[Fast Eddie]

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/2022-ford-maverick-gets-surprising-174300481.html

 

[Zagnut27]

Maverick seems to be impressing a lot of people with its utility, and price.

A comparo on MT between Maverick and the Santa Cruz:

2022 Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz: The Biggest Little Things in Trucks

The teeny-tiny truck comparison test you've been waiting for.

www.motortrend.com

 

[Chase300]

Hopefully quality is there too...I have ZERO experience with Ford products, though F150 owners I've talked with are all happy with them and their reliability.
I've had friends with Mustangs and Explorers and they had multiple issues with them.

 

[jerseyjoe]

I always went for jobs where a vehicle was supplied. Way back in 1968 all company vehicles were American made. Always wanted MOPARs but I have to say the moat trouble free were Fords. Last vehicle was an F150 AWD, never
missed a beat in the 10 years that I had it. Refused new replacement Fords. The AWD part was because I had to get to work in any weather condition, no excuses. I did get an F250 early on, felt like a separate pile of parts going down the
bumpy NYC streets. Chevrolet vehicles broke a lot. 88 Dodge van was good but later on Dodge trucks would drop
driveshafts, rear universals would slip out of the yokes snapping bolts. Can't fault any of my personal Mopars.
but I did pass on 69 to to mid 80s
I have to say the newer Rams have set a new standard in durability. My Challenger and 300 are bullet proof.
My next vehicle will be 100% electric, will keep the 300 till the wheels fall off.

 

[Zagnut27]

We always had Fords when I was growing up. I don’t know if the Gran Torino or Pinto were that bad, but the Escorts were definitely Fix or Repair Daily. My Mustang (2011) has been very good and so far so good with our 2021 Explorer. (Knock on wood).

 

[AceHanlon]

We always had Fords when I was growing up. I don’t know if the Gran Torino or Pinto were that bad, but the Escorts were definitely Fix or Repair Daily. My Mustang (2011) has been very good and so far so good with our 2021 Explorer. (Knock on wood).

I despise Ford escorts

 

[Zagnut27]

I despise Ford escorts

Well, considering they haven’t been sold here in the US for quite some time, I’d say you have little to worry about. Lol

That being said, they weren’t very well made. Though one of my friends in college used to raz me about my Escort, talking about how bad Fords were….and yet his Forerunner or Pathfinder (can’t recall which) was always in the shop.

My Escort went through tie rods like they were free, it absolutely hated to start when it was wet outside (which was always in central NY), and the temperature gauge frequently said the car was about to overheat (Never could track down why). My brother’s ate a transmission as well, but that was probably more related to his driving habits.

 

[AceHanlon]

Well, considering they haven’t been sold here in the US for quite some time, I’d say you have little to worry about. Lol

That being said, they weren’t very well made. Though one of my friends in college used to raz me about my Escort, talking about how bad Fords were….and yet his Forerunner or Pathfinder (can’t recall which) was always in the shop.

My Escort went through tie rods like they were free, it absolutely hated to start when it was wet outside (which was always in central NY), and the temperature gauge frequently said the car was about to overheat (Never could track down why). My brother’s ate a transmission as well, but that was probably more related to his driving habits.

My friends grandfather had like 7 of them so for years I had to keep seeing my friend and his family drive one all the time until recently they all blew up. Thank God

 

[Zagnut27]

My friends grandfather had like 7 of them so for years I had to keep seeing my friend and his family drive one all the time until recently they all blew up. Thank God

That’s about how many we had too. We had 2 or 3 wagons, a couple of 2-door models, and 2 4-door models and my sister had an EXP. I traded in my brother’s red 4-door when I bought my TJ back in 1998. I don’t recall why my mom had gotten it back from him, both that red one (1988) and my silver 4-door (1987) belonged to my parents first, but I figured I’d get more for it than my silver one because it “looked better“. The oil light would come on periodically for no reason, so I was praying that it would stay off, not that it probably would’ve mattered. The $750 was probably pity money anyway. Lol.

I think my mom traded the silver one in on a Saturn, which ended up being a very good car. We had a bunch of Saturns, and all were good cars, though my wife’s Ion had a total crap interior (It at least drove ok).

After that, my dad had a wagon as a company car for a little while. I recall the trunk/hatch wouldn’t stay closed, so he had to use bungee cords. That was the last one, thankfully, our time in purgatory was apparently completed. I wouldn’t touch Ford for a while after that, not until 2010 when I took a chance and got my ‘11 Mustang (my Liberty was causing lots of $$ issues at the time). I’ve never regretted getting that Mustang for a second, it’s one of the best vehicles I’ve ever owned, by far.

 

[AceHanlon]

That’s about how many we had too. We had 2 or 3 wagons, a couple of 2-door models, and 2 4-door models and my sister had an EXP. I traded in my brother’s red 4-door when I bought my TJ back in 1998. I don’t recall why my mom had gotten it back from him, both that red one (1988) and my silver 4-door (1987) belonged to my parents first, but I figured I’d get more for it than my silver one because it “looked better“. The oil light would come on periodically for no reason, so I was praying that it would stay off, not that it probably would’ve mattered. The $750 was probably pity money anyway. Lol.

I think my mom traded the silver one in on a Saturn, which ended up being a very good car. We had a bunch of Saturns, and all were good cars, though my wife’s Ion had a total crap interior (It at least drove ok).

