i have a 2004 F150 and a 1998 ZX2. 30k on the truck and 88k on the ZX2. neither vehicle has ever left me stranded. so far absolutely zero problems with the truck. the ZX2 had to have the front end rebuilt at 40k, and just a few days ago the radiator sprung a leak and had to be replaced. i follow my maintenance book very closely for both vehicles. i am a little diappointed in the ZX2 becuase front end parts should last longer than 40k and the radiator should last longer than 8 (almost 9) years.

oaw

 

I do pretty well- Not gonna say How well, but- let's just say, many times the number for those considered at the poverty level in the USA.

I've never been union, and never will work a union job.

 

The difference is that you have drive and a marketable skill.

Unions protect those who:

are qualified to pour a foundation but think they should be paid like someone who designed the foundation.
are qualified to assemble a car but think they should be paid like someone who designed the car.
etc..

 

Damn...! :LOL:

That made my coke (soda) come up through my nose, from laughing...

Damn, that burns... :LOL:

PS- I like my Fords; I've had only minor problems with mine:

1999 F-150 Supercab
2001 F-150 SuperCrew
2006 F-150 SuperCrew
2006 Fusion
*Not to mention my Mom's bullet proof 1973 Gran Torino Elite (That was still running when I last saw it in 1992), and my mother-in-law's 1986 - 2006 (Before it finally died) Crown Victoria.

They (Fords) have been reliable, albeit fairly unexciting vehicles. I never had one leave me on the side of the road, so- in my book, that's a HUGE plus.

I can't say the same for my GM experience, both of which (1991 Chevy Cavalier & 1992 Cutlass Supreme SL Coupe) required the services of a tow truck for various reasons (none of which had to do with operator maintenance) *accellerator cable breaking, won't start (even with a jump), computer module, frame bolts, etc..) This tainted my appetite for American vehicles so badly, I vowed to NEVER own another AMerican made vehicle... Then I saw the 1997 F-150, and decided to give Ford a shot (1999). I was sweatign profusely, having come to enjoy the inherent reliability of my Nissan Maxima, as I handed those keys over and took ownership of my first F-150... I have been pleasantly surprised.

That said, I have also owned 3 Nissans, two Honda's and one Acura, and I must say- in terms of build quality, attention to detail, and reliability (even on minor items) I have NEVER owned any American vehicle that was anywhere near as well-built and trouble free as the Japanese vehicles I've owned. (Until this year *2006* )

I am happy to announce though, this 2006 Fusion (even if it is a reheated and stretched Mazda 6), is the best passenger car Ford has rolled off the assembly line in my 37 years. Well built, solid, fuel efficient, and so far- pretty damn reliable!

 

BS. Unions are no longer needed.

 

"Ford Motor Co reports $5.8 billion loss for third quarter, its worst financial results since 1992, and warns that business is likely to worsen further in months ahead."

"Toyota said Tuesday its net profit surged 34 percent in the July-September quarter, boosted by strong sales in the North American and European markets at a time its U.S. rivals are struggling."

You think it might just be possible that ONE of the reasons for this is the fact that Toyota builds a higher quality truck?

Like it or not all three statements above are FACTS not opinions. Toyota trucks have fewer problems than Fords. Period. It is backed up by every industry survey out there. It is not in dispute. Time for Ford is running out. And it is not a case of the American autoworker being inferior since there are plenty of quality vehicles built in America by foreign car companies. It is a case of Ford being a poorly run company that has not kept pace with its competitors.

Before buying my last F150 (the first pickup truck I have ever bought new), I owned a 1995 f150 and a 2001 Toyota 4-Runner. Below is the list of problems I've had with each.

Ford:
-engine blew (rings and pistons shot)
-radiator
-starter. 2x
-clutch
-engine mounts
-4 wheel drive assembly / transfer switch
-windshield wiper/turn signal lever
-numerous headlights

Toyota:
-glove box light

I have 75k on the Toyota and I literally have not done so much as a brake job (knock on wood).

Now I know I bought the Toyota new and the Ford used which is why I bit the bullet and bought the new F-150. I am hoping I have a good experience with the new Ford. But chances are not as good that I am going to be a happy satisfied customer with my Ford than if I had bought a Tundra.

Why did I buy the Ford? It was partly an emotional decision. I just couldn't bring myself to buy a Japanese pick-up truck. I am patriotic. I am sentimental. I love what the F-150 stands for. It's place in American automotive history. And above all....I think it is by FAR best looking pickup made today. I love the way it looks. But like I said....it was not really a rational decision. If I had considered all of the factors as far as value for my money I would have bought something else. But I didn't. I decided to go with my heart instead of my head and hope that I will enjoy my F150 in ten years as much as I do now. I can guarantee you though, that if I don't have a good experience with this truck, that I bought brand new, I will never buy another Ford vehicle.

