Different Focus Versions - Very Confused!!!

Hi

i am looking to buy a focus about 2-4 year old but cannot seem to find any info about what the different models means.

First of all there are the LX and the CL. Which one is the "higher" model?, Do they have the new engines in them becuase the last thing i want is for the focus to end up sounding like the ford escort i have at the minute!

The Focus Zetec? Is this "better" than the LX and CL. What does the Zetec atcually mean?

Any help will be greatly appreciated as i cannot seem to find any info about them anywhere

Thanks

Chris

I've never heard of the LX or CL in the Focus line, however they may be trim lines of the redesigned car that just came out, which wouldn't be what you're looking for.
The trim lines for the Focus:
ZX3-3 door hatchback
ZX5-5 door hatchback
ZTS-sedan
SE-wagon
I'm pretty sure that I got the wagon and sedan lines right, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Zetec is nothing but the name Ford gives to the engine. It does nothing to the engine (Ford may have been hoping that some car iliterate person would figure that if it rhymes with VTEC, it should be good. I'm pretty sure that all Zetec's were 2.0L 16V 4 cylinders. This is the engine in most of the Focus line, however some have the SPI (pretty sure that this is 1.6L, but don't quote me) and most of the newer Foci have the 2.3L Duratec. The SPI makes somewhere around 110hp, Zetec makes around 130. As for the sound, when you buy a Focus, you get the basic 4 cylinder economy car sound. Throw an intake or maybe a new exhaust on however and you should get a better sound. HTH

The Zetec motor is the better engine as far as horsepower as mentioned in the post above. As far as purchasing a Focus, get one with the Zetec motor as it is the better engine by far.

Also, purchase a model that's 2002 or newer, because that year and newer had no problems (ie no recalls) and just makes for better piece of mind. Plus in these years, the Zetec engine has a fail-safe cooling system, something exclusive to the Focus. If you'd like the details on this post back and i'll tell you how it works.

Now, the series of Focus available prior to 2005:

1. ZX3 is the 2 door hatchback, comes ONLY with the more powerfull Zetec motor, and doesn't have different models. It only has different equipment groups and options for the vehicle, you don't 'move up in models' with this one.

2. ZX5 is the 4 door hatchback, and includes the same details as i described for the ZX3.

3. The 4 door sedan has different models. The base model Focus is the LX, which comes with the smaller engine. Next is the SE which comes nicely loaded, again with the smaller engine. Next is the SE Sport which adds a sporty appearance package and the Zetec motor is optional, and more options are available. Finally is the ZTS; this one come with the Zetec standard, and the only real options you have on this model is weather or not you want leather seats, heated seats, moonroof, auto/manual tranny.

4. The wagon model. This falls in sync with the sedan as described above, however this one changes slightly. The models are the same, but there's no SE Sport if i remember correctly, and the ZTS is called the ZTW on the wagon.

I hope this answers your questions, if you have any more please post back and i'll be happy to get back to you. I sold for Ford for 2 years, there's just about nothing i don't know about these cars.

PS: There's no CL model, no power eat available though it's the only car in it's class that has an up-down adjustment on the seat. Also an option starting at Se Sport and up is the 6 disc CD player.

Sorry for the double post!

...he's in the uk, hence the different 'names'.
1.4 CL is base model.
1.6 LX, Ghia are the next up.
1.8 LX, Ghia, Zetec are next.
2.0 Ghia, Zetec, are next.
then you have ST170
and if you can still find one, the RS.

as far as i'm aware, with the exception of the ST170 and RS, the only differences between the various cars (apart from the engine size) are the level of trim available.

anyway.
what's your budget like?
total i mean, for car+insurance, road tax etc, etc.
have you got a few insurance quotes yet?

he's in the uk

Oops, my bad, sorry!

THanks for all your help

i've just bought a 2001-Y 1.4CL with 8000 miles (ex-mobility car) on it for £6000. It's from a reputable car dealer and has a 2 year warrenty, so hopefully i should have a bit of a bargin.

As for insurance, i am 19, 0 years no claims and the best quote i have so far is about £1200. If you have any suggestions for somewhere which might be cheeper, i would be more than happy to listen :)

thanks

chris

well, '19' and 'cheap car insurance' don't usually go together in the same sentence...

..well, not unless the words 'can't get' appear in between them.

y'know, for £6000 i would've gone for an older, smaller car with a bit more omph but risk 'hidden' costs.

i mean, seeing a 205 GTi in autotrader for about £2000 is very, very tempting.
AND well, there's a good owners club that can help you with stuff.

anyway.

the only thing you can do to keep insurance low at your age is to be sensible.
drive safe.

also, have you thought about the pass plus thing-a-mi-bob?
and have a look for 'bonus accelerator' covers.
of course also don't forget the usual,
the higher the excess you're willing to pay, the lower the premium.

they have an SE sedan, but now they have an LX wagon (i just saw one today or maybe it was an LE) but it was an 04 or 05.

Just so you guys know, i work at circuit city's road shop so i can give you a quick warning. stay AWAY from the ampified systems, some of the higher models have it but if yuor speakers ever blow, you WILL have to buy the factory speakers or pay to have the car REWIRED (it cost about $120 - $160) the speakers are made for that amp and the amp is made for the speakers, NO OTHER WAY AROUND IT, it's fine if you get a new CD player but the dash kit you need is about $80, so try to buy a used car with a after market CD player already if you can, heh. most likely your factory CD player or speakers will go on you in about 4-5 years so be aware before you buy!

ummm NO i have a stock amp in my ZX2 i swaped in some kenwood speakers VERY easily

So far everyone is correct on the models . But the one thing that they did not mention is the ZTEC motor is a 16 valvve dual overhead cam. It blows the doors off the Escort. Mine is a 2001 se 4 door with the sports package, it came with the alloy wheels, the fog lights and rear spoiler. I would recogmend putting in at least a K&N Filter charger for about $35.00 american. or upgrade to a Cool air induction unit. But compared to my previous car a 1997 Escort there is no comparison, the Focus is 10 times the car
P. S. The Focus was originally designed by a guy who worked for Volkswagon, when he was hired by Ford he brought the design with him.
also the suspension in the Focus is Jaguire inspired, and the focus handelling is unreal it will out handle a Corvette ZR1 (can't outrun it) but can out handel it

aight this is not so much of a problem.

-LX is the base model car with a 2.0 SOHC engine with about 110hp and about 110 lb torque

-SE is a step up with 2.0L DOHC engine with 130hp and 130 foot pounds,

-ZX3,ZX5 models are a hatchback SE simple aight!?

then there is the SVT with is a 2.0 170hp DOHC engine the LX and SE do not have any different interior options shigga shwah,

Hey Ranger. Check out my new post. Sounds like you have a Focus like the one I just purchased. How about emailing me at [email protected]? I would like to ask you a few things about the vehicle.

Thanks,

lloyd329