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Let be reasonable. ALL car manufacturers build some garbage. At least the VAG didn't require a government bailout.

Nor did Ford

That was pure luck, now wasn't it? They restructured all that debt JUST before the bottom fell out....

http://www.reuters.c...E5236YZ20090305

Mind you, I'm a ford fan. I've own no less than 3 F250s, a F150 and a Ranger. But they're not perfect by any stretch and shouldn't be used as the hallmark of greatness.

Edited by Seth
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My wife just got rid of her 02 passat with 160k on it, first was heater core 1200 to fix, some genius put it behind the dashboard, then catalytic converter just blew a hole and they wanted another 1200 for that. We traded it in for a new kia sportage, which btw is awesome with a great warranty and lots of high reviews.

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Ford didnt get a bail out either, and yep my F150's have been reliable and they continue to be the best selling vehicle in America,

I would be upset if I needed a major part at only 55k, and F150'd didnt come with 6.0 diesels, and yep the 6.0 had issues many of which caused by aftermarket meddling that folks dont like to fess up to.

and if I had a laundry list of parts and repairs on a vehicle with 160k, I wouldnt consider that easy on parts. I havent meesed with VW's in quite a while but I saw the same (non engine)lack of durability in them year after year. I know diesel is a much better system I just wish we could get more light duty diesels in the US.

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Ford not going getting a bail-out was luck? Come on. If you take a look at the big three's current line and their respective overall reliability ratings, Ford is far and away they best of the three. That wasn't luck.

Correct. They renegotiated their debt and contracts early enough in the market crash that they were able to withstand the storm. Again... I'm a Ford fan. I've own a lot of them, but I'm wide eyed when it comes to the business of it. If I were to buy another full size truck, it'd be a Ford -- if for no other reason than that they DIDN'T take a bailout.

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Ford not going getting a bail-out was luck? Come on. If you take a look at the big three's current line and their respective overall reliability ratings, Ford is far and away they best of the three. That wasn't luck.

Correct. They renegotiated their debt and contracts early enough in the market crash that they were able to withstand the storm. Again... I'm a Ford fan. I've own a lot of them, but I'm wide eyed when it comes to the business of it. If I were to buy another full size truck, it'd be a Ford -- if for no other reason than that they DIDN'T take a bailout.

Which is exactly why I bought two last night. I heard yesterday morning that GM says they don't have to fix the "prior GM's" warranty issues on about 400,000 Impalas. Seriously GM? OK then, you just lost any possible chance of having me as a customer.

I'd also take a TDI in a heartbeat, but I kind of like to keep my money here if at all possible.

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It KILLED me to buy a car not built in the US.... I've owned about 27 cars and they've been almost exclusively american made.... This time I couldn't do it.

German was as close as I was willing to get.

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"VWs are expensive to maintain - that is the parts are expensive. Though, my 2002 Passat was pretty good about parts. I put 3 sets of brakes on it, tie rod ends, CV boots were a pain, but it's cheaper just to replace the axle. (180). I finally had to replace my control arms after 160k and cats (I think the gas shortage and running regular unleaded did them in) but it's got the original clutch and there are no engine/trans issues what so ever." :surprise:

umm all that in 160k ? I wouldnt exactly call that well made and reliable, Thats more parts than I changed in my last 3 F150's combined all of which had 180,000 plus miles when I sold them,

Let's see - tie rod ends, ball joints and CV boots are extremely common parts to be replaced on suspensions, especially front wheel drive cars. I don't find that to be a lot. I don't drive like I'm driving miss daisy so I assume that if I tear a boot powering through a turn around - it's on me.

If you expect me to believe that you got 75k miles on a set of brakes, never replaced tie rod ends and ball joints on an F150, then more power to you. I worked on them for 10 years and I find it extremely difficult to believe. They usually needed lowers and tierod ends by 100-125k at a maximum. On the PA roads - it was closer to 75k. Cars are built differently than trucks so comparing the part wear on the suspension is not really valid. As for the cats, the car was built to run on 91 octane gas. For a month I ran it on 87 and it acted up, more than likely didn't burn completely and depleted the catalyst. There's not much I could do about it as I had to drive and the only thing I could get was regular in the south after Katrina.

So yes, considering the driving I do, I feel it to be extremely reliable and well made - and more to the point - it's up to Flex where he feels that those parts are reasonable to be replaced in a car of that mileage.

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Oh about 6 months back I started a thread here complaining that no one else makes a four banger turbo diesel except for VW.

I've been jonesing for one since I first heard that people are getting a for real 45 to 50 mpg.

Which would be better than the 13 to 15 mpg that my F150 gets.

In that other thread I probably also mentioned a guy

I met at a party who makes his own biodisel for just 62 cents a gallon.

Kyle, have tried Craig's list yet?

Mazda is coming out with a newly designed Diesel in the spring of 2012. It should have around 170 hp and 300 lb/ft of torque, along with mid 40's highway. I know it will be offered in the Mazda 3 but I'm not sure about other models. There's a good chance it will be my next car.

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  • 2 weeks later...

If you expect me to believe that you got 75k miles on a set of brakes, never replaced tie rod ends and ball joints on an F150, then more power to you. I worked on them for 10 years and I find it extremely difficult to believe. They usually needed lowers and tierod ends by 100-125k at a maximum. On the PA roads - it was closer to 75k. Cars are built differently than trucks so comparing the part wear on the suspension is not really valid. As for the cats, the car was built to run on 91 octane gas. For a month I ran it on 87 and it acted up, more than likely didn't burn completely and depleted the catalyst. There's not much I could do about it as I had to drive and the only thing I could get was regular in the south after Katrina.

So yes, considering the driving I do, I feel it to be extremely reliable and well made - and more to the point - it's up to Flex where he feels that those parts are reasonable to be replaced in a car of that mileage.

Okay. 1995 Bronco, 210,000+ miles, the last time it visited me. I was it's 3rd owner at about 60,000 mi. We do our maintenance, trans fluid, oil changes, tune ups, grease what's greasable, you know the drill. We've replaced the top right ball joint, front coil springs, 1 fuel pump, 1 radiator, 2 sets of front brakes and a radius rod bushing. It's gone through 4 sets of tires since I bought it. My son is driving it right now, it's still technically mine, and when he is done driving it, it will be restored. Gas milage isn't so hot, about 14 mpg city.

1995 Escort, 175,000 miles. We bought it new. We've replaced 1 radiator, & front brakes twice, front & rear struts. No engine work at all, outside of 3 timing belts. Same maintenance. The last time I checked it, about 32 mpg.

2001 Explorer V8, the baby of the bunch at 125,000 miles. I bought as a lease turn in at 55,000 miles. Same maintenance. No engine work. No transmission or drive train repairs front brakes at about 100,000 mi. 13 mpg city/ 22 mpg hwy at 65 mpg. It drops like a stone at 75 mph (funny).

I feel slightly qualified to offer an opinion on Fords... As they say on TV, YMMV.

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