The CAR WIZARD shares the top FORD Cars TO Buy & NOT to Buy!
2024 ж. 21 Мам.
677 244 Рет қаралды
Taking from his years of experience working on cars the CAR WIZARD 🧙♂️ shares the top Ford Cars TO buy and NOT to buy!
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Thanks for catching the Focus mishap. Forgot to mention that it needs to be a MANUAL transmission. Thanks guys!!
Hey, Car Wizard would you recommend buying the 95 ford escort? why or why not? BTW. your doing a great job with your videos and they are really improving
Any favorites or special picks on the classic Mustangs?
Real good article in the Detroit free press, how Ford knew these transmissions were garbage but still allowed them to be released to the public. I think it can be found on Autoblog. Loved the Chevy buy video, I drive an old Sunfire 03. Still going strong.
The Ford Explorer has bad Transmissions and know why you recommended that
@@bradyakubovic2550 Those old Sunfires are deathboxes in a crash but are quite reliable, cheap transportation. If safety is not on your priority list, you can do a lot worse.
I run a towing company in Missouri and the one vehicle ive never picked up from the road side is a crown vic.....been doing this for 30 years and not a single one
Yup them old 2v 4.6s are unbeatable
Crown vics are built like tanks
Old tech. Strong tech. Proven.
It's got a cop motor, a 440-cubic-inch plant. It's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas."
@@john-paulsilke893 lol yea blues brothers
I had an Aspire as a replacement vehicle when my TBird was recalled. I know why they named it the Aspire because if you drive one, you Aspire to get a better car.
But the festiva just before it was awesome. 1988-1991
lol u aspire
@@gpwcowboy 88-93 mine is a 93 and I love it!
Oh boy I actually want to know hows it's like driving those on the highway... That is if they even can
It's a rebadge Kia Avella.
We've had 3 Lincoln Town Cars with the 4.6L V8...all were virtually trouble-free cars! I miss them.
I would never tell anyone to buy one of the focuses with The dual-clutch transmission that has been plagued with problems since its development
Yes, they're 4-5k for a 2012 less than 100k miles for a reason. 2016s with less than 40-50k are going for 9k
I never had a problem with my 2016 ford focus SE, the shuttering problem that people have is due to not knowing how duel clutch transmissions work, it's not a traditional automatic. I really like my car, it's very fuel efficient, looks good, reliable and I do all the repairs and maintenance myself for very little money.
@@jgonzo328 while that is true to an extent, it was marketed as an "automatic", was told and advertised as operating like a traditional automatic, and there's no getting around the fact that the clutches WILL wear out and need to be replaced every 50-75k miles. On top of the bad drivability they offer in general, they often also have issues with the shift motors/controller going out anyways leaving you stranded (since it's essentially a motor controlled manual gearbox)
Yeah, I had a rental with maybe 30-40k, and the transmission was roached.
Yeah big class action looming.
The Focus and Fiesta are great cars as long as you get the manual.
Or you know how to mitigate the issues with the dual-clutch transmissions. Namely, don't drive it. Barring that, you turn the car on standby, then once the computer has started up, you start the engine. However, that thing hates steep hills and stop-and-go traffic.
That's true
Yes. The manuals are good little cars. The dual clutch autos are trash.
@@rabbitruck ya that's true the Americans just don't know what there talking about a manual is simple to work a baby could drive one and they last forever
Actually, the powershift is a reliable transmission if you don't mind a little bit of jerky shifting on occasion. My sons both have the Focus and they've been super reliable.
I have a 3 Cyl Focus and it's a fun car to toss about, great fuel mileage!, As for the Crown Victoria we STILL have some in service.
@4:12 I have a 2009 ford fusion, bought it at 35k miles from a rental company and I've been daily driving it for 10 years and now it has around 160k miles on it. Never given me a mechanical problem and have only done basic maintenance on it. Its been a good car.
Which engine does it have?
I’ve had two of those Ford Focuses with the dual clutches, I’d stay away as far as possible.
Same
They're great with a stick. Horrible with the dual clutch.
@@polarbear2579 Yea with a stick they are actually really reliable and fun cars. Fuck the DCT though.
Absolutely. They are horrible
I can't believe he recommended that generation Focus and didn't mention the DPS6 / "PowerShift" debacle.
The one to buy is Ford Crown Victoria no matter the year or mileage (Just avoid rust)
Jose Manuel My 2005 Crown Victoria LX only has 62,000 miles on it. I’m gonna keep that car forever
@@281CubicInchesOfFreedom òþtpoúúuuuúùuuuuuùùùuùùùù ù
Ethan P Keep it. Because it has the 4.6, has a crazy after market because the mustangs from that time period used the 4.6 and it’s insane. You have a tank. Everyone go buy a used police interceptor 😂
@@kevs2good133 I saw a video where a guy modded his out to 650 HP.
If only it had a 5spd
I agree with you on the 05-09 Mustang looking the best. It has a timeless retro look and if you see a clean one roll up alongside you on the highway it has a road presence that the newer ones simply don’t have.
