Thinking about buying a (gasp) Ford.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vwbuge · #1 02-01-2007, 11:36 PM

I have been kicking around the idea of what to buy as an everyday car when my Soob kicks the bucket. (God forbid) I am expecting her to last another 2-3 years. I will have school and car loans paid off by that time. I have been looking at 7-series BMWs, 400E's, just to name a few. Something that I can drive everyday (I don't really put that many miles on) and still have fun with. I am really into the new diesel trucks now. I was thinking of an Excursion with a diesel. Plenty big to haul the family and plenty big for a hunting rig. AND for a little money you can really toy with the motors. They seem like a stout vehicle. Anyone here have any experiences with one?

#2 02-01-2007, 11:40 PM

Think about buying (gasp) something better....

The 6.0L Powerjoke has been plagued with significant problems from the beginning. I doubt the 2008 6.4L will be any better.

I'd buy a gas engine before a Ford (International) diesel.

Brian Carlton · #3 02-01-2007, 11:41 PM

Aklim has that $hitbox. I'm sure he can give you every minute detail about it.

vwbuge · #4 02-01-2007, 11:43 PM

Are the 6.0L really that bad? I've been scoping the Ford forum and saw one guy that had the crank break in two. They were talking like it was a freak thing. I thought at least the 7.3L were OK.

#5 02-01-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

I thought at least the 7.3L were OK.

They WERE OK. After 9 years of production, they were *finally* starting to refine the engine and tap it's capabilities. Then they suddenly replace it with the 6L. They are *finally* starting to figure out the problems with it and now they are going to replace it with a different engine.

I've seen lots of problems with sticky and fragged turbos, blown headgaskets. The stock VGT turbo is already at it's operational limits on the stock engine. Then people come along with their quick-n-easy chip tuners and send the turbo into overspeed when they try to get 30psi of boost.

vwbuge · #6 02-01-2007, 11:56 PM

I noticed the 6L was making like 100hp more than the old 7.3 The 6L has the VGT turbo. (variable vane?) The 7.3L do not?

I did notice alot of headgasket troubles and a few people complaining about the turbos.

BioPOWER · #7 02-02-2007, 12:58 AM

My 7.3L Powerstroke has 100k on the clock and is showing no signs of slowing down whatsoever....it has actually had no major engine work done AT ALL, just regular oil and filter changes. My most significant issue has been flat tires, I've had a few experiences...once driving to Phoenix in August a rear tire blew, I changed it in the 110F+ heat, only to have the spare shred itself a few miles later!

Had to have it towed and have a non-matching tire put on (the shop in the little town didn't carry the Bridgestones I was using).

Other than that, it's an extremely reliable truck, it starts immediately in freezing Tahoe temperatures (no glowplug work has been done), it's been as far east as Yellowstone and as far south as Cabo San Lucas. The motor is definately more reliable than the Benz, even if the car itself isn't (Fords have little quality niggles)....but comfort aside, I would highly recommend it.

I've never driven the 6.0L but have heard good things about them...seems like they've had some problems though. They seem to accelerate quicker than the 7.3 (might have a better trans) but the 7.3 is definately bombproof....and a lot cheaper to have fixed than the Mercedes!

7.3L has a wastegated, non-VGT turbo.

captainmonk · #8 02-02-2007, 05:01 AM

go get a SPRINTER still you'll get mercedes diesel plenty of room 22mpg great turning radius Everyone I talk to has only glowing reports about them

TerryS · #9 02-02-2007, 09:10 AM

We had a few LN7000 Fords with International diesels (as International Motors of Brazil, not related to International Harvestor) All except one went over 500K without total rebuilds. The one I was dissapointed with threw a rod at 380K.
I have had no experience with Ford pickups with diesels, but had 3 F250 with 351 (one Windsor, 2 Cleveland) all were good trucks. There was always too much plastic on GM picups for my taste, but they do build descent trucks. My experience is that generally that people tend to perpetuate the stories there father's had rather than real life experience. Neither Ford, not GM could have sold as many as they have if the built trucks as poorly as the stories would have you believe.
FWIW, International Motors of Brazil builds one of the best small engines today, the 2.8 TGV Powerstroke, a Variable geometry Turbo, 2.5 liter. Any engine producing over 100 lb/ft of torque per liter is a good measure in my book.

firemediceric · #10 02-02-2007, 09:17 AM

Not super high mileage on mine yet, 125,000, but so far I'm not complaining.

