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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part X - READ ONLY
537 messages, Last post on Jul 17, 2000 at 2:37 AM
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#488 of 537 First service...minor complaint. by togneter
Jul 14, 2000 (6:42 pm)
I took Edgar (that's my Z's name) in for its first service today. They were very friendly, put in 4 quarts as I asked (I'll top it off), were very quick and courteous...however...When I went to the cashier, she wanted to charge me $27 for my service. I bought the service plan (just didn't want to deal with it) so the charge should have been $0. That was quickly corrected. No biggie. Then I looked, and I couldn't find where they listed tire rotation on the invoice. I had reread the maintenance schedule, where it lists "Rotate Tires" as one of the 5000 mile services.
I said to the manager, Tim, "Tim," I said,"I don't think you rotated the tires."
To which he replied, "We don't rotate the tires yet."
To which I replied, "It says here that you do."
An he says, and this is a gem, "Yeah, but WE don't. We do it at 7,000 miles. Your next oil change."
I felt like saying "Unless YOU aren't Ford, 'cause this is a Ford document, you DO." But instead I just pointed out that my next oil change was at 10,000.
Anyway, they did it, but they wouldn't have, even though they had about 10,000 brochures that said they were supposed to. All happy now. Oil changed, filter changed, TIRES ROTATED, etc.
Edgar is happy =]
#489 of 537 rgarner by vadp
Jul 14, 2000 (7:15 pm)
I took a close look at the gas pedal.It's just one chunk of plastic with a cable attached through a hole. Never seen anything like this before.
Clearly a cost cutting measure.
Also, wonder about the outcome of your trip to the dealership on Monday. Please keep us posted.
Thanks.
#490 of 537 Tire Rotation by jwkessler1
Jul 14, 2000 (7:46 pm)
Here's a philosophical question for you.Over the years I've made a habit of not rotating my tires. Why you may ask? Because I would rather pay for my new tires two at a time then four at a time. When the front tires finally wear out I move the still like new rear tires to the front, and put the new tires on the rear. I'm guessing that over the long haul the average wear and cost is pretty much the same.
So what's the hole in my logic? Is this a good idea or am I just an eccentric nut case?
#491 of 537 Moses5 comments by rgarner
Jul 14, 2000 (8:03 pm)
<Moses5> Sorry to hear what you're going through. I empathize with you totally. A couple of things:That comment about being weary of what you hear on these sites is a bunch of crap. I don't think anyone on here has any vested interest in making Ford look bad. Ford just doesn't want you to think that there could actually be a problem with your Z and a problem that is more widespread than your situation. Ford just wants to censor you from the truth, and that's just plain wrong.
As far as Ford Motor Co., you can bet that they don't give a rat's a** about you or your situation. Ford is a huge multinational corporation, and their interest is purely financial. YOU are a monthly check to them. Don't kid yourself into thinking that they actually care about you. For example, they spend millions of dollars buying up ad space in Time magazine's Earth Day issue (to remind us how environmentally friendy they are), and make those great "world" commercials, but then they introduce the Bolivian Troop Carrier (aka Excursion), not exaclty a step towards environmental stewardship. So, it's doubtful that Ford is going to go out on a limb to help you.
I recommend that you one, document all of this. The letters you've sent, service you've had, discussions with your dealer, Ford, mechanics, everything. Depending on where you live the lemon law will go into effect after a couple of services, so why not get your Z checked out 2 more times. If they can't fix it, boom, it's a lemon. Remember, YOU are the customer, and you have the right to have a car that works according to your desires and what is reasonable. If your dealer refuses to service your car take it to another dealer. If Ford Motor Co. refuses to service your car, seek litigation.
And that brings me to the last step you could or should take. In most states the Attorney General's office handles the lemon law and other consumer complaints. Don't hesitate to contact the AG should Ford stonewall you.
Just my thoughts, but I strongly believe that you should do what you can to have your problem fixed. Like I said, you are the consumer.
Hope that helps...
#494 of 537 Frustrated!! by moses5
Jul 14, 2000 (9:07 pm)
I must say that the Assistant Service Manager was nice to me. More personable than the last sevice advisor and manager. However, overall I don't think service departments really care about your complaints. It seemed as if I was just a routine thing. Everything comes down to money. If I had bought a Lincoln LS or more expensive brand, I believe I would have had a different response from the beginning.My case is hard to prove, now that a Ford engineer, not the dealership service people has looked at my vehicle. I have had my ZX3 for 7 months. I have over 12,000 miles on my car and have been dealing with this since 4,000 miles. I wonder what will happen the day after my warranty runs out?
#495 of 537 Manual Tranny Fluid by jimjet
Jul 14, 2000 (9:30 pm)
My story: One car I own is an '86 Accord (bought new) with 5-spd. I changed the MT fluid for the first time at about 90K miles. That was definitely overdue (maintenance manual says about 50K) as it had the stinky overdue smell to it! I replaced the fluid with Mobil1 15W-50 Synthetic engine oil. It took about 2.5 qts. That was 5 years ago. It's been shifting smoothly ever since - notably so during cold weather. No leaks.Someone here posted a week or so ago that, on the Contour board, there were many MT problems noted. As the happy owner for 6 months of a 2000 Mystique with V6 and 5 speed, I haven't noticed that and I'm quite satisfied with the shifting and the clutch.
I'm mostly just "listening" here because I'm a car/ZX3 fan. To me, the Z is more car for the money that a Civic Hatch and a comparable car to the VW Golf Hatch for less money.
By the way, are the Z and the Golf built near each other in Mexico?
#496 of 537 Fuel Pump Went Out by tr4racer
Jul 14, 2000 (10:18 pm)
Driving home from work last nite, the engine died at a stop light and would not restart. The car was towed to the dealer.The fuel pump went out. Dealer says the part will be in Monday as he had to get the part from Ford. We shall see!
#497 of 537 re:tire rotation by zx3beast
Jul 14, 2000 (11:52 pm)
jwkessler1- one can certainly be an eccentric nutcase and logical at the same time. actually,i find
it makes life more interesting.so i ask,does this
sound logical ? or does this sound like an eccentric nut case? by the way ,i agree with you .
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