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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part XIV - READ ONLY

522 messages,  Last post on Nov 06, 2000 at 1:09 AM

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Messages Page 53 of 53

#515 of 522 16'' tires by kkan

Nov 05, 2000 (2:00 am)

I have been driving my ZX3 for a week now and have about a 1000 miles on it. So Here is my two cents on the 16" tires. I feel that they grip wonderfully, combined with the firm chassie of the ZX3 you can really put the power to the pavement and have fun in the curves. But this also leads to my only complant about the car. I commute 65 mi to work on country roads and never notice how boring the long stright stretches are. I want to be like the guys in that tire comercal were you pull up to the light and punch in for the nice curvey road and the the whole landscape in front of the car chages. The ZX3 is one of the few cars that just says drive me.

#516 of 522 Automatic vs. Manual? by maiki

Nov 05, 2000 (4:59 pm)

Regarding this discussion about advantages and disadvantages, when are they going to make a car with a hybird transmission, one which could be shifted manually or automatically?


Then one could use manual shift most of the time, but when in heavy traffic and tired of shifting, switch to automatic.


Anyone know if any automakers have experimented with such an idea?

#517 of 522 AdvanceTrac? by maiki

Nov 05, 2000 (5:01 pm)

Who has been driving yet a ZX3 with AdvanceTrac? How is that feature?


Worth the high price? Do you feel it adds significantly to the safety of the car?


Thanks

#518 of 522 16 inch tires by pcleveland2

Nov 05, 2000 (6:06 pm)

Traction on snow and ice with wide, 205/50R16, tires is a lot different than regular surface traction. The wide tire is going to give fantastic handling under normal conditions. But on a 2600# Focus ZX3 in winter conditions (well North of Mason Dixon Line) the wide footprint can be a hazard on snow and ice. Quick to hydroplane, float on top of the snow, instead of digging in and biting for traction. One can get in trouble real quick, even with a 4 w.d. Lots of people put up their summer cruisers up here for the winter, not only because winter is hard on them, but because they do not handle well. Think I'm going with a good quality "winter/ice" tire on my 15" shoe'd ZX3


Posted in confidence with experience,
Pat

#519 of 522 Focus Concept Car 'Made in Detroit" by traction

Nov 05, 2000 (6:47 pm)

Check out the pics of the "Made in Detroit Focus" concept car. Looks WAY cool.


Go to the following link, then click on:
 "10/31 Ford at SEMA 2000"


http://jwfisher.home.texas.net/default.htm

#520 of 522 16 inch tires by jazz13

Nov 05, 2000 (6:46 pm)

Did anyone get the Firestone Firehawk tires with the Premium package? If so, which model Firehawk? Any concerns about Firestone?

#521 of 522 Passing thoughts... by guyindasky

Nov 05, 2000 (8:43 pm)

Have been mostly a lurker and an occasional poster in this forum...Was going to wait on the 2001 model, however, I notice that Ford is offering $500 back and 2.9% financing on 2000 models...Found a Dirt Kona with 5spd, A/C, Pwr locks, Pwr windows, Convenience Grp and ABS for $13,825...am sorely tempted...any thoughts pro or con appreciated.

#522 of 522 carlady by mzn

Nov 06, 2000 (1:09 am)

Friends, join us in our 15th Ford Focus topic where we'll be helping out former lurker, guyindasky. See you there!


carlady/host

Messages Page 53 of 53

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