[pete c]

For the last 6 months or so, I have been throwing around the idea of getting a replacement work vehicle. I am a field engineer and drive a lot. About 50K in my first year in the field.

My trusty 09 Sonata 5 speed 4 cylinder was still getting the job done, but I wanted something that would get the same or better mileage, 32+ and have room enough for me to carry my 29er mountainbike AND tools/parts.

I gave serious thought to a TDI, preferably a jetta wagon, but, with the price differential, made even more so, with the drops in fuel prices, I kind of figured a TDI wouldn't make $$$ sense. So, I started looking real hard at foci. I was most interested in the wagons, but, was having trouble finding one without rust issues. Last week I found an 05 ZX3 5 speed with 82K. asking 2750. Rebuilt title.

I wnt and checked it out, expecting to find some sort of evidence of a hard hit somewhere underneath. I could find none. And underneath it was 100% rust free. Took it for a ride. Steers/brakes like a new car. Outside looks very good, I'd say a 8.5/10. A few dings, light scratches. Very nice black paint.

I ran a carfax and found that it was totaled in MD in 2009 with 52K. The value then had to be reasonably high, so something happened. But, I will be damned if I can find anything. Someone at focusfanatics.com said sounds like flood damage, run away. I thought about it for a bit, how well it drove/looked, the complete lack of rust and decided fuggit, I'm gonna take my chances.

Got it for 2500 bucks. I am about 900 miles in and am extremely impressed. Handles nice, engine runs flawlessly and looks new. Shifts very nice and has nice low torque. Pulling away from a stop is very easy, something which was a major PITA with my Sonata. That damn thing is the fussiest car to launch I have ever owned.

The single issue I have found, so far is the fuel tank has a venting issue. Takes a good ten minutes to get 12 gallons into it. May be a clogged charcoal cannister from what I have read at FF.

Don't have enough miles to get a really good idea about mpg, but first tank I calculated to about 36 mpg. A good bit of 70+ hiway in that tank. Second tank, I measured 41!!!! It was an 11 gallon fill, so I don't think it is too far off. A good bit of this tank was 2 lane state highway, typical New England rolling hills where you can really take advantage of EOCing.

I will be starting a mileage log and hope to stay on the proper sode of 40 mpg.

As for mods, I did the first one when I got it home. Pulled the rear seats, turning it into a little hatchback pick up truck. Thinking of calling it the Fochero, in honor of Ford's attempt at a pickup/car hybrid back in the 60-70s.

With the rear seat out, I can stand my 29er mountain bike up, facing rearward with the front tire and seat post removed.

Will definitely be getting a scanguage type thingy soon. No real plans to go all aero-geek on it. Maybe a belly pan or landscape edging airdamn.

I also would like to install cruise control. I realize you don't get your best mileage with it, but, on the highway, CC keeps me away from speeding tickets. Although, I must admit that being smaller and just slightly shorter geared than the Sonata, this is less of a problem. The Sonata would creep past 80 mph way too easily on downgrades. This thing gets a little buzzy and a tire balance ussue also becomes apparent at about 72 mph. The tire balance thing is probably a good thing as it is a no cost speed warning system.