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jkevbriggs1

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi, I'm new to the forum but a long time Focus owner. I have a yellow 2003 ZX3 that I've owned for 8 years. Its totally stock and I'm growing tired of it and am considering either a new car or rebuilding my focus. I like the focus, its been dependable and gets good mileage and the best part is its paid for :). I'd like a new car but I really don't want payments so I was thinking of rebuilding the focus.

The car has 139K on it, but has not had much maintenance. Timing belt, Catalytic converter and coil have just been replaced.

I'm thinking of new paint (maybe a pearl silver), tinting the windows and upgrading the head and tail lights, suspension and brakes, and clutch. Also considering some mild body kit add on's.

So...my question to the forum is.....Is it worth it, or should I just buy a new car?

My thoughts on Pro's and Con's
Pro: No car payment
New car look and reliability for probably half the price of a new car
Can rebuild in sections as I can afford it.

Cons: Its still just a focus (No offense to focus lovers but there's some really nice new cars out there)
A little scared of refreshing the engine
The money spent could go toward a new car.

So there you have it. I would appreciate the forum's input and ideas on the whole rebuild vs new thing, as well as input on products for a rebuild like suspension, body and engine rebuilding.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
dude I just did the same thing, nothing cosmetically really but all performance stuff...be careful you will catch the "bug" real fast.
I started with svt header conversion then cat delete and exhaust and my favorite, Tom's tune. I was happy with that.......for a while.
I have a wagon so not much as far as suspensions..I ended up getting the fully adjustable spax suspension from bat inc. and fr rims....
then I got the real bug...i got a couple of real performance parts: fr head, je hc pistons, eagle rods and sawys...........some stuff i bought used some stuff new, I spent a small fortune but no where near enough to buy a new car. altogether I prob spent about 3Gs but I have a car that is EXTREMELY fun to drive and I would never be able to get this much fun from a 3k car, lol. the best part is that i now consider myself a quasi mechanic as I have never worked on a car before and Im over here pretty much rebuilding an engine! I say it is alot of fun but it can get out of hand fast!
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I started looking on Ebay and there is some cool stuff there that is reasonably priced. Getting a little excited already. I think what the car needs most at this point is suspension. Everything is stock and worn out with 139K. I saw a new SVT susp kit with shocks, springs and struts for about $450.

I also saw on Ebay some pre cut window tint kits. Anyone try these?
 
#6 ·
Save your money.
Anything you add to the Focus won't increase it's value.
Take the money you'd spend on the Focus, put it in a saving account and let it make you money (pennies a year, lol) for a future newer/different car purchase. Or use the money for Focus repairs.
There is nothing wrong with modifying them. You just have to understand it's not going to make the car last any longer or repay you in any way.
 
#7 ·
Very true. As for myself, Ive decided to keep my Focus till catastrophic failure or it gets totaled. With gas prices the way its going, my dreams of re-owning a modified 87-93 5.0 stang is all but gone, lol. How I see it, this car is everything I could ever ask for in a car so why not mod it to my liking. Nimble, easy to maneuver in traffic, somewhat peppy, able to carry lots of items, great on gas, and still looks modern. There's endless info on how-to's. With all that taken to heart, I made my decision.

Besides...by the time you finally pay off the loan you used to buy your new car, wont there be newer cars?? And so on and so on... [hihi]
 
#8 ·
is look into the eibach pro-system if you get into modding the focus eventualy youll want to go lower and the pro-system does that for not a lot more than the svt
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
So I think I'm just going to go with SVT suspension and apparently the place to get that is Toulsey Ford. Does anyone have contact info to get the good deal?
Also I suppose I should replace the ball joints and bushings...does anyone know what all the bushings are that need to be replaced? Where is the best place to get ball joints, tie rod ends and bushings?
Thanks.
 
#10 ·
Can't say this enough. It's about what's worth it to you?

To me? A 2000 se wagon with 160k on the motor was worth rebuilding it from the pistons up, with rods and bearings. Zetec DOHC motor. I spent about $1200 on engine and some suspension parts so far.

On the other hand my GF wanted something just ready to go, so she dropped around 6G's and got the 03 zx3 with 88k on it. With the 2.3l Duratec needing little work, maybe $400 in parts, but it never didn't drive, the wagon I haven't been able to drive it yet, and it's probly been almost 8-9 months since I started on it..
 