Although the way things are going for the company, they may not be making trucks that much longer anyway. They are bleeding money, closing plants and offering buyout packages to every single one of their employees. Both blue and white collar.

My point is that this forum is not a fair and unbiased representation of the American consumer, nor is it suppose to be. It is full of redneck good 'ol boys (myself included) who are passionate about their trucks and love them warts and all. Which is the reason why guys like us keep buying them. But guess what, less and less of us are buying them. The numbers don't lie. I just hope they can figure out a way to fix the ship before it sinks.

 

From what I have read, the trucks---F-150, 250, etc--are the only profitable vehicles that Ford is making now. Ford's cars are losing money for the company.

 

As far as the Ford Vehicle: good truck. This is my third Ford Truck: 2001, 2003, and now the 2005. Having said that, when I go to replace the wife's Windstar, we are more than likely going with the Nissan Quest. The Ford Freestar is just outclassed in EVERY category and that is probably the main reason Ford is dropping it->they just could not compete. That is the same feeling that I am getting on the trucks-> Ford is just not keeping up. Hope things change soon....

Woof
Bowser

 

Besides the F-150, my other two vehicles are a '03 Taurus and a "01 Sable. Both cars are not exceptional---they do alot of things fairly well---decent gas milage, etc, never had big problems with them. But that's it---they are rather nice cars that were outclassed by the Camry and the Accord.

Ford dropped the Taurus for the Fusion---we shall see; we shall see...here's hopin'.

I do love the truck, and I believe that it's design is pretty darn good. Not a problem with it; knock on wood.

 

i'm quite happy with mine, and i've been very happy with all my american automobiles...i drove a '92 chevrolet pickup with a 350 for 11 years, put over 150,000 on it, and i still got 20mpg on the highway up until the day it was stolen

as for 'buy american' and the idea that place of manufacture is the be-all end-all of the argument, i find it amusing that so many people neglect to consider the profits of the companies and the effect on the u.s. GNP...from what i've read, gm and ford contributed mightily over the last few decades, and i'd be interested in reading an in-depth analysis of this

...and as for ford 'not keeping up'--how so? the 6.0L vortec, finally more widely available across the gm line this year, puts out only 20 more ft/lbs of torque than the 5.4L triton...comparing engines on hp alone isn't a really good approach...and the 5.3L vortec still lags behind the 5.4L triton in torque...each new model from each company historically upstages the last and usually the competition...this year, the new gtm 900 platform with good improvements in the frame, suspension and interiors--but he 5.3L still doesn't make the torque that the triton makes, especially at low rpms, which is where i like to have it for how i drive

would i like more power? sure, but it comes at a cost of fuel efficiency, and i think the 3v 5.4L is a great compromise...i get 15.5 in stop-go city traffic and 19 on the highway with a 5K+lb crew cab 4X4--no complaints from me

 

My 03 F150 Screw is my third truck. My first was a 91 Chevy Siverado Stepside single cab and second a 99 Ram Quad cab. Overall I would have to rate the Chevy the best because I had it 8 years and put over 120k on it. The Dodge was the worst and a real dog. When the Ford tops the 120k mark then it will be the best. No problems with it at all so far and it outruns the others hands down.

 

I'm on my 4th F150. I had a 97 for 85K, a 2000 for 80K, and a 2002 for 97K. I just took home my 07. In over 270k miles I have not had one problem with any of them. Never left me stranded and did everything I've asked of them. I owned 2 Rangers before that and had 90K on each of them. No issues. The wife ownes a brand new Fusion, and it is the best Ford car I've driven in a lot of years. Here's hoping they are on their way up. I've owned GM and Toyota, but they were no better than a Ford.


-jeff b.

 

I can say that ive owned a ton of different cars and trucks, US and Non US and i love this one the most.

 

Despite what everyone of my friends have said about Fix Oil and Repair Daily autos, mine is still running on all 8, in fact my best Buddies Dodge Ram truck went south on him after 35K it was its own oil refinery.

 

Own five Fords right now [07 F150 HD, 04 Tbird, 97 Ranger, 86 LTD II, 68 Cougar]. Also have a Honda Civic....which is broke all the time.

Being in the auto/tk repair business I see EVERY kind of truck. I will stay with the Ford for best overall quality. The worse is Dodge, with Chev in the middle. The Toyota's and Nissan's haven't been out long enough to have an acurate track record. Sure initially they are good, but let time will tell. I'm glad they make Chev and Dodge trucks, I make good $$$ on them.

Quick touch on Unions.......They have out lived their usefulness. Back in the day they were great to get the workers a fair shake from the brutal big companies. But, now with Federal laws governing OT, wages, etc. they are no longer needed. They only bully the companies into keeping lazy workers and force the companies into higher and higher labor costs. If the Union "cares" so much for the company, then they should share in the downside costs too, not just the profits.