Z3 Satisfaction
Pros:
Fuel efficient, reasonably priced, easy to handle
Cons:
The interior controls are hard to figure out (wipers, radio controls, etc). Small.
The Bottom Line:
I love this car--it's perfect for a small-ish woman
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I was originally attracted to my Ford Focus when I owned another car because I noticed when I walked my dog that my neighbor had a Ford Fiesta that was a zillion years old. Everyday I'd see it go by as regular as clock work. We affectionately started calling it the "Big Toe" because it was kind of shaped like a big toe. Although we made fun of the look, we marvelled at how well it had aged and apparently ran and is still running.
I began to seriously consider buying a Ford Focus as my next car because it was the closest thing the the old Fiesta I saw on the market. I wanted a reliable, fuel efficient car that I could drive into the ground.
I was disappointed to learn that although Ford had re-engineered their Focus this year, they did not include the hatchback models. So, I began looking for a used Focus ZX3. I really wanted the newest possible model, but ended up finding a 2006 model that had low mileage and had the features I wanted (automatic transmission). Also, it seemed like many of the Focus models on the used market were white or silver for some reason. I preferred yellow, but ended up buying a red one, again because of the features and mileage I wanted.
My husband was taking care of the practical research for me, such as durability, reliability, etc.
The model I got was from a local dealarship. The previous owners sold because they needed a larger auto because one had developed cancer that required frequent trips out of state for treatment. I can understand why this car would not be comfortable for long trips during which you might want to recline.
I love the way this car drives. It is easy to handle, gets good gas mileage, is attractive and reliable. I mostly drive it in the city (vs highway) and I am getting 30mpg consistently. This is impressive when you consider the fuel where I live contains ethanol which apparently reduces fuel efficiency. I am happy with the purchase ($11,000) and feel it was a good investment in this used car with low mileage (20,000 at the time of purchase) and great features (power brakes, steering, remote locks, automatic transmission, sun roof, etc).
