[FocusRay]

OK. I bought a 02 Focus ZX3. why? I liked the design and drive, especially after I put in a Ford Racing SVT suspension kit and FR SVT rims 17X7s. I decided to give a NA manufacturer a chance-I have a 92 Honda (150,000 km) and a 92 Toyota (200,000km). I carefully checked Consumers Reports and other sites, which did not recommend 00-01 (13 recalls and counting), but said problems were fixed in 02.

I don't drive the car a lot. Only 45,000 kms to date, but the car is now three months out of warranty. Basically, its falling apart.

1. Broken exhaust muffler-corroded. OK, changed to stainless MRBP.
2. EGR valve shot-replaced under extended warranty ($40).
3. Seized rear suspension due to corrosion-not replaced under warranty. I should point out the car spent two years in Vancouver and only one Ontario winter.
4. and now...defective IAC-$354!! after two stalls at speed and Found On the Road Dead.

Is this it? When I complained to my dealer, he tried to sell me a new car! Do they really expect me to drop 25 grand on these Trabants every three years? Now I understand why the average age of a Ford customer is so old and why the company is doing so poorly. I think the rule here is 3 yr lease and dump.
Ford Canada will not pay for the IAC.
Ford has the lowest warranty period in the business -now at least 5-10 years and 100,000 km for Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai.
They won't even warranty their cars for as long as the cutomer has to make payments.

Fine.

My wife's picking up her new Matrix in a few weeks.