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  • Jan. 11, 2010 12:09 p.m. wrc_fan None

    I have an '04 Zetec and an '03 duratec car, given the price range the first gen cars sit in currently, the fun to dollar ratio is very high.

    While the cars are fun, they do have some drawbacks, immediately coming to mind, they are heavy (compared to older civics) and the front strut suspension suffers from camber loss when lowered.

    But the chassis has great dynamics and the steering feel is great for the price range. I've been fairly successful locally autoxing in ST and am currently building my duratec car to be a competitive FSP car.

  • Jamesc2123

    Jan. 11, 2010 12:40 p.m. Jamesc2123 Reader

    New Focus!

    Ford is finally making the SAME focus for the U.S. and euro market, something lots of us here have complained about. Also the car is getting all new, all cool engines and trannys.

    2.0L direct injected engine, 155hp, 12:1 comp., shooting for 40 mpg hwy.

    Trans. options: 6 speed manual or 6 speed dual clutch.

    1.6 turbodiesel on the way!

    both hybrid and EV versions on the way.

  • Schmidlap

    Jan. 11, 2010 1:53 p.m. Schmidlap Reader

    I've posted this before, but this thread seems appropriate to bring it up again:

    "Hermann Salenbauch, Ford Motor Co.'s director of advanced product creation and global performance, says the decision to sell the Focus RS here will depend on reaction from U.S. car enthusiasts, such as Focus SVT owners.

    Ford is looking for "feedback from the media and customers," he says. "How much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is."

    This is from an article written 04/06/09, here: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090406/CARNEWS/904069995

    Please let Ford know that you want this car! Go here to email Ford: https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?contactMainTopic=Sale...

    Also, I don't think the Focus RS would really compete with the Mustang, especially with the Mustang getting 400+HP. I think it would compete more with the STI, Evo, Mini Cooper S and Cobalt/Cruze SS.

    Bob

  • jstein77

    Jan. 11, 2010 2:10 p.m. jstein77 HalfDork

    I am impressed. If it comes in below 2900 lbs, I would consider that to replace my Sentra.

  • Morbid

    Jan. 11, 2010 2:27 p.m. Morbid New Reader

    I have been through 2, a 2004 Zx3S that was fantastic, never had a problem. Sold it to my dad because he loved it so much and I picked up a car without a payment.

    The second Focus was a 2005 ST (purchased in 2006, I go through a lot of cars), and it was an absolute nightmare. The gearbox issues that thing had were terrible. I would be going 65 on the highway in 5th gear and it would decide it didn't want to be in gear anymore and pop out. Did this several times.

    I will never buy another one.

  • 2focusedracing

    Feb. 23, 2010 6:50 p.m. 2focusedracing New Reader

    first of all thanks GRM for featuring this fun little car in the feb. issue!! it was nice to see a little recognition for the focus world. sweet car out of the box, i've autocrossed mine for 4 years now, all though mines heavily moded now! took sm at my local region in '07 b4 i went turbo. Lorin mueller has done pretty well at a national leval in FSP also.
    this car should have come the factory with a turbo man what a differance.

  • pete240z

    Feb. 23, 2010 6:55 p.m. pete240z Dork

    i have a ford fusion for a rental car this week and I really wail on this thing.

    I am surprised how fast it is and it has a decent stereo too. Screaming Bob Seger as I haul around the Youngstown/Akron/Canton/Cleveland area.

    Not too bad. It must be a Mazda engine...LOL

  • Carson

    Feb. 23, 2010 8:16 p.m. Carson Dork

    pete240z wrote:

    i have a ford fusion for a rental car this week and I really wail on this thing.

    I am surprised how fast it is and it has a decent stereo too. Screaming Bob Seger as I haul around the Youngstown/Akron/Canton/Cleveland area.

    Not too bad. It must be a Mazda engine...LOL

    The Duratec is the Mazda MZR engine. I don't know what the Fusion has but that's what's in the Focus.

  • mrhappy

    Feb. 23, 2010 8:37 p.m. mrhappy New Reader

    Will the SVT suspension boult on to a sedan?

