And I don't just mean all these thunderstorms we've had lately. What I am about to say will get me blacklisted here in the Motor City, but I can't hold it back any longer: Ford sucks.
This is coming from a member of a "Ford family". Both parents work there, uncles and aunts and cousins and friends worked there... My entire family drives/drove a Ford at one point. And all of us have vowed to go import after our current cars die.
And boy, do our Fords have a flair for kicking the bucket. I think it's an epidemic.
I have a 2001 Focus ZX3. I love the idea of the Focus. I do think it's a blast to drive and if it weren't such a POS, then I would love it and urge everyone to buy one. Maybe the newer year models have increased in quality, but let me tell you a story about a little green hatchback...
IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN. SECOND TIME IN SEVEN DAYS!
Last week, I had to get the ball joint replaced. The friendly mechanics warned me that I'd probably be back pretty soon - the sway bar end links were going to go next. What a pleasant little cloud of happiness to hover over my head until it happens. "Wonder when it will break... wonder when it will break..." Crossing my fingers while driving has become second nature. "Please, not yet baby. Please don't break down!" {rolling my eyes}
This is on top of the other dire warnings I have got regarding the timing chain. I have around 85k on my car (hey, that's what happens when you travel the country!) which is apparently around the magical, expensive timing-chain-replacement period. I'm not even going to think about that one.
But imagine my surprise when I start my car and it coughs, stutters, and dies. I've driven it all day, but here in my driveway (fortunately) it decides to go kaputt. I pop the hood and try to start it again; turns over but won't start. Cough cough says the Focus. I get out and hear a dripping - ok, I mean "pouring" - noise and I look under the engine with dreaded thoughts of transmission fluid or coolant running down our driveway. But it's dry. Huh? My eyes widened with the realization as I turned my head towards the fuel tank. You've got... to be kidding... me......
Gas is pouring all over the driveway. Of all the things to break, I was not expecting that! First, I thought maybe I had incorrectly replaced the fuel filter a few weeks ago, but that wasn't the problem. It was coming from around the gas tank - above, next to, not sure. Does the fun ever stop??
Steve hopes and thinks maybe a fuel line broke or popped off, which is cheap and easy to fix most of the time. I can't afford it to be anything else! This is on top of watching those dollar signs wash down the driveway - I paid $2.12/gallon for that gas!
*****In light of a few comments I've received lately...Let me clarify a few things here.
The newer Focus models are better quality than the year I have - 2001 was notorious for the number of recalls on them. Such is what happens in the early years of a car's production, I suppose. Keep in mind that I love the idea of the Focus and it really is fun to drive, it has just fallen short of my expectations of Ford. I guess I even got "lucky" compared to many '01 Focus owners - both my friends had to replace their brakes around 15k miles. Yikes!
As for the timing belt - mine hasn't gone yet, but I have been told by multiple people that often they go after 80,000 miles. I'm going on 90k now and it seems to be ok, but when it does happen apparently it's the labor that is expensive. Seeing as how I am not a mechanic but just your average consumer, I was merely stating that when it happens, it will suck.
Warranty - they did not start that awesome warranty program on the Focus until after I bought mine, so I had the standard 3 yr, 30k mile.
Even when I had less than 20k miles on my car, I had to bring it in to get to get the end link on one side replaced under warranty. Now the other side is going bad.
And the fact that I want to buy an import doesn't make me unAmerican. My car was made in Mexico anyway! Can you blame me for wanting to buy something with a better record of quality??
Oh and Ido check my tire pressure, and I get all the preventative maintenance done and get problems taken care of quickly before they turn into something worse. Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't know how to care for a car. If you think Ford is so great, then start your own journal and maybe you too can be featured on AOL - much more productive than writing inappropriate comments to me.*************
I'm in a bit of a crunch because I'm still house sitting and I need to be there a few times a day. Fortunately Steve is my hero, as always, and is letting me borrow his van. Housesitting, by the way, isn't so grand either - her puppy has super-powers and can jump the highest tables... and then chews the cords off of lamps. Or jumps on my head to wake me in the morning. Cute little hell spawn. ;) Did I mention the rabbit that attacks people? Seriously attacks? Every see Monty Python and the Holy Grail? That rabbit with big pointy teeth ain't got NOTHIN' on this bad bunny. I lock the bedroom at night in fear because of that crazy thing.