The edge 3.5, I had the second year they ever made, bought it brand new, drive it 230k without changing anything. Best highway driver I ever owned. We loved that car, then they changed the seats to smaller in the edge and eventually smaller in the explorer. That edge was the best car I ever had, it was way superior in ride quality to my Camry.
While the 3.5 definitely has the water pump issue (Only in transverse models, Water pumps in longitudinal configs, like the f-150s are external). I don't really believe the failure rate is all that high, ford just made millions of these things, and people share their horror stories of having to replace and engine. I think they also updated the design around 2013 or so, so id imagine the failure rate is even less for models after that year.
@@Subwolfer7564 yep 3.7 too same deal. Ford used both motors in alot of models. Could a water pump last without issues. Yes. Is duratec a good motor, yes, does it have issues with water pump, yep
@jeremiahjary2106 it's alot better than GM'S abysmal DOD failure rate even in their 3.6 V6 Colorado,arcadia,equinox. Cylinder 5 lifter goes boom and 5k-9k of repairs
@@thevally6127 simple tune will turn dod off. ALL manufacturers have issues with DOD chevy dodge. It is just not a good thing. I got an impala ss 2008 on jack stands right now I am fixing up. Thinking about deleting the dod on it while I am at it.
@jeremiahjary2106 Even with Tune it still will have a 50/50 chance of failing because of the physical parts. My Pontiac G8 GT needed a new engine, my caprice PPV needed a rebuild and my 2016 Colorado got a new engine and torque converter.
It's called the Aspire because as soon as you buy one you aspire to get something better
We used to call those the Ford "perspire" .
Is also a kia avella..pfffffff
Nice lmao
I was surprised he didn't mention that it wasn't even a Ford, it was just a rebadged Kia or something like that.
why even mention the aspire,there has to be like 10 of these on the road per state lol
The crown vic/grand marquis/town car are one of the most reliable and comfortable cars ever made period.
I agree
Wait till you have to get a fuel pump from Ford, they just don't sell a fuel pump but the whole sending unit for 600+dollars, use a parts house one and you will be doing it again 6 months later
@@MrJoshlemons yes I have done a fuel pump on a grand marquis with 205k on it. I didn't want to buy the whole assembly for $250 or drop the tank so I pull pulled the assembly out and replaced the pump itself and the gasket. Cost me $85 in parts and only took me 30 minutes. A near empty gas tank helped a lot.
@@hotdogs5265 ya the fuel pump is nothing compared to the total reliabilty of the car
@@alejandrob-c2277 I drive mine daily. At 220k and still going strong.
Ford focus 2013 and newer with the Dual-clutch transmission 100% garbage. I would never tell anyone to buy one 😭
It's a good car... with the MANUAL option. I only wish it was a 6spd manual and not a 5 spd. It tachs out at over 3K at 75 mph in 5th... really dont like spinning it that high on long highway drives.
@@vonal67 my 2012 Honda Accord v6 with the 6 speed revs at 3k doing 80 mph
@@vonal67 my 08 Focus 5spd revs out on the highway like you mentioned. It's fine. I get high 30s for gas milage and car has 247k miles on it and still runs quiet
🤣🤣🤣🤣 you can order the entire car by mail, I laughed so hard that I started choking..
Crown Vics were dead reliable. My dad had one for many years when he was still alive, he only traded it out with a truck because he wanted something better suited to haul cargo.
It blew my mind when I realized they had been making it until 2011.
@@eathotdog when ford announced that they were going to stop making them, police precincts all over the country scrambled to get as many as they could
@@eathotdog the LAST built CVPI is in SAUDI ARABIA. If you google CVPI and then go onto wikipedia, the info is on there.
2009 mercury grand marquis ultimate edition was my hands down favorite car that i owned only downside the rwd and the fact i live in canada
those cars had body-on-frame builds with the classic Ford V8. Same goes for the Mercury Grand Marquis and the Lincoln Town Car. Thats why a lot of Taxi companys bought them and I still see them around all the time
06 gt mustang, bought it new, loved the look!!!! has been so reliable. other than the spark plug issue, no complaints at all, she is a keeper......I still stare at it with the I luv this car feeling.!!!
Stanggggg!!!! my '97 SN94 gen GT is now my life!!!!
My sister was given a Aspire as a high school graduation gift by our grandparents. It was a brand new 4dr with A/C and automatic. She drove it all through college but when she got accepted to a Veterinary school in Texas I had to drive it , with her two German Shepherds as passengers, from Wisconsin to Texas. Crosswinds we're a nightmare and passing anything on a two lane with the A/C on was a fantasy. Rode like it was on concrete tires. My lower back was sore for a couple of weeks after I flew home...
Wiiiiiizard!!!! Love the channel and your "adventures" with Hoovie! As the cars go....ooooh boy! There were some doozies in that one!
I've owned two Fords. A 94 Escort, great little car. It was really a Mazda. Then, a 98 Taurus. The transmission melted down the day after the ex took it. Good riddance to both.
