Let me start by saying I am a loyal Ford owner... sold my 2002 Ranger Edge 6 months ago for my 2005 F150 Screw Lariat, and now I am looking to pickup a second economy car for school.
My sister has a 2001 Dark Green 4 door SE, which I have always been very impressed with. The quality is great...the only issue I know of is the terribly squeeky center console. Other than that, over 45k miles and 5 years later it has needed nothing but brakes!
That said, I am looking to pick up a used Focus ZX3 (I prefer that style) for up to $6,500. I am willing to wait and shop, so I know the budget isn't huge, but I think I can grab one if I am patient. I'm *thinking 2001 to 2003 at the very newest*
I used to work at a dealer and remember hearing about the new engines...is it the PZEV that is the new one? Is there a particular year that I should use as a cutoff?
Basically, what I mean to ask is for a used mid-milage (sub 75k) manual which years should I look at for reliability and good mileage?
Thanks in advance!
(Oh, there is a pic of my truck in case anyone is curious).
The PZEV is the newer and stronger engine. I think it started in '05 and newer models. IMO the ZX3, (hatchback) is a more useful car than the sedan. I don't mean to knock sedan owners, but the hatch is less expensive & can swallow a lot of cargo. Wed., I put 3 bikes with their front wheels removed in the back of mine.
So, I guess it depends what your priorities are. I agree with insisting on the mtx. IMP/IME it's a whole different car with the 5 spd. There have been reliability issues with the 2000 and some 2001 cars.
Good luck with your search. You shouldn't have any trouble finding what you want.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
The so called PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) is really a Duratec Engine. They started putting them (2.3L Duratec) in the ZX3's only in 2003. They were only sold in the "green" states in 2003. In 2004 they put the 2.3L Duratec in some ZX#'s in the "Green" states and in neiboring states to "green" states. They also put them in the ZTS sedams in 04 also.
I say find a 03 or 04 2.3L PEZEV. Chelly hase one and end even with me or both of up pounding on the car we still scrape 30mpg out of it. Right now we are at 1/2 tank and on adout 260 miles with 1/2 tank. The tranny is set up slightly differant in the 5 speeds over the setup in the Zetec and 05+ focuses. The car screams along real good and you will make people wonder what you have done to the car sometimes. Chelly and I kept up with a 99 (I think) Mustang GT once untill we hit the speed limiter in 4th gear with pleanty of 4th gear left. THe car cruises along at 80 mph and only 2800 or 2900 rpm's.
If you can't find a 2.3L than all ZX3's have the 2.0L Zetec and will do you fine. The Manual will give you more power and little better gas milage. Just take a good look at the car and look for previous hack jobs done to the car. Its used and you never know what the previous owner(s) have done to it.
In 2001 I bought my car after only driving it for about 10 minutes and nowing nothing about it. I still ahve it and love it. At one point I owned 2 Focuses (My 01 ZX3 and a 00 Sedan). Sold the sedan because I couldn't afford 2 car payments anymore, I'd probably still have it if I could have found a way to pay for it.
Thank you all for your VERY helpful information. that was exactly what I was looking for. I have the engine and model history memoized for the Ranger family, and I'm working on the F150 line...which I have down pretty well, and I figured an equivolent Focus fanatic would have the same hah.
I remember driving several different Foci when I worked at a Ford dealership a couple years ago, (including the SVT) and I just absolutely loved driving the 5 speeds. It was my favorite stick as far as ease of drivability I had ever driven.
I guess I'll do my best to grab an '03...although I have a feeling that will give me some interesting budget issues, heh.
any other key options/packages to get or avoid? This will be mostly a 50/50 city/freeway driver for commuting.
Thanks again (in advance)
(I attached a picture of my old Ranger too...I miss her too!)
I think the 2.3 would be ideal for someone who is used to response and power when needed - Also, this engine, the PZEV model gets excellent milage compared to most.
The SVT is great if you're looking for performance and not economy - it is recommended on the SVT to run Premium fuel and as you're mentioning budget your best bet really would be the Duratec engine. Especially as fx3 stated the gearing is vastly improved and really allows for nice long rides on the hwy with noted fuel economy over the Zetec.
My 2k2 Zetec ran 70 mph at 3k rpms and this 2k3 PZEV runs 80mph at or just below the 3k mark as fx3 also noted.
