Did your 00 V8 XLT overheated at 2000 miles and cost $45,000 new? if not, then I guess you have no right to question my action. If yes, the reason I don't sell it is because I would be punished by Ford's mistake by taking a big hit in depreciation.
What more can FORD do? how about people give all these people a better customer services. The car is overheated and can't be driven, how about a rental call right the way instead of asking them to come back when they can confirm the problem. How about some sort of extended powertrain warranty that they offered me to every one automatically without having to go through Cory escalation? Replacing the fan does not fix all the damages that overheating could cause. It is not like a MFT module broken that you can simply replace.
Whoa there... I was providing an out, I didn't mean to ignite a fuse to investigate my profile for reply material.
It just seemed to me that taking a few thousand dollar hit would be most advantageous over owning a vehicle that you don't trust for years to come, and waiting,
praying for it to fail in the
hopes that you can get a lemon law settlement.
I've owned almost 40 vehicles now, and many of them have had issues. Well, no- all have, they're mechanical. New rear axle in my 2001 Sport at 300 miles. New rear diff and one rear wheel bearing in my 2003 at 4,800 miles. Lost a transmission in my 2004 Taurus at 13k. New engine in my 1999 Ranger at 28k.
In fact, most recently, our 1,800 mile old 2010 F150 that pulls the trailer crapped out a transmission. The dealer picked up my parents 55 miles away, took the truck to the dealership, and they got a loaner vehicle. They then replaced the upper gears in and left the rest intact and said it would be fine. So far, it's fine, at 9,500 miles. Buy a new truck to pull a trailer, and that's really all it does for it's duty? Lose a transmission and they replace half of it?
That would make me nervous, especially for a tow vehicle. Sold the fishing boat to buy it- paid cash, so it was an actual $48,000+ vehicle as well. Even more frustrating. But to me, the cost really doesn't enter into it beyond the initial anger, because- a $48,000+ vehicle like the F150 has the same Sync unit as a $12,000 Fiesta, and that unit can make
both vehicles irritating as hell if they don't work right. That's why I chose to wait for the 2012 launch to see if issues are worked out. I don't want the problems. That's my choice.
You don't know me, but trust me- I'm not a fanboy. (Pardon the pun)
I'm
not a fan of this launch. Personally, I think it's been a near-disaster, and anyone that's been around here knows that I think that, and have vocalized it. Sure, there are lots of vehicles that are fine, but there are a disproportionate number of them that are not, especially when you're battling the new GC and Durango. MFT is a disaster right now, the rain/roof noise is a joke, the pillars, front covers, the fans, and I've heard problems creeping up with some of the brake systems now. The worst part to me, is the hoops people have to jump through for some of this stuff is incredible, and that's why I'm still driving my 2000, and not a 2011.
BUT- I agree with you. Cory, no offense- because without you, all hell would have broken loose around here. But, the response from Ford corporate straight up SUCKS on this launch. Not the dealers, Ford. Raiders is right- you shouldn't have to escalate an issue like they have to here to get a swift response. Ford had so much goodwill lately, and they're spending every last cent of it on the new Explorer and how they're handling the issues with them. The dealers have their hands tied, because they don't have a solution, and to me, Ford is leaving the dealers hanging out to dry to take the heat. I know some of the dealership principals at our dealer, and they're so fed up on this one it's scary. They're relying on the dealers to fix stuff that the dealers have no clue how to fix. My salesman is steering people towards the Edge now, until they get their issues worked out, because
his reputation is at stake. Ford is hedging a large weight of the future of Ford on this vehicle, and they're blowing it. JD Power already proved that, and as a shareholder, that bothers me tremendously. They're selling a crapload of them- right now- they could have a massive issue brewing on their hands if they can't fix them. I'm for rentals. Look at the Windstar- the rear axles had issues with corrosion, recall ensued, and they had rentals all over creation to get those people out of them and off the road. Guy at work had one for almost
3 months. Why they won't provide a rental, or at least a discounted rental, is beyond me. The dealer can't fix it yet, so put them in a rental if they ask. But, it's not policy. Should it be? Sure. But, there are rules, so I get that.
Raiders- I'm on your side- really I am, but honestly- in the case of the fans- I just think that Ford replacing a part from a bad parts run that failed but was monitored by a fail-safe system before it damaged the vehicle is a reasonable response. If it did damage the vehicle, that's another story, but for a discussion at a later time IF it does have issues. I'd totally be for Ford extending coverage to warped heads, and the like, however. But man- I really do understand your frustration, I've been there, I'd want an unmolested vehicle too.
Holy crap- Why did I type this much?
