Best Build Date

[mwinn]

Happy new year everyone. Looking to pull the trigger on an ST. Thank you all very much for your questions, answers and insights. Given the early build quality and issues, what is the best build date time range to purchase? Thank you in advance for your insight

 

[themishmosh]

I am not convinced all issues have been solved. Not even sure if any of them have been solved, to be frank. Only time with tell. We still have people on this forum getting new Explorers with a multitude of problems. Sure there have been some problem free ones as well, but there have been problem free ones at the beginning.

I say wait as long as you can. When you need to buy, just buy and hope for the best. I would say try to order if at all possible. Not at all encouraged that dealers seem to be swapping parts with cars currently on the lot. Do they do that and eventually have the parts fixed or do they do that so someone buying those cars may not notice the problem?

My June build has a few things I need to have the dealer take a look at but nothing severe so I'm going to wait until summer to have them addressed when hopefully they have things figured out.

 

[Eric Tang]

If you need something now, buy an Edge. If it has to be an Explorer, wait a year or two.

 

[peterk9]

Happy new year everyone. Looking to pull the trigger on an ST. Thank you all very much for your questions, answers and insights. Given the early build quality and issues, what is the best build date time range to purchase? Thank you in advance for your insight

Welcome to the Forum.
I believe all major issues have been addressed, although as with any new vehicle coming off an assembly line, a few do have issues. The Explorers and Aviators are being shipped directly to the dealerships now. Several of the issues now are the same as with any new vehicle. My Aviator built Oct. 9th has so far been trouble free.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

If you need something now, buy an Edge. If it has to be an Explorer, wait a year or two.

I'm not sure how long the Edge will be around. It is being discontinued in the U.K. As for waiting a year or two, the 5th generation Explorer was still experiencing issues beyond that time frame. In any case, I'd recommend a Ford ESP with a purchase of an Explorer at this time.

Peter

 

[themishmosh]

In any case, I'd recommend a Ford ESP with a purchase of an Explorer at this time.

I would strongly not recommend getting an ESP. What's the rush when it's under warranty? I'd just as soon ditch the vehicle for something else if I get a whiff of long term problems. I have never had to get an extended warranty on any vehicle--just a waste of money. I've owned two other "all new" vehicles and have never had the issues that I've had with this one. This is NOT normal for a new release... at least for other makes. For those that say you get a free rental vehicle when you bring it in for warranty issues, I get that anyways if I do service and stack some warranty issues that in total eclipses 3 hours of work (YMMV with your dealership).

 

[TBill]

My Platinum Explorer had a build date of 6/25, took delivery 11/18, so far no issues. I believe Ford addressed some issues before it got to the dealer since it was on his lot for about 3 weeks before I took delivery.

TBill

 

[blwnsmoke]

I would strongly not recommend getting an ESP. What's the rush when it's under warranty? I'd just as soon ditch the vehicle for something else if I get a whiff of long term problems. I have never had to get an extended warranty on any vehicle--just a waste of money. I've owned two other "all new" vehicles and have never had the issues that I've had with this one. This is NOT normal for a new release... at least for other makes. For those that say you get a free rental vehicle when you bring it in for warranty issues, I get that anyways if I do service and stack some warranty issues that in total eclipses 3 hours of work (YMMV with your dealership).

I have had every ESP cover more than the purchase price across 3 different vehicles in the past 17 years and 420,000 miles. You lucked out, I lucked out.. who is right? Nobody.. it is all in how you perceive it. I have car insurance and have never had an at fault accident (except curbing my rim a few months back) in all my years of driving.. so why pay for insurance?

Sorry to sidetrack but for every person who has never needed an ESP, I can find someone who has.

 

[steweod]

I have had every ESP cover more than the purchase price across 3 different vehicles in the past 17 years and 420,000 miles. You lucked put, I lucked out.. who is right? Nobody.. it is all in how you perceive it. I have car insurance and have never had an at fault accident (except curbing my rim a few months back) in all my years of driving.. so why pay for insurance?

Sorry to sidetrack but for every person who has never needed an ESP, I can find someone who has.

I think what he was saying is why not wait to get one closer to your warranty expiring? Ford send lots of options at a pretty reasonable price when your warranty is about to run up. Me that is how I know to start shopping for a new car. It is a great reminder.

 

[peterk9]

I think what he was saying is why not wait to get one closer to your warranty expiring? Ford send lots of options at a pretty reasonable price when your warranty is about to run up. Me that is how I know to start shopping for a new car. It is a great reminder.

The price of an ESP goes up if you wait.

Peter

 

[steweod]

The price of an ESP goes up if you wait.

Peter

They do not seem that much higher than what is advertised on here. Especially when you factor in opportunity cost of buying something 3-5 years before you need it.

 

[mwinn]

Thank you everyone. Not exactly what I wanted to hear but the truth sometimes hurts. You know how it is when you make up your mind then need to rethink your decision. I'll wait and see. Maybe a summer purchase.

 

[steweod]

Have to remember what the UAW fights for. Then remember that when buying a new car.

Aribitor Rules UAW Workers Can Drink and Smoke Pot Without Fear | Tundra Headquarters Blog

 

[gpz1221]

I have a 7/28/19 build ST, with 2,600 miles whose Window sticker Invoice date, Blend date and arrival date into the dealer all line up in proper sequence indicating no delays, thus the vehicle was produced and shipped right out to the dealer. I have had NO problems at all short of a mismatched mirror puddle lamp from the factory, the vehicle also seems to be getting smoother, better as the break-in miles increase. I plan to do my first oil change on the dealer at 3K miles. I am curious to see if the Ecoboost 3.0 quiets down at all after the first oil change as my previous three 3.5 Ecoboost's (2 SHO's & MKS) that I've owned both would quiet down substantially when cold, etc. with fresh oil changes..

If you want to check out your Invoice date, Blend (build) date and shipping/dealer delivery date, check out the Mustang Tracker site here: Mustang Tracker - ModernMuscleCars.de

The site needs to be translated easily via your browser, take a phone photo of your screen as your VIN seems to get locked out after you run it once or twice.