I got mine as a steal, I think, used with only 5555 on the odo...I paid less than $10k for it in mint condition. The dealer really didn't know what they had. I would think you could hunt around - don't forget shopping online - and find what you'd really want for what you're looking to spend.
Best of luck and let us know what you finally get into...there are a lot of ppl here with loads of knowledge on these cars.
fx3 and I could strip a Focus bare from outside to inside and re-build without a blemish...so we'd like to think...haven't tried it...yet. lol!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
I dunno what's up with these people. If you want performance, you're best off with an SVT or a ZX3 with the Zetec. The PZEV is too much crap to deal with to mod, IMO, plus there are oogles of parts for the Zetec, and not half as many for the PZEV, although the PZEV has 10 more HP stock. But the Zetec, IMO, has way more modification potential.
BUT if you're not looking to modify, then the PZEV is a good choice. Then again, stock is for suckers.
Oh and the Automatic (autotragic) for the Focus SUCKS. Lots of powetrain loss plus they're weak and don't hold up to too much abuse. MTX-75 all the way baby. Bang 6200 in each gear (w/ the stock cams) and you're nudging the 15's- stock! Intake, exhaust and UDP and you're there (or do what I did and rip out the interior, but I don't recommend it).
Whatever you decide, hope you enjoy it, and your stay at TeamFocus. It's a nice laid-back group here, which you won't hear many people say about the other Focus sites. I suggest you stay away from FocalJet unless you like being told to search for every question you ask, and forget having your own unique ideas there.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
I guess I'll ask the other couple questions on my mind...
for starters, is there a significant reliability difference between the Zetec and the PZEV?
Also, if I do modify I would not want it to be "rice can" style...are there any exhausts and intakes out there that will give performance without being mind numbingly loud?
And with just the basic intake and exhaust modifications can truly noticable gains be found in mileage on either engine? Or is it mostly for performance?
*Oh, and what year did they start offering Sonic Blue on the Foci? Is it for SVT only?
Last edited on Fri Apr 21st, 2006 10:35 pm by Lumadar
First off the SVT requires 91+ octaine or it will ping and that is bad.
The duratec was first out in the Ranger in 01 I think (you should know, knowing the Ranger history). Its the same as the 01ish 2.3L.
The Duratec also reacts better to bolt on mods than the Zetec does. A cold air kit added to a PEZEV will gain you 5-10 hp and you won't see that from a ZETEC. Same with exhaust. Also the focus seems to have some quiet and loud exhausts. As long as you stick with the brand name cat back systems and stay away brom the bomz "universal" muffilers you should be able to find a fairly quiet system. (Borla, Focus Sport, HK(not sure about sound with this one??) and Bosal come to mind. I have the Bosal on my ZETEC with the optional silencer and its ok, I'd like it a little quieter but its among the quietest of the bunch. Unfortunatly its a 4 cylinder and thay all sound roughly the same when you open up the exhaust.
Sonic Blue was first offered in 02 on the SVT and I think in 04 or 05 they offered it model wide. It is a nice color as is the Liquid Gray (offered on 01 S2 ZX3 only than model wide on 03+ models)
And I think I gained 1mpg with a 65mm throttle body on my Zetec but I could have been just driving it differently.????.
Most exhausts and intakes won't really make your car louder unless you're getting on the gas. You will notice hp and mileage gains with inakes and exhausts, and UDP's are especially good for both.
I still say the Zetec is better, but then again, I am partial.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
PFF... Chelly's stock 2.3L makes my slightly modded Zetec seem like driving a Yugo... Her car is so much quicker than mine and I am still amaized how we easily kept up with a 2000(ish) Mustang GT on the highway from an entrance ramp. We hit the speed governor in 4th and lost the Mustang because he could go faster and did. We also kept up with Sveet03 in his SVT after a GTG but I backed off due to being in the Route 93 Tunnel in down town Boston. At just about anytime if there are retards driving around us we can just down shift and loose just about anyone. I can do the same in my Zetec but it can be harder at times.
and speeking of retards, why do SUV drivers think thay can take a 2.3L focus off the line????? sorry for going off tippic...
Damn 2.3's LOL I think I could hang with you though.
It's not just the SUV's it seems like lots of people that have no buisness racing me line up. LOL I have lost plenty of times too. But some times the dumbest people try.
Yep, the SVT was the first to have the Sonic Blue in 2002 & in 2005 it became a standard color.
