Okay. My 16th birthday is in March, and my parents promised me any car 20k or under. I chose the Focus ZX3 hatchback. The car stock doesn't look all the fantastic, but I have seen some pics of it hooked up and it looks insane. What I am thinking about doing is buying the focus, and then putting the rest of my birthday money putting things in it, definatelly a new radio/DVD/navigation system first. [drinking]

Welcome and have fun with her.

You could find a used SVT for that money and still have enough left over to mod it. Check out the showroom forum for some pics of modded ZX3s and BTW[welcome]

Thanks :). Yea I did check some pics at the gallery. And my friend just got one for his first car and says its really sweet especially if it is modded. I was originally thinking about getting a Supra, but realized living in New York that power would go to waste because there are traffic lights every block.

And I really don't fancy used cars.

I agree with Chris, find a nice used SVT and by-pass alot of the modding. You will already have a ton of things you would spend alot of money on already.

What is the difference between a ZX3 and a SVT? When I look at pics they all look the same.

Thanks :). Yea I did check some pics at the gallery. And my friend just got one for his first car and says its really sweet especially if it is modded. I was originally thinking about getting a Supra, but realized living in New York that power would go to waste because there are traffic lights every block.

And I really don't fancy used cars.

good luck finding a mk4 supra for under 20k(assuming thats the model you want). anywho.......... if you want a focus, do as the others have said and find yourself a nice svt.

What is the difference between a ZX3 and a SVT? When I look at pics they all look the same.

engine, body, suspension, brakes, interior, transmission, some other stuff probably.

can you hear that (sounds like a can of worms opening). Just kidding, welcome to the forum. good luck with which ever version of the focus ya choose.

What is the difference between a ZX3 and a SVT? When I look at pics they all look the same.

Stronger motor, more power, 6 speed tranny, better suspension, a better interior, 17 inch wheels, and a mild body kit.

Big brakes, all disc. Exclusivity, holds their value alot better.

Okay. So the SVT is better then the ZX3, cool. The body and everything is still the same though right, so like all the mods and whatnot can be used for both.

The Supra that I was wanting was a 93 NA.

EDIT- What would be the best SVT to get then and what is the price.

Okay. So the SVT is better then the ZX3, cool. The body and everything is still the same though right, so like all the mods and whatnot can be used for both.

The Supra that I was wanting was a 93 NA.

EDIT- What would be the best SVT to get then and what is the price.


Comes in zx3 or zx5 and was made from 2002-2004.It's best to stay away from the 02 model. Body mods would pretty much be the same. Performance mods would be mostly different.

So which SVT is best since people said SVT is just like a ZX3 just better performance.

Yeah...$3K later and will look nicer!

Read and become learned:
http://www.myfordfocus.com/svt/

There is also a mountain of information on the Forum regarding the difference between the car if you spend a little time looking for it.

That link is good and all. But I am asking for a personal opinion. People are saying SVT so check that, which year though.

The only difference between the zx3 and zx5 is the 2 extra doors (about 100 lbs). Well, that and the zx5 does not come with the sideskirts (arrrrrrrr). So overall it is a preference to if you like having doors to your back seats. I do think the extra doors make the car look longer, but its not.

easy the 03 or the 04, 02 had a few bugs they had to work out. Well they tried to work out. hehehe. Can we say aftermarket tune hehe.

Here is the best advice I can give you - Don't buy a new focus. SUCH a waste of money when you're only 16 years old.

Buy a used focus (if you're content on the focus). You can get one easily for ~10k in still good condition, and put the other 10k into some crazy shit. Even better, do what everyone else is saying, get a used SVT. As a young guy, you're going to get really frusterated with ~130hp car (which is prolly all a new driver should have), and the SVT used can be had for 10-13k, and will result in a MUCH better car.

I think the 4 door definatelly is bigger then the 2 door just like any coupe though. I'm getting the 2 door, and I know there isnt as much of an empty space behind the 2 front door where the other 2 doors should be.

nope the zx5 and the zx3 are the same size. just made the front two doors smaller.

optical illusion,ain't that a b[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]h hehe

@_@. Well 2 door still looks better IMO. It has more of a "racing" feel, then "family car" feel :).