Yeah, the AXOD trans and base 3.0 Vulcan were a crappy combo. It's a shame because earlier taurus generations could be had with a manual and they were decent cars.
Had a 99 escort wagon and a 2011 focus. Both lasted 10 years and were still running when I traded them in
Lol
That's funny
The Taurus are generally damn good, until the transmission goes.. then it's done. But I got 195,000miles on a taurus before that happened.
I have a 2013 Ford Fiesta hatchback with a manual transmission with 220K miles and the original clutch. It has been a great vehicle. We have killed 2 deer with it and it is still going strong.
220k miles with the original clutch?!? just changed mine last week-end with 75k miles on it... broken spring in the clutch, weak pressure plate and leaky slave cylinder 🙄
@@fredcanuel I got 108k on the original clutch and brakes and they are fine.
@@fredcanuel Yeah that's weird. I don't know how we haven't needed to replace it. My wife drives it hard too.
@@fredcanuel The only thing currently wrong with it is the air conditioner went out at around 150K.
@@fredcanuel Original rear drum brakes too and just changed the timing belt at 200K.
I had a 96 ford Taurus, 94 escort, 98 taurus, 96 explorer, and now a 2000 focus. EVERY single one was never an issue. After about 160,000 miles plus, they'd come to the end of their life, and as I was never the original owner, some were better maintained over the years than others. The 2000 focus I have now was garage kept and loved all it's life. It has 125k on it and is going strong.
i can confirm that fusions are good cars. i knew someone who had one of them with 450k+ miles on it. it was cosmetically rough, but the engine was still running strong and the tranny was still shifting good. it had the v6 in it.
I hate the interior layout. Uncomfortable but a very serviceable car.
8:32 I thought you were going to start singing
I thought the same thing! I wasn't sure what was happening for about a second.
LMAO SAME
Ha, I missed it at first but now I can't un-hear it. Thanks.
Manual focus and fiesta are great. Stay away from dual clutches.
yep in the uk those are very popular
My 19 has the dual clutch auto and its fine shifts smooth
@@richardbutton1179, how many miles?
@@ryanpham3308 11,000
@@richardbutton1179, exactly why you shouldn't talk. Give or take, when it reaches 80K, it'll be like driving on rocks.
My family has worked for Ford for years so we’ve always had Ford cars. My 07 focus is about to be at 200,000 miles and it’s doing well. & my gmas 2000 Taurus is doing good too, basically if you just stay on top of maintenance you get many years out of these cars
Show me ur hooters?
@@bufordblu3338 real smooth, Casanova.
Maintence is definitely the biggest factor
The only real problem I had with my 07 Focus SES, was that the transmission was starting to go out when I traded it in for an 11 Flex. It had just a bit over 100000 miles on it.
You lucked out .. I stayed on top of my Taurus and Sable....the Taurus transmission went out. The Sable is nothing but a Taurus ..I just decided to move on
I had a 98 Taurus one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Did do a heater core but it was only an hour job. Very easy to work on.
The most reliable cars my family drove were 02 to 07 focus with either the zetec, svt, or duratec engines. We've had more than five of these cars and never have we been stranded. They go and go until we get bored of them and sell it off. I have one with 200k. The mounts are bad, the engine bucks, misfires, spits, lags its been driven into the ground and still goes everywhere
Damn. Finally a Ford version!
My friend has a 2003 Mustang with 2 valve 4.6 (the same one as Crown Vics) and a manual. That thing has something like 300k miles and is still running without an issue. He does regular maintenance on it so mechanically it's in almost perfect condition.
I have an 08 Edge, I purchased recently. I looked at it on the lift and saw a coolant leak. I told them it was a deal breaker. Anyhow, they changed the water pump and I bought it. I think they regretted agreeing to fix the water pump. It took them two days. I had all the other fluids changed PTU, differential, oil, brake fluid, coolant and transmission. So far so good. I paid 3800$ and dropped another 500$. I really love this car. It drives like a limousine. If I get 2 to 3 years out it, I’m good.
For a full size, instead of the Ford Crown Victoria, I would go for the Mercury sister car, the Grand Marquis instead. Like the Crown Vic, Mercury sold a lot of Grand Marquis and they tended to be a little more luxurious than the Crown Vic. Also, many Grand Marquis owners tend to be older drivers and usually the older drivers treat their cars really well unlike many younger drivers.
Ya my dad had a grand marquis and eventually the motor went and we replaced it on a weekend and that thing ran for another decade.
@@deathdragon1475 previous owners didn't do maintenance on that car because that ford 4 6l v8 could outlast Japanese cars
@@theshield1613 blowing out spark plugs is not an issue with any Japanese car I’ve owned. They are reliable but still more issues than a Toyota/lexus or Honda/Acura
Or the town car, only issue is the air suspension can deflate. It's not a super common issue, though.
@@ValentinoBentley Ford Engines normally only do that when they are worn and overdue to be changed anyway, except on certain specific designs.
