Need advice on which used Ford (or not) family car to get

[Top_Ghia]

Originally Posted by oldel

Thanks for the input. MA and MB too old imo

MC - Now I remember why I never got one myself. The duratec mazda based 2.3 isn't solid and the 2L ecoboost (zetec?) had powershift

The new TC gearbox (ford and GM project that ford used for the fusion and maybe mondeo) came out in 2012. Not sure if any MCs got them anyway.



If I was going to look into a mondeo (say I wanted a wagon) I'd only look at MDs. Out of budget anyway - try get a cheap BMW LOL

No petrol Mondeo got powershift transmission.

[oldel]

eco boost petrol with powershift right here:
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...9794819/?Cr=17

And here:
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...19941173/?Cr=1

[Top_Ghia]

I stand corrected.
I’m pretty sure it would share the diesels wet clutch set up which is generally pretty good if looked after.

[Crazy Dazz]

Oh FFS!

Yeah, don't buy ANY Ford, because the Edsel was ****. It was called a Ford, so obviously anything else called a Ford must be identical

In fact, whilst you're at it don't buy any car, because they all have transmissions, and apparently all transmissions are ****

I'd suggest buying an Electric car, but the window motor in my Territory shat itself, so obviously all electric motors are sus.

Thee transmission in the Mondeo is nothing like the ones that caused the problem. Completely different design, completely different functionality.

PS: The latter "Duratec"s, and the larger "Ecoboost"s are same basic engine, all based on the "Mazda L" engine, an engine so good that Ford kept the rights when they divested Mazda.

[oldel]

No reason to get upset, no one else is. I looked hard into them in a past life (when my ex trashed our old VZ eventually due to neglect and wanted my help picking a new car for her and our kid). I didn't mind the mondeo, it's got low resale value and my auntie and uncle had one since new.
Probably nothing wrong with them when younger, but a sub $10k, high km older dsg was a turn off. It was as simple as that. I looked into MCs and didn't like the 2.3L and found out the ecoboost had DSG which wasn't preferable - for her and me.
DSG IMO - cheap for the auto maker, might use less fuel too. But the s/h buyer doesn't care about that, they prefer longevity and ease of service/repair.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Oh FFS!

Yeah, don't buy ANY Ford, because the Edsel was ****. It was called a Ford, so obviously anything else called a Ford must be identical

In fact, whilst you're at it don't buy any car, because they all have transmissions, and apparently all transmissions are ****

I'd suggest buying an Electric car, but the window motor in my Territory shat itself, so obviously all electric motors are sus.

Thee transmission in the Mondeo is nothing like the ones that caused the problem. Completely different design, completely different functionality.

PS: The latter "Duratec"s, and the larger "Ecoboost"s are same basic engine, all based on the "Mazda L" engine, an engine so good that Ford kept the rights when they divested Mazda.

It is more than fair to discount a used car based on a history of higher maintenance or failed components.

[janddbone]

At that age and kilometers I would only have a Falcon wagon on the list. Otherwise, go grab a V6 Carnival and enjoy the space and comfort.

[mondeomatureguy]

Hi Guy's
I have a MC Mondeo with the Duratec 2.3 litre petrol engine and i must say its a ripper.
its a hatchback no transmission problems and still going strong with nearly 380,000ks on the clock.
The engine is still all original except for a few pully's and belts on the Air Con and a new power steering pump and water pump.

We as my wife and i brought the Mondeo new and still more then happy with it.

[whynot]

If you want cargo carrying capacity, Ford Territory, petrol, RWD, 4-speed auto. Simplest of the lot, and one of the best ride-handling combinations. Biggest issue is that you will probably be up for $2K in suspension bushes. I would say budget for that and the car will get a new lease of life.

Falcon wagons are also a good option, but getting harder to find. Rear suspension are leaf springs (nothing to go wrong), but a bit primitive.

[Swordie]

Skoda Superb sedan or wagon is another car.

[BFIIGhiaZF6]

Am sure we would all be interested to hear what you settled on?, when you finally do, good luck HMC.

