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Ford Focus ZX3

2882 messages,  Last post on Jan 19, 2013 at 12:59 PM

You are in the Ford Focus Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Hatchback

Messages Page 279 of 289

#2773 of 2882 Re: Prolonged Focus hatch test [204meca] by micweb

Jun 01, 2005 (9:46 am)

Replying to: 204meca (Apr 17, 2005 5:42 pm)
204meca,
 
You are right about the lack of lower back support - at least on the 2005 model. I have rented a 2005 Focus ZX4 SE (which is the plane jane four door) for a week now, and it has much worse lower back support than my former ZX3's. It isn't an issue of the seat being lowered, as I had suggested in my prior email. They must have changed something.
 
On the other hand, I have been using the rental Focus for a 35 mile commute which is almost all freeway, and been pleasantly surprised by the 30 mpg on my first tank, despite having an automatic. This matches the mileage I typically get on stick shift cars of this size and weight, and is much better than the 26 mpg I got on my 2002 ZX3 with automatic (and older style Zetec engine).
 
The pzev engine continues to have flat spots and hesitations, except under hard acceleration it feels "out of tune" though of course the mileage proves it isn't. These flatspots and hesitations are similar to what I had experienced in the 2003 2.3 pzev I had. I think it's because the engine must run very lean under light throttle (cruising etc.). I guess it's a trade off between the nice feel of a Golf or Scion and the outstanding emissions levels on the new Focus...although maybe Ford can do something about the flat spots and hesitation as they further develop the technology.
 
You are right about rental cars. This 5000 mile old, 2005 Focus from Hertz feels less "tight" than my 44,000 mile 2001 Golf did when I sold it. Theoretically there isn't any maintenance required on this rental unit, but rental drivers must beat the heck out of it.
 
BTW, you might want to be a little cautious if you buy a used Golf GTi vintage 2004-2004. I love VW's, but always worried about the heat put out by these smaller engines (and turbos from other manufacturers) the heat is hard on oil. In fact, there are now widely reported serious sludge problems in the 1.8 turbo when installed in the heavier Passat - synthetic oil and 5,000 mile changes are a must, which is no problem when you buy new but who knows what the former owner did, right? As I said, the problem so far is limited to the Passat but does emphasize the importance of regular oil changes using the recommended synthetic oil.

#2776 of 2882 Decison made - no Focus for me by 204meca

Jun 19, 2005 (11:01 pm)

Decision time has come & gone. I really wanted get an economical small car such as Focus, Scion, or Honda Jazz, but we decided on a different route. We have reducee our car population by one. Sold the fun, economical 92 Civic daily driver and the boat towing, people hauling 97 Caravan Sport. They have been replaced with a compromise vehicle to tow the boat and a haul a reasonable amount of gear while still being relatively fun to drive & beating 30 mpg on the highway. And the winner is a Subaru Forester XS.
All good cars and tough choices, but the Subie feel right for the next few years.

#2777 of 2882 Re: Intermittent Wipers [ukbb] by ridefree

Jun 20, 2005 (10:38 am)

Replying to: ukbb (Apr 14, 2005 5:58 pm)
Yes. I bought the unit and then procrastinated putting it in thinking it would be difficult. Boy was I wrong. Not much I have ever done to a car has been simpler. The unit works like a charm. Don't wait another day. Bother the warranty? I doubt it as it is an actual Ford part. (at least mine was and in the Ford factory part box to boot!)
 
Robert

#2778 of 2882 Re: 6 cd in dash player [bbbb51] by ridefree

Jun 20, 2005 (10:42 am)

Replying to: bbbb51 (Apr 17, 2005 9:13 am)
This is not specifically going to help but might not hurt. I only have the single player in a 2001 ZX3 and it will play CD-R.....at least the one and only that I have bothered to burn so far. I don't recollect what brand the disc was though. You might try a different brand of media.
 
Robert

#2779 of 2882 Help People Compare Focus MPG by myers4

Jun 23, 2005 (10:16 am)

Great forum... I am researching Focus fuel economy and happened to land here. There is a site that compares MPG across all major car brands, and it is user-driven to some extent. They list the manufacturer's city and highway MPG, then ask owners to post what the cars ACTUALLY get.
 
I would encourage y'all to post your MPG on thatr site. Only one or two Focus owners have posted so far, leaving a dearth of information on this model.
 
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

#2781 of 2882 Re: My labor of love that is the 2000 ZX3 [Sylvia] by doohickie

Jul 01, 2005 (7:08 am)

Replying to: Sylvia (Apr 04, 2005 9:06 am)
and refrain from using profanity (masked or otherwise) in your postings.
 
Actually, the "Rules of the Road" state:
 
"No profanity
The Forums do not tolerate profanity, obscenity, or racial or sexist slurs. This includes abbreviations and profanity with strategically replaced vowels. Even if a coarse expression is common in popular culture, it may not be acceptable."
 
It seems to me that stringing *#(&$#5' together as a mask for something else does not even begin to approach the "strategically replaced vowels" restriction.

#2782 of 2882 Re: My labor of love that is the 2000 ZX3 [doohickie] by Sylvia

Jul 04, 2005 (10:06 pm)

Replying to: doohickie (Jul 01, 2005 7:08 am)
One would think but as soon as I don't call someone on it, the person who does just replace the vowel and gets their post removed goes nuts. If you want to discuss further - please feel free to email me so we don't disrupt this discussion.
 
Thanks!

Messages Page 279 of 289

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