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Ford Focus ZX5

618 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2011 at 9:11 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Hatchback



Messages Page 1 of 62

#3 of 618 by pocahontas

Apr 15, 2001 (4:24 pm)

From the 2001 New York Auto Show, here's a direct link to Edmunds.com's article of the 2002 Ford Focus ZX5. Please return here to post your comments.
 

 
What do you think?
 
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#4 of 618 When? by cjaccetta

Apr 18, 2001 (10:29 am)

I think the car looks nice. I'm interested in five-door hatchbacks and it appears as though Hyundai won't be offering its Elantra GT until late fall. The Focus ZX5 may be an option. Any word on estimated prices? When does it go on sale?
 
I should note that I saw the exact car pictured above when I went to the NY auto show. Now, I'm not trying to disparage Ford (I own a Mustang) but the build quality of the ZX5 was just awful. The tailgate was visibly misaligned (check out the monster gap in the photo) and the tail lamps were slightly askew. Ford chose to display the car in that condition? I could forgive them if it was a one-off or concept car but the Focus has been in production for over two years. They've had time to work out the bugs.
 
Given the number of problems owners have posted in the ZX3 boards I am wary of purchasing the ZX5. But I may take a chance if the price was right. It seems like buying a Focus is a hit-or-miss proposition depending on what day a particular vehicle was built. I'd rather go to Atlantic City to gamble, not a Ford dealer.

#5 of 618 Yes, cjacceta by vadp

Apr 18, 2001 (10:57 am)

You're absolutely right about those MONSTER gaps and misalignment.
You're also right about the tail lamps and hit-or-miss proposition.
Nice observation.
It seems that Ford's QC couldn't care less about those common to the ZX3 defects even in the SHOW !!! cars.

#6 of 618 ZX5 by vadp

Apr 18, 2001 (11:02 am)

It's coming to the market this fall as a '02 model.
Don't know the exact release date.
BTW, I hear that the Elantra GT's first allocation is scheduled to arrive at the dealer lots in mid-late June.

#7 of 618 ELANTRA GT by mpgman

Apr 18, 2001 (3:11 pm)

More like winter from what I am hearing. Supply will be tight so it could be later than that. Pro-5s should be arriving next month. KBB says Matrix will be a summer intro but I doubt it. I'd wait in the ZX5 until the new 2.3L 4 is available. Sounds like the 2.0 is an underpowered gas guzzler.

#8 of 618 by vadp

Apr 18, 2001 (3:22 pm)

Looks like Ford will continue to hold on the new engine until the next Focus redesign.
Fall of '03 as '04 model?
And the Matrix probably won't be out until the next year. (lots of confusing info regarding the release dates of the Matrix/Vibe duo.

#9 of 618 Re: Ford QC by cjaccetta

Apr 18, 2001 (5:58 pm)

Glad someone else saw that huge panel gap. Vadp, your profile states you are a focus owner. How has your car been behaving?
 
I'd like to buy a 5-door H/B because my wife and I have bikes, skis, etc., that we take with us when we travel. I'm going to give the ZX5 a look, but the construction quality gives me pause. Honestly, the Kia Rio I saw at the auto show looked like it was bolted together tighter than the Ford!
 
By the way, the Mercury Marauder on display at the NYIAS also had visible build flaws (but it IS a concept car). But the Forty-Nine and the Bullitt Mustang were awesome.
 
Anyway, I'm not trying to bash Ford. I love my old beat-up Mustang. I'm also going to follow the progress of the ZX5 and try to test drive one as soon as I can.

#10 of 618 Appeals to me, alas by sross

Apr 18, 2001 (9:58 pm)

For some reason the ZX5 really appeals to my heart, but everything I've read about build quality, recalls, etc. makes my head think I'd be a fool to buy one. Maybe I'm just trying to relive my 20s, when I drove a 5-door VW Golf. Since then I've had a Honda Accord (totally dependable, solid, kind of boring), which I traded in for a used Audi A4 (fun to drive, but haunted--unusually bad luck in dents, repairs).
 
The appealing things about the Focus are its handling, fresh styling, practical use of space, AdvanceTrac, and upcoming availability of the 6-disc CD changer. But if I trade in the A4, will I end up resenting the Focus's noise, depreciation, and reliability?

Messages Page 1 of 62

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