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Ford Focus Hatchback - ZX3 - Part V - READ ONLY
557 messages, Last post on Apr 14, 2000 at 1:27 AM
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#548 of 557 comparisons by zx3beast
Apr 13, 2000 (5:59 am)
cahollan:i echo your comments on the 3 comparisonscavalier-what rotten road-feel.who designed that
goofy steering linkage.ugh!civic-again your right on the money-overpriced dullness performance/price
ratio does not equal zx3.neon-asyou said a middle-
roader.chrysler hits on some innovative design
but never seems to execute reliabiliy-shake rattle
+ leak.to orlock-great safety points on filler door! idrove a pt cruiser last week-no thank-you
zx3 has it all over cruiser and ill say it again +
again - no better value in a vehicle anyhere.also
to mr gimble - another good filler door point /to-
siver bullet-agreedto razor5-a riding mower is more comfortable
#549 of 557 another thought by zx3beast
Apr 13, 2000 (7:00 am)
to all zx3 owners- we who have purchased one are no doubt fanatical about the car.even though reviewersare entitled to their opinions i believe their sorely missing the mark of what this special car is
all about.as i am writing this the dude w/coffees in focus commercial is on-that one makes me lol!
theres a lot of truth in that commercial-hows that for a change?back to my point- ford just plain upped everyone.caught everyone at the design wheel,
sleeping.reviewers are nit-picking non-sense.we didnt buy this car for the cupholders!is this car radical? sure,in a common sense way- first class
steering-dead-on center steering -superb road -handling -and superior braking capabilities. am i an expert? no.-but ive owned + driven quite a few cars to make a valued comparison.these guys are ford bashers.they can have their hondas toyotas
etc. ive never mentioned the sound system- i have never heard a more well-balanced hi-fidelity stock
system. i wouldnt change it for anything-it sounds quite natural.standard features - 15 in. alloy wheels, rear defroster+wiper, leather- wrapped steering wheel,fog lights,adjustablefront seat crank and what comfortable seats they are.all the little touches are top-notch-the dash layout-switches + knobs feel just right. i can go on+on
to those reviewers who got it right-thank you!
#550 of 557 Ready to buy one...except by rcman1
Apr 13, 2000 (9:34 am)
All of the reports from ZX3 owners sound great. and the car really seems like a winner as far as performance/ergonomics go. And as I am currently in the market for a new sporty, decently fuel efficient hatch, I would jump out and buy one today...but am too concerned about the big "R", reliability! I checked out the residuals for a ZX3 lease and was very disappointed. Low residuals corresponds to low re-sale which sometimes (not always) relates to poor reliability. So I wonder, if the car is supposed to be so wonderful and in such high demand, why are the residuals so low?I really love the way the car drives/looks and would just love to own one...but am afraid that it will only be fun for the first 50k miles or so, when major problems start creeping up. At that point, the initial $$ saved over other hatches may be lost and then some. But maybe this really is a new leaf for ford and it will holdup better. Please convince me I'm wrong 'cause I would love to see a new Sangria Red one in my driveway.
#551 of 557 Zx3 Beast by hugoz
Apr 13, 2000 (12:01 pm)
Whoa... Great thoughts; thanks for expressing a lot of what I and others, I'm sure, have wanted to say about why we like our hatchlings over the "competition." I agree that some of the reviewers are probably Ford bashers. (That's what I called not being able to think outside the box.) Anyhow, because of ZX3 owners like yourself, I think we're getting the message across to prospective ZX3 buyers that Ford has made a great car.As for the PT Cruiser ... that's cool you got to drive one. Thanks again for sharing your experience with us. While the Cruiser looks radical, I suspected it was another big, SUV-like thing. I'd rather have the ZX3 as well.
#552 of 557 PT Cruiser by silver_bullet
Apr 13, 2000 (12:55 pm)
Interesting article on the PT Cruiser in the newest AutoWeek. Although it isn't the car for me, I bet Chrysler is hoping for a repeat home run hit with this car - another big winner like the original Caravan was. The PT Cruiser is essentially a "cool" minivan, and may win over large numbers of people who need that sort of utility, but can't stomach the image that goes with driving a minivan ("soccer mom!"). I owned a '99 Civic hatch for several months before selling it due to a move and job change. A competent, but VERY dull car. I would have turned up the radio on the highway, but for the same money I paid for my ZX3, that Civic had a plastic panel instead of a radio! The interior of that car was a very depressing place to spend time. BTW - my fiancee is selling her new Passat, and wants to replace it with a ZX3! Sometimes "solid" and "substantial" just equals "dull".#553 of 557 rcman1 by fgaydos
Apr 13, 2000 (2:19 pm)
How can we 'convince' you that the Focus will still be strong at 50,000 miles when we, on average only have 1500 miles under our belts!?I can only offer that it is the car of the year in Europe last year and I have not heard any complaints from Europe where I'm sure it has been around for 50,000 miles. My friends in Europe are very impressed with it. At 50,000 miles I think it's time to trade it and move on anyway, get ready for the 2004 Focus for me.:>)
#554 of 557 rcman by danny1234
Apr 13, 2000 (3:16 pm)
I've put on 10,500 of the most reliable and fun miles on this car.. plan to go in for my 2nd oil change today. so far the car has been great, not a single squeak/rattle from it. looking at how this car has been put together I'd say it will definitely take you to 150K without problems if you get a manual. I'm always leery about automatics after 100k miles.It continues to win awards all around the world. it a terrific value for its price. what more can I say..
#555 of 557 fgaydos by rcman1
Apr 13, 2000 (3:22 pm)
Yeh...guess it's difficult to convince someone about reliability of a new model. But I was hoping for some realible European data. Several friends I met in Europe advised me to be a little careful about getting car reliability info from Europeans as they generally expect a bit more crap in their lives as far as cars go. Many don't mind spending time to tinker with their toys..or so they told me. Seems it takes many more problems before they complain as compared to most Americans. But that's expected there where Japanese cars are scarce and Renaults, Peugots etc.. are in abundance.so I guess if a person likes a new car every 3 years, this may be the car for them. As for me, I drive 'em into the ground. I guess it would be OK with a nice highly-extended warranty. does anyone know what extended warranty offers are currently available?
#556 of 557 carlady by mzn
Apr 13, 2000 (3:32 pm)
To continue our conversation on the ZX3, and my 4th -- yes, it's true
-- description of a potential ZX3 club, please follow me here.carlady/host
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