Looking to buy mainstream passenger car from 95-99 for my everyday use, somehow everyone i asking what make of car should i buy, naming something Japan or German, when i asking how about Ford they say its not reliable and i should avoid it for some reason, however they never name no particular reason.
I am not fan of Ford brand its just cars and parts was way cheaper in Europe (where i used to live) and quality was fine to, but i heard same rumors about how unreliable Fords are back there.

Can someone tell me if there''''s some reason to think that US Fords are worse than European and what models of Ford passenger cars (1990-99) you consider unreliable from your own experience with them?

P.S. By reliability i mean failing rate and maintenence cost, not just safety.

What type are you interested in the Ford Crown Vic is a dependable. Stay away from 4WD models and state what type you want and you will have better success in getting information.

Whoever you've been talking to has very little "real world" experience with Fords... It doesn't get much better than Taurus. Excellent car with long life and good performance. Tempo/Concord leave much to be desired. Aspire/Festiva as well (imports!). Escort is as tough as anything out there, though not a real "nice" car, a very GOOD car.

For a good Taurus, stay in the '94-'99 era. Avoid the 3.8 engine if it has not been updated with the head gasket "campaign". 3.0 is a BULLETPROOF little engine, and not as under-powered as you might think. We've found the cars with less electronic options tend to be more durable.

The Crown Vics are okay, but very large and not very efficient. A dinasaur by modern standards. Tough as they come.

Mustangs are pretty good cars, too, though youngsters tend to tear them up thinking they're a "hot rod". Some are (a hot rod). Most are not.

T-birds shouldn't be scoffed at, either. Nice for two people or a couple with small kids.

IMO

Jim

Johnny,

Sorry, a correction! I meant "Contour", not "Concord". Minor brain fart...(:-

Jim

Johnny,

Sorry, a correction! I meant "Contour", not "Concord". Minor brain fart...(:-

JimI were thinking of Contour first or second generation whats wrong with them?

The engines and transmissions are junk in the Contour.The Duratec in the Taurus and Sables are to walk away from too,very expensive to repair and junk.They are commonly called Durajunks and most yards sell them easily.The 2000 and up vin "U" 3.0s are good too.The 4.6 is a piece of junk,most police cars,the Crown Vics cannot hold up during police chases with no power at all.I have heard of them blowing up.The Chevy Impalas and Dodge Chargers outrun them.

The 4.6 is a piece of junk,most police cars,the Crown Vics cannot hold up during police chases with no power at all.I have heard of them blowing up.The Chevy Impalas and Dodge Chargers outrun them.

This is news to me. We have had about 2000 Crown Vics since the 4.6 came out in 1992. We have not had an engine failure due to parts failure or complete engine failure. We have lost 25-30 engines since 1992. Those were due to oil cooler lines rupturing or driving through standing water. The Impalas and Chargers will out run them. However the Crown Victoria is still the only full frame rear wheel drive vehicle there. Police departments really like the full frame vehicle. I am going to Michigan on the 19th to the 23rd to watch the various police packages compete. So be sure of your information before you post remarks.

Most police departments are going to the Charger and I have seen this.I know a constable cop that talked to another cop that told him that his Crown Vic is powerless and does not get into police chases.

I manage a fleet of over 600 Crown Vics. We purchased 9 Chargers for them to test. The Chargers sit more than they are driven. The departments are going to the Charger simply for the top speed of 150 mph. In reality, how many places can you drive a car at that speed for any legnth of time? The Crown Vic is about as fast from light to light. Maybe the people you talk to do not have a facility that maintains the cruisers. If you look at sales, you will see that the Crown Vic still has the majority of the market. That says a lot. I also talk to other cops from other towns. But I talk to them on the level of 200 to 300 at a time. Most departments are not going to the Charger. You may see some pockets that have made the change, but overall, the CVPI is still the vehicle of choice.

I love my 90 model F150 has been a really good truck. Now I own a Focus and all I can say is do not buy them they are a piece of junk. Oil pump went out at 72 thousand and now my fan has quite and I lost an engine because the safe kill did not stop the car when the oil pressure dropped. I don't need another one no thanks. revbassman

I love my 90 model F150 has been a really good truck. Now I own a Focus and all I can say is do not buy them they are a piece of junk. Oil pump went out at 72 thousand and now my fan has quite and I lost an engine because the safe kill did not stop the car when the oil pressure dropped. I don't need another one no thanks. revbassman:iceslolan
I looked at the fusions but they have the same enegine so no thanks.I am acually thinking of trying a Vet now. Maybe if they got better gas milage are maybe a Toy. Any way stay away from the four cylinders........

