New production date vehicle drivability

[oldschool1962]

I'm sure many of you followed or at the least caught a couple of the issues and related posts for my vehicle. There were some unique to my vehicle issues and I wanted to say that up front so there wasn't a misunderstanding about the line itself.

 

Anyhow most of the issues or posts about quirk's seem to surround vehicles with an earlier than November production date. This is not to say that all vehicles produced prior to November have issues but that's where the bulk of them seem to be.

 

I have two weeks before I need to make a decision regarding my vehicle. If it comes to pass....and I trade my vehicle......well....we've already discussed it among myself and my wife that the chance of lightening striking twice ....even for me would be a near impossibility. Yet the thought is still lurking in my mind. Plus I've got a daughter that over the next 3 years is going start looking at College and we'll need all the time we have between now and when she goes to get finances ready. The point is just taking something and driving it for 3 years and then trade is not an option as things sit now.

 

I am asking for some thoughts to whether or not............ trying to get a car that is produced now or was produced after ......let's say December..........would reduce possibly or a second CF and ensure that software would be up to speed as far as any and all changes?

 

As I've said before......it would be a total waste to have traded in a perfectly good van with no issues and the only handicap being it was getting 18-20mpg and not trade for another FFH. To give a bit more insight.....the second choice would be a new Taurus but then we're right back where we were with mileage on the van and...again.....that was.............................. quite the paradox I have to figure out for the next 2 weeks mileage and possible same issues or less mileage with ?????????? It's just not going to be feasible to wait for the 2011's.

[rfruth]

I vote for a tricked out Fiesta hatch - would that do ?

[DTJJK96]

It appears by your post that Ford is going to work a deal with you on a trade for another vehicle. Is that because they cannot determine what is wrong with your vehicle so they are going to try to make you happy by offering you a deal on another Ford vehicle?

 

What made you decide that any FFH built prior to November are candidates for glitches and that if you get another one that is built after December the chances would be less or non existent? Is that based on comments on this forum or comments by Ford themselves?

 

To answer your question I really like the FFH and would suggest you try another one. I say this not knowing what Ford has told you so far about yours. Altimately you have to be happy with the vehicle and based on all you have posted I am not sure you would be happy with another FFH even if it was perfect. You might always be listening or looking for that first glitch.

 

Good luck with your decision.

[Waldo]

If you can only get 20mpg out of a new Taurus you're doing something wrong! I've seen as high as 31mpg on a road trip but 24mpg in regular driving is pretty normal. Just make sure you get an SE or SEL FWD without the 202B package, that way you get the 2.77 final drive. Clearly not at FFH levels, but should still be a noticeable improvement over your old van.

[Fuze-ion]

I say give another try to a FFH. It may not be perfect, but certainly it shouldn't give you the problems you have experienced with your current one. You need to have confidence in your vehicle, I have confidence in mine and have been happy, of the decision to buy one.

[engratsea]

I would also recommend trying another FFH. There are always a few lemons out there and unfortunately you may have stumbled on one of them. I have really had no issues with the FFH in quite some time, and even the issues I had were only the MPG dash reset. But, given your frustration and bad experience with the car I might opt for the Taurus.

[asperities]

[Frpm what I have read there are no widespread issues surrounding the Fusion, so from that perspective there is probably no reason at all not to buy another one. That said, no matter how we justify it the decision to buy car A or car B is dressed up as logical but is usually just the opposite.

 

Data point, our 17 day old Fusion was taken out by a drunk driver (plowed into our neighbor's Accord, drove that 8 feet forward into our Dakota, and then drove that 6-8 feet forward into our Fusion (a picture is somewhere on the site)). Oddly enough no mechanical damage to our Fusion but the repairs and expenses total about 15K.and took almost 3 months to repair. Now 6 months later I still don't have any non-accident related issues (took quite a while to get the cross system working and I still am not sure it is right). Car is tight, tracks perfectly, and had none of those annoying squeaks, squeals or rattles that most new cars have. We bought a new Subaru Outback (2009) after the accident. Nice car, worked beautifully during the recent multiple blizzards DC received. But, mileage on the 4 cyl is mediocre at best, fit and finish not as nice as the Fusion, and not nearly as comfortable or quiet a car.

 

Good luck in your decision (after driving 30 cars in less than a year to buy 2, I really don't envy you at all).

 

 

 

quote name=oldschool1962' date='18 March 2010 - 05:42 PM' timestamp='1268948565' post='23316]

I'm sure many of you followed or at the least caught a couple of the issues and related posts for my vehicle. There were some unique to my vehicle issues and I wanted to say that up front so there wasn't a misunderstanding about the line itself.

 

Anyhow most of the issues or posts about quirk's seem to surround vehicles with an earlier than November production date. This is not to say that all vehicles produced prior to November have issues but that's where the bulk of them seem to be.

 

I have two weeks before I need to make a decision regarding my vehicle. If it comes to pass....and I trade my vehicle......well....we've already discussed it among myself and my wife that the chance of lightening striking twice ....even for me would be a near impossibility. Yet the thought is still lurking in my mind. Plus I've got a daughter that over the next 3 years is going start looking at College and we'll need all the time we have between now and when she goes to get finances ready. The point is just taking something and driving it for 3 years and then trade is not an option as things sit now.

 

I am asking for some thoughts to whether or not............ trying to get a car that is produced now or was produced after ......let's say December..........would reduce possibly or a second CF and ensure that software would be up to speed as far as any and all changes?

 

As I've said before......it would be a total waste to have traded in a perfectly good van with no issues and the only handicap being it was getting 18-20mpg and not trade for another FFH. To give a bit more insight.....the second choice would be a new Taurus but then we're right back where we were with mileage on the van and...again.....that was.............................. quite the paradox I have to figure out for the next 2 weeks mileage and possible same issues or less mileage with ?????????? It's just not going to be feasible to wait for the 2011's.

[Juris]

@Oldschool1962: Figure out what kind of car you want and don't overthink things. Of all the models you've mentioned, what gives you more confidence in one than another? The 2010 Taurus hasn't been out that long, for example. On the other hand, the FFH for most people is a trouble free car. Mine has been, my best friend's FFH has been. Both of these were produced before July 2009. Each has > 10 thousand miles and gone through the Michigan winter.

Edited March 20, 2010 by Juris

[oldschool1962]

Howdy all.......

 

First off.......what made me come to that conclusion DT was that some of the earliest posts here about the IC glitch happened to cars produced mainly in the first 2 production cycles. The vehicle we have may have been an anomaly all it's own but was in the second cycle. My interest in a third or fourth cycle vehicle....well....I'm just trying to improve my odds on not having that lightening bolt hit me square on the head.....again.

 

I really want to get the FFH again. I enjoyed the car when it was not causing issues. Even now knowing that the issues will be going away.....we seem to be less concerned about what the car does and is actually enjoyable even with the issues.

 

I did drive the new Taurus and it's a nice vehicle. The trip I took it on I averaged about 31mpg. That was mostly at speeds above 40 and I used the same technique driving it as I would the FFH. The thing I'm concerned about is mainly the fuel economy. Getting the close to 40 combined we are is nice.....very nice.

 

As far as comfort, the Taurus offers me a more comfortable entrance and exit of the vehicle. I just don't know if we can swing the extra cash to get a Limited with Nav and rear view camera....an increase in payments and an increase in gas budget. The FFH purchase has produced an over all savings so......the logical choice would be just get another FFH.

 

My only issue regarding another FFH is that I want to thoroughly test drive the one I want to buy. Following some Fatherly advice........My father was quick to point out that every black car I have ever owned has been nothing but trouble for me......... I am changing the color choices of the car. Sucks because I really like the way a Black car looks and........that Tuxedo Black was no exception....especially at night when it was clean. I am going to my fall-back color of the Blue. Actually my original pick was a 502 with either a Black on Black or Blue on Black for exterior/interior.....respectively. There were none with the 502 anywhere in the area so I chose the Black on Light Stone

 

I don't want to seem unreasonable about the car but with all the cars that are available in the area.......the closest that match what we are looking for as a package for the FFH are all 150-250 miles away. I won't have access to the car until a maximum of three days before the paperwork is set to arrive from Ford. In other words.....because of the complexity of the transaction....the Dealership will not under any circumstance bring the vehicle down before the mentioned time frame. I understand why since they took the time to explain it.....wish it wasn't so but.....it is what it is. At least if there are issues with it I am not locked in until the VIN is put on the paperwork. Key is to not let that happen until after I test drive any vehicle thoroughly.

 

Still have a week and even the cars that are available can disappear. Really don't want to get stuck ordering one since I will be paying for mileage for the 6-10 weeks before delivery. That can really add up too since we'd be talking several hundred dollars in mileage charges and that's not using the car unless we have to.

 

It'll all work out in the end........and the FFH will be our car....I'm 98% sure of that.

Edited March 23, 2010 by oldschool1962