GRM price: $1500
Selling our 2003 Ford Focus ZX3 hatchback, with the rare 2.3L Duratec (Mazda) engine (only available 2003-2004 in PZEV states) and 5-speed manual. We have owned the car since 2014, bought from the original owner, and always kept in good shape. We bought a new Kia to replace it so we are finally selling. Very fun to drive (biggest engine available in 1st gen Focus) and great gas mileage. Would be a great commuter, first car, or project car (Cosworth makes many 2.3L performance parts).
The good:
In past 2 years, have replaced: all four tires, rear wheel bearings, rear brakes, rear shocks, front control arms & ball joints, fuel filter, spark plugs.
Strong engine, transmission, and clutch. Always passes emissions with zero issues.
Kenwood stereo with Infinity speakers (MUCH better than original).
Much cleaner body than most 1st gen Focuses (rockers are still there!) and very clean interior.
Power locks, power windows, power mirrors, sunroof, cruise control, keyless entry (2 remotes & 2 keys included).
The bad:
AC is getting weak and could use a recharge.
Fair number of parking lot dings and scrapes.
Exhaust hangers broke from rust last winter so exhaust is tied up with wire. Doesn't leak, but knocks around over bumps.
More pics:
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/2003-ford-focus-zx3-rare-23l/6618787971.html
Very rare car indeed....if for no other reason than it has a manual transmission.
I have looked at these on CL, though I can't remember seeing one with the 2.3, and this one seems to be pretty decent for the year.
Wish I was closer as I now have the funds coming my way that I didn't have a few months ago.
May be contacting you soon, if you still have it.
RealMiniParker said:
May be contacting you soon, if you still have it.
Will probably have it for a while, so reach out if you're so inclined. I don't even know where to sell used cars online anymore. Craigslist doesn't seem to generate the kind of action that it used to whereas OfferUp/Facebook/etc seem to be made up of 90% timewasters/criminals (long story there but let me say that I am able to qualify that statement).
seller is one of us. +1, would buy.
also, living in MI, i can't remember the last time i saw a focus with OE rockers. :-(
In reply to pointofdeparture :
Gotta pass. The kid doesn't want to learn stick. Bob C....
Wish you were closer. Nice looking car. GLWS.
Paul
This is about 11 months too early. That would have been a perfect first car for my 15 year old.
dculberson said:
RealMiniParker said:
In reply to pointofdeparture :
Gotta pass. The kid doesn't want to learn stick. Bob C....
You asked?? ;-)
As long as a stick is at the house all three of mine will learn. If they choose after the fact not to drive one that is one thing but they will now how.
I wish someone here wanted this. I posted it on Facebook and OfferUp just for more exposure and so far all I'm getting is laugh reacts , dumb sub-$1000 offers and some obvious scammers/sketchy-as-hell folks giving me sob stories.
It feels weird that I have to be suspicious about letting buyers come look at car these days, but the Ranger I sold on Facebook marketplace two years ago ended up used in a crime before committing a hit-and-run on camera and later getting found and impounded...thank GOD I got a bill of sale on that one!
In reply to pointofdeparture :
i'm talking to mama about it tonight. my plan was to get an SS sedan 6MT but the tax man kinda berkeleyed that up for me, so now i'm looking at keeping my E60 a bit longer and buying something cheap for my 16YO.
This is THE car I'd recommend to the world if BG chassis cars suddenly stopped existing.
Someone on here get this and rallycross the snot out of it. Cosworth made an intake manifold for it that wakes it up in a big way, with the intake manifold and cams well north 200+ horsepower is possible NA.
captdownshift said:
This is THE car I'd recommend to the world if BG chassis cars suddenly stopped existing.
This is THE car i recommend to the kids of our friends and family who want a "cool" car for their first car. it goes something like this:
Kid: I want an E36 but I only have $1500.
Me: The best $1500 E36 is a Focus with a Manual Transmission.
or
Kid: I want a WRX for my first car!
Me: The best WRX you can get is a Focus with a Manual Transmission.
etc
Aaron_King said:
dculberson said:
RealMiniParker said:
In reply to pointofdeparture :
Gotta pass. The kid doesn't want to learn stick. Bob C....
You asked?? ;-)
As long as a stick is at the house all three of mine will learn. If they choose after the fact not to drive one that is one thing but they will now how.
Not my kid, though. Not my money, either. So, berk 'em.
MY daughters know how to drive manual, but they choose not to. GF's son, on the other hand, is a moody little bitch.
Car sold tonight to a nice dude who showed up from good old fashioned Craigslist. Thanks for the interest y’all.
Ugh, I do want this, I have a real sweet spot for 1g Focii and this would fill the void in my heart. Its even local. Perhaps in another dimension, I would have a space at my home and the money to play with.
EDIT: I see it sold...