#11 ·
jmcrides03 said:
is look into the eibach pro-system if you get into modding the focus eventualy youll want to go lower and the pro-system does that for not a lot more than the svt
Click to expand...
It's a case of six of one/half dozen of the other... The SVT conversion is 1.5in drop springs/shocks; the complete Eibach pro-kit is 1.5in drop springs/shocks. Hell, you could even shop around and get the Eibach springs at the cheapest price one place, and get just the SVT shocks at another.
As long as you don't lose your composure and self-control doing engine stuff it'll stay dependable and efficient... Once you feel the difference in ride quality and cornering all bets are off though!
 
#12 ·
There are things that can be done (minor as they may seem) to the engine that won't affect gas mileage too drastically and won't jeopardize dependability... cold-air or short ram intake technically add a mile or two per gallon; but the subconscious will be hard to keep outta the throttle and then you're just losing mpgs to a heavy foot.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
I'm just looking to replace what needs replacing to make the car perform like it used to, maybe a little better without spending a ton of money, or going all out. The point is to have a good car without payments every month. I'd like to dress it up a little so I'm going to tint the windows and paint the wheels black. I'm also considering a cheap paint job to get away from yellow. I can't believe how much crap I get for having a yellow car. LOL

My focus has been a really good car so far...its just old and a little worn out. I figure replacing whats worn out and a little dress up will make it new again.

So what are all the bushings that should be to replaced? Control arms etc...
 
#14 ·
I dont mind the yellow at all. I think the yellow and black look good together.

I think the 2002 is the better looking focus. I made my 07 look like an 02 with the black trim on the doors. IMO the trim gives a nice balance to the colors.

Which wheels does yours have? Are they the 5-6 or split spoke?

I think window tint and a spoiler is all i would do. Save the rest for the stuff that needs replaced.
 
#15 ·
jkevbriggs1 said:
The car has 139K on it, but has not had much maintenance. Timing belt, Catalytic converter and coil have just been replaced.

I'm thinking of new paint (maybe a pearl silver), tinting the windows and upgrading the head and tail lights, suspension and brakes, and clutch. Also considering some mild body kit add on's.

So...my question to the forum is.....Is it worth it, or should I just buy a new car?
Click to expand...
Only 139k miles? Zetecs do not die. My mom's 00 Focus Zetec SE has 152k miles on it and shes NEVER taken it for maintenance...it usually goes bout 10k miles without an oil change. It still runnin strong. She has owned it since new. I seen them with over 200k every so often and there is one on youtube with over 341k miles on it and still running. Do not sell the Focus, fix it up. It will outlast any new junk cars. Fixing up the Focus is completely worth it, they are fun little cars. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me. Btw, welcome to FF! [lockdance]
 
#16 ·
Yea... mine has 169k miles, with 175 psi compression on all 4 cylinders. 36 highway, 29 city.

I would buy a used engine and rebuild that (or just pop it in) I knolw fucus-minded was selling one in. Excellent condition. Mod away, its nice not having a car payment! A word of advice, if you make "fake car payments" every month to your savings account, you will have quite a nice down payment when it is time for a new car.

Matt
Posted via FF Mobile
 
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#18 ·
drostedrummer89 said:
Yea... mine has 169k miles, with 175 psi compression on all 4 cylinders. 36 highway, 29 city.

I would buy a used engine and rebuild that (or just pop it in) I knolw fucus-minded was selling one in. Excellent condition. Mod away, its nice not having a car payment! A word of advice, if you make "fake car payments" every month to your savings account, you will have quite a nice down payment when it is time for a new car.

Matt
Posted via FF Mobile
Click to expand...

This is what I'd do....after fixing up the suspension that is, with your miles its got to be a bit mushy.

New cars are great, but no payment is better!
sent from my phone
 
#19 ·
You may want to look into the SVT shocks and springs to lower it a tad and get that slightly sportier ride. I believe they're direct-fit replacements for the hatches...

Have you gotten under the thing to look at the body bushings yet? If they are worn out, regular rubber replacements would be the way to go for a comfortable stock ride-feel, the polyurethane set will stiffen the hell out of it and feel better in dry weather; it'll also transfer the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) into the passenger compartment... Careful with the changes though! If you stiffen it up too much it won't absorb wind and grade changes as gracefully in inclement weather; I noticed this after only adding the front and rear strut-tower braces... First time in the rain afterwards and not only did a large gust of wind push me into the middle lane on the highway, but the 'wake' from large trucks in the rain also provided a higher pucker-factor.
It's unbelievable in dry weather though!
 
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jkevbriggs1
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