In other news, Kevin gave me a good schoolin' on how to really mountain bike. First lesson learned: buy padded shorts. My butt won't forget that very soon, that's for sure. I am going to finally suck it up and get a job outside of my field. Don't really have a choice. I was going to go with Heather to Chicago to see what's out there, but I can't even MAKE it there yet alone hope to find a job in a week. I'm thinking of honestly trying contruction or carpentry. Why not, eh? I've done crazier things (ie: move to colorado, get wildland firefighter certified in new york, etc). Our local paper is hiring a reporter. Might apply for a good laugh. As if 2004 hasn't been funny enough as it is...
Anyway, gotta go back to demon doggie, Marc (the other dog) and Bunnicula (ever read "The Celery Stalks at Midnight", about the vampire bunny? great book!). Oh, did I mention I'm supposed to drive to Virginia on Monday?
Here's a pic of my squad for wildland firefighter training. If anyone out there wants a hard working, intelligent, funny, and talented employee, drop me a line. (just because i don't have a job right now doesn't mean i'm lazy! i'm just trying to figure out what i want in life!)
Which would you choose?
ReplyDeleteGoing through all this gunkwith you car?
Or not being able to drive at all?
After reading this, I am sticking with my current posistion. Not knowing how to drive. Too much hassle.
timing belts are inexpensive,so are spark plugs.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got a lemon. My understanding is that Focus's are great. I am planning on getting one.
ReplyDeletetiming belts are are a big deal anyone who dosn't know that never changed one. the big three builds all their cars to last 80,000 mi. if you bought a new car every two years you would think the (lemon) car was a good car.
ReplyDeleteIF YOUR CAR WASNT QUALITY YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED 20,000 MILES AGO.[60,000 IS RULE SOME MANUFACTURES USE].SOME FOREIGN DESIGNS USE BELTS ALSO.FROM YOUR COMMENTS YOU DONT SOUND LIKE ANYONE WHO HAS EVER CHECKED THEIR TIRE PRESSURE EITHER .THE NEW FOCUS HAVE 100,000 WARRANTIES[EXCLUDING THE BELT,AN MAINTENCE ITEM]AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES,A DEAL! .FORD EMPLOYEES ARE SMARTER THAN ME ,I WONT KNOCK THEM.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of getting my first Focus...I'm sorry that you've had trouble with yours. Really when you come down to it most cars at 80k or more experience some kind of trouble or defect. I am an ASE certified parts pro and see all each day. I wouldn't say that the Focus is overly defective; but will say this: Most ANY vehicle in their first model year of manufacture WILL BE full of let's say--GREMLINS...The only vehicles we see that are MOST troublesome are the following: 02-04 Trailblazer/Envoy, 95-98 Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique, ANY DAEWOO VEHICLE, Most KIA products,99-01 Silverado/Tahoe/Sierra/Yukon..THOSE Damn pesky DRL's( running lamps )CONSTANLTY burning out..(yes there's any E-Z fix..that GM doesn't tell). I own 2 Jeeps....A 95 YJ w/128k..and A 93 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2 w/ 175k..Both vehicles bought USED and YJ needed only new radiator and 02 sensor; Grand needed only new front pads and tranny filter change...THAT'S ALL. So good luck and good motoring! And always shop ASE CERTIFIED GARAGES AND PARTS STORES!!!! these folks are always honest and helpful and KNOWLEDGEABLE!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your "Ford" problem. It's not unusual for a new model to have problems in the first couple years. This happens with almost all manufacturers. This is why I never buy a new model till they have been driven by the public and a repair/ reliability history has been documented. Some cars are never right. Remember the Geo's? Pieces of crap. As far as your timing chain goes, most manufacturers recommend changing them at 60,000 to 70,000 miles. My brother had an Eagle Talon, knew at 80,000 miles he was pushing it , but took a chance it would hold up untill he sold it. He didn't make it and the car was basically worthless then. Think rear wheel drive. I own a 1996 Ranger and it has been the best vehicle I've owned so far. Granted my other cars were Mustangs, but they're built for speed, not necessarily to be super problem free. Front wheel drive cars are a pain to work on. I do agree that the brakes on today's cars don't last long. I am on my third set of front pads already! I've heard this has been a problem with other manufacturers cars as well. Think they're trying to make money on us off of brake work? Believe it!! Good luck!
ReplyDeletetoo bad about your problem with the 2001 focus. i have a '99 cougar with105000 miles. no real trouble until 85000 plus. expected though. rear pads done at 58000 and front at 62000. no prob with the timing belt yet and i do get it in every 5000 miles for oil and such. the cougar still runs with the best. can cruise all day 75-85 mph.
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