10th Nov 2016, 21:10

It would make sense if you bought it new. This car could have been a flood car (meaning near the ocean) or could have hit every pothole. Who knows?

10th Nov 2016, 21:34

Exactly.

What do all these reviewers who buy an older, high-mileage car and then complain about having to make repairs (like this one), seem unable to grasp the consequences of years and thousands of miles of possible abuse and inadequate/faulty maintenance by previous owner(s) and/or hamfisted "mechanics".

11th Nov 2016, 12:25

Following your logic, all the cars I currently have should have been worse off than the Ford. The Passat has gone nearly 400k, the Merc is at 250k, the Celica is at 280k. They're all older as well.

What it comes down to here is how well a car holds up through the years and miles, which the Ford didn't, but all the other cars I currently have did.

And no, the car wasn't by the ocean, it was near the mountains a little north of Lillehammer, Norway.

Driven in every pothole? Negative, the car was driven by a family, to/from work/school, not some 18 year old wannabe rally driver.

I've bought cars both older and newer than this one, with much higher mileage. I know what it takes to keep an old car running... the Ford wasn't worth it though.

To make this real simple: a mid-late 80s W124 holds up really well, even today. The 2001 Ford however, does not hold up! You can blame me, you can blame mechanics, you can blame previous owners, but what it comes down to is the quality of the car, it's simply inferior to most other cars I've had.

11th Nov 2016, 16:08

I bought a used Pontiac Bonneville from an elderly fanatic. Oil changed every 4 months even with low mileage, weekly drive thru car washes, really overmaintained. If I based every used car after that it would be the biggest disappointment. Buying new and from the start knowing its complete history is the only way to validate concerns.

11th Nov 2016, 21:32

Here's a prime example why your comment is not sound. I brought home in the past a brand new Acura Integra. In just one day my teen son beat on it, raced it and completely tore out the clutch. Yet someone else could buy the exact same make, model year and trans and rave high reviews on it. And have it for years with never a concern. How about a guy that puts green coolant in a car meant only for Dextron? How about a car that is backed up, not completely stopped and thrown into drive, and needs flywheels. You can often buy others' problems from poor driving habits or a lack of maintenance. Lastly, why switch brands? Stick with the same one, same year with lower mileage on it. That's your best test.

12th Nov 2016, 21:08

I switch brands to try out all cars.

So far I've only REALLY liked old Fords (70-80s), semi-old Mercs (up to 95), old Toyotas and a select few VAG cars. I've managed to get very high mileage on all the ones I've had (6).

I also choose cars based on availability/price on parts. I used to work as a mechanic in a garage, now I work at a wreckyard, so I get most parts free, or extremely cheap.

I also tend NOT to look at how far a car has gone, but if I were to buy another Focus (I won't though), I'd make sure to get all of the service history along with a ton of lucky charms.

Has anyone ever had a fuel pump fail after 200k only? This is the first car I've had failing so fast.

Regardless of what you all say though; I'd recommend people not to buy a Focus, and I for one, won't ever buy one again.

12th Nov 2016, 22:02

You're thinking of Dexcool. "Dextron" is a type of transmission fluid.

13th Nov 2016, 03:11

Absolutely right. Not all fluids can be mixed or you have big issues. Dexcool is actually pretty bad by itself if left in a system too long. Mix it together with green antifreeze and it's going to gist you. A prior owner could have neglected a vehicle like letting it have low oil or other fluids. If you have a 4 quart oil vehicle for example that is 2 quarts low, that's a concern. Or never changing it much.

13th Nov 2016, 10:25

Fuel pumps often fail from running your car with less than a 1/4 tank, drawing air through the pump on hills and cornering. I never run my cars less than that. As a result not one single fuel pump replaced with many of our cars with high mileage.

15th Nov 2016, 21:32

You and me both, I don't let my cars go down below half... an old habit from driving in very cold weather.

16th Nov 2016, 15:22

Oil etc. My biggest watch after is tire pressure. Tire prices have really risen over the past 5 years. Especially with larger sizes and run flats. I also do rotations and alignment checks often. All helps.