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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 287 of 289

#2853 of 2882 Rims by allana

Oct 30, 2007 (12:44 am)

Replying to: mzn (Nov 06, 2000 1:02 am)
Okay i bought a ford focus ZX3 bout a year ago and it came with a set of ICW Racing rims and i need new ones and i've alwayz had my uncle rotate them, so im not sure what tool i need to take the tires off with, there not equipt with a key. any suggestions? thanks LaNa

#2854 of 2882 Re: carlady [mzn] by pidel

Nov 06, 2007 (5:56 am)

Replying to: mzn (Nov 06, 2000 1:02 am)
Has anyone experienced Alot of problems with their Focus ZX3
I have a 2006, and had only a year, and it's been in the shop more than driven. I think it's just this paticular car, due to the fact no one else has the issues that I have had.
 
thanks
Phyllis

#2855 of 2882 Re: carlady [pidel] by akangl

Nov 06, 2007 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: pidel (Nov 06, 2007 5:56 am)
Has anyone experienced Alot of problems with their Focus ZX3
 
I had an 04 ZX3 for two years and put 54k miles on it with no issues. Great little car. Sorry to hear about your problems.

#2856 of 2882 Re: carlady [pidel] by mlgard

Dec 20, 2007 (2:42 pm)

Replying to: pidel (Nov 06, 2007 5:56 am)
Dear Phyllis,
Yes. A lot, with my ZX3 '00 i bought new from the dealer. The first two years were the worst as I spent much time in dealer waiting areas. So many problems, recalls and non-recalls, that I'm considering not buying another Ford. It sits at the dealer as I type this for a broken motor mount bolt. Luckily i was parking when the engine dropped. Oh yeah, there's a recall on motor mounts in some models, but I already replaced the passenger side mount on mine.
I think the problem that bothered me the most is the poor paint quality and the three times I've taken it back to repaint the hood. Sorry for the late post.

#2857 of 2882 Re: carlady [mlgard] by fdanna

Jan 30, 2008 (8:30 am)

Replying to: mlgard (Dec 20, 2007 2:42 pm)
I'm going to chime with my experiences on my 01 Focus ZX3. I'd have to say, my 7 year relationship with my Focus has been love/hate. I love to drive it and whip around town in it. Handles unbelievably well and is peppy enough. Gas mileage is so-so 26 to 30mpg. I now have 117k miles and here is my list of problem since I bought the car in no particular order:
 
1. replaced rack and pinion
2. replaced CV joint because of leaking boot
3. replaced radio
4. replaced clutch (yep, under warranty)
5. replaced clutch spring
6. replaced two alternators
7. replaced DPFE sensor (3 times)
8. replaced thermostat after overheating
9. replaced a/c compressor
10. replaced a/c switch
11. replaced transmission seal
12. replaced rusted out manifold shield
13. performed 5 recall services
14. two valve cover gaskets
15. replaced thermostat housing
16. replaced collapsed suspension spring
17. replaced front brake calipers
18. replaced Front sway bar end links (4 times)
 
As I type the timing belt and water pump are being replaced (but this is actually scheduled maintenance).
 
That is, in my opinion, a large amount of failed and replaced items. To add insult to injury, I've had to fight Ford tooth and nail on just about every problem. It's no wonder why they are sinking faster than the Titanic. Their new products are consistently rated very low in quality and often in performance.
 
Aw well... my first and last American car.

#2858 of 2882 And my 03 ZTW with 36k... by rapidrick

Jan 31, 2008 (4:03 am)

...has had the battery die after 4 years.
 
That is it. So far, so good.
 
And yes, it handles like it's on a hot rail to hell!

#2860 of 2882 ZX3 Problems? by tjys

Feb 18, 2008 (6:53 pm)

I paid $9403 for a brand new yellow 2003 ZX3 in March 2004 because no one wanted it. I had a Mustang and was looking for a daily driver. Boy did I hit the jackpot! This car has been absolutely wonderful to the extent that I'm looking at buying an additional 2008 Focus for my wife to drive. I've had zero problems with the 2003 but I follow all the federal maintenance schedules and use synthetic oil. I am disappointed that a Focus hatchback isn't offered this year. I've been looking around for new 2007 ZX3's but the price is still high ... and all of them are loaded. All I want is automatic, AC, and cruise.

#2861 of 2882 Lowering a Focus by tjys

Feb 21, 2008 (9:10 am)

Has anyone used H&R or Eibach springs to lower their Focus? Is it easy to do? What problems if any were encountered?

#2862 of 2882 starting problem with Ford Focus ZX3 by breister

Feb 29, 2008 (5:41 pm)

With my2003 FF ZX3 I had occasionally a problem with starting. When that happened I would take the key out and start again and then it worked. This car got totaled 2 weeks ago on a very icy road but I was lucky enough to find a 2005FF ZX3 and this one has the same problem with starting but worse . I hsve this car 10 days and it has refused to start several times already (13.000 miles on it). Is this a problem inherent to this type of car. Do I do anything wrong? The manual is useless.

Messages Page 287 of 289

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