Ford Focus ZX3

[mjoekingz28]

Hello all, I am looking to get a two door Focus with the hatchback. I will be needing a manual transmission.

Did Ford make these with a timing belt or chain?


I will be driving it over 300 miles everyday so I'm looking to get 40mpg if possible. Just found out they made a 4 door (ZX5) which would be great. Looking for an older one, not the newer with techno-gadgetry.

Thanks for any help!

 

[ThirdeYe]

I'm pretty sure the Zetec motors used a belt as we had one in my sisters escort zx2 years ago and the timing belt broke after the new owner (a relative) bought it. Luckily its non-interference. I'm not sure what other motors they used in the Focus, though.

 

[yvon_la]

St are probably timing chain(not sure)given their performance envellope)i like the new fiesta st (or whatever the performance version is)very cute and very fordish (it almost look like their for logo (rofl)

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The Zetec and SPI engines are belt (yuck). SVT focus of that era may have had the Zetec so it was a timing belt engine.

Find a duratec Focus and you're good to go!

 

[IndyIan]

04-07 duratecs are all timing chain motors and pretty low tech, no VVT or anything fancy.
40mpg might be a bit of challenge though, if you get too much above 60 mph. The 08-12 manuals have a lower ratio diff which may help mileage a bit, but they are all sedans or 2 doors.
Maybe you should build yourself one of these.
http://aerocivic.com/
Or add some aero mods to any car, it certainly would pay off with the amount of driving you are going to do.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I can get 40 out of my 2011 5 speed pretty easily. Just can't go above 55.

The gearing on the MTX75 is horrid. 1st gear needs to be lower so I can take off without slipping the clutch and 5th gear needs to be taller so it's not turning 2500 at 70

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
The Zetec and SPI engines are belt (yuck). SVT focus of that era may have had the Zetec so it was a timing belt engine.

Find a duratec Focus and you're good to go!


+1
Duratec is the chain motor. I have that setup on my current 07 Focus

Watch out for electrical problems on all Focuses between 00 and 07 (not sure about later models). Ford did a silly thing with placing the alternator just above the exhaust manifold, essentially cooking it.

I had to replace the battery and alt. on my first Focus (03 ZX5). On my 07 I've been slightly luckier and am still on my original alt. and battery. I plan on purchasing a backup alt just in case this one decides to [censored] out on me during my ownership (just a matter of time)

 

[Rand]

you wont get 40mpg out of one unless you are at 55mph.

I had an 07 zx3 5mt with the 2.0 duratech.
It was very fun and peppy to drive.
140hp-2400lb car=fun
handled very well with performance tires(for an econo box)
cons
lightweight- susceptible to wind pushing you around
no abs
short wheelbase not the best on highway
mileage about 30mpg average overall,
35mpg average/mixed driving if I kept it around 65 and no heavy city traffic

You might want to look at 2011+ hyundai accent for a commuter eco box.

No hatchbacks after 2007 IIRC... until a few years ago.

 

[KrisZ]

I'm pretty happy with my 03 ZX5. So far it's been pretty reliable and cheap to own (bought it in fall of 2012). The zetec engine is rather slow, but which car in this class and year isn't?

On the other hand I can load up the hatch with almost half a yard of top soil bags with my kids sitting in the back, close the hatch door and drive home.

 

[IndyIan]

I've read the wagon has the lowest drag coefficient of all the body types but not by much.
If the OP is mostly doing interstate speeds for the 300 miles/day then probably you should do the math on a diesel Jetta wagon, or a Prius hatchback. They should be able to get 40+mpg at higher speeds.

 

[brandini]

Or step up to the Mazda3 and get the Duratech plus VVT.

 

[datech]

I rented a 2007 Focus , 2.0 with Auto, and could only get about 35 mpg even babying (65 mph) it on the interstate across Iowa. I was surprised as I have been able to get 40 mpg in most 4 cylinder cars I have owned and my current cobalt XFE gets close or sometimes above 40 mpg even going faster than the limit.