  • 2focusedracing

    Feb. 23, 2010 9:01 p.m. 2focusedracing New Reader

    yes, 2000-2004, i've seen a couple done. the svt suspension is a nice upgrade over stock, i had it on my hatch for a year b4 i switched to H&R race. don't forget the rear sway bar too, it really helps.

  • 2focusedracing

    Feb. 23, 2010 9:03 p.m. 2focusedracing New Reader

    you can usually pick the svt susp. up new for under $300.00 also.

  • paulmpetrun

    Feb. 23, 2010 9:28 p.m. paulmpetrun New Reader

    Jamesc2123 wrote:

    Ford is finally making the SAME focus for the U.S. and euro market, something lots of us here have complained about. Also the car is getting all new, all cool engines and trannys.

    2.0L direct injected engine, 155hp, 12:1 comp., shooting for 40 mpg hwy.

    Trans. options: 6 speed manual or 6 speed dual clutch.

    1.6 turbodiesel on the way!

    both hybrid and EV versions on the way.

    Those new ones look very nice, but 20+grand for a focus, are you kidding! I know I'm cheap, but when will a manufacturer build something at least interesting if not cool, at a price thats generally worth cracking the piggy bank for?

    I have an 02' ZX5 with 145K miles, and aside from a few quirks it runs great(well at least it will untill I fininsh this post). I would recommend one in heartbeat, decent mileage, folding seats, a hatchback, and a really nice solid driving feel. I searched around for a while before buying mine, they all drove a bit different. The biggest thing I noticed was the power, some just seemed peppier than others. After reading a few articles, it seems that when assembling the engines, there is no cam to cam gear alignment marks, so while they are good enough for factory production they all run slightly different. I guess it really depends on the assembler to take there time and get them as close as possible(umm yahh right)...

    I would really like to upgrade in a few years to another zx5 with the 2.3 duratec and 5spd. I think that car would be about as perfect for me as you can get!

  • SVTF

    Feb. 24, 2010 3:03 p.m. SVTF New Reader

    Actually I've seen plenty of places selling the SVT suspension for more like $250 - four shocks, four springs, rear sway.

    That was more like 6 months ago tho - they may be a bit more scarce now, dunno. But I know there's a Ford dealer on FocalJet that sells Ford parts for 10% above cost, including the Ford Racing stuff. Great guy to deal with, too.

  • ReverendDexter

    Feb. 24, 2010 3:18 p.m. ReverendDexter Dork

    Jamesc2123 wrote:

    Ford is finally making the SAME focus for the U.S. and euro market, something lots of us here have complained about. Also the car is getting all new, all cool engines and trannys.

    The sedan is a USDM-only car

    Jamesc2123 wrote: 2.0L direct injected engine, 155hp, 12:1 comp., shooting for 40 mpg hwy.

    Trans. options: 6 speed manual or 6 speed dual clutch.

    Yep! Could be cool. I'm not sure if shares still shares underpinnings with the Mazda3 or not, I know the 2nd-gen non-US Focus did.

    Jamesc2123 wrote: 1.6 turbodiesel on the way!
    Not likely. I'll believe that when I see it on dealer lots

    Jamesc2123 wrote: both hybrid and EV versions on the way.
    I believe the first, the second is most likely fleet vehicles only.

  • iceracer

    Feb. 24, 2010 6:21 p.m. iceracer HalfDork

    alex wrote:

    My '00 ZX3 is going strong, despite some severely neglected maintenance. Never had a problem with it, even though I know a couple are looming if I don't get some work done on it. It's over 160k mi. now.

    My '04 SVT grenaded a timing belt pulley, jumped time and bent all 16 valves. At 40k mi, well before the first timing belt interval. Not pleased. From what I gather from the intertubez, this is not unheard of, though far from a common occurrence. I can't afford to throw $2500 at the motor in another 40k mi. when the new pulley breaks, nor am I willing to change the pulleys/belt that often, as I think that's simply unacceptable for a modern car. I'll sell it before it hits 80k, which is a shame, because it's almost everything I want in a car otherwise.

