Perhaps some of you saw the article over the past weekend in your local paper. I saw it in the Washingtom Times, 02/11/00 edition.

Bob Sikorsky is a nationally syndicated columnist and member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Apparently, he has been writing a automotive question and answer column for the past 14 years.

In Sikorsky's estimation, he has received more complaints about Ford products and Ford dealer repair shops then all other auto makers combined. This is thousands of letters. Sikorsky says he is not bashing Ford, but this is thrust of the mail he receives.

I was not pleased to see his comments. My 1999 Lightning is my first Ford product in 37 years of driving and I hope I have not bought a turkey. Any comments?

 

Yeah, I have a comment. I'm on my 7th Ford in my 28 years of driving. Tell "BOB" to blow it out his arss. You have bought one of the finest, most exciting vehicles to come out of "Detroit" since the Cuda Hemi in 1970. Let the good times roll!!!!

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1999 Red Lightning,
Bed Rug, Soft Cover, Towing package, Super Chip, 50 Series Flowmasters, K&N filter.

1996 Kawasaki ZX-11-Candy Red
1996 Honda Goldwing Aspencade. Candy Red
1974 Century Ski-Fury, (454 Mercruiser inboard)

Jsnyder414@aol.com

 

While I'm not as enthusiastic as Radarlove, I'd rather drive a Ford than a Chevy. The products are well designed and the attention to detail is great. That said, I had a '97 F-150 that bent a rod and cracked the oil pan at less than 20K miles. Now, my Lightning seems to be melting down (nobody can figure out why it all of a sudden its doing an impression of a slug and is hemmoraging (sp?) intercooler fluid).

If ford could fix their quality control problems, they'd be the best manufacturer by far. Most of the dealers will give you good service once you make it clear that you're not going to accept anything less.

 

15 new Fords since '73 -- 1 pos (87 Aerostar). I'll take my chances with those odds.

What that article _really_ exposes is more Ford owners have the ability to read/write than the others <g>...

[This message has been edited by roger (edited 02-14-2000).]

 

Was he bashing Ford or their Service more?
I love my Lightning, But Dealer Service sucks. They got grease all over floor mats,
act appalled that I wanted front end aligned. When my wife takes her Rivera in they do everything you ask and more.
Maybe a few articles like this will improve dealers atitudes.

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99 lightning
97 F150
red,snuglid
chip
NLOC #362
13.61 best
bassini TBI
#250
dob 4/14/99

 

just my .2. i work in retail. people always complain and call when they have a problem. rarely does anyone call and say what a good job someone has done or what a superior product they bought. who cares what that butt-monkey says (pardon my english). we all know we've got the best.

tw

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Current Rides:
99.5 Black Lightning
98 Suzuki TL1000R

 

Yea, someone should spank that butt-monkey.

 

Im as Ford blue as you can get worked at GM dealer for years but ALWAYS drove a ford. But the service and warranty is in NEED of help at ford. I took my 30,000.00 Lighnting in for an align and they informed me that the essentric kits to align are a maintanece item and that I had to pay. GM included that as parts needed to do alignment correctly but not ford. So I bought the kits and am doing it myself, that way I KNOW thats its right.

 

Butt monkey?????

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1999 Black Roush-Lowered Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), JBA Headers, Power Surge air kit, AAD Cobra hood, carbon fiber dash kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses.
13.302@103.28mph
http://www.zing.com/picture/ff/db/5d/3/ffdb5d3f.jpg



[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 02-14-2000).]

 

I've always worked a "loaner car" in to my car/truck, lease/purchases. even though i have a very good relationship with my dealer, you would not believe how quick they can repair/replace something, when you have their loaner car, and you are pissed and they know it. it always helps to ask the estimated 0-60 times and 1/4 mile times of the loaner, after you have the keys in your hand. i have had new trannys replaced same day, complete engines in 2.

 

As far as I'm concerned the last good chevy was made in the early 70's. The reason ford sells more mustangs than firebird and camero combined is because they are cheap, unconfortable, rattling, pieces of junk, even though some are faster. I started running fords with my 83 Bronco. It went 250,000 miles without an overhaul. My 93 Lightning required less money spent on it, and it went 152,000 miles before I sold it, than the extended warranty would have cost. My 99 L lost a DS turnsignal bezel because a locking screw was not installed. When I went in for my free (prior to 12,000 miles) alignment they always put the adjustable parts in. I would follow my service writer Gordon Grimma, Joe Myers Ford, Houston anywhere but a chevrolet dealership!!!He always fixes everything, and fast, and washes it and lends me his personal truck if it's going to take awhile and I don't wear a skirt. Ford does not require you to return to the dealership you purchased your vehicle at. Ask around. Ford rates all the dealerships in every area monthly, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get this information. Try the district rep for your area and ask which dealership consistantly scores high on customer satisfaction. It may be well worth a phone call. I followed my service writer from the dealership where I bought my 93.
Noel


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70 Vette, LS-6, 99 Red Ligntning, K&N, Syn Oil. Looking at chips.

 

hey, we talk a little bit different up here north. lol..

well, at least i do. :-)

 

hey sixpipes, i think your butt-monkeys were born out of Christy Ann's home town of Aurora. everytime Garth would ask Wayne when something was going to happen, he answered with, "when monkeys fly out of my butt". don't know if thats on the "welcome to Aurora" sign or not.

 

What is the 0-60 time on a Ford loaner?

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Andre Terranova (1-18-1947)<*(((><
isa4325@flash.net / "1-BAD-TK" Texas Tag,
Red Lightning / Red Premier Tonneau Cover,
Red Shadow Cowl Cover / SuperChip,
3:73 Gears / K&N Filter,
Edelbrock muffler, Interceptor,
Laptop Computer at Side,
G-Tech,
Best Time 12.986 @ 107.54 "Tweeked to the Max".
[05-11-1999 #1132]


"Only Little Boys Wear Bow Ties"

 

isa, a 100dry shot makes them all fun, even those little "Focus"