I just bought a ZX3 two days ago. It's dark blue with all the options except for a moonroof, and ABS. Just so everyone knows, FORD SUCKS, however the Focus is very impressive, and I think ford is finally starting to get their heads out of their a**es, after 40+ years of building garbage. I work at a Ford dealership, and I know that pre-2000 Fords are jokes. All 2001 Fords I've seen thus far have looked great, and are almost up to par with it's Japanese counterparts. Now all they need to do is scrap the escorts, IMO you need to be pretty "special" to buy a P.O.S escort. The 2001 Escapes and rangers look great, and seem to be of much higher quality than previous Fords. Anyways I'm happy with my Focus so far, I got a free Permaplate today, so the finish looks really great. I'm still getting laughed at by my co-workers for buying a Ford (which I vowed never to buy), but two of them are on waiting lists for ZX3's when we get more in stock, so whatever. Can't wait to get my focus' windows tinted black, and dropped 3 inches :) (Anyone see the kit from Wingswest? Pretty bada**)

ok, just a few questions:<br><br>WHY do you work at a FORD dealership when you say that ford sucks???<br><br>WHY did you BUY a ford if you say that ford sucks?<br><br>WHAT the heck is a Permaplate?<br><br>oh, and i agree about the Escort thing... i got a 2000 as a rental for eight [excruciatingly painful] days and they suck really bad...

I work at a Ford dealerships because I get paid grip and have full union benefits. Liking Ford has nothing to do with it, to tell you the truth, I laugh at people that buy used fords from our dealership (especially mustangs and explorers) Which infest our repair shop every day. Mustangs, expeditions, F150s, contours, and windstars are remaining the same for 2001, although they much need re-design and use of MUCH better materials throughout (The windstars have a plastic intake manifold, c'mon now!) However the rangers, explorers, and escapes seem much better built for 2001, like the focus. The focus was the first Ford I've seen that felt and looked like a "real car" they got rid of the hideous cheap plastics that has been used throughout escorts, etc, and really put an effort towards attention to detail. The interior of the 2000 focus is the highest quality interior on any ford, ever. I'd like to say IMO, but it's more of a fact. The only thing I hate about Focus' is the cheap foam hood seal up by the windshield. (oh yeah and the SPI engine, ha ha) <br><br>Secondly, I bought a Focus because I could only get financed for a new escort or Focus, I chose Focus for obvious reasons. I have no credit and if I didn't have hook-ups in the finance department, I'd still be driving my 84 honda civic with 34,213,678 miles on the odometer.<br><br>And lastly, permaplate is the "7 year wax" that you can buy as an option for $600-$900 even though the dealership pays $15 per application, and takes about 45 minutes. I got it for free because I bought the head-detailer lunch today.