The 3.5 V6 is costly to do water pumps, but besides that it's a pretty reliable engine. The 3.5l ecoboost is definitely the one to avoid. Timing chain problems at 30k, turbo problems, carbon build up. We have at least 2 or 3 3.5 ecos apart in our dealer a day
Yeah, turbo engines don't hold up well. Craigslist is going to be flooded with f150s that need turbos in 10 years.
The Mazda CX-9s with those engines are a pain too as well as the 3.7 variant. Thankfully Mazda uses the 2.5T Sky Active engine now.
This was very helpful, thank you!
Those Fusions have a factory recall on the ABS modules. They put DOT3 fluid instead of DOT4 and it ruins the valves in the ABS. I had one, 1600 reported accidents with 2 fatalities. Got rid of mine and got an 09 Silverado crew cab with the 4.8 V8 (no AFM). LOVE it!!!
I have a 2004 Explorer with the 2v 4.6 V8. I love it. It's pretty easy to work on and parts aren't hard to find. It's RWD. The only problem is the occasional coil replacement, but they aren't hard to replace, or very expensive. It is a little cramped because of the V8, but the longitudinal drivetrain configuration helps a lot.
I've had my 2003 Crown Vic for 8 years now, and I LOVE it. The only major repair I've had to do is front end work (ball joints). It has about 135K miles currently, and the only problem at the moment is the well-documented blend door failure. I can still coax it using the test function though, so not a problem. My wife has the same year Grand Marquis, and the only failure on hers is the stinkin' paint. Horrible peeling issues on the hood, roof and trunk. I've managed to keep most of the rust at bay with grinding/rattle can paint, but other than that, it's a fantastic car. If I ever get rid of it, I think I'll look for a 2012 that was driven by that little old lady. I'd bet that car would last me through my retirement years.... *thumbs up*
Glad to hear you're enjoying it! Hope I can keep mine as long as you have had yours. Wizard was actually wrong about the years, the latest year for the Crown Vic was actually 2011, all the 2012's got shipped overseas. Definitely look for the old lady one though, my '98 lived with one and she took great care of it!
Whew. We have a 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer. It’s really clean. We bought it about 3 years ago with 161k for about $5,500. The small dealership said there was a new timing chain. Test drove it for an hour. Perfect. Clean. Within a week the gas tank kept draining all the gas. Emergency repair. Engine went out in a month. We’ve replaced starter, manifold, a lot of stuff. Fortunately we had a shade tree mechanic for the minor stuff. We had to replace engine and transmission. Some other repairs, new tires. Honestly, we love the car, but if I had a crystal ball, it would not have been in our future. I’d had ‘93 loaded Explorer years earlier that I loved. Next time I’ll buy a Toyota. We’ve put a lot of money in this car. No one else drives it. If it gets totaled we’ll get $4,000 and be out all the expensive parts. I won’t drive back roads after dark because I almost hit a deer. I’d have rather spent $12,000 on another car. Then if it gets destroyed in a hail storm, that’s already happened to us, we get $10,000 back. I’m still sticking pins in that seller’s doll. Facebook marketplace. We’re in Nashville area. Virtually every good car you’ve mentioned, I’ll go on Car Gurus. They’re all noted as “high price” or “overpriced”. I’d be better off flying somewhere else to buy a better car and drive it back. I’m speculating with all the new transplants, car dealers got the wrong memo and think we all have money.
My Grand Marquis has 429,000 miles and it runs like a clock. Based on some of your other videos where you say not to buy, it looks like it is going to need to run for several more years. Great video!
You're the most endearing car/mechanic KZhead channel I've found in years of watching, and you've quickly become my favorite!
I just smile sometimes when he's talking, genuinely good information told in an honest way. Exactly what Im looking for.
I LOVED my 92 taurus wagon, and 98 Sable wagon!! I though they were beautiful! Never had the heater core problem. Sable ran for 14 years & 250k
I have had 2 Foci with the Zetec or Duratec motors and a manual trans. They are excellent cars for daily driving. They drive well, handle well, and they feel much faster than they are. I got 30+ reliably with the Duratec and my SVT with the Zetec gets 29-30 highway at 180hp. (N/A 2L! And they have 6 speeds!) The Duratec was totalled by my stepmom, and at 180k it was doing excellent. Minimal maintenance requirements, very reliable. I think the most critical thing we had to do in 100k of ownership was a timing belt, and it was pretty easy.
Thank you car wizard for this videos. Helps us a lot
The way the cars just come out of his hands - It's like I'm living in the future!
My 2008 ford fusion has 283,000 original miles and still running strong. It's the 3.0 with the Mazda transmission.
