |
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