Short and to the point. I have a 02 ZX5. I like the car. I've been less than enthused about the styling changes in the current Focus.
Just got off the phone with a friend that has a brand new ZX5 with the 2 litre diesel in the UK. When I mentioned my lack of enthusiasm over the current styling I was promptly told that I'm an ass of the first order and that the new car is better in every way.
Anyone else with opinions that has spent time with both the old style and current style Focus.?
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
I haven't been in a new Focus. I was disappointed with the styling, and still like the earlier models better, (I have an '02 ZX3), but the new ones have grown on me a bit. I like the new interiors better than the earlier models. This, of course, omits the drive train, but we're talking strictly about styling here.
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Codger, the Euro focus lookes like the new US one but the interior kept the round heater vents and is not as 80's as the current US focus.
The front end is startign to grow on me.
Also the Euro version got a face lift (like the US version) and an ass lift. The US version ZX3/5 has the same hatch and tail lights, only the sedan gas a rear update and rework.
Besides we all know Europe and the rest of the world get the good stuff and the US and Canada get the reworked crap.
And 1 last thing, the Euro version has the new platform. You almost can't compair the new US version vs the rest of the world.
Wolli, The Mazda3 over in the states is also the same platform as the Euro Focus and VolvoS50. Also the 2.3L that comes standard in the Mazda3 has 5 more HP than the 2.3L that comes in the "special" Focus here.
Ford sells in germany 40% diesels. The engines are more powerful and economycally than gas engines. A 2,0 l TDCI with 136 PS is like a 2,3l with 160PS. Remember the gas prices in Germany/Europe.
Diesel in like $2.60/gal here. It's the most expensive above 94 octain. But you wouldn't know much about octain ratings as I think you guys only have one option making 2 total, gas or diesel. But I could be mistaken as I don't know much about your gas either.
Diesel is a little bit cheaper than gas. Diesel cars consume with a 2,0l engine with 136 HP only 6-7 liters, gas cars with the same engine 10 liters. You get here 4 kinds of gas. 91,95,98 and 100 octain. But the 100 octain gas is to expensive. 20 cent more than 95 octain. All sorts are unleaded.
diesel is not as popular in the States as it is in the rest of the world - predominantly speaking of Europe.
I personally would buy a Turbo Diesel Focus if they had one, but then I have to consider the needs of a Diesel Engine in the Northern States.
We have very harsh, cold, deep freezing winters up here and I would need to be able to keep the block from freezing in a diesel. Where I live there are no outside outlets, so I'd have to depend on getting into my parking lot here, close enough to my place to drop a chord to plug in my car each night during the winter - unless I am living in the dark ages here don't we still have to keep these engines warm in the winter?
Diesel also is a very dirty fuel - Having said that...When I was in the UK back in 2000 I noticed the black all over the buildings as well as the gooey black residue that would get on the windscreen from the road. I had to pull over at gas stations many times just to wash off the diesel film that got splashed up during the rain. I was there during Christmas, so it rained very single day I was there. That would be my biggest concern - how would we control the diesel pollution? The US is already the largest contributors of global pollution as it is.
There are a lot of pros & cons for and against.
Back on topic - The Focus, pre 2005 is my choice for looks/syling. I had someone at work tell me that her Grandparents just bought one of the '05 sedans 'that looks like a VW'. This is where the Focus lost me. They redesigned the front and made it look like every other compact out there. I cannot recognize the new Focus at night based solely on the headlights anymore. I used to be able to pic them out of any crowd. Also, the interior I feel has been cheapened and the prior ergonomic design of the dash/radio/HVAC was one of my favorite pieces of the interior. They've squared off the vents, which I loved the ovals...it just felt right on the car - it flowed with the exterior which also had the smooth lines. Really key for me when looking at the whole of a vehicle's design.