I really really likes all you videos , i’am learning too much about cars to buy or not to buy thanks a lot 🙏
Hi, Wizard, I really enjoy all your videos. I'm 70 and don't drive as much anymore. I have a 2012 Mustang 3.7 V6 and a 2019 Transit XLT t350 with the same motor. I did take the XLT van in and have Magnaflow exhaust installed 1 in 2 out just in front of the rear passenger side wheel and tire. It's the 18 inch muffler and sounds nice. It really did wake up the motor . My question is also water pump, I've been doing research and my pump unit is driven by the serpentine belt pulley. I did notice a Ford bulletin about installing a new hose from the thermostat housing to the over flow bottle that has a check valve which is supposed to keep air out of the system. Sorry about taking the long way around the barn with my question but I'm a car guy and no one I've talked to knows much about it. CostLess AutoParts here in Vancouver WA can get the hose for $45. and ebay has one for $27. My motors are fine 77k on the Mustang and 50k on the Transit. Thanks again and you folks pls. Keep up all the fine work you're doing. Best Regards Glenn Vancouver USA
Are you aware of the incredible amount of transmission problems with the Focus?
Yes the dual clutch one, good bye.
Davisd. the ANGEL.
@@buckeyesfan4700 why so serious?
Friend of mine had a 2010 and the transmission died at 32k miles
wizard is clueless on fords he an arm chair advice giver.
Had a 2012 focus brand new, I bailed at 30,000 miles on it and so glad I did. The transmission is a time bomb
Thank you for straight talk and telling it like it is video. I have a 1996 Crown Victoria. 4th owner bought with 86,000 miles on it twenty years ago. I now have 122,000 miles on it. Excellent car with some care. Blessings to you.
I have a 2008 Edge with the 3.5 had the car since new. The car currently has 160k miles. The only thing this car got was fluid changes. No engine issues ever. No CEL ever. It has been one of the most reliable cars in our family..... knock on wood!
My boss has an edge. The whole vehicle(slightly joking... Slightly) has been replaced by warrantied parts.
My 09 Edge (loved it to death) has a rusted undercarriage. there are piles of rust on the street. I am sad I can't get it renewed next year. Time for a new car
Our edge lasted 200,000 we loved it. And the water pump problem usually doesn’t happen till 150,000 or more. We have had 4 vehicles with the 3.5 and 3.7 and never had any issues
Yes but he's talking about used vehicles. Would you buy one with a 150k miles on it knowing that pump had never been replaced?
@@wingracer1614 I wouldn't buy any brand of car with 150k miles on it. You're inheriting a money pit. I don't care if it's a Toyota or Honda. You're buying a money pit.
@@pbaker7160 Congratulations on your financial success. For millions of people, that isn't an option. But that begs the question, why are you even bothering to watch these videos when they clearly aren't something you're interested in? Or are you hoping to find that one mint condition Mustang II with only 37 miles on it left in existence?
Glad to see the 06-10 Explorer and 05-09 Mustang GT on the list, I have a 07 Explorer Sport Trac with the 4.6 3v and hearing you say that its reliable is great news for me, and yes the 4.6 in the explorer is abit hard to work on lol
I have a 2003 f150 with a 4.6 triton and I love it, hard to work on but all I had to replace on it was a coil, belt tensioner, and starter at 126k miles. So far it's been decent.
OMG, that TR7 in the background is identical to my old one that ended up dieing with an electrical fire. I loved it, convertible with a flexi body that kept all wheels on the ground even when hard cornering.
I own a 2007 ford fusion with the v6 and the AWD system. It is such an incredible car. It is unbelievably reliable, mine has 280,000 miles on it. Starts every time and runs strong. They are fun to drive to. I can throw mine through corners and have a blast. The v6 feels so fast when you step on the pedal. One of the best sounding v6's ford makes if you modify the exhaust. ac and heat still work like brand new too.
Love this channel, but man...recommending a Focus with the Powershift dual clutch is crazy. That transmission is garbage. The manual Focuses from that era are very good.
Funny the dealers warn you to get the automatic over the manual because "The resale value will be awful" Boy were they wrong on that one
@@mrfourtysevenman ha ha - true
@@mrfourtysevenman I almost traded my 2005 ZX5 automatic Focus for a manual 2013 Ford Focus hatchback manual. But I remembered hating the 5 speed shifter. It wouldn't let you skip gears. Now the 6 speed in the ST Focus was allot better. But I hated the Ricaro seats. Ultimately, it looks like I dodged a bullet with a newer Focus I never purchased. It's sad to me to learn Ford built an inferior car and they internally knew about it. I suppose for the consumer it's for the best Ford has given up on car production if building them cheaper than GM was their only solution to continue North American production. If they get sued for the dual clutch debacle, they deserve what they end up having to pay for never fixing the problem and selling a known flawed problem.
My moms got the st (2019) let me drive it across 2 states and I had a blast. I can tell it's a well made car
A good friend of mine growing up had 4 ford aspires, one daily and 3 parts cars. They are insanely easy to work on and the 5 speed is actually very fun to throw around mountain gravel roads. Also the shifter felt very chunky and reassuring. The cars name was "Eggbert" lol.
Most of my cars are from Ford. My first car was a 1998 Ford Contour, my second car was a 2005 Ford Focus ZX5, my third one was a 2011 Mercury Milan, and my current car is a 2015 Ford Escape. I had the Focus the longest for almost 7 years.
