'05 ZX3 5 speed owners. Good /Bad input!

[JTex]

Hi all new to forum. Owners of '05 ZX3's. Would please give me some input about your new car, positive or negative problem you have encountered and your driving habits (drive car hard/easy). I purchased mine with a 5 speed. I plan on doing some mods (very basic-new exhaust, rims). At this point I don't plan on any performance mods.
The ZX 3 has alot of potential for modifications, it's a sporty looking hatchback to begin with. I feel the Focus has been in production long enough, that all the past problems have been worked out. I was very surprised how well the car rode on the highway @ 70 mph and still seemed to have alot more give. I'll have to adjust to the way the car is geared due to I'm used to the 5 speed in my '91 Miata. But I think, I made the right choice, taking into consideration, the price of gas and I wanted an inexpensive sporty looking car that could hold more than 2 people.
Car has air, CD stereo, 5 speed, I paid a little over $11k out the door and car is not a program or lease car. Let me hear from you.
Thanks,
JT

[TheStang00]

well i hear what your saying about the past problems being worked out... but they did switch to a different motor this year, a mazda motor, idk how that might affect anything

[zx2srdotnet]

i have driven a 05 ztw and my dad drove a zx4 neither of us liked them at all. (we had a few days in each as they were loaners) i drive fast my dad normal.

personaly i hate the 2.0 duratecs the 2.3 seem peppy though.

but i do wish you good luck w/ your zx3

[JTex]

Originally Posted by zx2srdotnet

i have driven a 05 ztw and my dad drove a zx4 neither of us liked them at all. (we had a few days in each as they were loaners) i drive fast my dad normal.

personaly i hate the 2.0 duratecs the 2.3 seem peppy though.

but i do wish you good luck w/ your zx3

Thanks,
I'm probably your dads age. I bought the car because it's price and it's sporty looking and the mods I would do won't cost that much. New rims and maybe new exhaust system. The aspect that I'm pleased with is how comfortable and roomy the interior is and at idle you can't hear engine with windows up but my other car is a Mazda Miata. The Miata is a '91 but in good condition and I probably won't ever get rid of it. The older models are easy to work on and can be bought relatively cheap as a project car. It doesn't haul ass but the way they geared the car makes it seem like it has more power than it does. Put it on a curvey road and it's a blast to drive having rear wheel drive.

I'm happy so far with the ZX3 but the mileage I'm getting isn't any where near what they state it gets but I havent taken it on a long hwy. trip yet, especially with 5 speed.
JT

[twizzlenutz]

I bought an 05 ZX3 in December and once I got used to it, I love it. My former car was a 2000 Grand Am SE. I lost some horsepower in the switch but theres no doubt in my mind now that my ZX3 could spank my Grand Am. I got the tires to squeel for the first time today in a turn, so I'm extremely happy with the handling. Unfortunate for the new ZX3, in losing the Zetec, there's little performance parts for it. I have found a few good websites with some products and there's much in development. And there's no better feeling when you slam it in to gear from a high RPM and feel the car jump to one side . Though I don't know if it true or not, my friend owns an 04 SVT ZX3 with a Borla exhaust and says he cannot burnout (and he definitely knows about burning out) in this car. I, on the other hand, have no problem with doing this. Anyway, I could not be more pleased with my car and the only thing I would trade it for would be a WRX . Congrats on your purchase.

[JTex]

Twizz,
Glad to hear your positive comments. Yeah you can break loose the P195-60's real easy. I'm probably older than you, so my mods won't be more than new rims and maybe exhaust system. It's really a comfortable car compare to my '94 Protege that I traded in and my '91 Miata( I'm keeping this car forever). If Ford could have put RWD and the 5 speed tranny(geared great) that the Miata has w/2.0 engine, the car would be awesome. I may have a aftermarket cruise control installed also. Just can't decide on which rims.
JT

[zx2srdotnet]

Originally Posted by twizzlenutz

Though I don't know if it true or not, my friend owns an 04 SVT ZX3 with a Borla exhaust and says he cannot burnout (and he definitely knows about burning out) in this car.

that because the SVT's have traction control.

on the 2.0 duratec for some reason just doing a catback and intake on the car free up a nice bit of power, the stock systems on that car are very restrictive.

I have a Zetec in my ZX2 and w/ just a FordRacing computer, intake and axel back exaust I get 40mpg on 94oct (pcm is tuned for 91+ but it likes 94 noticable well) and the A/F ratio on the pcm i have is total crap lol if it was good I might get 44mpg.

[twizzlenutz]

Referring to my buddy's SVT and him not being able to burn out, I talked to him again about it and he said the problem is that he's running softer tires. Softer tires = more grip...more grip = no burn out