The SVT is better than the standard model in just about any way you can think of. From performance, to safety and interior comforts and options. Buy a used SVTF for around 12K and you'll be happy. Being from New York try to grab one with the winter weather package for heated seats, and engine block heater, and traction control.

The bun warmer makes my heart smile when I get in it, so does having the oil warm enough to actually lube the engine during cold starts.

Yea definatelly. Especially now it s freezing outside. Thanks :). SVT 03 model it is!

The zx3 or the zx5 both perform well and I don't think you would be dissappointed. I like the zx5 more because to me the extra doors make the rear of the car look better. It does not look like the back end is cocked up into the air as much, but it is a personal preference. Good luck getting one. They are not that hard to find but there are not a whole lot of them.

on a side note if you are serious about the SVT, start looking for the European 3 door package, more goodies, higher value, and cooler seats

I am probably going to go to a Ford dealer with my parents and get it. If they have the Euro package then sure, if not then it sucks. But I was going to change seats after a while into those racing seats with red and black.

yah get an 03 or 04 SVT European Appearance Package Focus. I love my 03. The SVT's have 170 hp as oppose to 130
the EAP adds a sunroof, heated leather seats, side airbags, stock sub and 6 disc cd changer, traction control for winter weather, engine block heater, 15 spoke dark argent wheels, and I'm sure there are some other things that are different.

Now the diff between a stock zx3 and SVT are front and rear bumpers, side skirts on SVT none on zx3, wheels, all disk brakes and abs, better suspension, nice item holder in the hatch, etc. etc. etc. The svt's are def more optioned then a reg zx3. and I LOVE my heated seats...you don't even need the heat on with those seats ;)

Nice man. If I can find a red EAP SVT Its mine.

Yea definatelly. Especially now it s freezing outside. Thanks :). SVT 03 model it is!

Get an 04 if you can, fully loaded with every option it shouldn't be more than 12K with around 30K miles.

If you get an 03, you shouldn't pay more than 10,000 for it.

Nice man. If I can find a red EAP SVT Its mine.

That's a rare form of the SVTF, I doubt you'll find one. By the way, don't change the seats - all SVTFs come with 'racing' seats . . . and those Recaro seats in the EAP are about as good a seat as you can get. Unless you're doing something that's going to require a 4/5 point racing harness you're just wasting your money and ruining a perfect interior.

True. Well I was getting a 03, because someone said that 04 had bugs in the system.

02's have the bugs that's for sure. 03s are better and 04s should be better yet...

True. Well I was getting a 03, because someone said that 04 had bugs in the system.

The 04s are the best and have a number of improvements from little quirks (like metal clips instead of plastic ones that broke on earlier models, etc.)

The only 'bug' in a 2004 is if you buy an aftermarket tuner like a predator, certain 2004s that were built later in the production run can't have the traction control completely disabled.

the 04`s also have ugly rims........

Rims I can always change, but the improvements of it that 2004SVTAustoXer posted outweigh the bad rims.

The 04 rims are also better than predecessor in every way. Not only are they nicer looking in my opinon, but they are machined much stronger without additional weight and don't get dents in them from the smallest of potholes like those POSs on the 02-03 models. The 2004 rims are the primary reason I didnt splurge on the EAP.

the eap is fine , you will never hear of the 15 spoke eap rims junking???? i mean come on, 15 spokes good luck...i ran my eap`s for 2 years never had a problem.

the eap is fine , you will never hear of the 15 spoke eap rims junking???? i mean come on, 15 spokes good luck...i ran my eap`s for 2 years never had a problem.

I was referring to the six spokes on 2004 compared to the 5 spokes on 2002+2003

Blue or red SVT 04 EAP - final buy.

What about Competition Orange?
http://www.focusfanatics.com/gallery/data/506/33699chris_car-med.JPG

definitly get the eap svt it is the best looking and has all available options standard

I'd go with the blue EAP...although my opinion on the color might be a bit biased ;)