Oh gosh.. where to start???!?

[Mr Pinkies ZX5]

Well hello everyone.. my name is... Mr Pinky. Yeah. I thought my husband was crazy when he said there was a community of gas saving nuts like him, but hey, I guess it's true. In all honestly, I am here to turn myself into a gas saving nut too! Here is my story:

I've always HATED manual transmission cars. Always. My father first tried to get me to learn on an OLD piece of crap blazer that probably got 10 miles to the gallon. Anywho, needless to say, I stuck with the automatics. I really didn't give two craps about gas- as long as I was in an automatic and had my freedom to drive. I remember growing up and gas was like 50 cents.. by the time I started to drive it was just over a dollar. Not even ten years later... S-O-B its damn near five dollars. Then again, in England, its over 9 dollars a gallon, who am I to b*tch?

Oh, yes, sometimes I like to rant and rave randomly, you'll have to forgive me.

I love the idea of getting in the car, putting it in drive and then turn off my brain. I didn't want to think about when or how to shift. I didn't want to think, PERIOD. Is that scary for anyone or do you know what I mean?

Over the last year or so, my husband has joined your community. At first, when he owned an Escort, he gutted everything out- all the way- carpet, back seat, all his radio stuff, and if it wasn't for me, he would have taken the front seat out. Not only that, he lost 40 some odd pounds too! Well, his Escort finally hit over 250k and decided to get a nice ZX5 Focus. He modified the air intake, in addition to, a lot of other things that I'll someday have to have him list for me.

Anywho, August 1st of this year, I was about to pull out of the Target parking lot and was waiting for that last car to officially pass me. I was letting off of the brake and onto the gas when BAM! the guy behind me was just looking down the road and saw no one and slammed on the gas. He rear-ended the crap out of me. Long of short, the insurance company totaled out my car. Bye bye Focus Wagon...

Then, my husband and I were down to one car. I had to learn how to drive a stick. DAMN DAMN DAMN. I was SOOO angry. At first, I told him, no, I'll just stay home. Then, I asked him to take me places. Finally, I had such an NEED to get out of the house and broke down and asked for him to teach me.

Learning was a b*tch. People giving me the finger and honking at me. I got scared. After LOTS of practice, I'm finally getting the hang of it. Now, I guess its not so bad. In fact, I was able to drive one of my parents cars- Fusion, and hated it because it wasn't a stick. OK, so, I am publically admitting that my husband was right. He told me that it wasn't so bad and that I'd end up loving it more than an automatic.

So, my husband bought an Escort ZX2. That car is ZIPPY. Just a tiny lil push to the gas pedal and one is GONE! My husband gave me the better car... the ZX5- he loves me THAT much.

So.. for the gas saving part... I am getting over TEN more miles to the gallon in my ZX5 than my automatic wagon. Not only that, pluse and gliding is kinda fun acutally.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Glad to hear you're having fun. I've been toying with the idea of buying a Focus as well, but then just recently I've been thinking about a manual trans mercedes or volvo wagon as well. (Like I need a 4th car!)

-Jay

[Mr Pinkies ZX5]

Well, between my parents, my husband and I, and his parents: We own: a fusion, ZX3, ZX5, ZX2 Escort, wagon, taurus, F150 and a few classic mustangs.

Out of all the cars I have ever driven, I LOVE the Focus. Although, I personally would never have a wagon again. They are fun to drive and there are aLOT of things that one can modify that are fun. For example, my husband put an awesome muffler on there and as I said before the air intake. Theres also some kind of chip too. I like the sound of a race car.

Another reason, I don't know where you live, but here in Michigan, they are GREAT in the snow.

Bottom line, get the Focus- fun to drive.

[Mr Pinkies ZX5]

Ok, so what has been done to my ZX5:

Performance: K&N Apollo ram air, 4-2-1 header (no cat), 2.5" stainless steel exhaust (borla muffler), Diablosport delta chip tuned for premium gasoline, braille light weight battery, tires inflated to 45 psi.

Gauges: Scan gauge II, vacuum, air/fuel, oil temp and oil pressure.

Aero: deleted antenna (more for appearance, really)

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by Mr Pinkies ZX5

I love the idea of getting in the car, putting it in drive and then turn off my brain. I didn't want to think about when or how to shift. I didn't want to think, PERIOD. Is that scary for anyone or do you know what I mean?

That's not so bad...you're interested in being somewhere else, so you do it without a bunch of fuss. However, it sounds like you're compromising that attitude and getting more involved in your driving. That's good if you want to increase your fuel economy, because fuel economy is 100% all about thinking a whole lot and putting more effort into your driving.

Originally Posted by Mr Pinkies ZX5

Well, between my parents, my husband and I, and his parents: We own: a fusion, ZX3, ZX5, ZX2 Escort, wagon, tarus, and a few classic mustangs.

Like Fords much?

Out of all the cars I have ever driven, I LOVE the Focus. Although, I personally would never have a wagon again.

I must have missed something. What would be wrong with a Focus wagon? That should deliver everything you want AND the abilities of a wagon, if you needed such abilities. OTOH, if you don't, a sedan or hatchback ought to do just fine, though I personally see wagons as less stigmatic (is that a word?) and ugly than hatchbacks (despite the fact that I drive one).

[Mr Pinkies ZX5]

I guess the wagon wasn't that bad. But there are things that I don't like about it compared to the ZX5 or ZX3. Its not as zippy and it doesn't handle as well as the ZX5/3. The first thing we did do was take that damn roof rack off and got 3 to 4 more mpg, but I don't think all together that I got over 27 mpg in that car...

With the ZX5, manual trans, on average high 30's, low 40's mpg. Which those numbers will get better with time... I've only been driving the manual trans for a few weeks now.

LOL like Fords..
Well, my parents could give two craps less about Ford until my husband came around. I married into a Ford loving family and it just kinda spread over to mine.. <giggles>

[Jay2TheRescue]

LOL, sounds very similar. We were a GM & Chrysler family till my sister married someone who worked for Ford. Now my sister has a driveway full of fords (Mustang, Focus, Ranger, E150) My parents have a driveway full of fords (E450 SD motor home, Focus, Escape ((+ Rusty, the 86 Chevy Silverado))), and I'm considering a Focus as my next vehicle.

-Jay

[Mr Pinkies ZX5]

you won't be disappointed with a Focus!!! most of them are made right here in Michigan- within miles from where I live actually.. LOL

BUY USA!!

ok.. I'm feeling geeky tonight.. so.. yeah.. I better get off of this addicting forum before I make more of a fool of myself than I already have...

[Jay2TheRescue]

My dad just bought a Focus a few months ago. A sedan, mid level trim, 5 speed, with SYNC and the chrome package. Its a fun little car to drive, plus I would be able to buy one on the employee plan through my brother in law. Still don't know which way I'm going with the next car though. I'd like a new(er) daily driver, yet I'd also like something along the lines of an old Volvo 240 diesel wagon with a 5 speed stick for going out on weekend excursions to yard sales and flea markets. I've been checking on Craigslist and a diesel 240 with a manual transmission is a rare breed, and those that have them want quite a bit for them.

[Mr Pinkies ZX5]

Sounds neat! I like rare cars.

Q: Aren't Focus's on a Volvo chassis?