[Rockape]

Hello
I am a newcomer to the Ford Forum and have enjoyed browsing and finding out what is going on. Last September I purchased a Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia Automatic Hatchback So far I have been delighted with it. I have owned a number of Fords over the last 10/20 years which I have enjoyed, but my latest is without doubt the best Ford I have ever had. So far everything has been great, especially finding out all that it is capable of, and all the special touches it has that I have never had before. It is a pleasure to drive and every time I drive it I am reminded of what an excellant choice the vehicle has been for me. Is there anyone out there with similar view? or am I looking at my Ford wearing rose coloured glasses!!! I hope not

Rockape

 

[Rdshark1]

Super!

I've enjoyed my focus also...however, in the States they tend to jack us around on the options and whatnot. Mine is a Malibu Blue ZX3 with the 2.0l Zetec, 5-speed. We've added sport springs, strut tower brace, Team Dynamics wheels, Yokohama Parada tires, and a turbo kit. It's coming along nicely! Welcome to the boards! I'm pretty new at it too!

 

[Gil Starr]

Hello
I am a newcomer to the Ford Forum and have enjoyed browsing and finding out what is going on. Last September I purchased a Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia Automatic Hatchback

I didn' t have any idea that Ghia was still designing for Ford... Do you have a pic of your car? I'd like to see the comparison.

:hy:

 

[Rockape]

Ford Focus Ghia

Hello

Thank you for your post, I am processing a photo of my Ford and will post it soon.

Thanks again

Rockape

 

[Rockape]

Hello Great Red Shark

Thank you for your Post

Sounds as though you have been having fun with modifications to your Focus, I have not got around to many mods yet, the only thing I have done so far is to fit a Chromium Tail Pipe to the exhaust which seems to finish it off quite nicely! I may do more as I can afford it but at present it suits me just fine as it is,with the so called extras, most are factory fitted options only, which have to be selected when the order is placed for the new vehicle, other than that one just has to study the specification/accessory sheets and hope you make the right choices. On my present car I chose most of what was available as a factory fitted extra and which have all turned out to be good choices. One other thing that I chose as an option was a bodywork process called Diamond Bright which is a special coating applied to the bodywork which eliminates the need for polishing the car, you just have to wash the car and dry it with a leather. The process is German and is very effective especially if like me you do not wish to polish your car every week!! When the car has been out in rain it just beads up on the bodywork and runs off very easily. I am already very glad I had it done although it is at extra cost.

Rockape

 

[Rdshark1]

Oh what fun!

I just make my husband wash & wax it! hahaha

Actually I found my focus in the bargain bin...so I didn't choose anything! It had been hail damaged in shipment, and in order to get insurance $$ they had to title it. Voila! A brand new car becomes a used car, complete with discounted price tag! It really was a steal....

:hy:

 

[Rockape]

Hi There

You certainly picked the right way to buy a car! I wish I had thought of it

Rockape

 

[Mike Browning]

Another Focus driver with a smile

Hi Rockape - I've owned my Focus now for just over a year.
It's a 1800 Zetec 3 door (I think the 3 door looks the dogs bo****ks) in Panter Black. (I can also play at being Colin McRae).
Mine was a limited editon model with RS front & rear bumbers complete with stainless steel mesh inserts. Also matching front RS style front rad. grill. Oh also a rear spoiler over the hatch and 6 spoke 15" alloys.

So far it's been sweet as a nut - the only thing that I can fault is that somtimes I get a few rattles/creaks from the hatch but this usually disappears after a mile or so. I have put some thin, self adhesive foam under the rear number plate which has made a large improvement. Also I have yet to track down a very small "jingley" noise - almost like small keys vibrating together although I have discounted this possiblity.

I would be interested to know if you have had any minor irritations like this - my wife says I am crazy & I should turn the radio up.

I also have a Sierra Saphirre 2.0 GLS with the twin cam engine.
The Focus does not have quite the low down torque of the Sierra but in every other respect the performace it is equal or better - plus the fuel comsumption is miles better.

I will putting the Focus in for it's first full service shortly after Christmas, so I am hoping that all the bad things we hear in the UK about Ford Service are unfounded. I will keep you posted.

I would be intersted to know what your experiences with servicing and also purchasing the car were like. I must say that my local Ford dealer in Stroud, Gloucestershire, treated my original enquiries as a joke, could not provide me with a car to test drive or any literature. I think this was because I went along to the show room in shorts, tee shirt & airwalks. I finally got my car from a dealer 15 miles away who could not have been more helpful.

 

[Rockape]

Hello Mike

You seem to be having fun with squeaks and funny noises!! so far the only problem I have had is that the vanity mirror on the back of the passenger side sun visor has come out of its recess and I have not been able to get it to stay back in for any length of time despite trying hard! So far no other noises or squeaks to report but maybe it is early days yet, I will let you know.
Like me you sound like a Ford nut, I have had Fords over the past 20 years Cortina, Sierras, and Escorts barring a short lived flirtation with a Peugot 205, finishing up with my present Focus Ghia 1.6 Automatic with which so far I am more than pleased.

I am surprised to hear of your experience with your local dealer, mine could not have been more helpful, and even had the patience to put up with me haunting his showroom for delivery updates during the 3 months it took to get it from the date of placing the order and I am not the most patient person in the world.although I now have to admit that the car was worth the wait!!! I will be very interested to hear about your experience with your impending service, so far I have not heard any local horror stories on the subject though there is still time. My first major service is not due until September 2002 Most of my previous cars were maintained by a family member so I have not had any complaints but with the present car I am tied to the Dealer as a condition of the 3 year warranty. We shall see when the time comes, I understand that a major service costs in the region of £100. What dealings I have had with the local Ford Workshop in the past lead me to believe that they are efficient and do seem to care about your vehicle and you as a customer and I found that refreshing!!!

 

[Rick Doherty]

WARNING!!!
I HAD a 2001 ZX3 with several modifications, similar to Rdshark1 above. The car made a sudden full right turn at 65 mph. Rolled several times, and a beautiful car was destroyed. Two people injured. The investigation shows that the right front ball joint stud worked loose in it's bore, until it finally fell out and darn near killed us. NHTSA has an ongoing investigation. Ford doesn't want anything to do with it. The front suspension is obviously under-engineered, as this has also happened to bone-stock Focuses. If you build it for more power, you increase the chance that your car will self-destruct.
WARNING!!!

 

[Rockape]

Another happy Focus Owner !!!

A quick progress report on my Ghia Auto 5 Door Focus purchased September 20001.

So far so good !! I have done about 5000 miles in the past year and the car is due for servicing around the 6th. September. I have had no problems of any consequence during this time. It remains to be seen if the next service comes up with any horrors! although none are expected.

I still continue to enjoy driving this machine, and as I have said before although I have owned all sorts of Fords in past years this model is in my opinion the best car I have ever owned, I hope that my next visit to the Dealer does not cause ne to change my mind !! I will advise of the outcome

Rockape