I love my 06 mustang gt. It's very easy to work on and hasn't let me down yet. I have 170k miles and just did a 8 hour trip to flordia and cruised the beach roads for a week and made it back and it's back to being my daily driver an hour to and from work.
I own an 07 Mustang GT with 140k on it. The total repairs were both rear trailing arms (not at the same time though) at about 85k miles, and a gem module that governed warning lights and some gauges. The engine has been rock solid the whole time, and I'm still on the original clutch.
My 2005 Crown Victoria LX has 62,000 original miles on it. I’m never gonna sell that car
You gotta drive it man, enjoy that car. Almost to 203,000 on mine and shooting for 300,000!
I had a 98 205 ,000 miles sold it and bought a park ave with less miles and was very disappointed. Got rid of it and bought another 98 crown Vic and still got it. Still runs torque converter been out for 6 years but it still rides great.
My dad had a 97 Grand Marquis that was as nice as any other Panther (meaning, fantastic). Unfortunately it was totaled by a young girl in a late model Volvo making a left right across my path without looking. Just 138k on the clock 😞
Good, it will last forever with good maintenance. The panther platform cars Ford made are the best.
man i miss my vic
I recognize the F150 behind you has a paint scheme that resembles the Border Patrol paint scheme. As a USBP Agent myself, seeing that brought back memories of the 1st Gen Raptors we used to use in the field. Very durable truck in my opinion (vs. the next gen turbo'd V6 junk they still use today) . Especially for the off road work we put them through everyday.
My parents bought a 2008 fusion brand new when I was in 4th grade… it was the car I learned to drive in. I loved it
I agree that the fifth gen mustang is absolutely beautiful. I love seeing those on the road. My dad had a 2010 until it was totaled in a flood. A real damn shame. It was a badass car. The fifth gens had a perfect mix of classic and modern. I'll agree that some of the ones after 09 look a little frumpy on the front but not all of them. It depends what year and what type. The 6th gen ones I don't like. They look too modern. The 5th really nailed the classic look. I'd love to own a 5th gen eventually because I just love the look even if I rarely drive it. It just looks great and I'd love to have one.
Google "Ford Focus/Fiesta Powershift transmission settlement" You're welcome. Don't buy the Focus starting in 2012 and up, plus the Fiesta starting in 2011 and up. The ones with the standard transmission I heard are good, but the automatics are the ones to avoid at all costs. I had two Fiestas. A 2013 and a 2014. Both equipped with the automatic transmission, the '13 one had to have a clutch replaced once under warranty and the other one had to have 2 replaced in the 52k miles that I owned it.
DeadofWinter321 they call it the Dps6- a manually controlled automatic clutches are Notorious for shuddering.
The funny thing is, is that my mechanic sold me his 14' auto Focus.
2016 and newer are good. In the Fiesta the dual clutch is basically flawless now, and it's excellent in the Focus, but frequent hard driving can still reveal occasional problems.
You can get ones with a regular automatic transmission, but you have to get the smaller turbocharged engine and only on a sedan.
1.6 liter naturally aspirated and EcoBoost is absolutely junk.
The 96 to 99 taurus with the 3.0 Duratech has been really reliable car for my family with over 250 k ( i did the alternator & water pump myself cause shops were crazy on labor $ , it wasnt that bad took a few hours ) - yes the 3.0 Valcan got the older style transmission behind it & wasn't as good , the duratech got the better trans that the escape has , the car does look like a sea creature but it's very safe car & great for a teen driver 😀 & parts are everywhere since they still make this motor
I'M GETTING ALOT OF KNOWLEDGE FROM YOU WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING CARS🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️, I'M SO GRATEFUL🙏🙏🙏
I had a 2005 mustang v6 4.0 5speed manual and it was gorgeous it had 400 thousand miles on it and still ran great when i sold it. Will be buying one when i have somewhere to keep it during winter
Definitely one of my favs i really want to get a 2008 gt mustang
VSMOKE I have an 08 GT premium in candy apple red. Love it to death. It’s a badass car.
I had a 09 Mustang GT that had 150,000 miles with all original parts that ran and drove like new. I traded it in for a 16 ecoboost convertible. don't get me wrong I love my 16 but I do miss my 09 a lot.
I had the Taurus AND the Aspire you mention. Yes, they have issues, but if you can find one that isn't a rustbucket run to hell and back by a teenager, then they're not too bad. Cheaper parts, fairly easy maintenance compared to too many on the road, not near as many computer controlled faults as modern cars. Like any car: take care of them.
I have a 2010 Taurus. Best cat I’ve ever had.
Dude you are all right on these cars! Lmao! My mom has bought over half of the DONTS and they had all the issues you mentioned. Especially the edge! I hated that shatty wagon.
