Dumbo, they're not 'different' vehicles, they differ mostly only in the design aspect, but part sharing is the name of the game for all car companies. The Mazda's even use Ford parts, and some Ford's use Mazda parts (for instance, all the mid-size Ford sedans/crossovers are based on the Mazda 6). Are you really that dense? The European Focus is in more demand so they offer more options/versatility for that market (i.e. more engine choices, a diesel even). Not the same exact copy, but you can purchase the same 'quality' here in the U.S.; that's what the thread is about. Only in skin. And it's spelled "they're" or "they are." Yes, but it's not "$4000" more reliable. I challenge you to successfully argue the case that the Corolla is worth that much more than any car in its class. All "cost of ownership" figures don't bear it out, not even close. I don't "believe" anything, the gap has narrowed big time over the last few years and most car buyers these days have brand preferences, nothing more. I hate Ford products, I am not a fan at all, but it's not because of reliability issues, I just tend to find most of their products unappealing (the Ford Edge might be an exception). Good try...
Why is that a fact? Tell me specifics, loose tolerances? Bad ring to cylinder wall sealing? Bad oiling sytem? What? What magical mechanical knowledge do they have that we the poor and Americans cannot ever wish to understand? Besides that's not a good way to guage the reliabilitty of a brand or maker. There could be thousands of reasons why a car "Stalls" or leaves you stranded. Many wich are directly related to lack of maintenance by the owner. I just recently helped a friend of mine when his 06 Nissan Titan (less than 40xxx miles)wouldn't start. The cause? Bad battery, simple but someone could have easily said "Oh look at that Titan on the side of the road, It's a piece of crap" Take it for what it's worth, a car/vehicle is made up more than a million individual parts most of these parts are manufactured by the same companies for all auto makers to use. The topic of the thread is "How bad are Ford automibles?" From a person who's built countless engines, fixed plenty of cars all makes and models, raced an Acura to the tune of 11.0's n/a and am now in the process of finishing my new race car, Fords are not bad cars.
Im not a huge Ford fan, but some of the posts in these threads are ridiculous. Domestics v. Imports? are you kidding? This is not 1980. The line separating what is "domestic" and what is "foreign" is so blurred these days, it might as well be nonexistent. All the dip****s claiming their car is superior because it is an "import" and vice versa might want to check where their vehicle is actually made . You might be surprised.
I'm a Ford owner. Funny as I type this, my car is in the shop getting worked on. 4th time this month it has been in the shop for different reasons.
Well, I'm a multiple Ford owner. My last Ford Mustang GT was running strong on a block with over 150k miles of hard running. Then I finally built a 351 to drop in, and she ran great. On the stock setup she never had a mecahnical breakdown aside from the usual wear and tear, which is EASILY serviceable by anyone with a mechanical bone in his body. My 06 Mustang has only been to the shop for the free oil change/maintenance that came with the purchase of the car. She's been supercharged for about 8 months, and I haven't had a single issue yet. My wife's Mountaineer is running great as well...not a hiccup in the year and a half we've had her. All things mechanical are subject to breakdown. If something breaks down, if should be coverered for quite few years. If you're out of warranty and it breaks down, fix it. There are too many metrosexuals on here that are afraid to get oil under their nails.
I own a Ford Ranger and have had nothing but problems. Transmission issues, alternator had to be replaced, air conditioner has gone out, passenger side electronics died, thermometer is out, fan belts go out constantly, and the thing is squealing like a stuck pig right now for some reason. Sigh.
I can beleive it. Some vehicles are just not built right, but that is not exlcusive to Ford's or domestic cars.
Yeah I wasn't trying to comment on Fords in general. This was my first Ford truck. It has soured my taste for them though.
Sorry, but a Ranger is not a REAL Ford Truck...It's like an f150 afterbirth... Get a Ford F150 Harley Truck and be happy.
