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...but you have a point :).

The principle problem with the previa is not maintaining the mid engine, as you pop out the passenger seat and there is an engine hatch that gives you decent access; its that all its accessories are still up front, driven by their own special driveshaft, along with everything else being more involved. Its an amazingly complex vehicle for something thats only closely comparable to its front engine competitors, with less power.

The supercharged variant was supercharged only so the nearly flat 4 could stay within shouting distance of competetor v6 plants.

A word of advice from the trenches.* Take note of the number of seats currently unoccupied. Do not exceed the number of seats currently unoccupied. ;)



*(Assuming you're talking kids, if not I apologize!)

Interesting update. Ford has tracked me down for a TSB to replace the entire subframe up front from what i understand. I guess they have a rusting problem that results in certain death effectively.

Other than that i am enjoying this vehicle. It is the first wagon/hatchback style vehicle i have ever had where the rear seats can be folded flat with the driver seat as far back as it can go. Excellent for utility use so far.

^ nice!! Yeah mazda did the same for me with the airbag recall. I was surprised but I suppose they just upload a list of vins to the state and the state provides registered addresses.


Sent from an abacus

Im just enjoying the fact that im going to get what would probably be 1500 dollars of parts and labor done for free on a vehicle worth less than 2k, courtesy of ford.

That is of course unless they provide me with a half mile long sheet of other things they think should be repaired.

Interesting dealer experience.

The recall is only to bolt on a short brace to reinforce the existing subframe. The actual issue is where the lower control arm attaches in the front of the subframe, the mount point can rust and break free with sobering results in steering control.

They only replace the whole subframe if its actually physically broken before the recall. If its not, no matter how rusted, they bolt on this extra brace and thats it. Ill have to watch the subframe, ive read some accounts about how this actually is a partially effective bandaid, not a solution. The subframe can break right outside the brace with the exact same results. Mostly this absolves ford of responsibilty for a new component after youve had it done, assuming you dont wreck the car or are killed in an incident.

Annoying as i love the car and its a perfect combination of size, utility, and economy. A brand new subframe is 700 clams, but i might source a used one out of a non rust state and beef it up just to have on hand.

Its the same interior rust out that the rear control arms suffer from on 123s.

Other than that my dealer experience was typical. I need to replace my brand new lower ball joints i did last month, and i need to flush my automatic transmission and rear diff oil in my manual transmission 2wd without a rear diff. :D

Classic!