I guess it was the gearing and maybe the noisy big tread all season tires on the particular car I rented.

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
I can get 40 out of my 2011 5 speed pretty easily. Just can't go above 55.

The gearing on the MTX75 is horrid. 1st gear needs to be lower so I can take off without slipping the clutch and 5th gear needs to be taller so it's not turning 2500 at 70


I get 4000rpm at 70mph in 5th. That with 0.738 5th and 4.764 final. I wish I could get 2500 rpm.

 

[cptbarkey]

Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
Hello all, I am looking to get a two door Focus with the hatchback. I will be needing a manual transmission.

Did Ford make these with a timing belt or chain?


I will be driving it over 300 miles everyday so I'm looking to get 40mpg if possible. Just found out they made a 4 door (ZX5) which would be great. Looking for an older one, not the newer with techno-gadgetry.

Thanks for any help!


i would spend the extra money for a stripper 2012 with a stick. not sure i would want to live with the older gen on a daily basis, but thats just me.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I've read the wagon has the lowest drag coefficient of all the body types but not by much.
If the OP is mostly doing interstate speeds for the 300 miles/day then probably you should do the math on a diesel Jetta wagon, or a Prius hatchback. They should be able to get 40+mpg at higher speeds.


Sure, a diesel VW or hybrid Toyota may get better MPG, but how much more would it cost? Also, what kind of maintenance and repair bills is he looking at if he gets one of those cars?

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I've read the wagon has the lowest drag coefficient of all the body types but not by much.
If the OP is mostly doing interstate speeds for the 300 miles/day then probably you should do the math on a diesel Jetta wagon, or a Prius hatchback. They should be able to get 40+mpg at higher speeds.


Sure, a diesel VW or hybrid Toyota may get better MPG, but how much more would it cost? Also, what kind of maintenance and repair bills is he looking at if he gets one of those cars?

For 60k+ miles per year, 30 mpg at $4 gas is $8k, 40mpg is $6k. So the initial cost isn't that important.
It seems the older Prius do pretty well as they age, plus their mileage doesn't suffer in city driving either.
I would have a look at cobalt and cruze xfe models too.

 

[Nick1994]

1,500 miles a week is 78,000 miles per year. With time off it could be less but running around on weekends and going out of town should still keep it at least 75-80k miles per year.

No way in the world I would drive an older Ford Focus that many miles a year.

No. Way. Ever.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
I can get 40 out of my 2011 5 speed pretty easily. Just can't go above 55.

The gearing on the MTX75 is horrid. 1st gear needs to be lower so I can take off without slipping the clutch and 5th gear needs to be taller so it's not turning 2500 at 70


The MTX75 was geared even shorter in the Zx2 I used to have. We're talking ~3,750 RPM at 75 mph!

 

[surfstar]

Wow, I thought he said 300/week! A day!

You need to either buy a Prius C or Fiesta SFL or SEL (whatever they call the manual trans fuel economy model) or Mitsu Mirage. New with warranty might be useful, so you're not missing work when your used car needs a repair.

Is the 300 a commute or FOR work? i.e. you could use the expense as a tax deduction

Either way, man - get something that gets 50 mpg and you'll still be spending an insane amount on gas, but saving 25% vs 40 mpg.

 

[tenderloin]

We have a family "university" 2002 Ford Focus ZTS 5 speed that still looks and runs like new. Two timing belts at around 100,00 miles each (very easy to replace so labor is reasonable) and a thermostat housing is about it besides brakes, tires, a few bulbs and shocks.

It came with 205/50/16 (we switched to 205/55/16) tires and the best we can do driving posted speed limits on hwy (and a tad more) is around 35 mpg. The ZX3/5 ..some came with 195/60/15 tires which might yield you a tad more mpg. Skinnier tires would be even better but my guess is 40 MPG out of those cars is not possible on a regular basis.