Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Focus Owners-Meet the Members - READ ONLY

107 messages,  Last post on Oct 03, 2010 at 5:15 PM

You are in the Hatchbacks - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hatchbacks Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 10 of 11

#88 of 107 Too much money - Drive a thon by fgaydos

Jan 05, 2002 (4:40 pm)

I feel there is too much money being raised and it is not being accounted for properly. Did you know the head of the Red Cross gets $400,000.00 a year?
Not many realize it is a for profit company.
Besides, there are Millions already out there and the folks involved cannot get it.
Then there is the lady sueing the goverment because she thinks 3 million is not enough!?
It is way out of control.
When my parents died no one offered me money. Stuff happens, deal with it.

#89 of 107 Grrrrreeting from the North by jazx3

Jan 17, 2002 (9:04 am)

I purchased my Sangria Red ZX3 in June 2000 (mfr May 2000): dark charcoal seats, manual, ABS, side impact airbags, speed control/tilt steering, AC & power windows/mirrors. The odometer currently reads over 56,800 km (35,500 m).
 
I moved to this vehicle after leasing an Olds Aurora (3 years) and owning a Buick Century (14.5 years). I got the full Ziebart protection with 50% window tint and intend to keep the car for at least another 12-15 years.
 
I averaged 36 mpg on a trip to Florida last year; upshifting early and not trying to always win an Indy race does it. However, I like speeding up and merging at cars speed on entering highways and find the ZX3 is only slower than the Aurora (with its V-8) by a few tenths of second.
 
While the Aurora had an unnerving tendency to sway sideways over bumps, the focus just glides over them, isn't as plush but has almost the same seating space, more headroom, more practical space, and is more than 3 feet shorter.
 
I had all the recalls done and get it serviced every 5000 km. The car is wonderful and the 4 season tires have a good grip in snow although I may consider moving to Michelin Pilot XGT H4 at some point. I have driven front-wheel drive cars for over 33 years (3 of which on sandy African roads) only with 4-season tires with very little problems.
 
It does not compare to the smooth and road holding capability of the Citroën ID I once had but I have never encountered one that did anyway.
 
Good to connect and I will be pleased to exchange on tips and ideas.

#90 of 107 FYI by KarenS HOST

Feb 15, 2002 (9:17 am)

The Ford Focus ZX3 club has been edited to include all owners of Ford Focus.
 
Hello and welcome new members!
 
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs

#91 of 107 Write a review! by KarenS HOST

Mar 06, 2002 (11:08 am)

Last week, Edmunds rolled out new pricing pages. Along with this is a new "consumer ratings & reviews". This functionality lives in the "consumer opinions" area of the new vehicle detail page, and allows users to rate a vehicle on a number of different criteria (1 to 10 scale), as well as add his/her own free-form comments.
 
If you have some time, we would really appreciate Town Hall members writing a review of their current auto, or a favorite make/model. It takes approximately a week for your review to appear on that make/model.
 
If you have any questions, please let me know!
 
Thanks!
 
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs

#92 of 107 The bullet says "RRRRAWR!" by zx3dynamo

Oct 21, 2002 (1:06 pm)

Hi there! I'm the proud owner of a 2002 Liquid Grey (love that color) Focus ZX3 in the Pacific NW. My older car was a '88 volkswagen fox so the mileage is worse but the upgrade was worth it. I've gotten several thumbs up on the car (which never happened in the VW, wonder why?) and the 4 passenger test passed with flying colors. I still haven't taken the engine above 5000 RPM yet as I only have 2200 miles on it but the engine seems to want to Happy motoring!
 
  -Rob

#93 of 107 Hi Focus people! by nancjune

Oct 24, 2002 (3:01 pm)

(I'm new here, and first posted this to Wagons/Newcomers. Hope it's OK to post here, too!).
 
My name is Nancy and I live in Southern California, in the foothill area north of
Glendale and west of Pasadena . This looks like a great group to hang out with!
 
On Tuesday, October 22, 2002 I became the proud owner of a new 2002 Ford Focus
ZTW Wagon. My 2000 Explorer was coming off lease on the 26th, and I wanted to
downsize so the Focus wagon seemed perfect.
 
So far, I *love* it! It's the Sangria Red (my first red car!) with gray leather. It's pretty
loaded; about all it doesn't have is a sunroof and the "Advance Track" traction
control system.
 
Want to hear something funny? For the last two-three weeks, my boyfriend and I
have been independently searching the 'net, reading reviews, checking prices, etc.
as we each tried to decide what to buy. I was replacing my Explorer, and he was
replacing a 1995 Escort Wagon that was beginning to have one problem after
another (at 128k, that's probably not surprising).
 
Anyway, we *both* narrowed it down to one car: the 2002 Focus ZTW Wagon! He
bought his on Saturday, and it's the Twilight Blue. Other than color, both cars are
identically equipped. We both got our respective Focii (sp?) for just under 20k,
including the alarm system. We feel it's a *very* nice car for the money.
Comfortable, solid, holds the road like a pro, adequate get-up-and-go, and looks
good to boot (in our opinion, anyway As far as reliability, time will tell. We figure
after two years most of the bugs should be ironed out, and if not, we have the
warranty to take care of any problems that might arise.
 
