Ford any good?

[Prof_Fate]

I've been thinking of a new car for a while, test drove a Mustang GT, it wasn't too bad, but kind of expensive for what it is.

I asked my mechanic what he thought of Fords, he was very down on them, in particular the F series trucks. He mentioned some chronic problems:

* Poorly designed and hard to work on. Connectors for various things on opposite sides of the car instead of being near each other, so hoses run all over. Need lots of special tools.

* Quickly rusts out on the under side. He mentioned seeing more than one Crown Vic with gas tanks about to fall off due to the straps rusting through.

* Problems with spark plugs. He said that in the past they were notorious for plugs popping out of the engine. After Ford's fix, now they break off instead.

I believe he used to work at a Ford dealer and parted ways on not the best of terms, so he may have an axe to grind.

Just wondering what other's experiences are.

Some of what he says is based in truth..but then every company has some issue or another.
I've been primarily a ford owner for most of my life...so I can't truly say if gm or toyota etc is any better or worse overall.
I've owned GM vehicles in the 80s...lemons, most of them.
I've got a 2001 expedition with 236k miles on it - and still running strong. it appears rusty underneath but has no holes, no rust on the body.

I've worked as a mechanic in the 80s at inde garages and dealerships, sold cars, worked as a service writer about 10 years ago at a nissan dealer.

My conclusion is most any new car will go 120k miles with little more than basic maintenance (oil, plugs, tires, brakes). Then most start getting 'needy' - radiators, calipers, alternators, starters, etc. If you can stand the inconvenience it's still cheaper to fix them than buy a new one - but the inconvenience IMO is the part I can't stand. Will it start and work today? Can I get a ride back from the shop and what do I do for a car till it's fixed?

My 03 windstar had some suspension issues (ford recalls due to rust) but for 105k miles I did NOTHING to it. Just drive it.
Wife's 04 taurus has had wheel bearing, fuel pump, starter, ball joints, transmission to get to 135k.
I traded the windstar in on an 08 outback - drivers door switch is bad, airbag system has a fault they can't find - 47k miles.
The expy has had IMO too many issues, but it's quieter than all my other rides and rattle free after 12 years and 236k miles!

 

[runwiththeherd]

My government ride is a 2012 F150 4Door. I have driven it 30,000 miles in 9 months. No issues. No problems. No complaints. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one as a personal vehicle.

 

[sheepdawg]

Just sold a 2003 Taurus with 190,000 on it, the guy that bought it will get another 100,000 out of it. Had an 89 Ranger that I sold when it hit 113,000 in 96. Bought a Dodge Ram to replace it which was a good truck but it never met a gas pump it didn't like. I still see the Ranger on the road every now and then, a guy's painting out of it. I now drive a 2005 GT Mustang and work out of a 2010 Ranger. I expect to get at least 150,000 out of both before I sell them for more Fords.

I will buy Fords because they didn't take any bailout money.

 

[IFFV]

I have a 2012 FX4, loades, with the Ecoboost engine with the twin turbos.
had a new at the time Chevy Blazer, nothing but trouble.
We don't get rust on our cars here in Colorado. Never heard of a gas tank rusting out or anything else.. The humidity here in the summer has been as low as 4%.
What's nice about the turbo's when your at altitude the engine doesn't feel it. Still have the same power you have at 5,280.
It's your money.
IFFV.

 

[jframe]

Fords are junk. That's why I can't even GIVE this thing away.

 

[Faulkner]

I have a 2013 Ford Taurus SE with 4 cylinder Ecoboost, after coming off of a 2011 Ford Taurus with V6 (traded it in with 90K miles). I can't tell any difference in performance of the two engines other than the Ecoboost gets about 3 miles per gallon better with no power loss. I really like the fit, finish, and performance of both of them

I don't like the space age electronics with touch screen controls in the 2013. I've had to pull over a couple of times and warm boot the electronics system by shutting off the engine and restarting. I don't think they have the touch screen buffered enough because if your using the BlueTooth Sync, playing the Sirius radio, and adjusting the environmental controls from the steering wheel it has a tendancy to lock up on occasion.

Otherwise, the upgraded Taurus is a pretty nice car.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I had an 03 Mustang GT.

Bought it new, traded it in at 100k miles.

Other than oil changes and routine maintainence, never had a single issue. Most reliable car I've owned.

I have an Infiniti now...have to say its doing pretty well too. 114k miles, just oil changes too


Actually, I own an am '88 mustang one owned for 18 years....that things been reliable as hell too, but I've torn it apart and rebuilt it to the point it's not fair to compare to factory stock car. I've had good luck with Fords.

Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

 

[mtelkhntr]

For my company, we've bought ford pickups for over 30 years. The only ones that I'd say were a problem was when we decided to try diesel when the 6.0 first came out. Bad choice for us. We went back to the V-10's in F250 extended cab 4WD and we're running them out to over 200,000 before replacing them with new. Even then they are relegated to lesser duty and we run them 'til dead. I have a company taurus that needed a transmission at 140,000 that currently has 212,000 that I wouldn't hesitate to jump in and run anywhere in the country. The only rust issues I've seen could have been cured if the unit was undercoated when new and even then I don't know anything that can stand up to that Cat Pixx they put on the streets for anti-icing. I think it could eat through titanium

 

[LVSteve]

I don't like the space age electronics with with touch screen controls in the 2013. I've had to pull over a couple of times and warm boot the electronics system by shutting off the engine and restarting. I don't think they have the touch screen buffered enough because if your using the BlueTooth Sync, playing the Sirius radio, and adjusting the environmental controls from the steering wheel it has a tendancy to lock up on occasion.