A Triumph TR-7 in the background!!!! Awesome
Thank you wizard for saving me from a future $1,600 repair bill cuz I was thinking about buying a Edge for my future family car
It's really not that widespread of a problem. Be sure to find a 3.5 liter that has been well maintained and documented. You want to look for frequent oil and coolant changes. The 3.5 liter is an EXCELLENT and durable engine capable of very high mileage. Doubt me? Go to MacTFordedge here on KZhead. Mac has run TWO Ford Edge's over 280,000 miles with no water pump problems. His 2008 Edge was purchased used from a rental fleet with 60,000 on the odometer. He drove it to 285,000 troublefree miles. He traded it for a used 2011 Ford Edge with 90,000 miles and he's still using it as his work car with nearly 290,000 miles. NO WATER PUMP PROBLEMS! Good maintenance is key.
@@dutchmankamstra96 Agreed. I put 150k miles on our 2010 Flex and the engine never needed anything but a fresh set of spark plugs, original trans too, I thought the drivetrains were fantastic. I hear the Wizard on the water pump but I agree its not a common problem, just ensure to do coolant flushes on schedule.
Don't buy an edge or and encleave Acadia any gm with the 3.6
@@ClintE55 I wasn't even considering the enclave or the Acadia or the Traverse I don't need 7 seats right away
My 2011 is nearing 175k miles and has been a tank
The 3.5 EcoBoost has an external water pump and as long as you do your oil changes at 4500-5000 miles they will last. My 2013 F-150 has 202k plus miles on it with the original engine. Replaced plugs a couple times and coolant flushes as required. Transmission had the recall, no problems since.
On the transverse 3.5 ecoboost the water pump is chain driven. On the F150 it’s belt driven
Boy, am I glad you didn't say anything about the 2006 Taurus (that's what I own! lol) I've found it to be extremely reliable, bulletproof Vulcan 3.0, simple engine, nothing fancy-schmanzy about it, just good ol' pushrods and 2 valves. I live in Montreal, and I've taken that car all the way to Utah and back, Yellowstone and back, several trips to North Carolina, and multiple long road trips right here in the province of Quebec (one of them in Quebec involved driving 1800 miles in 4 days). Never the slightest problem. All I've had to do was an oil pan gasket, front cover -water pump-timing chain, and all 4 struts. Sounds like a lot, but now the car is good for many years more, seeing as it's only got 124000 miles on it...I love that car.
The 04-09 Mustang GT 3V engines do have cam phasor problems that can be solved with using heavier weight oil to increase oil pressure for the cam phasors.
05-10
The cam phasers are basically passage ways for oil. If you run a thicker oil than 5W-20, you are making it more difficult for the oil to lubricate where its needed, thus wearing out parts and causing issues prematurely. I have read from various sources that the number one cause of cam phaser issues is neglecting to change the oil religiously.
I had my AC go out on my 2011 Fusion due to a sensor or electrical issue. Didn't need to take the dash out! Under the glovebox you need to cut out the old wire harness and replace the connector and solder the wires back together. Also replace the motor too. Spent less than $100 on the parts and did the repair myself. It's awkward to get to, but it was fairly easy.
Can you explain a little bit more please?
I drive a 2002 Ford focus 1.6 with the 4 speed auto transmission. The transmission can be a little clunky when warm but otherwise it's very reliable. It's never let me down.
Just change the oil.... don't flush it! Only oil out, new in..
I almost bought a 2019 explorer. With the 3.5 I like the size of it. It ran great. But I watched your video you saved me !
05-09 is also my favourite mustang. Traditional looking but still modern. I hope to import one to Australia one day.
we got an 08 crown vic, i beat it to hell and back, every time i turn the key it runs on. absolute UNIT
Another strike against the '96-'99 Taurus/Sable is the rack and pinion system failure. I had a '99 Sable and had to replace the system 2 times in the space of 4 years. And the heater core issue was real. I had a friend who at the same time had a '96 Ford Contour, which was really just a slightly smaller Taurus, but it also had the rack and pinion problems as well. Bad era for Ford.
I completely agree about the Ford Fusion. I bought a 2006 Ford Fusion with about 40,000 miles on the clock. When I sold it, the car had almost 150,000 miles. I only performed routine maintenance and replaced the serpentine belt system. The car had the 4 cylinder engine and got 30 mpg on the highway. The car was extremely reliable in the 8 years I owned it.
Detailed opinion on the new 2019 Ford Ranger.
Its a massive shame they never exported the australian designed, engineered and built Barra 4.0L to the states. Best inline 6 ever made
JkandI supra killer 😎
I would've liked to seen the last few falcons in the states as well
Shame they closed Australian production, also the turbo variants were fast
@@markdavis9462 yeah the turbo ones were amazing! Im trying to convince my wife to buy one as her daily (G6E Turbo) but she doesnt like them 😂
The inline 4.0L 6 used in AMC/Jeep is also a great engine. Too bad they stopped making them. Best engine ever in a Jeep. I Have a 95 XJ with over 250,000 original miles, no rebuild or overhaul. Still going strong! This engine will not win any races, but it has lots of torque on the low end for off-roading, which is why it is so loved by their owners. There are lots of aftermarket parts to keep them going too.
When I saw the fusion come up I was like “phew😅 “ because I own one, but tbh it’s in the shop with something new every month
Bought a 2008 Crown Victoria LX with 125000mi from an old man 2yrs ago. Great car! Very dependable and a nice comfortable ride.
