After reading an "LS1.com member's" opinion about the reliability of Fords, I started thinking about it...How would a die hard chevy fan know anything about the reliability of a Ford? Did he hear it from his dad, over and over, as he drank beer with his die hard chevy friends? I personally have owned 8 Fords (I'm only 25 so that's not bad) and can honestly say that I have NEVER had one single problem with any of them. Never has a Ford ever broken down on me, left me at the roadside, nor have I ever had to fix or repair any of them daily. I know a couple guys on this list are not happy with the reliability of thier Lightnings...could that just be that it was the first year, and there were bugs to work out?

What has everyone else's experience been with Ford Reliability? I personally think they are 100% reliable if taken care of. But, then, maybe I've just been lucky. What's everyone else's thoughts on this? And please...Chevy guys, who have never owned a Ford, please dont bother replying to this. I dont think your input is very helpfull or useful.

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AtomHeart
2000 Silver Lightnin'
1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra R code w/ 3.91 dragpack
atomhart@cyberhighway.net

 

If you read some more posts over there, especially in the vehicle specific forums, you will see that relability is not brand specific.

As much cursing and swearing you hear about with Lightnings, it is far more rampant with the F-Body.

The real question is, can you get the problem solved? The dealer and your relationship and how you treat them is paramount. Judging by the hotheads at LS1.com, it is not difficult to see why their dealerships blow them off.

Just my $0.02

 

The L. is my third FOMOCO product, and I hope it holds up better than the others. The first was a '77 Mercury Cougar XR7 that started breaking valves at 51K. Sold it shortly thereafter. Next was a '91 Mustang GT we bought for my wife. Ordered one so we could get one with no teenage test drive miles on it, broke it in right, and never abused the car. Pulled better maintenance than was called for. Started burning oil at 41K, and got a new long block under warranty at 43K. After that, it was OK until we sold it at 91K. It always had an annoying idle surge (up to 2500 RPM) in cold, humid weather that they could never solve. Hope my L. holds up better, but I'm seriously considering an extended warranty.

 

Atom,

Right there with you. I have owned 7 Fords altogether and I am 22 and in 96 I had a moment of weakness and gave in and bought a 96 Ram. My grandfather was so disappointed I was not allowed to park in his drive way and my dad wouldn't talk to me for 2 weeks, would just look at me and shake his head. That truck ultimately tried to kill me. The steering mechanism locked and I wound up on the front lawn of a mortuary during rush hour traffic. Now, granted I have had a few problems with my 66 Mustang...but it is 33 years old. So, you can understand, but I have never broken anything that couldn't be fixed. I even went as far as to go and have a Ford emblem *Mustang* tatooed between my shoulder blades...Talk about die hard huh? I love my Fords and I'm proud to be a Ford girl.

CA

 

Yep, I am in the same boat, no real problems with any of my Ford vehicles. I have owned well over 75 vehicles over the years (ya, I get bored quickly) the vast majority being Ford or LM products. Even the used ones treated me well, NEVER been left on the side of the road (wish I could say that about the VW Rabbits I've had!)
My L' is treating me pretty well so far short of the front end clunk

 

I've had 3 Ford vehicles and none have given me any trouble that I didnt cause myself. ) I had a Pontiac, and the tranny on that bad boy was nay the most reliable in the history of motor vehicles. I think it really comes down to the owner and how they treat their vehicle, though.

 

My first vehicle was a 1991 Bronco that I bought used with 52,XXX miles on it. I drove that thing like HELL for 2 years, and then got serious. I put a lift, tires, and other goodies on it and really got rough with it. I never had any problems (except the ones that were my own fault) with it. The only major problem that I had was that I had to replace the tranny, but I drove that thing like it was a L, so what do you expect? I almost didn't want to quit driving it (after 113K miles), but I finally agreed to give it up *ONLY* for a 2000L.

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Build the Hell outta Bonfire 2000!

 

My only bad Ford experience (and I have owned many, many Fords) was with the Probe GT (Turbocharged). The good news is that it was really a Mazda, and a total piece of crap. The worse cars I have ever owned were my last two - Camaro Z28, and Transam LT1 - total pieces of *****, and my two Vettes, one of which I sold in 6 months of buying new.

 

The last good chevy was, anything with a big block, made in 1970 and I own one. It's fun because there is nothing on it that I can't fix.

I drove the doors of an 83 bronco and put 253000 without rebuilding the engine. My last L incurred less Ford maintenance (in six years) that what I would have paid for the extended warranty.

I have had Two toyo trucks (forgive me). The engines were both shot at 50k and yes I canged the oil. A caddy that I sued the dealership over and won. Lincolns, explores, Grand Marquis, and a monutaineer, all great. I want a Marauder so I can say " All of my vehicles are blown"
Cigar

[This message has been edited by noelvm (edited 04-14-2000).]

 

Hehe you guys wanna know something funny? Of the three trucks I owned 2 were 4x4. I nearly forgot about the best offroad vehicle I had. Hehe It was a Sami. Won it in a drag race with my best friend Kellys Nova. No stabilizers and big tires *for a Sami* and that thing rocked. It is only fitting that the same Kelly who trusted me with her Nova in a race would be the one to roll it down a ditch when we were offroading...left it there too. I miss that thing. We beat the hell out of it....Man, now I'm all sad. lol

CA

 

The first model year of any NEW MODEL like the 99 L's is likely to be less reliable then future models. I bought a 99 L used and abused and I had to let it go. Like nathan I also had a "2:1 drive:At dealer ratio.". I plan to buy a 2001 L new this time.

On the subject of 1st model year reliability when M-BENZ came out with the 1st ML320's it did not meet the standards of reliability and quality that customers expected. Even if its a benz buying in the first model year can be a real let down.

 

I myself have no concerns about Ford reliability. Recently sold my '90 F150 w/351
with 158,000 miles on it. My brother-in-law has waited for it 5 years knowing it had been
a good truck. I would still be driving it if
Ford had not decided to build the new L.

Wife's T-Bird has 114,000 on it and I cannot
persuade her to trade it on a new car. She
loves that car. Where's that Marauder?

 

As a used car dealer I can give some thought to this.Not to start flame cause I absolutly love lightnings but,Out of all domestic cars,Ford does have more quality issues than anyone else.They also bring in less money at auction than comparable GM vechicles.If you go back 15 yars,the problem isnt as bad.Chrysler had some major issues.Here are some of the Major problems found in late model fords.Of coarse everybody can find fault in something but Ford still hasnt resolved alot of quality issues.
1. 3.8 head gaskets
2. 3.8 main bearings
3. Aerostar van in general!!........junk
4. Most transmissions,(taurus,thunderbird,mustang,escorts)
5. All tempo's....Junk

Now,they have gotten better with the 3.0s and they have just recently raised the warranties on all 3.8s ever built from a certain date for head gaskets up to 100k miles.
Also we all know the 5.0 mustang motor was one of the best if not the best ,reliable ford motor ever built.

 

LQ,
Used car dealer?, New England?, hmmm, there is an old friend of ours somewhere in New England that used to frequent this board, he was known as BADASSSVT...have you heard of this guy? Not an accusation, just a question.

Frankly, I kind of miss him....not all the time though... :-) Jeez, I gotta getta life :-)

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Silver 2000, Delivered, 2Mar00!
NLOC Member #344



[This message has been edited by bobb (edited 04-15-2000).]

 

Yup......I could go into great detail about F-body reliability. I've had both a 95 and 98 Z. Two of the biggest mistakes I ever made. Haven't had one thing go wrong on my truck though!

There are lemons in all of the batches though....

Paul G.