2003 Ford Focus ZX3 Zetec from North America - Comments

Second day of ownership, the fuel gauge quit, then started working properly. The day after, the fuel gauge did the same thing.

At around 2,000 miles the engine would stall out when started after a short trip.

I take my car in at 14,000 miles for service and come to find out my tires are wearing badly. One tire was feathering.

Since 10,000 miles the engine will shudder, or act like it wants to stall when coming to a stop.

And 2 weeks ago, about 24,900 miles, my belt started to screech when I start the engine.

I love the engine performance. Acceleration is quick for being 4 cylinder.

Fuel economy is good, but could be better.

I really like the interior, it is roomy enough and is laid out nicely.

The handling is very good, crisp and sporty.

This car is very fun to drive.

I don't like bumpy roads in this car, the rear end likes to "loose grip" if you will. It shifts slightly side to side when I hit minor bumps.

I've replaced 2 tires because of the Firestone tires that are on the car. They have a case of rapid wear syndrome. I replaced 2 tires at 15,000 miles because the tires were so horribly feathered my fuel mileage went down, not to mention they gave a horrible ride.

I'm still working on getting 2 more tires. Ford wouldn't do anything about the tires so I'm having to buy them myself of course and these tires aren't cheap!

I like the styling of the Focus ZX3 and the black accents against the Cloud 9 White paint. It's cool in the summer, too.

I have a gripe about the sloppy shifting the automatic transmission has. It is a bit rough, but gets me through the gears. It jumps into gear rather than shifting into gear, but I don't bother to take it to Ford since there has never been enough "evidence" to prove there is a problem with the car.

Overall this is a nice car. I like the ZX3 model much better than the sedan model.

I would recommend this car to anyone who likes American made cars. If you have a foreign made car, keep it or go with another foreign made car. You'll be happier.

This American made Focus you talk of doesn't exist. The Focus was designed by Ford Europe and is built in Germany. I believe it was never intended to be exported to the US, but it was so successful and Ford US was loosing so much money they decided to give it a go.

You are right though; the Saloon (or Sedan as you call it) is pig ugly.

You are right that the Focus has been designed in and for Europe. Models for the EU made in Germany and Spain. Models for the US market are made in Mexico. Well, yes, cost reduction from the manufacturer, but it does not changes the fact that it is a great car! I also own a 2003 5-door hatch with a 1.6L (100bhp) 5-speed stick, EU model and just love it ;)

Cheers, Lefty

Someone posted the sedan was "pig ugly". LOL I wouldn't even consider the Easter Egg hatchback model...

The European Focus of that model year was built in Germany. But the American Focus hatchback was built in Mexico and the sedan in Michigan. All Focus production now (2005 and later) will be in Michigan (for North American models) and Russia (for European models).

You should have your allignment done if you are going through so many tires.

The new shape Ford Focus sold here in Australia is assembled in South Africa.

I thought the older shape was built in Belgium, not sure about that though.

NEVER buy any Focus sold in North America. They have the lowest quality possible and are even an older model than the more modern European version.

Focus is a great idea in theory, but like all Ford products is a failure on so many levels in reality.

As a mechanic I have owned cars from all 3 US manufacturers as well as Germany and Japan. The myth of "foreign superiority" is just that... A MYTH. The cost of ownership on the Japanese cars will be as much or more than on a US made vehicle, and the costs of owning a German car will be MUCH higher. The Foreign car ad people do a real snow job on the public. I've owned 5 Mustangs, 4 Ford trucks, an Escort and a Focus ZX-3. Some I put well over 100,000 miles on, and none ever had a problem. Ford builds some of the best cars in the world, and the quality of both Mazda and Jaguar went UP sharply after Ford took them over.

Hmmm I do believe what your fact on reliability issues on pre-Ford Jaguars, but... Mazda was unreliable before Ford took a stake in them? This claim is simply not true. In fact, Mazda's (and Nissan's and Honda's and Toyota's) are the only 15+ year-old cars we ever see here in Greek roads in reasonably good shape. And whoever has ever driven a car on this kind of "roads", is well aware of what I'm talking about. True, the cost of parts is quite high, but you just don't need them that often.