I can't wait to take a picture of them (and us) side-by-side
 
Nancy

#94 of 107 Last year by boaz47

Dec 09, 2002 (9:17 pm)

we had four cars. A coupe, a sedan, a jeep and a B-2500 pickup. I sold the coupe and then traded the sedan in on a PT Cruiser. My wife felt a bit left out and wasn't all that fond of driving the truck. So I went down and traded in the truck for a Blue ZTS and put a red ribbon on it and parked it in our driveway. Needless enough to say she is delighted. She loves the deep blue and more than likely doesn't know a ZTS from the man in the moon. I am lucky that she has been driving a stick pretty much steady for the last few years. I like the sound system, the handling and the way it shifts, once I get used to pulling up to get it into reverse. I was surprised that I would like the Focus and it won out over the P-5, with help from a friendly dealer. I guess we are a member of the club and I am sure we will enjoy it. I have to admit the magiznes were right, it is a blast to drive in the mountains.

#95 of 107 My second Focus by flasvt

Jul 31, 2003 (8:20 pm)

Hi, I am Simon from Miami Beach, Florida. Last Saturday I traded in my liquid gray 2002 ZTW for a pitch black 2003 5-door SVT. The ZTW played a big roll in my decision since it was such a remarkable handler and reliable car. I just wanted (needed?) more power and a stick shift. The test drive was pretty convincing too.
I was a little annoyed that I had to buy a car with the winter package in Miami, but the deal was good enough to dissipate this sole spot in an otherwise great little rocket. Bottom line, after a year and two Foci I am still very much in love with this car.
As for SVTs, this is my second one. My first one was an SVT Contour, a whole different beast. Lets just say I really like SVTs.

#96 of 107 My New 2005 Ford Focus SES by nickps

Apr 02, 2005 (11:59 pm)

Hi, i recently purchased a Focus in November 2004. I love the car to death. It's surprisingly solid. I got it with leather, heated seats, heated side mirrors, auto trans, remote stereo controls, and a six cd changer. The car has just about every option. It is sporty but sort of luxury at the same time. My sticker price was 18,525 or so. I ended up paying 15,500. I couldn't be happier with it. This car is like my baby. It handles great with its Perelli tires that came with it. I got it in cd silver metallic. Its got a grey interior. This car was the best thing i have ever did. It is very peppy. This is by far one of the best cars Ford has ever built. I have just about 6,000 miles on it now. I clean it very often about every weekend. I wax it monthly during the winter because the salt used on the roads eats away at the wax. This car is my pride and joy. I never thought i could like a car this much that didn't burn a hole in my pocket. The reason why i bought this car is because it reminded me of my 1998 Mercury Mystique GS SPREE. These cars are my two favorite out of all the cars i have ever owned.

#97 of 107 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST Black by basiliskst

Sep 16, 2006 (9:54 pm)

I've always had at least one light weight four-cylinder manual transmission car in the family. This 2005 Focus ST is my latest addition. So far I'm very pleased. It currently has about 25,000 miles.
 
The ST is not tuned or geared for all-out fuel economy but still is reliably delivering 30 mpg at west of the Mississippi Interstate speeds (70 mph+). I'd guess that the 2.0 liter will do better and even the new 2007 ST appears to have some changes to rate better fuel economy than the 2005. No complaints though. I've never had a more flexible four-banger. The usable torque band for acceleration is wide and deep. The ST feels sportier than a lot of sports cars I've driven. The clutch is easy. The shift throws are short and well-defined with decent feel. The ST has very direct steering and a controlled, compliant ride. An occasional stretch of road with just the wrong expansion joint interval betrays the short wheel base and light weight, but on most surfaces the ride is smooth and the handling tight.
 
Since I started in Volkswagens, the upright seating position feels just right, and is comfortable and commanding.
 
The interior you touch is very good, with comfortable leather seats, leather-wrapped wheel and leather gear shift knob. Even the door handle is nicely sculpted and backed with perforated suede to match the seat inserts. What you see of the interior betrays more of the economy car origins, but is functional if somewhat plain. I personally liked the original interior better than the 2005 update. My least favorite feature of the interior is the too-small rectangular vents. My favorite feature is the door, with well-placed arm rests and door grab handles, a very functional door pocket with an extra drink holder, and high-quality feeling switch gear for the windows and locks. It looks good and works well in practice.
 
I'd like more sound dampening material in the trunk and underbody to reduce road noise. The sweet exhaust note can stay.
 
We also have a 2002 Mercury Cougar 2.3 liter 5-speed manual. The family resemblance is noticable. I hope the ST will have the same reliability as the Cougar (now approaching 77,000 trouble-free miles). The Cougar's interior is more upscale, with the exception of the seats. The Focus has far better shaped seats, with the only sorely missed feature being no lumbar support adjustment.
 
I'll keep you up to date on the ST's reliability and fuel economy. So far, it is a gem with a very sporty personality disguised as an economy car.

Messages Page 10 of 11

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement