Re: Fusion vs Camry and Accord - the Ford Challenge

He can't prove that by me. I own a four FMC models, a '41, '64, '71 and '83
with 100K to 300K on the clock, that all look and run great. All purchased
new and all provided the proper preventive maintenance. Perhaps he bought
his used and did not properly maintain them, may account for his biased
opinion.

mike

..
"Jeff" <news (AT) googlemail (DOT) com> wrote

I have a '97 Contour with over 140k mi on it. It still runs and handles
great. Great long-term quality.

I have heard similar things about other Fords, Toyotas, Chevys, Hondas,
etc.

They all make good cars that last a long time.

detroit otoh has vehicle less than 10 years vintage being junked, and
they're worn out at 1/3rd the mileage.

For whom does your wife work and what are her duties, that she would be
given such diverse types of vehicles? I owned a fleet service business that
operated in six eastern states and I never of such diversity.


mike


"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote

Let's see if I can remember them all
Jeep Cherokee - The worst. This thing was in the shop ever few months.
brake, transmission and axel problems. She went over some train tracks
once, not hard mind you and the steering wheel became off center. The
steering wheel always look like she was turning left even when she was
driving straight. This happened twice.

Ford Escape - great for the first 35K, then got noisy and the transmission
started slipping.

Dodge Grand Caravan - was okay

Ford Windstar knobs and parts started falling off within the first few
thousand miles. We only had this car for about 20K, she then changed jobs.

Pontiac Grand Prix was okay, then developed a a clicking in the steering
wheel. The steering wasn't smooth, you could feel while turning.

Chevrolet Equinox- only had this one for 8K, job change again. Was fairly
nice vehicle. Ride was way too soft though, felt like we were floating.

she's in sales. The cars were all turned over a 60K. The vehicle choices
changed every couple of years.

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote

For whom does your wife work and what are her duties, that she would be
given such diverse types of vehicles? I owned a fleet service business
that operated in six eastern states and I never of such diversity.


mike


"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote in message
news:YIqdnaG7s-5JIqHbnZ2dnUVZ_oKnnZ2d (AT) comcast (DOT) com...
Let's see if I can remember them all
Jeep Cherokee - The worst. This thing was in the shop ever few months.
brake, transmission and axel problems. She went over some train tracks
once, not hard mind you and the steering wheel became off center. The
steering wheel always look like she was turning left even when she was
driving straight. This happened twice.

Ford Escape - great for the first 35K, then got noisy and the
transmission
started slipping.

Dodge Grand Caravan - was okay

Ford Windstar knobs and parts started falling off within the first few
thousand miles. We only had this car for about 20K, she then changed
jobs.

Pontiac Grand Prix was okay, then developed a a clicking in the steering
wheel. The steering wasn't smooth, you could feel while turning.

Chevrolet Equinox- only had this one for 8K, job change again. Was fairly
nice vehicle. Ride was way too soft though, felt like we were floating.

What were the model years of those twenty cars?


mike

"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote

Whatever. I'm going by personal experience.
We've owned lots of other cars. The only foreign car that we had a major
problem with was an old Audi Fox.
4 Acura's Only 1 problem with the Legend after a major accident. Insurance
company insisted on using aftermarket parts for the repair.
1 Mercedes airbag problem which Mercedes fixed for free even though the
car was out of warranty.
2 Mazda's no problems
3 Volvos no problems
6 Hondas no problems
1 Isuzu no problems
1 Mitsubishi no problems
1 Nissan no problems

The only reason any of theses cars were traded in was because we wanted
to. All, except for the 2 Volvos had more miles than any of the American
cars we had.

What is she selling, and for whom, that she needs an SUV or a Van, yet can
get by with a small sedan?

mike


"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote

she's in sales. The cars were all turned over a 60K. The vehicle choices
changed every couple of years.

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:rbmdnapTrdHAvKDbnZ2dnUVZ_uygnZ2d (AT) ptd (DOT) net...
For whom does your wife work and what are her duties, that she would be
given such diverse types of vehicles? I owned a fleet service business
that operated in six eastern states and I never heard of such diversity.


mike


"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote in message
news:YIqdnaG7s-5JIqHbnZ2dnUVZ_oKnnZ2d (AT) comcast (DOT) com...
Let's see if I can remember them all
Jeep Cherokee - The worst. This thing was in the shop ever few months.
brake, transmission and axel problems. She went over some train tracks
once, not hard mind you and the steering wheel became off center. The
steering wheel always look like she was turning left even when she was
driving straight. This happened twice.

Ford Escape - great for the first 35K, then got noisy and the
transmission
started slipping.

Dodge Grand Caravan - was okay

Ford Windstar knobs and parts started falling off within the first few
thousand miles. We only had this car for about 20K, she then changed
jobs.

Pontiac Grand Prix was okay, then developed a a clicking in the steering
wheel. The steering wasn't smooth, you could feel while turning.

Chevrolet Equinox- only had this one for 8K, job change again. Was
fairly
nice vehicle. Ride was way too soft though, felt like we were floating.

You're entitled your own opinion. Those are just mine. If you feel the
Fusion or any other car is the car for you then go buy it.

Here's the model years as best as I can recollect them.
77 Audi Fox
92 Mazda MPV
95 Mazda 323
89 Mercedes 190 E
89 Volvo 740 XLE
92 Honda Accord
87 Honda CRX
89 Honda CRX
88 Acura Integra
90 Acura Integra
94 Acura Legend
Late 90's Isuzu trooper
03 Volvo S60
04 Volvo XC90
92 Mitsubishi Diamante
03 Honda Pilot
05 Honda Pilot
07 Acura RDX
05 Nissan Frontier

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote

What were the model years of those twenty cars?


mike

"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote in message
news:J4Odnbdv5PEoW6HbnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d (AT) comcast (DOT) com...
Whatever. I'm going by personal experience.
We've owned lots of other cars. The only foreign car that we had a major
problem with was an old Audi Fox.
4 Acura's Only 1 problem with the Legend after a major accident.
Insurance company insisted on using aftermarket parts for the repair.
1 Mercedes airbag problem which Mercedes fixed for free even though the
car was out of warranty.
2 Mazda's no problems
3 Volvos no problems
6 Hondas no problems
1 Isuzu no problems
1 Mitsubishi no problems
1 Nissan no problems

The only reason any of theses cars were traded in was because we wanted
to. All, except for the 2 Volvos had more miles than any of the American
cars we had.

Isn't that what most buyers do? I am just curious how you are so sure all
domestic cars fall apart at such low mileage and why you would cross post to
a NG of a brand that you have never owned to discredit that brand? It
seems you have not ever owned a domestic and that you do not even buy new
cars.


I have owned over seventy cars that I bought new. I currently drive an '06
domestic luxury car and an '07 domestic sports convertible. I have owned
domestic, European and Japanese cars. I never had a 'bad' car among all of
those cars. I discovered the only real difference among them is style and
price. After owning a dozen Toyotas and Lexus cars and being taken over by
the dealers I switch to the domestics I now own. Since I did so in 1999 I
have saved thousands of dollars in the cost of acquiring the cars and
hundreds of dollars in yearly preventive maintenance. My opinion differs
from yours as does that of the majority of Americans since both GM and Ford
sell million more vehicles annually in the US than does any import brand.


mike

"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote

You're entitled your own opinion. Those are just mine. If you feel the
Fusion or any other car is the car for you then go buy it.

Here's the model years as best as I can recollect them.
77 Audi Fox
92 Mazda MPV
95 Mazda 323
89 Mercedes 190 E
89 Volvo 740 XLE
92 Honda Accord
87 Honda CRX
89 Honda CRX
88 Acura Integra
90 Acura Integra
94 Acura Legend
Late 90's Isuzu trooper
03 Volvo S60
04 Volvo XC90
92 Mitsubishi Diamante
03 Honda Pilot
05 Honda Pilot
07 Acura RDX
05 Nissan Frontier

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:deSdnX-3l9ZJuKDbnZ2dnUVZ_v6tnZ2d (AT) ptd (DOT) net...
What were the model years of those twenty cars?


mike

"Wade" <nugr**v*@excite.com> wrote in message
news:J4Odnbdv5PEoW6HbnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d (AT) comcast (DOT) com...
Whatever. I'm going by personal experience.
We've owned lots of other cars. The only foreign car that we had a major
problem with was an old Audi Fox.
4 Acura's Only 1 problem with the Legend after a major accident.
Insurance company insisted on using aftermarket parts for the repair.
1 Mercedes airbag problem which Mercedes fixed for free even though the
car was out of warranty.
2 Mazda's no problems
3 Volvos no problems
6 Hondas no problems
1 Isuzu no problems
1 Mitsubishi no problems
1 Nissan no problems

The only reason any of theses cars were traded in was because we wanted
to. All, except for the 2 Volvos had more miles than any of the American
cars we had.

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote

He can't prove that by me. I own a four FMC models, a '41, '64, '71 and
'83 with 100K to 300K on the clock, that all look and run great. All
purchased new and all provided the proper preventive maintenance. Perhaps
he bought his used and did not properly maintain them, may account for his
biased opinion.

mike

Or you may be better at choosing the more reliable models. My in-laws have
had a couple; an early Escort and a late 90s Tempo. The Escort was a
nightmare, particularly in the engine, but the Tempo was reliable. My son
had an early Taurus with a manual tranny, and it was born to cause grief.
The clutch disc was only 6 inch diameter (!!!!!) and the TBI was a tutorial
in how to troubleshoot weird FI problems. Did I mention the idle control
that used DC to increase and AC from an inverter to decrease the idle, and
how troublesome that inverter could be? At least he didn't have the AXOD
auto tranny.

Ford has made some good vehicles, but sometimes they didn't think about the
amount of grief particular cost-cuts would make. Water pump seizures wiping
out timing belts (and therefore interference engines), forward clutch
pistons breaking in the tranny - those have gone a long way to tarnishing
the image of the company. Save $5 or $10, spend $2000 or $4000.

Ford is not alone. Late 20th century Volvos have a reputation for
durability, but models from about '82 (IIRC) to '88 had problems with
disintegrating wiring harnesses. Anybody who has had to replace the blower
motor in any Volvo 240 will curse the name of Volvo. And those are just cars
I'm familiar with.

Before buying any used car, a potential buyer is wise to ask about known
issues with any car he/she is planning to buy. Usenet has its faults but we
can always get a straight answer out of most people. With that, there is no
reason to swear off any brand. Except Mopar... don't get me started! ;-)

Mike

How does that differ from any other brand? They all break down on occasion
that is why they all offer a warranty, even Rolls Royce.

When one buys a used car they have no idea how that car was used or abused,
or whether it was properly maintained, or not. It make no difference what
brand name is on the hood,

mike


"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull (AT) cybertrails (DOT) com> wrote

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:UNKdnWfb9dRQgqDbnZ2dnUVZ_gidnZ2d (AT) ptd (DOT) net...
He can't prove that by me. I own a four FMC models, a '41, '64, '71 and
'83 with 100K to 300K on the clock, that all look and run great. All
purchased new and all provided the proper preventive maintenance.
Perhaps he bought his used and did not properly maintain them, may
account for his biased opinion.

mike

Or you may be better at choosing the more reliable models. My in-laws have
had a couple; an early Escort and a late 90s Tempo. The Escort was a
nightmare, particularly in the engine, but the Tempo was reliable. My son
had an early Taurus with a manual tranny, and it was born to cause grief.
The clutch disc was only 6 inch diameter (!!!!!) and the TBI was a
tutorial in how to troubleshoot weird FI problems. Did I mention the idle
control that used DC to increase and AC from an inverter to decrease the
idle, and how troublesome that inverter could be? At least he didn't have
the AXOD auto tranny.

Ford has made some good vehicles, but sometimes they didn't think about
the amount of grief particular cost-cuts would make. Water pump seizures
wiping out timing belts (and therefore interference engines), forward
clutch pistons breaking in the tranny - those have gone a long way to
tarnishing the image of the company. Save $5 or $10, spend $2000 or $4000.

Ford is not alone. Late 20th century Volvos have a reputation for
durability, but models from about '82 (IIRC) to '88 had problems with
disintegrating wiring harnesses. Anybody who has had to replace the blower
motor in any Volvo 240 will curse the name of Volvo. And those are just
cars I'm familiar with.

Before buying any used car, a potential buyer is wise to ask about known
issues with any car he/she is planning to buy. Usenet has its faults but
we can always get a straight answer out of most people. With that, there
is no reason to swear off any brand. Except Mopar... don't get me started!
;-)

Mike

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote

When one buys a used car they have no idea how that car was used or
abused, or whether it was properly maintained, or not. It make no
difference what brand name is on the hood,

On that we differ - not about the brand, but the inability to determine how
the car has been maintained or treated. I avoid buying used cars under 80K
miles because at 50K miles it *is* hard to tell how it has lived, but at
100K it is hard to hide. If there are no known "killer" issues with that
m/m/y and it passes five minutes of examination the chances of getting at
least 100K miles more service out of a 100K mile car are better than getting
100K miles more out of a 50K car - at least, that's my experience. The only
100K+ car I've ever bought that didn't make it another 100K in good style
was a Nissan 300ZX that I lusted after so much I ignored the warning of
traces of rust in the radiator, which is a deal-breaker.

The make, model and year (and power train or other options within that model
and year) are huge factors in what a buyer can expect out of a car.
Realistically, make is no more important than model or year in that formula.

Mike