The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Wednesday, October 27, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER C7 AUTOMOTIVE Poor vision increases risk of accident For 2000, Ford unveils its Euro-designed Escort replacement Improved highway markings and better automo tive lighting are helping to hold down nighttime traf fic accidents, but the after-dark fatality rate is still nearly triple the daytime rate. While driver condition (visual acuity, sobriety and other factors) is a big factor in this statistical phenomenon, car condition also plays a major role. A large number of cars have one or more lights out or have deficiencies in the windshield wipers and/or washer system. With intensified public awareness measures this could be prevented. Anyone capable of driving should be able to check his or her lights, windshield wipers and wash ers periodically. It is irresponsible to endanger peo ples' lives through simple vehicle neglect. With the fastest growing segment of our driving population, the older driver, another factor becomes very important. 90 % of all sensory input needed to drive comes through the eyes. But as our eyes change with age, your sensitivity to glare increases, you need more illumination and you'll find you won't adapt as well to the dark. YOUR T O RO N T O AREA MA Z D A DEALERS Invite You to E xp erience the "RESTYLED 1 1 2000 MAZDA 626 By Malcom Gunn SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER T he new millennium will close the book on one of the most popular compact cars of all time, the Ford Escort. In its place will come the new Focus, which makes its debut this fall. The Focus is one of Ford's `world' vehicles that was originally developed in Europe, where it has been available for the past year. Focus is a five-passenger North American-built car that's available as a four-door sedan, wagon and a very striking two-door hatchback. At first glance, the Focus, particularly the three-door ZX3 hatchback, has the kind of sharp lines and creases you would expect to find on an Armani suit. The result is a car that resembles no other Ford produced on these shores. In fact, it looks like nothing else sold here, period. From the inside, the view is equally arresting. The asymmetrical central control pod continues the exterior's creased theme. Different, but very inviting nonetheless. Ford planners purposely went with a taller design when considering the Focus. According to their studies, the aver age man has grown a half-inch, and women a quarter-inch compared to just 10 years ago. As a result, all versions of the Focus are eight-centime tres taller than the Escort, 11-cm longer in wheelbase and feature considerably more interior room for both passengers and luggage. Standard power in the Focus LX and SE sedans is an Escort-inspired 2.0-litre SOHC engine that produces 110 horsepower. Optional on both models, but standard in the SE wagon, ZTS sedan and ZX3 hatchback is a 2.0-litre DOHC powerplant originating from the Ford Coutour/Mercury Mystique that raises the output to 130 horses. Both engines can be ordered with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission except the wagon, which only comes with the auto box. The stripped-down models cover the basics in terms of standard equipment. However, the ZTS sedan and SE wagon enjoy otherwise optional items such as air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power door locks, driver's- side seat height adjust ment and 15-inch wheels. As well, there are several option groups that will quickly get you to `full-load' status by sim ply checking off the right boxes on the order sheet. Base and optional safety content meets or exceeds the compact car competition. In addition to standard front airbags, front passenger side airbags can be ordered. ABS is standard with ZTS, and optional on other Focus models. There's no doubt Ford has created the winning formula for success with the new Focus. The car comes in more body styles than any o f its competition from General Motors, Chrysler, and most import manufacturers. And its far less stodgy and conservative in appearance. In fact, the Focus is one of the few small cars to offer a wagon model in its lineup, with a class-leading 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space, no less. Whatever your not-so-basic transportation needs, you'll likely find a Focus that fits you just fine. 2000 Ford Focus Four-door LX, SE and ZTS sedan, four-door SE wagon and three-door ZX3 hatchback. 