'05 ZX 3 Body/door molding gaurds

[JTex]

Hi all,
Is the body on the '03-'04 ZX3 exactly the same? My '05 ZX3 S doesn't have body/door protectors. I was just wondering are the Ford dealerships the only place you can purchase these.
The people out there that have them on their Foci, do they really protect your doors? I've had cars that had them and they didn't do that much to protect you doors from dings.
I really like my new car. Especially for $11k w/air, single CD stereo, 34 miles on it when I picked it up. I've always liked 5 speeds and since I don't live in a large metro area now, even better. Thanks in advance.
JT

[Mustangman25]

I'm assuming that you're referring to the flat black plastic moldings that go all along the side of the car. I've never noticed them protecting anything from my door, espeically on a ZX3, which has pretty long doors...the edge of the door seems to hit something before the actual door skin does. I've always thought that they were pretty ugly, and I'd love to paint mine the body color if I had some money, or just get rid of them even...if you wanted to get them, they'd really only be there for style reasons, as they don't really do squat to protect the doors.

[JTex]

Mustangman25,
That's pretty much how I feel too. All my past new cars still were dinged with them on. I like the way the car looks w/o them any way. I'll just have to be careful where I park. I appreciate your response.
I know this question is out of topic, but do you know what the wattage and manufacturer is of the single CD stereos in the Focus? I'd imagine about 20 watts per channel. I know the upscale audiophile series is made by Sony. I've been thinking about getting either Sirius or XM sat radio installed.
JT

[Mustangman25]

I don't know offhand how many watts the stock headunit has, but when I was doing research for my new headunit, I remember it being somewhere around 20 watts...I bought a Sony Xplode headunit and it has around 25 watts RMS, and 52 max watts. It's a definite improvment over the stocker, and it comes XM ready, so you only have to buy the reciever and antennea to attach to it. Both my parents have XM in their car, and they love it, so I'd imagine that it's a pretty good investment if you're in your car a lot, or get some really bad radio stations

[focusyn]

Originally Posted by Mustangman25

I don't know offhand how many watts the stock headunit has, but when I was doing research for my new headunit, I remember it being somewhere around 20 watts...I bought a Sony Xplode headunit and it has around 25 watts RMS, and 52 max watts. It's a definite improvment over the stocker, and it comes XM ready, so you only have to buy the reciever and antennea to attach to it. Both my parents have XM in their car, and they love it, so I'd imagine that it's a pretty good investment if you're in your car a lot, or get some really bad radio stations

20 watts sounds about right. The factory speakers can handle an increase, as long as you don't make it too loud. I changed my speakers for Pioneer 4 way speakers (T6880R). The sound is incredible, I'd say fairly close to the base stereo in my parents 04 RX330 but not like the Bose in their 1995 S-class!

I love my Sirius radio. I swapped the factory unit for a Kenwood that was Sirius capable. Big sound difference between the plug-in and the permanent system. I hate commercials and the fact that all commercial radio plays the same songs. Sirius was worth it to me for no commercials.

Satellite plays a lot of the same songs too, but there are so many channels, you can always find something to listen to, in CD sound!

[JTex]

Originally Posted by focusyn

20 watts sounds about right. The factory speakers can handle an increase, as long as you don't make it too loud. I changed my speakers for Pioneer 4 way speakers (T6880R). The sound is incredible, I'd say fairly close to the base stereo in my parents 04 RX330 but not like the Bose in their 1995 S-class!

I love my Sirius radio. I swapped the factory unit for a Kenwood that was Sirius capable. Big sound difference between the plug-in and the permanent system. I hate commercials and the fact that all commercial radio plays the same songs. Sirius was worth it to me for no commercials.

Satellite plays a lot of the same songs too, but there are so many channels, you can always find something to listen to, in CD sound!

I found this out (Miata Forum) in looking for replacement speakers for my Sony HU for my Miata. Lightning Audio puts out some very decent speakers (sold at Wal-Mart). They are either a subsidary of Rockford Fosgate or they bought them out and are making some of their previous models but very good speakers there. I needed some 6.5's. There is a particular model that is a coaxial but has an adjustable tweeter ($29.95). I was very surprised at the sound quality, just from my HU. Lightning Audio also make all the in between sizes but the particlar model I spoke of are very hard to find now but the 3 ways are good also speakers. Don't dismiss them until you have listen to them, it'll save you some money and you'll probably end up with better sounding speakers.
JT