Help out a newbie

Ronin · Tue Apr 13, 2004 7:06 pm

I'm looking into getting a Focus, and was wondering what I should look for, and stay away from as far as options and years and such. I don't know if I'll be able to swing the cash for an SVT, but definitely a ZX3 with a 5 speed. What years are better/worse? Are there different motors in the ZX3 that I should be aware of? I'm going to modify, but only as cash allows, and reccomendations on cheap parts for that too? But lets start with getting a car and go from there. Thanks guys

Ronin

Dead10 · Tue Apr 13, 2004 8:02 pm

Welcome,

Are you going to get new or used? As for what options to awayfrom depends on tastes. There isnt any year to watch out for just make sure if you pick up as used one that all the recalls are done. Not to scare you away with recalls but any car you buy now a days you should have checked.

There are only two engines you can get in a zx3 a 2.0 zetec 00-04 or a 2.3 duratec 04-Up. There is alot of aftermarket parts for the 2.0 but the market for the 2.3 is just starting to boom

Hope it helps.

Dead10

PBZX3 · Tue Apr 13, 2004 8:19 pm

I own two 2001 ZX3 5 speeds with the premium and power option packages. One I bought new the 2nd one used. I like the 2001 because I believe Ford had the mis-timed cam thing figured out by mid 2001. Both mine in stock trim were very strong engines.
You should be able to pick up a used 2001 with under 50,000 for between $5000 and $6000. I paid $7000 at a dealer for the used one I bought with 32,000 miles. That was last October so there are deals out there. Be patient and shop around on the internet. That's how I found mine.

Ronin · Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:08 pm

so what's the better motor? The 2.0 or the 2.3? My modification list will be fairly small to start, intake, etc... but what's the stronger motor to start? It will be used, and I was looking around tonight on Car Soup and the like, there are some deals to be had out there. Thanks again for the help guys!

Dead10 · Wed Apr 14, 2004 7:19 am

What motor is better? Depends on who you ask.

The 2.3 out of the box has more hp/tq and has responded well to intake and exhaust mods.

Your going to be spending more for a used 2.3 then a 2.0

Dead10

iamgod · Wed Apr 14, 2004 11:14 am

you gotta find a used 2.3 first...or you can buy my 02 2.0 zx3 for 10k mods include diablo chip FC short shifter K&N FIPK 65mm tb Crower II cams Magnaflow exhaust Progress Springs...replacing cracked header with stock parts...header is weldable!

Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:37 pm

A 2.3 will be impossible to find around here used. If you're willing to go to Cali, PA, or NY you may have better luck.

As far as which year, I would get a 2002 because it was the first year that had zero recalls. The 2.3 though seems like a more solid motor, and responds extremely well to bolt ons.

focus 1269 · Wed Apr 14, 2004 1:40 pm

Hi Im new too. but i got my 00 focus last year and no problems yet. i got the zx-3 five speed and love it. and on the plus side i think it looks better than the sedans.

FOCI · Wed Apr 14, 2004 5:25 pm

sedans are much better than zx3 get a sedan.

iamgod · Wed Apr 14, 2004 8:08 pm

bah more weight hatch RULEZ

Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:24 am

FOCI wrote: sedans are much better than zx3 get a sedan.

Yeah but we don't need to add anything for added rear downforce..

FOCI · Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:25 am

ok I should have expected something like that. I took alot of pcp that day it sounded like a good idea. Anyone here that doesn't like the idea of a focus with altezzas, fart can, and bombz wing isn't able to see real beuty.

Focal_Nutz · Tue Apr 27, 2004 2:27 pm

FOCI wrote: ok I should have expected something like that. I took alot of pcp that day it sounded like a good idea. Anyone here that doesn't like the idea of a focus with altezzas, fart can, and bombz wing isn't able to see real beuty.

Hey My old car was quite the looker....hahaha...I had the altezzas rocking it and the 5 Zigen Exhaust.....That was a piece of art I tell you. Everyone looked and stared. No one does now with my SVT. * sniff * sniff, I will always remember the sedan. * sniff * sniff

And no mentioning of illegal drugs.....Oh wait we're not on Focaljet. we can talk about that stuff here. hehehe... In that case, Blunts for all!

umdivx · Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:54 am

I have a sedan, and love it, get a sadan, more room and the weight difference between a zx3 and sedan is like a few hundred pounds so there is no real gain there, also WTF are you all talking about down force for on a front wheel drive car? a FWD car does not need rear downforce, doesnt need some shitty huge ass ricer wing, and doesnt need some shitty alteza's, simplicity is beauty.... do suspension, wheels, tires, intake, cams, ect, maybe a body kit but leat the fart bomers, and wings for the 16 year old kiddies

Wed Apr 28, 2004 12:52 pm

umdivx wrote: I have a sedan, and love it, get a sadan, more room and the weight difference between a zx3 and sedan is like a few hundred pounds so there is no real gain there, also WTF are you all talking about down force for on a front wheel drive car? a FWD car does not need rear downforce, doesnt need some shitty huge ass ricer wing, and doesnt need some shitty alteza's, simplicity is beauty.... do suspension, wheels, tires, intake, cams, ect, maybe a body kit but leat the fart bomers, and wings for the 16 year old kiddies

Actually a few hundred pounds is a decent bit... as far as the rear downforce comment, foci used to have a rear spoiler. Had you been to the last meet, you would have known this. And becides, when you bought your car weren't you talking about getting altezzas?