Hey Wizard! Great channel I watch every video and I am a huge Hoovie fan too! I Live in southern Maine and in the summer of 2018 my little 06 Ford Escape finally rusted out and had to be replaced, even though it was totally mechanically reliable. At CarMax I found a 2015 Ford Fusion SE with a couple nice option packages and the 2.5 liter naturally aspirated 4 cyl, NOT one of the self-detonating ecoboost engines, it had been a privately owned car in Pennsylvania (less snow, less road salt) and had only 25k miles on it and was in almost literally showroom condition for being almost 4 years old. I have given up all wheel drive as I am retired and don't need to go anywhere if it is snowing, and now rely on the '15 Fusion 2.5 for everything. Did I make a good choice in terms of reliability? Was I right to avoid the Ecoboost engines and stick with the 2.5? It has been perfectly reliable for a year and a half and I am running Mobil 1, and only putting on 1k to 1500 miles a year max. Did I make the right choice for the long term? I plan on keeping this car nearly forever if it remains reliable, especially because of the fuel mileage which will help cars retain more value as they are discontinued in favor of SUVs, and gas prices eventually go higher. Thanks and keep up the great work Wizard!
Owned my '05 S197 Mustang since new. Couldn't agree more on the reliability and ease to work on. Other then replacing that stupid plastic thermostat housing and a worn out water pump, just regular maint./wear items for 15 years. No issues at all. And all of it doable as a driveway mechanic with basic tools. That and knowing there will never be a short supply of OE and aftermarket parts make it a solid platform, IMO.
I really like my Ford Edge. It looks cool, it has good interior room, not too large or bulky, and the dashboard interface is solid.
87 to 04 mustang are great cars. I have a 03 cobra and it has one of the best engine and trans setup in any car.
I’ve found the 2011 Crown Vic with the P71 package and used as a detectives car ate the best out there. Solid, reliable, powerful and built to last. They’re not destroyed like the black and whites that were thrashed due to day-to-day police work.
Yes, I have one of these, 60,000 miles on it. Great cars.
I also have a P71. Got it under 60k miles. The dept had just gotten it and then switched over to Taurus/Charger. The P71 saw little to no actual activity. Best car ever. I love it so much.
If it's a 2011 it is a P7B.
Two things: 1. The 3.0 v6 in the fusion, escape ect is a oil leaker. Valve cover gaskets, timing cover, oil pan, all of it. 2. I worked at high risk financing used car chain. 5 or so stores, we'd sell 300-350 cars a month so high volume for what it was. We sold plenty of 3.5's as they came in numerous fords. On my inspections I was hard pressed to find one low on oil and these cars came from auctions were they were abused in their former life. The customers needing bad credit financing are lunatics and drive the sh*t out of their vehicles. Over the years we probably sold over 1000 cars with the 3.5. Out of all those i can recall only 1 water pump failure and yes it was a doozy. I just don't think it's common place. Love your videos.
I work at a Commercial parts house and every now and then go work at a few of the shops in my county. I'm not going to lie when I tell you that we normally sell about 3-5 water pump and timing chain kits a month for 3.5's. We sell 3-4 timing kits for 5.4 3 valves every WEEK. They are really garbage.
1.6 and 1.5 Ecoboost engines are turds.
I heard that car dealers that buy the GM products with the Ecotec four cylinder and the High Feature V6 with high mileage changes the timing chain before selling them.
If one has a REALLY tight budget and needs a small car, find a 2001-2011 Ford Focus that hasn't been eaten up by rust. The powertrain is dead-nuts reliable, they get excellent fuel economy, and parts are affordable. They're even incredibly fun to drive if you put decent grippy tires on them. My partner and I drove a 2008 Focus until 2020, and if it hadn't been eaten up by road salt we would still be driving it today. Her mom still uses it for running errands in the country, and it shows no signs of slowing down!
I have a 2010 with 205k miles still going strong.
Wife’s 11 fusion has had check engine light on for 6 years because of the fuel cap. Can’t figure out how to make it go away. Learned to just love with it
My grandparents had that same colored Ford Taurus, the transmission went and would've cost more than the vehicles value to fix so they scraped it lol
Bought a brand new 19 mustang gt just a few weeks ago. I am back in love with Mustang because this car has balllllllls. Picked up a 100K warranty just in case.
@Eric Kimmy Hell no. Been the greatest sports car in my life. Love the self driving.
My only Ford so far has been a 1995 Ford Thunderbird with the 4.6 liter V8. Aside from burning some oil that car was rock solid and always good to me...as long as it wasn't snowing.
My brother had a 2010 Focus and had to put 2 transmissions into it before he sold it. He beat the car very hard, like maxing out the speed in the Utah desert for extended periods, so I can maybe see why the car had a total of 3 transmissions in it. He said there's a plastic component inside the trans that broke - I think there was something else wrong with that car because the second one didn't last very long.
Rock Auto has parts for the late 80s vehicles. Good video.