    So, mixed experience. I'd say: stay away from the interference motors (only SVT, I believe) and you're in good shape. Anyway, the PZEV 2.3 Duratec motor has a lot more potential than the 2L Zetec in the SVT. The SVT suspension, which I also put on my ZX3, is simply fantastic for a factory design, especially for an econobox.

    Despite the expensive trouble with the SVT, I'll probably replace it with a ZX5 with the 2.3 Duratec and a 5 speed, and swap in the SVT suspension. They're good cars for the money.

    If your SVT blew a timing belt,it DID NOT bend all of the valves. The Zetec is a non interference engine despite what many service manuals say. Even the SVT. Blowing a belt at 40K is very rare. Many go over 100K.

  • benzbaron

    Feb. 24, 2010 6:48 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

    My old man has a 2005 zx3 and I think it is the perfect commuter. It gets decent gas mileage and is pretty comfortable. The only thing is that it has a lot of road noise, my mercedes right now doesn't have a rear seat in it or door panels in the back and it is still quieter than the focus on the freeway. The focus has a peppy little engine though.

    I recommended my father buy the focus because it was a hit worldwide with sales of 1million per year so if anything does crap out you aren't alone.

    I don't know if the engine is interference or not but a director at my Dad's work had his focus throw a time belt and it ate the valves. This was confirmed with a lathroscope.

  • alex

    Feb. 24, 2010 6:51 p.m. alex Dork

    The regular Zetec is non-interference, but the SVT head interferes just enough to cause expensive trouble. I saw the valves.

    The problem is not the belts (usually), but the pulleys. A failure like mine is far from common, but definitely not unheard of.

  • wcelliot

    Feb. 26, 2010 7:05 a.m. wcelliot Reader

    I have never liked the driving dynamics of American Ford products (I'm talking 1960's up) even though I've had great respect for the power trains.

    And yet I've never driven a European Ford that I didn't like... Escort, Capri, Fiesta, Focus, etc. I consider them some of the best driving cars in the world.

    How can a single car company simultaneously be at both ends of the spectrum?

    (The new Fiesta is the best small car I've ever driven... if it were available here with say a 120-140hp turbodiesel, it could revolutionize the economy car market.)

  • 93celicaGT2

    Feb. 26, 2010 7:12 a.m. 93celicaGT2 UltraDork

    How is it even possible in this day and age to have a 2.0 litre 12.0:1 compression dual cam motor and only make 155hp?

    Isn't HYUNDAI making motors that stomp all over this? Am i missing something huge here? We obviously have the technology, look at the Honda B-series from decades ago, the Toyota 2zz, Honda K20, and i know there's others...

    Sorry... i'm a bit frustrated. I really REALLY like the car, but that thing has a worse power to weight ratio than my almost 20 year old celica. UGH.

  • Feb. 26, 2010 7:53 a.m. klipless New Reader

    93celicaGT2 wrote:

    How is it even possible in this day and age to have a 2.0 litre 12.0:1 compression dual cam motor and only make 155hp?

    What engine has 12:1? I thought the SVT motor was highest at 10.2:1, and it makes 170 ponies. The recent rise in direct injection engines has really helped the four-pots in the power department.

  • 93celicaGT2

    Feb. 26, 2010 7:58 a.m. 93celicaGT2 UltraDork

    klipless wrote:

    93celicaGT2 wrote:

    How is it even possible in this day and age to have a 2.0 litre 12.0:1 compression dual cam motor and only make 155hp?

    What engine has 12:1? I thought the SVT motor was highest at 10.2:1, and it makes 170 ponies. The recent rise in direct injection engines has really helped the four-pots in the power department.

    Taken from above:

    "Ford is finally making the SAME focus for the U.S. and euro market, something lots of us here have complained about. Also the car is getting all new, all cool engines and trannys. 2.0L direct injected engine, 155hp, 12:1 comp., shooting for 40 mpg hwy. Trans. options: 6 speed manual or 6 speed dual clutch. "

  • Feb. 26, 2010 8:21 a.m. klipless New Reader

    In reply to 93celicaGT2:

    I guess I should have RTFT. I sure hope that's a typo, unless they're using some crazy-ass atkinson cycle or something for economy reasons. It's got to be a typo though. It didn't mention anything about comp ratio in the press release.

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