Best Focus Setup-DD

Looking ahead to my next daily driver after winter is over. I love hatches and would like a stock ef Si or maybe another Crx Si. Since these are hard to find, I'm looking into a Focus Zx3. What I want is a reliable/fun/good mpg daily driver. I'm not going to race or anything, but I would like enough power to make it fun. I also want it to handle really good without losing any fillings (which I have alot of). Anyway, my main question is which engine will be the most reliable? I don't want to work on it all the time. Also, any idea on swapping SVT suspension cost and is the SVT suspension comfortable? I know I'll get great feedback from you guys

My dad bought an 05 Focus Zx3 4dr with the DOHC Zetec. It's a pretty fun car for what it is. It has descent horsepower and I'm sure it will handle a lot better in hatch form, especially if you do the SVT upgrades. It gets about 32-34mpg on the highway. The only thing I really don't like is the seating position. I like to have the wheel fairly close with my arms nice and relaxed holding the wheel, but in this I have to sit further back or else my legs are bent too much. Bottom line- I love the car. Now there is the CR-Z, and Mazda 2 if you're interested, but the focus makes more power than both, and definitely isn't a hybrid, although I heard Honda will make a gas CR-Z soon...unless I wished for it so much I made it up in my head.

Steven

The gas mileage on my SVT sucks balls. I think I would go for a 2005 2.0L Duratec if I wanted a commuter. Swap in some rear discs and the SVT suspension and good to go. Zetecs have timing belts, I am pretty sure the Duratecs all have timing chains ++. 2.3L are rare but probably the best motor.

A full SVT suspension (OE dampers/springs/21mm RSB) will run you about $300. Rear discs can also be sourced from any Focus that has the Advancetrac option. All the motors are good--the 2.3 (2003+) obviously makes the most power, but is hardest to find. The 2.0 Zetec has a bunch of aftermarket. You can even get a new Torsen LSD for $600 or less.

The SVT springs with Koni dampers, all poly bushings and a 7/8" 3-way adjustable RSB wouldmake for a wonderful handling little car. Add a basic CAI and a catback to whatever engine you find and it will be complete without compromising relability.

My pops has a 2005 Zx3 and it is a pretty nice little car. They handle pretty good and the engine is quite peppy. I've had the car up to 95mph on the freeway so they are fast enough. His car has 65k miles and it getting ready for a service. I haven't been impressed with Fords service department so other than the transmission fluid change I'll do the rest of the job myself. If you cannot figure out how to tighten a oil drain plug correctly there is no way you are going to change the spark plugs. I don't trust them anymore and the Service dep't was nice enough to use the lift not positioned correctly and bend the stupid jack point.

The only thing about the focus is the road noise is very annoying, buzzing sound on the freeway. It might be the tires but the sound is pretty annoying for a new car.

In reply to Fletch1: I have a 2005 ZX-3 SE, which I purchased last May. A couple of months after getting the car, I installed SVT shock, struts and springs, which came to my house for less than $300 shipped. This is a very easy set up to live with on the street. I actually think it rides better than stock, but it is tighter so everybody might not feel that way.

One thing I don't like about my particular car is the lack of a factory rear sway bar (which came standard on 2000-04 ZX-3s). The gas mileage is also only so-so. The worst I've gotten is 26 mpg and the best is 31 mpg. Typically, I get 27-28 mpg and I do mostly mixed driving. I changed the fuel filter right after purchasing the car, but still need to change the spark plugs. My car is the 2.0 Duratec/5 speed and has 75k miles.

The car has been very reliable so far. The only problem I've had is some refrigerant that started leaking from the A/C at the end of summer. I still need to diagnose and fix this problem.

Steeda makes a RSB install kit for cars that do not have the old style rear crossmember that has the tapped/threaded mounts...you can mount any RSB then. Keep in mind that the no-RSB cars have an 18mm FSB whereas the cars with an OE RSB (20 or 21mm) usually have a 21mm FSB (a very few had a 22mm FSB). I also noticed that they also sell a complete SVT suspension including the RSB for $275.

ST_ZX2 wrote: Steeda makes a RSB install kit for cars that do not have the old style rear crossmember that has the tapped/threaded mounts...you can mount any RSB then. Keep in mind that the no-RSB cars have an 18mm FSB whereas the cars with an OE RSB (20 or 21mm) usually have a 21mm FSB (a very few had a 22mm FSB). I also noticed that they also sell a complete SVT suspension including the RSB for $275.

I have heard a lot of complaints about the Steeda RSB kit. Apparently the bushings are very noisy and they loosen their hold on the crossmember pretty easily. I have heard of greaseable bushings that can be used somewhat more successfully in their place, though.

I am hoping to get new tires and have a careful alignment done in the spring; and hoping that I will be happy enough with the results to not feel like I need the rear bar. (This car is just my DD, not my "fun" car.) But in all likelihood, I will end up with the Steeda kit and an SVT front bar.

SVT front bar (21mm) is same as any regular Zetec car; 01 "Street Edition" wagon had a 22mm.

A 2.3L Duratec ZX3/5 with SVT suspension is a combination for a DD that's tough to beat. The SVT suspension, in my mind, strikes a near-perfect balance between sport and comfort.

I had an SVT and a ZX3 (autotragic) at the same time for about a year. The ZX3 actually felt lighter thanks to its smaller wheels and tires. Granted, the SVT stuck a lot better, but turn-in was obviously heavier. That's not any kind of damnation, just an observation.

Oh, and for the record, what I've been able to glean:
Zetec (standard) - timing belt, non-interference
Zetec (SVT) - timing belt, interference (ask me how I know )
Duratec 2.3 - timing chain, interference
Duratec 2.0 - timing chain, (assuming interference, don't know for sure)

In reply to alex:

How about a 2.0 zetec with svt suspension? To keep in my price range, I would have to get an 00-03, which I believe only came with a Zetec on the Zx3's? Are the 2.0 Zetec's a good, solid engine?

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to alex: How about a 2.0 zetec with svt suspension? To keep in my price range, I would have to get an 00-03, which I believe only came with a Zetec on the Zx3's? Are the 2.0 Zetec's a good, solid engine?

In general, the Zetec is dependable. There do seem to be more cases than usual where they have just died too early, but there are also many high mileage examples out there. You may want to try to purchase a car that has already had the timing belt done and try to find one with maintenance records. Otherwise, I wouldn't sweat it.

The nice thing about the 00-03 ZX-3s is that they have the factory rear sway bar, so you'll be able to bolt on an SVT or other aftermarket bar. Consequently, the SVT suspension kit you'll want to get is the one with the shocks, struts springs and SVT rear sway bar, which would basically bring everything (except for the bushings) up to SVT spec. This kit is also less than $300, IIRC. A damn good deal.

Also, a 2.3 Duratec was an option in 2003. They are somewhat difficult to find (although they are easier to find in California).