I have to agree with Way2old. Crown Vic is tuff stuff. Most police departments are NOT going to the Charger. The smartest cops don't chase "bad guys" anyway, they let the radio do the work. Cars that can go 200 MPH are no match for 186,000 miles per SECOND! And with most going 200K or more miles, 4.6 is hardly "junk".

Some of the unmarked cars around here are Chargers, but they still stick out like a sore thumb. They "bristle" with antennas and radar gizmos. Perhaps way2old could shed a little light on the rationale in current LE of using unmarked cars for traffic control. Never made sense to me unless "catching" is considered more important than "prevention". In California, it used to be policy to have a black and white every few miles (CHP). That prevented speeders, which helped prevent accidents.

The modern Impala is gaining popularity with the state cops, but most complain about the lack of room for "their stuff" in the trunk. They LOVE the way they handle (GM has always had an "edge" in that arena).

Saying a 3.0 (Taurus) is not a good engine indicates little or no real-world experience with them. Unless acted upon by an outside force (blown hose, no tuning, lack of oil change, etc.), they ALWAYS go well over 150K miles. Taurus isn't the best selling car of it's class/era for nothing.

Jim

I know the city of Fremont,Mi did switch to the Charger and I seen one so far.I know of a township replacing engines in 5 Crown Vics after police chases although they were maintenced.The 4.6 is also known for using oil badly even in the 1997 and up trucks.Stay away from a 5.4 also,they are gas hogs.

I just dislike them greatly and have heard nothing but horror stories about Ford.

I was driving out of Alabama one day about 80 mph and I noticed lights coming up behind me. Four young men in an old Green Ford wagon passed me about 100mph or faster. Eleven State troopers were following them. They tried to pass and the wagon started weaving so they dropped back all of them in single file. The wagon got off the interstate and was going to get back on but three or four cars went straight so it turned and took off. The other cars come up the down ramp and followed them. None of them tried to get next to them and side swipe them like in the movies. They must have had a commander in charge. They were all disciplined not like the " The Dukes of Hazard" and probably kept somebody else from getting killed. It wasn't speed just following close and using a radio to set up a road block. The sirens stopped shortly after they made the turn. All eleven of the cars were Crown Vics and they kept up and got the job done.

Plus Fords are the worst to work work on,lots of swearing when working on them.They do not leave any room to work on anything.Ford street rods have a Chevy drivetrain for one reason: The Smal Block Chevy is is easy to work on and parts are more esay to get

I know the city of Fremont,Mi did switch to the Charger and I seen one so far.I know of a township replacing engines in 5 Crown Vics after police chases although they were maintenced.The 4.6 is also known for using oil badly even in the 1997 and up trucks.Stay away from a 5.4 also,they are gas hogs.
I just got back from the Michigan State Police Police testing. The Michigan State Police has the majority of their vehicles as Crown Victorias still in use. The only reason I know for agencies to leave is that Ford has not agreed to produce them afetr the 2011 model year. I also know that North Carolina went to the Charger. But that is 900 for the entire state. We have 700 Vics just for our county.
Our oil consumption is no more than any other vehicle. We might be down close to a quart in 4k miles, but that is acceptable. I personally own a 2007 F150 with the 5.4L engine. I get close to 21 mpg average. But, of course, I am a lot older and do not have to be there right now. I leave in plenty of time to make the trip comfortably.

The tune up on a 4.6 and 5.4 in the truck takes 3 to 4 hours to do and that is what the book says.Plus they are known for blowing out spark plugs.Ford does not any inside work on their engines at the dealer,they talk the customer into an engine replacement instead.Fords have no resale at all and are very hard to sell.My father is an used car dealer and has to put in a lot of money in them if he ever buys one.Has to take them back to the auction,no one looks at them.

OK. I guess you have your mind made up and are not open to any other opinions. We tune up the 4.6 and 5.4L engines in the trucks in just a little over an hour. So to avoid any other head butting, I feel this thread should be closed and I am doing so. Please continue to post as often as you like. Just this thread is now closed.