- sedan 122,205
- 4,995 overpriced
- Springfield, OR
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- autoshopper.com
- sedan 122,205 blue automatic
2003 ford focus review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Rock solid compact is fun to drive and practical. introductionthe ford focus continues to be one of the most enjoyable compacts in its price range. It's fun to drive, with brisk acceleration performance and agile handling. It's versatile, with hatchback models with flip-down seats that quickly prepare it for large amounts of cargo. It comes in a wide variety of body styles to meet many different needs and lifestyles. road noise has been reduced for 2003. Additional refinement comes in the form of new interior fabrics along with changes to interior and exterior trim. New options include heated seats, a new traction control and anti-lock brake system (abs) package. The zx5 five-door hatchback is now available in three trim levels. the 170-horsepower svt versions offer thrilling acceleration performance, sporty handling, and excellent brakes, yet give up nothing in terms of practicality. All ride on the same 103-inch wheelbase and offer similar driving characteristics. sedans are the most popular of the focus models. The zx3 12,680) is a sport compact, and comes with all the requisite hardware: the 130-horsepower twin-cam engine, 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, fog lights, and a cd/mp3 player. The zx3 power premium package 120a 2285) includes air conditioning, six-disc in-dash cd changer, dual power mirrors, power windows (with one-touch driver's side down), power door locks, front center armrest, front map/reading lamp, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, keyless entry, cruise control, and low-profile p205/50r16 tires on 16-inch alloy wheels. five-door hatchback models are available in sporty zx5 trim or svt. The zx5 15,385) comes standard with the 130-horsepower zetec engine, 15-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps. Also standard is a cd/mp3 player. Zx5 premium package 1000) adds p205/50r16 tires on 16-inch wheels, six-disc in-dash cd changer, map lights, moon roof, body-color trim, speed control, and tilt/telescoping steering wheel. wagons are available in se and ztw trim. The se wagon 17,010) comes standard with the 130-horsepower dohc zetec engine and a choice of manual or automatic transmission. The ztw wagon is an enthusiast's sport wagon with 16-inch alloy wheels, leather seating, and a six-disc in-dash cd changer. Both feature the ford special vehicle team's 170-j[ version of the 2. 0-liter engine. Focus svt models boast a getrag six-speed manual transmission, svt-tuned suspension, special trim, including a rear spoiler. three engines are available. The 110-hp 2. 0-liter engine with a single overhead-cam and two valves per cylinder is standard on focus lx and se models. The system monitors the car's behavior while cornering, checking the steering angle, lateral acceleration and yaw rate. Advancetrac uses the abs and traction control system to help it accomplish this. The system intervenes progressively so that the drier is hardly aware that it has been activated. Advancetrac may be turned off by pressing a button on the instrument panel, but comes back on whenever the vehicle is started. Available as a standalone option for 2003 is traction control 115), which improves stability in wintry conditions but does not offer the sophisticated accident-avoidance enhancements of advancetrac. Abs, which helps the driver maintain control in a panic brak. walkaroundthe ford focus is a wild looking car. The hatchback versions look wilder and sportier than the sedan. But all models feature edgy european styling with sweeping arcs and crisp creases. large pie-section headlamps give the front end a distinctive appearance, and painted gray headlamp surrounds upgrade the appearance for 2003. Several models have fog lamps in the grille opening below the front bumper. There's a similar, but smaller opening above the bumper that houses the turn signals. Both are outlined by arcs. The front and rear fenders are highlighted with geometric curves creased into the sheetmetal. the roofline is highly arched, particularly noticeable when parked next to another car. The roofline is truncated just aft of the rear axle line. Wedge-shaped tail lamps set in the c-pillars enliven an otherwise plain rear end of the zx3 and zx5. Ford claims the tail lamps are more noticeable in that location and reduce repair costs in minor accidents. However, the sedan and wagon have conventionally placed tail lamps, so we'll accept the unique shape and location as distinctive and effective styling. lower bodyside pvc coating provides protection from stone dings on all models, and the underbody gets pvc coating as well. Clearcoat paint is standard across the board. zx3 and lx have black rather than body-color bodyside protective molding, but this is offset on the zx3 by black rocker panels. The door handles on all models are black as well. The door handles on black cars blends in, but black also masks the distinctive lines of the focus that are accentuated by the brighter colors. High-series models get new body-color decklid trim for 2003. interiorthe 2003 ford focus rides more quietly (by a significant 2 decibels) than last year as a result of improved body sealing, sprayed on underbody sound deadening, and thicker carpeting. New seating fabrics and trim details upgrade the interior further for 2003. the focus is designed from the inside out for maximum interior space within the confines of a compact body. Elevated seating height adds comfortable legroom. the front seats are cushy comfy, well bolstered for side support. The seats have an exceptionally high hip point, 20 inches above the ground. The advantages of this seating include a better view down the road, plus more effective leg room front and rear. The high roofline provides lots of head room and makes entry and exit easier. Manual height adjustment allows almost everyone to find a comfortable position behind the wheel and an easy arm's length away from the manual shifter. Ford says it tested both fabrics extensively for color and wear durability, simulating 10 years and 100,000 miles of use and exposure to the sun. the dash is a collection of arcs, a theme that reinforces the exterior design. The instrument panel is covered by an asymmetrically curved and sharply creased bezel. High series models feature a silver instrument cluster. A 7000-rpm tachometer flanks a 140-mph speedometer in the zx5. Both instruments are round and easily readable, clearly marked with white numerals on black, though the tach has no redline. the center dash panel is formed by an arc that sweeps upward across the dash to the right side of the car and an inverted parabola. In the zx5, zts, and ztw it's finished in brushed aluminum instead of black. The radio fits into the top of this area. Zx3 and zx5 models come standard with mp3 players. Also available is a six-disc cd player. Snuggled into the top left is a 12-volt power outlet and trinket tray. Circular ventilation controls feature the edgy styling with buttons styled to fit the room available. The trunk release, on the left end of the dash, is triangular as well, shaped to fit into the intersection of the arcs outlining the instrument panel. with its asymmetrical design, the interior looks both informal and rich at the same time. Control knobs all have distinctive shapes for easy identification. Rotary controls are rubberized for pleasing soft-touch operation. The steering wheel on the zx5 is leather-covered and satisfying to touch. Even the plastics used on the da.
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