Want to Buy RELIABLE model year for daughter?

[ddderek]

Great responses... Thank you! These forums are priceless!!

[gurkpimpin]

Originally Posted by USARice

I am at 95k on my 2.3l Duratec and while I did replace the engine at about half that I still think it was due to something preexisting when I bought the car or because the Ford dealer left the oil cap off leaving me with an oil pressure problem. Even with that I would still sweat by any model with the Duratec. Wheel bearing are the only issue. I have already replaced the rears and I have another loud one. I don't understand why they chew them up so bad but its a cheap repair. Good luck!

When you replace them take some rvt sealant around the drum where the wheel bearing cover is to seal it most of them go bad cause moisture getting in their and chewing the lube up..dad is a ford mechanic and does that to all focuses that he services that he replaces the wheel bearing or drum..just a little tip

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[ddderek]

Does Dad do any side work, cause I would love to find an honest, good mechanic and I own three Ford cars...? I'm in Livonia...

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Eh, I've owned my 05 since it had 5 miles on it. The car made me lazy as a repairman. I didn't do anything to it since I bought it that "had" to be done. I haven't even changed the wheel bearings. I am going to be doing that soon, but it's still rolling.

A 2011 should be fine, but the newer 2012+ models are much better. Styling is better, options are better, and fit and finish are better. My 05's only problem was that it had a lot of road noise. From what I understand, the newer style cars are better at mitigating road noise. The 2011 might be good at it too- I haven't driven one. I should think you'd find a 2011 to be much cheaper at 20k miles than the 2012+.

[Kevastator]

With the 11's and 12's being so new, nobody has really put 100k or 200k on them to test reliability.

there was a guy on there that actually did do 100k on his MK3 (2012) for his work. He said the trans was running flawless still (auto) and eveything was fine.

[mac.mogul]

My '11 Duratec is flawless at 35k miles

[Kevastator]

Oh I forgot to mention, the 2011's don't come with side curtain airbags, and the 2012's do come with them standard as well as revised crumple zones, and many other safety features not on the 2011 and older..

So from a safety perspective for your daughter's sake, the 2012 is a much safer car than 2011 and older.

[mac.mogul]

Mine has side curtain airbags front and rear.

[Kevastator]

Doh! I misspoke. guess I should do my research!

Mac, are they standard or optional?

[Kevastator]

Just did my research and found out that the 2008-2011's also have standard side curtain airbags like Mac said.

So it would just be a matter of price and refinement