It was Tuesday, May 3rd, just 22 days prior to this post, that I bought my 2005 Ford Focus. At the time, I was in posession of a 1998 Nissan Maxima with 141,633 on the odometer, and finally beginning to show signs of its old age. Don't get me wrong, I will give credit where credit is due, and say that the Maxima had some of the strongest parts out there for a car. I beat on that thing for 4 years, and it took everything like a champ. But alas, I have alot I am doing nowadays, and really do not have the time to take care of such a fine automobile.
Anyways, I rolled into Framingham Ford (Framingham, MA) one afternoon to check out a 2003 Focus ZX3. A salesman by the name of Bob Everts came up to me and introduced himself, and we began talking about the car, and what my options were. We took the car out for a drive, but unfortuantely to my dismay, I was disappointed with the interior. There were nicks all along the dash on the passenger side, and a few other things that made the car look very 'meh'. Mr. Everts then began telling me that my best option would be to go new. I thought to myself, it would be nice to check out a new Focus. Besides, Ford Motor Credit denied me a loan for the used Focus anyhow.
So Mr. Everts and I searched the lot for something that would be affordable, and eat up the negative equity on my Maxima. We did come across my Cloud 9 White Focus one time, but I refused, mainly because of the color, I would have prefered something more appealing (Black). So we went in, and checked on the computer, and Mr. Everts informed me that there was a silver one in manufacturing as we spoke that I could wait upon. We both agreed to not go that route.
Meanwhile, the financial guy helping me out crunched some numbers, and came to the conclusion that the White ZX3 would be perfect for me, and I would be approved for the loan. He also included 6900 dollars in rebates, 3 year/36k bumper to bumper, and 5 year/100k powertrain warranties, and a few other goodies. The only downside was that my payment went up by 15 dollars a month, but after some quick calculations in my head, I decided to take the plunge and go for it. They also threw in me driving off the lot that night with the car, and the car was washed and prepped while I signed the paperwork.
So today, 1200 miles and 22 days later, I am enjoying my new car.
when i brought the 1st svt home and immediately started gutting her, the wife made some very strange noises. along the lines of "are you f'in crazy?" you have a perfectly good race car. i put on the ear muffs and continued to work on the car. i also told her i was tired of spending more time working on the race car on track weekends, than racing and enjoying my friends. i made her a promise...when we took squirt out for her maiden test day, that i would be the most relaxed person there and the only one who ran all day without anything other than routine maintenance. well the day came in a few months...cage was in, all safety equipment, we had solved a lot of little things. it was tough sometimes because i was one of the first to build a road course svtf, but rewarding too. off we went to summit point raceway for a test day. maximum amount of track time is 3 sessions in the morning, three more in the afternoon. by the last session, i had not missed one 25 minute session, while all but one little miata (that i couldn't quite catch), broke something big or small, or crashed out (the 911 turbo did a spectacular one right at pit out). i said "what do you say now?" she said "well that black miata you can't catch is still going". oooh, rub it in. well about 10 minutes into the last session, there is the miata on the side with the hood up and oil everywhere. Ha, vindication. (btw, turns out he was s/c with 14 lbs of boost.) well she finally admitted that she had never seen me so relaxed, ever at the track. never did quite say i was right. but three years later this little bugger keeps on ticking. lost track of how many races she has run, but no dnf's in a race yet. some problems here and there but squirt has been a very faithful companion. and p.s. finally had to buy wifey her own svtf.
Last edited on Wed Jun 1st, 2005 09:16 pm by garyk
I own one of each '05 ZX3, '91 Miata, both not modded for racing. There's alot of older Miatas to be had for pretty cheap and then modded for whatever you decide. Good story though.
