My new Ford

 

BUY American

Just bought a new FORD automobile. (Update 11-2011 Edge traded for BMW X-5)

Last Ford I had was an 89 TBird. It was a MotorTrend Car of the Year, I think.

This new one for me is a Ford Edge. Crossover SUV.

I have owned many cars, I’m 65 and pretty much an over the hill person. Cars used to be a passion. Here’s my list of cars I’ve owned for more than a year:

• ’49 Studebaker coupe ($150 my first car – big time oil burner)
• ’56 Chevy 2-door ($650 my first REAL car)
• ’58 Plymouth 4 door (after I wrecked my Chevy)
• ‘61 Studebaker Silver Hawk (graduation present)
• ’66 Jag XKE red convertible (Navy flight pay)
• ’69 Camaro (married, no more jag) (new wife had Camaro)
• ’69 Chevy Van (needed for kid transport)
• ’71 Chevy Impala ($300 divorce car, ex got the van) (roof rusted, leaked onto front seats)
• ’70 Pontiac Bonneville 400 cid V8 (8 mpg gas hog was affordable during gas crisis)
• ‘74 Ford Capri (gas saver)
• ’81 Olds 2-door (first nice car since divorce)
• ’82 Olds 4-door (car for ‘business’)
• ’82 Jaguar XJ (car for pleasure AND business)
• ’86 Ford Taurus (80’s recession – no more Jag’s for me)
• ’89 Ford T-Bird (MT Car of the year)
• ’94 Volvo (OK car, not as good as hyped)
• ’96 Lexus RX300 (5 yrs, $0 for maintenance)
• ’98 Mercedes SLK (2 yrs, $$$$ for maintenance)
• ’04 Acura TL (Honda makes the best cars, period)
• ’06 Nissan Xterra (SUV of the year)
• ’08 Ford Edge (a quality vehicle for 3 years, NO problems whatsoever)
• ’09 BMW X-5 update late 2011 (I’ll let you know later about this vehicle and dealer)

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1989 T-Bird was my last American built car. 20 years, never crossed my mind that it would make any difference to anyone if  I ‘buy American’. This year, since O is Pres and the US is in a financial bind, it was a duty to look at what US car dealers had to offer.

So, what my research found was that Ford (ONLY Ford of the US makers) had ‘caught up’ with the J’s in quality. In initial impression, driving sophistication, repair and maintenance.

None of those opinions had ever before counted to me, because the last 20 years of US designs, including Ford were not ‘sexy’, compared to Japanese, German, etc. I never considered looking at them until this crisis and US auto makers coming to Congress to beg. Then I realized, soy un Americano. Posiblemente, I should shop Americano primero.

I did notice some US cars that I liked, was looking for a small SUV. The Ford edge caught my eye months ago, checked it out on their web site, it

was almost OK, but …

Towing max was 3,500 lbs. Not so good. Hwy mileage 24. Not so good.

Owner reviews? Mostly very good. Price: well, just name it.

After months of looking and comparing, this Edge was my choice, I bought it and so far, WOW! Smooth, quiet, comfortable, good dash/ tech, and still looks better than all other SUVs (except for $80K Porsche).

It’s as good as every other car I’ve owned (except for the two Jags) BUT:

Let me test it for a year and see if I still love to get in it and drive every day.

$40,000 was my max so no high-end cars. Plus didn’t want to be driving a ‘big money’ car in bad times. Other vehicles tested before I chose the Ford (had to be able to tow, get reasonable mileage, look good, have ALL the tech stuff and be comfortable to drive on marathon trips):

• Jeep Cherokee Limited (couldn’t make a deal, too expensive, bad mileage)
• Nissan Xterra SE (almost bought another one, it is a great go-anywhere vehicle)
• Toyota Versa (towing no good, too expensive) (nicest of the cars I looked at)
• Subaru Tribeca (engine too small, towing not good)
• Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 (tow ing OK – same as Edge)

The Ford dealer made me a great deal, particularly if you include their trade-in allowance on my 06 Xterra. My choice from their lot was last year’s model and a 5K mile demo. When I got up to walk out, ‘to go home and decide’, manager took another $2K off and upped trade-in allowance. I sat back down and signed his contract.

So far, so good. One major issue: the service dept is STILL the way it was at American dealers 20 years ago. They haven’t figured out (they’re not trying?) how to do what we all want. And they still have employees who are ‘fast food’ quality. And they are not fully computerized!? Arrive for scheduled service, you’re not in the computer. Paper service orders! What? I made an appointment, and they can’t find me. Who did you make an appointment with?, is their question.

Finally, someone comes to help and they drive your car off to be fixed. Now, wait to get a loaner. Sit down, nobody comes over to keep you informed. Just like the old days, you have to get up after 30 mins of total boredom and start asking ‘where’s my loaner?’ When your name is called (who calls your name except cheap restaurants?), you don’t complain, you’re just happy you’re ahead of the other suckerz still ‘waiting’.

It’s fixed, go to pick it up. Here we go again! They don’t know you, your car is not QUITE ready, and when they do find your car, you’re expecting it to be clean and fixed. Surprise – there’s grease on the driver armrest! And, they didn’t quite get all the things done. And, no car wash. And, the same doofus employees. Aarrgh.

It is a trip back in time at the Ford service department. Japanese/ Swedish/ German service, YOU know what we want. I was totally spoiled for the last five cars. Oh well.