Sounds like the norm for the MyFordTouch system. That's what you get for letting Microsoft near your car.

 

[The Tourist]

I drive a 1997 F-150. I replaced the tires and two batteries. Over 100K miles. Oh, the floor-mats are dirty...

 

[venomballistics]

Fords are junk. That's why I can't even GIVE this thing away.

kinda like shooting a Harley ... I suppose you could, but then ... why would you want to?

 

[TheHobbyist]

Presently driving a new Silverado, but the only other truck i'd consider is a Ford.

Don't know much about SUVs or newer cars...but it seems like the quality has gone up commensurate with advances in computing technology--like most industries.

 

[310Pilot]

I drive a 1997 F-150 as my primary daily driver - about 120,000 miles, and still like new, never any problems. I also have a 1992 F-150 4x4, somewhere around 200,000 miles, only major repair was rebuilding the automatic transmission at around 160,000 miles (bought it used, prior owner's maintenance was questionable), still going strong. I bought a new 2006 Mustang GT in November, 2005 (5 speed, leather interior, all the options), it reminded me of the GT-350s I drove back in the '60s, except for it being much more luxurious and a bit quieter (the exhaust note was right, though). The Mustang had good power, a bit peaky, but stronng, and handled superbly (this coming from an old SCCA sports car racer who ran A-Production 427 Cobras and Corvettes in the '60s and '70s). The build quality of the Mustang was excellent! I sold it after about two years and around 60,000 miles - average fuel mileage over the entire period of ownership was about 26.8 mpg, mixed in-town and highway usage (and I didn't "baby" it, either). I haven't tried one of the new Mustangs, I'd probably have to buy one. Frankly, I have nothing bad to say about Ford, especially the recent ones. Also, to put this in perspective, other than my long-time association with Shelby's, I've been a Corvette and Z-28 Camaro guy for many years.

 

[lhump1961]

'02 F-150...116k...tires, pads, oil, one battery.

 

[jag312]

I had a Ford years ago. At about 25,000 miles it stared to give me trouble. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Eventually I had a custom bumper sticker made. "I'D RATHER CASTRATE MYSELF WITH A BROKEN BEER BOTTLE THAN BUY ANOTHER FORD".

 

[tennexplorer]

Fords are junk. That's why I can't even GIVE this thing away.

Trade you a 1950 Target 4 inch for it. ;-)

 

[Vulcan Bob]

As a retired (2008) mechanic I have this to say, they are all junk-they are all great. They all have thier isssues and all have great points, you just have to see what make and model have the features that you like, toss a coin and buy one. However,with that said I do like the fact that Ford did not participate in the great auto bailout.

 

[johngalt]

If you have not bought a new car in while I think you will find nearly everything expensive.

I have never owned a Ford so I cannot comment on their reliability. My late wife had tried just about every US make before I met her and only drove Japanese cars. Her experiences with domestics had not been good.

My Tahoe is a '97, so yes I am shocked a bit at what cars cost now. The Mustang GT with a few of the options I want is pushing $40K. Seems like a lot for a car that is still essentially a Ford Fairmont with a big engine. You would think it would have a modern chassis by now. But it still drives and handles well.

Part of it is I want to get a car before they are completely ruined by the impending fuel efficiency requirements, and the big V8s go away. The move from hydraulic to electric power steering has already negatively affected the handling - very numb handling.

I test drove a BMW a while back - incredibly numb steering. There was only very vague sensation that the steering wheel was actually attached to anything. It also had a stop/start system which was annoying. So much for "The Ultimate Driving Machine".

 

[DeadAye]

Fords are junk. That's why I can't even GIVE this thing away.

Dear Mr. Frame;

Don't fret - I've got you covered

I borrowed a trailer and will be getting on 72 @ Corinth shortly.
PM me with your address and I'll haul that eye-sore away for you - TODAY.

Always happy to help a fellow forum member (at least those that live close),
DeadAye

P.S. Have the title ready - Put $1 as the sale price.
See, you don't have to give it away after all.......

This is what's called WIN-WIN

 

[MTS Cop]

My department currently uses both Ford and Chevy vans. While the Chevy has more features I prefer the Ford. They just seem to run and drive better to me. And I find them more comfortable. I'm not even going to bother comparing the Crown Vic and Impala, two completely different animals as far as I'm concerned.

About nine months ago I bought a new Fusion. So far I am very happy with it. My only real complaints are the wheels are very easy to scuff on a curb, the tire doesn't protect them at all. There is also a rattle developing in the dashboard, I'll mention it to the dealer when I bring it in for it's next service. Ford is the only domestic car I would buy/recommend for the time being. GM is a welfare case that builds ****. Chrysler is basically a foreign company at this point.