Plenty of Falcons/Fairmonts of all guises here:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/ford/falcon/

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/for...adge/?offset=0

Looks like "Rosie" has moved on already, I am not at all surprised though

[Franco Cozzo]

So OP, did we answer your questions satisfactory or are you in the corner rocking back and forth now that you've been given eleventy bazillion contradictory responses and made it even worse than went you went into this

[HMC]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

So OP, did we answer your questions satisfactory or are you in the corner rocking back and forth now that you've been given eleventy bazillion contradictory responses and made it even worse than went you went into this

LOL. No I've been busy putting a new Ranger XLT in my driveway. Finally got it home yesterday.

I've got some reading to do in this thread. Give me a day or so.

Thanks to all who replied.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

It is more than fair to discount a used car based on a history of higher maintenance or failed components.

[Crazy Dazz]

As you read through the thread, you should come to realise that some posters are simply spuds posting nonsense. Weed those out, and you're half way there.

Basically any of the three cars you mentioned are a good option.
Keep in mind that any 2nd-hand car will require money to be spent, and they are becoming more expensive, not less

If you want a Wagon, the Mondeo is a good option. They are good cars, nicely built, nice to drive, and relatively economical. Nothing wrong with the trannies or the engines.
I was shopping for one for a long time. The only reason we didn't get one is that most of them were base-models, and in typical Ford fashion they'd made them deliberately nasty. I was hunting for a reasonably priced Titanium, but they were rare and I missed out on a couple.

Territories are great cars, but again there are several things that need repairing and if you don't DIY, then it can get expensive.
I wouldn't look at anything earlier than SY2, and if looking at an SZ, I would avoid the ("part-time") AWD.
Whether you prefer a Petrol or Diesel is very much a personal preference. The Barra in either a Terri or Falcon will outperform all other options, but that presumably is not your highest priority. I would personally lean towards the Barra simply because of the relative simplicity, abundance of spares, breadth of knowledge, and ease of repairs.

Falcons (and I6 Terris) would be the thirstiest of the bunch, but there is always the option of LPG.
In a Wagon you're stuck with BFs, and nothing under 10 years old. They were a good, dependable car. The back end remained decidedly agricultural, but on the plus side there are no diff-bushes to replace.
A Falcon sedan would offer you the most options, without the versatility of the Wagon. Depending on kms, your budget should find an FG2, possibly a G6, and with a choice of ecoLPi or even ecoBoost.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Really?

[HMC]

Hi all

Been quite a few months since I first started this thread. Thought I'd post an update. Decided on an SZ Territory with the 2.7 Diesel engine. RWD. Managed to find a decent one for a reasonable price. Been a bit over a week since I've had the car and so far liking it quite a bit.

Thanks to all who helped.

Regards

HMC

Originally Posted by HMC

Hi all

Been more than three decades since I last owned a Ford, when I lived in the northern hemisphere. My car-experience since moving down-under some 15 years ago has basically been centred around Korean and Japanese cars, and a Holden.

I'm thinking of switching to Ford. This time a used one. Need your advice on what to get, and what to avoid.

Back-story is that I'll be getting a new Ranger XLT dual-cab ute, and wanted to also get a Ford as a family car, to transport the kids around. The Ranger will accommodate the kids with no problems, provided we drive no longer than a 100kms, which is about the distance I'd be able to cover before the kids start a fight in the backseat. I'm thinking of something that'll take us in comfort from Brissy to Sydney.

So... need something with a bit more leg-room in the back. Also something that my wife's going to be happy to drive. Bonus if it's something that sits a bit higher off the ground.

But above all, it needs to be fairly reliable as a 10+ year old car.

Here's what I've looked at so far:

- 2009 to 2013 model years
- Between $7000 and $12000
- Mileage: < 200,000 kms
- SY and SZ Territory (diesel)
- Mondeo wagons (diesel)
- FG Falcons

So far, I'm finding that the Territory and Falcons are most likely to have issues costing around $2000 to fix.

Not sure about the Mondeos.

Ford Focus is too small, so haven't considered it. In fact, I'd argue that the Mondeo might also be too small for our needs.

Any advice? Or should I not be considering a Ford?