2.0-litre SOHC four-cylinder, or optional 2.0-litre DOHC fourcylinder developing 110 and 130 horsepower, respectively. Five-speed manual, or optional four-speed automatic transmis sion. Sharp styling avoids the jelly bean look. Roomy interior, for a compact car. Proven, durable engine lineup. Wide variety of body styles from which to choose. Base price: $12,300 * Larger Wheels * AM/FM/CD * Newly Designed Interior * Standard Power Windows, Locks & Heated Door Mirrors * Remote Fuel Door Release * Rear Seat Heater Ducts * European Inspired Suspension MANY MORE FEATURES... (see your Mazda Dealer T oday!) MAZDA 626 LX V6 FROM s24,995"s 339««"4.9 626 LX 14 Only 24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE»5 Y E A R /1 0 0 , 0 0 0 KM POWERTRAIN WARRANTY W h e re G o o dS o ru tra Is HFact. H o t Just RP ro m tssl 1291 * 2 9 9 5 * 2 2 ,5 9 0 O a k v illem a z o a SPEERS R O A D North side between 3rd Line & 4th Line FIN. U PTO4 8M 0. 905-827-4242 Pius mn outw ish m wwjuoa.ca.As Tout Duui A joct h u m ' s U*wsm/Coui« G uduah P iw u m Off* owlaUa an ratri purdm t ol 2000 Maria 42i U. P urdm priti o ff* t u U n S79S for tin , ffiN n u uompii for SI0,000 it 4.9% API; 41 montfe at $22114 per non*. COJ. a $1,032.32 far · total i f SI 1,032.32. "M a ria PmaaM Loom lata: Offon arriobfi on mm rated looses only, laasa an M asaMon 40 months. Othor Iona (arm avriobio. Total loose obtgohon far f a 2000 Marie 424 U M (aaoMal #F4LS70A400) a $14,404, riadt adries toarily rip a ri of $400 a ri 4oa* payaM of $3,000 (adries fogia a ri M l of S7fS|. Tori loose oMgitoa for t o 2000 Marie 42* IX H [m M A41V7QAA00) a SI 4,472 riadi adries tocunly ripowl of S400 a ri iam payearn of S3000 (a d rits frt mi POEof S7»S) A il 7.I5X 20,000 km par ytar rrioogi ofcoanca applas; if exceeded, oMdotwnal 8< par km applies. Ikanso, imoranta, taxes and other M m charges ufre. Book any ul/basa for Ion. Offon ofriebie from September2, im fa re Im rid Man aMy. loan mi FmoaceOJlC far fritte d easterners oaly. Sea year dealer far debris. Offers tamal be combined. Get in. Be moved. 3 w a y s to s a tis fy y o u r c ra v in g . If transmission fluid could talk ^ A car's automatic transmission is a vital and expensive piece of hardware that should be taken care of. Often, though, it is neglected. Like the engine, a transmission's fluid and filter need to changed at the intervals prescribed by the owner's manual. The color and texture of the fluid can be an indicator of its condition and possibly the condition of the transmission itself. Here are the basics. 319 36 month lease. S4.495 down payment plus S815 freight and S375 security deposit. · 4.0L 2iohp V6 · Air Conditioning · 5-Speed Automatic with Overdrive ·AM/FM Cassette/CD · 16" Aluminum Wheels · Remote Keyless Entry · Speed Control · Tilt Steering · Fog Lamps · Platinum Side Step Bars · 4.0L 2iohp V6 · Air Conditioning · 5-Speed Automatic with Overdrive · Remote Keyless Entry All New Sport Group Includes: · Side Step Bars · Wheellip Mouldings · Fog Lamps · 15" Chrome Wheels · AM/FM Stereo with CD · And More... 419 Do w n P aym en t 36 month lease. $4,495 down payment plus S815 freight and S500 security deposit. · 9-Passenger Seating · 4.6L SOHC TritonTM V8 · Power Adjustable Pedals · Automatic with Overdrive · Rear Auxiliary Heater/ Air Conditioning · Illuminated Running Boards · 6-Way Power Driver's Seat · Heated Mirrors 519 per month 36 month lease. S4.495 down payment plus $960 freight and S600 security deposit. - Based on 4.9% for 36 months - Based on 9.9% for 36 months - Based on 7.9 % for 36 months - M o n t h ly P aym en t D ow n P aym e n t Se c u rity D e p o sit Freight Total Due at S ig n in g M o n t h ly P aym en t Se c u rity D e p o sit Freight Total Due at S i g n i n g M o n t h ly P aym en t D ow n P aym en t Se c u rity D e p o sit Freight Total Due at S i g n i n g *319 *396 *455 * 4 .4 9 5 * 1-995 *375 S475 S815 S815 S8 15 S6.004 S 3 .6 8 1 * 1.7 9 5 S919 *994 *554 * 4 .4 9 5 * 1.9 9 5 S500 *575 s s i; $815 $815 *6,229 S 3 .8 7 9 * 2 ,0 19 S519 *597 *659 *4 .4 9 5 *1.995 so s6oo $960 S960 S960 *6 .5 7 9 *9.252 *2.399 so *525 so $6 5 0 $700 *775 First month's payment required. $o.o8/km over 60.000 km. S19.264.00 optional buyback. Applicable taxes, licence, insurance and administration fees extra. First month's payment required. So.o8/km over 60.000 km. $20,682.00 optional buyback. Applicable taxes, licence, insurance and administration fees extra. First month s payment required. $o.o8/km over 60.000 km. S24.418.80 optional buyback. Applicable taxes, licence, insurance and administration fees extra. www.ford.ca/offers YOUR ONTARIO p a rtic le s indicate high wear or internal damage. Se e k the advice of a transm ission shop. In any event, the fluid will need to be changed right away. C O PY R I G H T W H E EL BA S E COMMU NI CATI ONS FORD DEALERS. WISE BUYERS READ THE LEGAL COPY: *Lease a new 2000 Explorer 2-Door Sport 4x4/Explorer 4-Door XLS/Expedition XLT from Ford Credit to qualified retail lessees, on approved credit. Total Explorer 2-Door lease obligation is $15,979/$16,251/$16,380. Total Explorer 4-Door lease obligation is $19,579/$19,779/$19,944. Total Expedition lease obligation is $23,179/523,487/S23,724 Dealer may lease for less. Some conditions apply. Offers may change without notice. Limited time offers. See dealer for details. Ontario FDA, P.O. Box 2000, Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4