Other unique colors that you don't see much anymore are: *I've included some paint codes
Harvest Gold Metallic Clearcoat: B2/M6926
Amazon Green Metallic Clearcoat: SU/M6922 ***This color is amazing when polished up well and in the sun - it has a blueish metallic hue to the green.
Kona Edition - Dirt Don't have the specifics right now and this a rare car indeed
Autumn Orange - This has been re-visited in the 2005 models as well.
Also: Sonic Blue Pearl Metallic: SN/M7095 is the 2005 color stemming from the SVT Sonic Blue
Egg Yolk Yellow(my 2k2 was) is now being called:Zinc Yellow Clearcoat: B7/M7000/M6999 (my car is now)
As for Exhausts - yes, there are many out there and I know there are sites where you can actually listen to them. The Bosal is fine and comes w/ a silencer of sorts. I would check into the different db levels and compare them to your state & local laws regarding modification to stock exhausts & db limits.
Also, if you are a fan of having a built up system in your car I would avoid the UDP due to power draining that is typical in the Zetecs.
As for my partiality of the 2.3 - I cannot say there is any benifit reliability wise, but It's proven itself to me time and again when I need it. My 2k2 was a Zetec and there is a noticable difference in performance, power & fuel economy due to many diffrences this engine has.
Egz - another one of our members here has done much more w/ his 2.3 than I have - I'm about 200 miles away from my bumper to bumper warranty being out and I'm seriously looking into a CAI when I have the chance - I'm curious to see if it will effect my fuel consumption. Which right now is THE most important factor in my car. If I could get my hands on a turbo diesel focus I'd gladly trade just to get better milage at this point...but I'm averaging 30mpg+ each week & I commute a total of 60+ miles to and from work each day now.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
I wish I had the 30 plus on my car....I think I get 25 highway and 20 around town, but the only time I drive highway is to pick up kids for visits so that is everyother week, other than that I only drive a few miles to school and work so I basically go all week on a tank of gas. I am not sure if this is normal for zetec, but that is what I have been calculating on my mileage lately. I like the zetec, but have never had experience with th other engines....my car starts everyday and has good power on the highway so I am happy with it.
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
tekslilbrat wrote: I wish I had the 30 plus on my car....I think I get 25 highway and 20 around town, but the only time I drive highway is to pick up kids for visits so that is everyother week, other than that I only drive a few miles to school and work so I basically go all week on a tank of gas. I am not sure if this is normal for zetec, but that is what I have been calculating on my mileage lately. I like the zetec, but have never had experience with th other engines....my car starts everyday and has good power on the highway so I am happy with it.
My Zetec gets the same but slightly better. If I stay out of it I can get 28 and about 24-25 around town. I got 29mpg on one tank (best) and I think 23mpg as worst. I'm not complaining but you think it could do better. Drive like grandma and shift at 2 grand (maybe 2500) and you should see the mpg go up a bit. Throw 15" tires on it also. Waiting to see Chelly's milage when we take the 15's off and put the 17's on it.
My 2k2's mpg wasn't getting the milage my 2k3 PZEV is, but I averaged anywhere from 28-32 mpg...I'm curious to know what's up w/ these other Zetec engines that don't get in the upper 20's lower 30's although I know it's common.
Dan, I knowyou didn't spell my name wrong!!!!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
I noticed a good size gain with the miles I got out of my Zetec after a couple minor bolt on mods. I'm pretty sure the intake actually gave me better milage but I didn't crunch the numbers to see for sure. As long as you don't drive with your foot to the floor that is.
smoknzx3 wrote: I noticed a good size gain with the miles I got out of my Zetec after a couple minor bolt on mods. I'm pretty sure the intake actually gave me better milage but I didn't crunch the numbers to see for sure. As long as you don't drive with your foot to the floor that is.
This is a good point. When Dan (fx3) had his 2000 Sony Edition he was getting better milage anyway than his 2001 ZX3, but he also had added the 65mm TB and noticed a gain in mpg as well. I'm not certain if a combination of a CAI & an increase in size of the TB would help.
I also had a 65mm TB on my 2k2 prior to losing her and did note about a 1-2mpg gain...there may be something to it. I think I still have my 65mm TB too which won't fit on my 2k3...I'd have to check...It only had about 5k miles on it if that.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Nice truck!