Don't get me wrong, they've made positive steps bringing in the Duratecs, but there also, they failed us here in the states by not releasing an ST verson of the ZX3. It is soley avail. in the Sedan, which, no offense to any of our Sedan owners, is not my model of choice.
If Ford really wants to impact the younger buyers, 30 & under, they need to really look at what we/they want (so I'm not 30 or under anymore) I sill like the sleek looks of the ZX3/ZX5 pre 2005.
I would HIGHLY suggest, if you can get your hands on one and aren't looking for a NEW car - get a 2.3 PZEV. I love this engine, the car is just the same in every other detail, but you will be pleasantly impressed with the difference in power. Even with the dual cats and extra restriction of the 100k mile air filter...it's got more oomph than the Zetec. Fun to drive and environmentally friendly.
Last edited on Fri Nov 18th, 2005 01:54 pm by Chelly03PZEV
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wolli wrote: And what kind of Diesel engines are obtainable in the US ?
There are no diesels available for the Focus in Canada or the USA. I've asked Ford Canada a number of times when they will be bringing them to market here.
Fuel prices in Canada are higher in than in the USA. Gasoline has ranged from 85cents to 1.05 per litre over the past 6 months.
( 3.78 litres per U.S. Gallon)
I now have a VW TDi which is good for 4.5 to 5 litres /100km on the highway. Smart only comes as a diesel in Canada and I have one on order.
As to the styling and handling of the new vs old Focus, guess I'll just have to go and take one out or go and rent one for a week.
Chelly
The newer diesels don't have a problem starting in the winter the way that old ones did. The VW started up after sitting out all night at -6 last week. Wasn't plugged in and it complained and smoked a little for the first couple of minutes but then was fine. I like heated seats
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
Well, I took out a new one this morning. Darn! It was tough finding a standard transmission close by. The new ones in Europe may be head and shoulders above my 02 but the domestic one is not. The only way that I'd get rid of my 02 and buy a new one is if there was a diesel under the hood.I wonder when ford will learn to upgrade the tranny fluid? I'm used to the smoothness of mine and the only thing that has been done to it is the switch to Mobil1. The interior cosmetic changes are a step backwards from mine. Boring, unimaginative.... I could get used to it if I had to, but it sure wouldn't be a reason to buy the car.Funny how the automotive press is talking about mass market being more and more of a days gone by routine and the niches taking over. Ford took a "nichey" vehicle and rather than developing it and strengthening it's position, made it less defined in an effort to attract more buyers.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
I don't like the styling of the 2nd-gen Focus. I still like the 1st-gen's better. However, I do like the new Euro-spec Focus ST. I like the styling of the newer E-Spec Focii better than the new US-Spec Focii, however, I prefer the 1st-gen Focus to all.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7- RB Intake, RB header. Loud, slow, fun.
I'm in an opposite situation than most of you guys. I haven't had a chance to drive 00-04 models. I'm approaching 11K on my '05 ZX3. It's the base model 5 speed with A/C and stereo, no other extras. I would like to drive an older 5 speed model to compare manual tranny's, the '05 is OK but the shifting has a little to be desired (I'm afraid one day, of shifting from 5th to 2nd by mistake). Other than that the car has been flawless in performance and the price I paid was good $11K OTD. I bought the car in early Feb. before gas went through the roof. I wonder since car sales have slump soo dramatically, which way the sales and the prices of the Focus' went? I know one thing it doesn't get 34 mpg even in the best conditions (maybe 30 but doubtful). Overall it's been a great little car with decent ride and more interior room than you'd expect.
If I knew I'd end up with new job and living in the country. I'd of probably bought a Ranger P.U.
JT
Last edited on Mon Nov 21st, 2005 05:23 pm by JTex
Codger wrote: JTexChange out the transmission fluid to a full synthetic. You won't believe how much of a difference it makes.It probably is a full synthetic. If it's atx fluid it is. Ford used that in a lot of manual trans. cars. When I changed my clutch, I found that mine had full synthetic from the factory, ('02 5 spd.)
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