I haven't posted or lurked on this site in years, so I thought I'd stop in and post. I took delivery of my '02 on Halloween day 2001 and still own the car as a second vehicle. I crossed over to the dark side 18 months ago and bought a 2009 BMW 328i coupe, but up until that time the car was my daily driver.
I just turned 143k on the odometer. This car has been rock solid, the 4.6 might be one of the best engines Ford has ever built. Other than fluid maintenance and tires, the only big money repairs were a new heater core at 96k, and as luck would have it, a fuel pump at 97k. (Expensive month!)
The car has the original clutch, alternator, starter motor, etc. I haven't changed a tail light bulb or headlight bulb.
I got 93k out of the original front brake pads. Rotors were cut. Had the pads replaced last summer at 142k. Rotors still in spec. I actually talked to the tech at the Ford dealership where the car has been serviced since I've owned it. I had a hard time believing that the rotors were still good. He spec'd them right in front of me. Good. Wow. Rear rotors were replaced at 73k. Go figure.
Left rear axle seal was leaking. Removed and replaced during the last brake job at 142k. Differential gear oil changed out in the process. I debated having the axle bearing changed while it was out. I didn't.
I replaced the original battery back in June of 2010. The summer before, the original serpentine belt at 109k. Not because it was fraying or shot, just a little preventative maintenance. Original spark plugs were yanked at 139k and were clean as a whistle. Ford called for plugs at 100k. I was a little late on that one. LOL
The engine uses no oil. All oil changes were done between 5 and 7k. Religiously. I've never touched the gear oil in the Tremec 3650. Original hoses. Original shocks, springs and struts. The car is bone stock other than a K&N air filter.
The only disappointing thing is that the Laser Red tinted clear coat, a truly stunning color when the car was new, has begun to fade in some spots, turning slightly orange-ish. (Think Performance Red) The plastic scoops and the front and rear bumper are the biggest culprits of the fading. This has occurred despite my religious use of Zaino show car polish. No garage unfortunately. The sun is a brutal beast. LOL
The car was paid off in June of 2006 and has more than paid for itself over the ensuing years. I recently tallied up all the receipts from day one and it totaled slightly more than 5 grand. Two thousand of that was the heater core ($1100, dash board removed! All labor. The core itself was 90 bucks) and the fuel pump. Factoring in the purchase price and the interest on the loan, (Ford credit at 2.9) I figure the cost of ownership over 11 years and change at right around 30 grand, excluding gas and insurance. Not too bad.
People like to complain about poor quality and brand bash on message boards. None of that here. I'm more than happy with my decision to buy this car as my first new vehicle purchase. My other cars over the years have been pre-owned. Ford=Found On Road Dead. Not the case for me. Now, don't get me started on this BMW that I'm driving..........
I just turned 143k on the odometer. This car has been rock solid, the 4.6 might be one of the best engines Ford has ever built. Other than fluid maintenance and tires, the only big money repairs were a new heater core at 96k, and as luck would have it, a fuel pump at 97k. (Expensive month!)
The car has the original clutch, alternator, starter motor, etc. I haven't changed a tail light bulb or headlight bulb.
I got 93k out of the original front brake pads. Rotors were cut. Had the pads replaced last summer at 142k. Rotors still in spec. I actually talked to the tech at the Ford dealership where the car has been serviced since I've owned it. I had a hard time believing that the rotors were still good. He spec'd them right in front of me. Good. Wow. Rear rotors were replaced at 73k. Go figure.
Left rear axle seal was leaking. Removed and replaced during the last brake job at 142k. Differential gear oil changed out in the process. I debated having the axle bearing changed while it was out. I didn't.
I replaced the original battery back in June of 2010. The summer before, the original serpentine belt at 109k. Not because it was fraying or shot, just a little preventative maintenance. Original spark plugs were yanked at 139k and were clean as a whistle. Ford called for plugs at 100k. I was a little late on that one. LOL
The engine uses no oil. All oil changes were done between 5 and 7k. Religiously. I've never touched the gear oil in the Tremec 3650. Original hoses. Original shocks, springs and struts. The car is bone stock other than a K&N air filter.
The only disappointing thing is that the Laser Red tinted clear coat, a truly stunning color when the car was new, has begun to fade in some spots, turning slightly orange-ish. (Think Performance Red) The plastic scoops and the front and rear bumper are the biggest culprits of the fading. This has occurred despite my religious use of Zaino show car polish. No garage unfortunately. The sun is a brutal beast. LOL
The car was paid off in June of 2006 and has more than paid for itself over the ensuing years. I recently tallied up all the receipts from day one and it totaled slightly more than 5 grand. Two thousand of that was the heater core ($1100, dash board removed! All labor. The core itself was 90 bucks) and the fuel pump. Factoring in the purchase price and the interest on the loan, (Ford credit at 2.9) I figure the cost of ownership over 11 years and change at right around 30 grand, excluding gas and insurance. Not too bad.
People like to complain about poor quality and brand bash on message boards. None of that here. I'm more than happy with my decision to buy this car as my first new vehicle purchase. My other cars over the years have been pre-owned. Ford=Found On Road Dead. Not the case for me. Now, don't get me started on this BMW that I'm driving..........
So this time they also replaced the flange.
