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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, Rubberban, Iam just about at the same place you are. Waiting for that special someone to dish the 411 on that vin sight. Supposedly, It'll be here in a week and a half, but I've been following this discussion long enough to know thats probably a beggars ride. | |
| I called Ford customer service and they did track for me by the VIN #. I think your dealer can also do this. (I am buying thru internet so can only bug my dealer so much...)They said my car is "at the ramp" which they said means it is in port. THe build date was March 6th, which is probably why carorder gave me that erroneous date as the original ETA. They said it should be at the dealer March 29, OR April 5. SOunds like weekly deliveries? Weird. Guess I won't start holding my breath till the 29th. | |
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I'm new here to the group. Just ordered a silver ZX3 a couple of weeks ago here in Northern Utah. I got all kinds of options: pw, pwr mirrors, remote, cruise, ABS, side bags, tilt/map light (I'm afraid I went overboard and got more than I really needed but it seemed like a great price for a loaded car). It's my first time to buy a NEW car. I've been following the conversations here and am very happy with what I read. I can't wait to get mine. Anyway, not that it's important, but I'm curious as to what the dash display looks like at night. Colors? Is it back lit or does it just have a bulb in front. I was originally enticed by the VW Jetta and it's dash is so cool looking at night but hardly worth all that extra jack for an inferior car compared to the Focus. Also, when I get my new car should I use the higher octane gas or is the engine better suited to the regular stuff? I really want to take care of this baby. Speaking of gas, my state is chuck full of monster SUVs and most people think I'm nuts for wanting a HB. I almost hope gas hits $2.00 just so I can zip past them in my hatch and laugh as they're all crying at the Chevron. |
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pkingroch - Did you check the car and body panels out before you accepted it? Unfortunatley, once you accept the car and sign for it, Ford only is required to bring within their spec. It seems obvious their body man doesn't want to do squat. Take it to another dealer, or contact the Ford rep, and have him inspect it. Ask him if it's within their spec. Glad to hear you're getting good mileage w 5 spd. Waiting on delivery of SE w/all xcept auto and leatherEngine oil / break-in This my opinion: Never trust what's in the car on delivery. Junk, water, metal filings, all contibute to early engine failure. Plus mfrs. use camshaft and other prelubes which can change oil viscosity. So, after you have that first ride, change the oil and filter w/ petro-based oil (API spec minimum). Run the engine 250-500 miles, change the filter only, unless you're switching to synthetic, now's the time to do that (Follow syn oil procedures). W/ petro oil change the oil and filter again between 3000-4500 miles (if you drive for long periods change it more often). You can also protect the engine better changing the filter twice as often. Break-in is a little more complicated. This is THEIR opinion!!!!! Here are a few links that you might want to look at: Everybody has their opinion on this one. I don't believe you'll ever find two mechanics that'll agree on this one! http://fourps.wharton.upenn.edu/~simon/r1/archives/v02/msg00660.html http://www.micapeak.com/TL1000S/faq/#Q4 http://www.koan.com/~pollys1/YFS200/High_Output/Engine_Break_in.html - pseud for one of the top engine builders in the world. http://www.bostonengine.com/articles/fresh.html http://driversedge.com/breakin.htm |
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I'm new here to the group. Just ordered a silver ZX3 a couple of weeks ago here in Northern Utah. I got all kinds of options: pw, pwr mirrors, remote, cruise, ABS, side bags, tilt/map light (I'm afraid I went overboard and got more than I really needed but it seemed like a great price for a loaded car). It's my first time to buy a NEW car. I've been following the conversations here and am very happy with what I read. I can't wait to get mine. Anyway, not that it's important, but I'm curious as to what the dash display looks like at night. Colors? Is it back lit or does it just have a bulb in front. I was originally enticed by the VW Jetta and it's dash is so cool looking at night but hardly worth all that extra jack for an inferior car compared to the Focus. Also, when I get my new car should I use the higher octane gas or is the engine better suited to the regular stuff? I really want to take care of this baby. Speaking of gas, my state is chuck full of monster SUVs and most people think I'm nuts for wanting a HB. I almost hope gas hits $2.00 just so I can zip past them in my hatch and laugh as they're all crying at the Chevron. |
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| Silverze, our ZX3s have fairly conventional, but extremely legible dash illumination - incandescent bulbs provide the light. IMHO the blue dash lighting in new VWs looks neat, but is not very easy to read. I'm one of those "old guys" (I'm 43), and I get to drive my fiance's new Passat if I've been a good boy. At night, my tired eyes have a hard time with the blue lighting - everything looks fuzzy. However, the illuminated switches on the doors are way cool and very much appreciated! | |
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I was dissapointed that they opted for ordinary dash lighting. A friend has a ford ranger step side and it has cool blue dash illumination. I think ford got cheap when it comes to the focus dash lighting. speaking of switches, why are the door locks in when unlocked and out when locked? |
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I know sunroofs were a topic of discussion earlier; this company has a good picture of their spoiler-style sunroof on a Focus ZTS. One of the factory authorized installation centers here in Chicago quoted me $695 installed for this model. http://www.solairesunroofs.com/focus.htm Has anyone had a sunroof installed yet? |
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Hey, I bought a new ZX3 in Rainforest green. I was very hesitant to buy a car made in Mexico, but this message board changed my (and my father's) opinions on the car. I really love the handling and I cant wait to drive my 5-speed cuz the dealer only had automatics to drive. I have some questions: Has anybody seen the Rainforest Green color? does it look like the pictures on Ford's site? How long did your order typically take?? (they told me 6 weeks) I am 17 and a major car nut and I am excited to drive my new car! (about thew only car I would rather have is an Impreza 2.5 RS cuz I am a subaru FREAK!) |
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You can trace VIN numbers from right here at edmunds.com. Check out the Carfax Lemon Check. You can get a basic report for free, the more detailed version is $19.95. Everything is at edmunds.com! Just ask!  carlady/host |
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