I did have the transmission go at 51,000, NOT covered by warranty. Ford knows the torque convertors are bad. They have a TSB out telling their techs about it, but they have never done a recall on it.

probear · #11 02-02-2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firemediceric

Not super high mileage on mine yet, 125,000, but so far I'm not complaining.

I did have the transmission go at 51,000, NOT covered by warranty. Ford knows the torque convertors are bad. They have a TSB out telling their techs about it, but they have never done a recall on it.

I had a TC go out but the trans was saved by the external transmission filter that I had added. Too bad I didn't place the filter before the cooler. I had to replace the cooler also.....It ended up being really cheap insurance.

Other than that, no real problems with my 99PSD. The 7.3 is the best overall engine and much better, especially in the long run, than the 6.doh. I've only got 172K, but intend on keeping it for a while.

asnowsquall · #12 02-02-2007, 06:17 PM

I think the 7.3 is a nice motor. I think a large SUV like the FORD or Chevy Suburban is a gift and they are very comfortable to drive. I had a 97 Sub for a couple of years and it was like driving my livingroom couch.
The only problem with these rigs is they pack a lot of stuff under the hood and combine in technology and they become a real PIA to work on. My dream rig is a mid 70's Suburban with a Cummins 5.9 transplant.

This is my 97 that I had which I converted to run WVO.

Next family rig! Hey its only 6 feet longer than the Suburban was!

Knightrider966 · #13 02-02-2007, 09:33 AM

I would NOT get a Ford! The diesels have been having problems including the 7.3 Powerjoke. One thing no one here is mentioning is that these powerjoke Fords get terrible fuel economy for a diesel! Do you really want to go in debt for a fuel guzzling Ford that has been having turbo, headgasket and bent crank issues? If you want a decent truck that gets good fuel economy, I'd go with a Dodge Ram! The Cummins engine was designed to be a diesel from the start and mine has been dependable as hell. On Biodiesel, expect about 23 to 25 MPG at freeway speeds empty, and about 15 to 18 MPG loaded, and 13 to 15 MPG pulling a 40 ft. Holiday Rambler 5th wheel! I believe the Dodge Durango now comes with a Cummins Diesel engine option. Just my thoughts, why get a heavy V8 when a Cummins 24 Valve inline 6, ( the best diesel configuration) will do the same job on 1/3 less fuel and with more reliability?

rrgrassi · #14 02-02-2007, 10:33 AM

I will never buy another Ford product. Total garbage IMHO. All the FORD jokes were true for me. You know...Fix Or Repair Daily, Found On Road Dead, Fault of Research & Developement. Found Often @ Recyclers Dump, and the one that was for me was FORD backwards....Driver Returns On Foot.

I have friends that just love Ford and have had good results with them. It's all a matter of personal preferrence. I have had good results with GM and Dodge, but the best I had has been with Nissan and Toyota. My MB has not been very problematic. Would I buy a new one? Probably not until they get their priorities staight and make reliable cars again.

iNeon · #15 02-02-2007, 10:47 AM

If we're going about this advising based on heresay and made up reliability accounts such as: "well, I've had brand x, and have had good luck with them, so Ford can't be that good; my friend that has a friend that's Father had one, and he said..." then here's mine:

I've seen quite a number of dead Toyotas, Nissans and Hondas littering the sides of the interstates-- they must be absolute crap, right? I've never seen a Cummins, a PowerStroke nor a DuraMAX broken down on the side of the road-- they MUST be better than Japanese sedans.