After that, my dad had a wagon as a company car for a little while. I recall the trunk/hatch wouldn’t stay closed, so he had to use bungee cords. That was the last one, thankfully, our time in purgatory was apparently completed. I wouldn’t touch Ford for a while after that, not until 2010 when I took a chance and got my ‘11 Mustang (my Liberty was causing lots of $$ issues at the time). I’ve never regretted getting that Mustang for a second, it’s one of the best vehicles I’ve ever owned, by far.

They're trash cars and I will never go back on that. The chevy cavalier was better. For years I heard good things about the earlier saturns.

 

[Zagnut27]

They're trash cars and I will never go back on that. The chevy cavalier was better. For years I heard good things about the earlier saturns.

In our circle of friends, we had Escorts, Cavaliers, a Duster and a Neon. They all seemed to be vying for the trophy of most repairs…and a Subaru wagon too, and a Forerunne/Pathfinder (can’t recall which). I think cars are much better made now, though certainly more expensive.

We had a bunch of early Saturns, before they switched to the Ions and then to the rebranded Opels. I don’t know about the Opels, but the Ion we had one of the worst/cheapest interiors I’ve ever seen. Mechanically, it drove fine, if underpowered. But that interior…ooof. My dad had a Sky that was pretty cool, and fun to drive. Not sure if that was an Opel derivative…it did have a Pontiac counterpart (Solstice). Those early Saturns were good cars though, we had very few issues with any of them (SL 1 & 2 and SC 2).

 

[AceHanlon]

In our circle of friends, we had Escorts, Cavaliers, a Duster and a Neon. They all seemed to be vying for the trophy of most repairs…and a Subaru wagon too, and a Forerunne/Pathfinder (can’t recall which). I think cars are much better made now, though certainly more expensive.

We had a bunch of early Saturns, before they switched to the Ions and then to the rebranded Opels. I don’t know about the Opels, but the Ion we had one of the worst/cheapest interiors I’ve ever seen. Mechanically, it drove fine, if underpowered. But that interior…ooof. My dad had a Sky that was pretty cool, and fun to drive. Not sure if that was an Opel derivative…it did have a Pontiac counterpart (Solstice). Those early Saturns were good cars though, we had very few issues with any of them (SL 1 & 2 and SC 2).

Yeah the earlier saturns were suppose to be completely separate from GM(which GM later screwed up) and were pretty decent. We had a Dodge Neon at my work when I worked security and the engine almost blew up idling when the sensor for the electric fan went bad, thankfully I looked at the temp gauge almost went past hot! Wouldn't have cared if it blew up or not we preferred to have a 4 wheel drive anyways. Back then they didnt have to even make them that crap its just that they didnt care and went to the dumpster bin to make those cars.

 

[Zagnut27]

Yeah the earlier saturns were suppose to be completely separate from GM(which GM later screwed up) and were pretty decent. We had a Dodge Neon at my work when I worked security and the engine almost blew up idling when the sensor for the electric fan went bad, thankfully I looked at the temp gauge almost went past hot! Wouldn't have cared if it blew up or not we preferred to have a 4 wheel drive anyways. Back then they didnt have to even make them that crap its just that they didnt care and went to the dumpster bin to make those cars.

The buying experience was always pretty cool with Saturn, they made you feel pretty good about buying one of their cars. GM strangled the life out of them. I had hoped that Penske would’ve bought them, but it wasn’t meant to be.

One of the girls we knew had a Neon, and I recall she had a lot of issues with rust. If I recall correctly, I think the strut towers were the worst.

 

[AceHanlon]

The buying experience was always pretty cool with Saturn, they made you feel pretty good about buying one of their cars. GM strangled the life out of them. I had hoped that Penske would’ve bought them, but it wasn’t meant to be.

One of the girls we knew had a Neon, and I recall she had a lot of issues with rust. If I recall correctly, I think the strut towers were the worst.

Yeah I guess their fate was sealed. I do recall the neons did have some rust issues. I did like driving the late model Dodge Stratus cars, I think they had a great steering response.

 

[page2171]

In our circle of friends, we had Escorts, Cavaliers, a Duster and a Neon. They all seemed to be vying for the trophy of most repairs…and a Subaru wagon too, and a Forerunne/Pathfinder (can’t recall which). I think cars are much better made now, though certainly more expensive.

We had a bunch of early Saturns, before they switched to the Ions and then to the rebranded Opels. I don’t know about the Opels, but the Ion we had one of the worst/cheapest interiors I’ve ever seen. Mechanically, it drove fine, if underpowered. But that interior…ooof. My dad had a Sky that was pretty cool, and fun to drive. Not sure if that was an Opel derivative…it did have a Pontiac counterpart (Solstice). Those early Saturns were good cars though, we had very few issues with any of them (SL 1 & 2 and SC 2).

My Saturns '93 SL1 and '98 SL2 were both good cars. We have an '06 Ion that is on kid #2, and neither kid has managed to kill it yet. The interior is awful, but the rest of the car has been bulletproof.

 

[AceHanlon]

My Saturns '93 SL1 and '98 SL2 were both good cars. We have an '06 Ion that is on kid #2, and neither kid has managed to kill it yet. The interior is awful, but the rest of the car has been bulletproof.

Yeah the interior in the IONS could have been much better and less plastic.

 

[jerseyjoe]

Lots of plastic with soft plastic covering in touch areas. Seats are fine. Vehicle made deep in middle Mexico. If its a new plant it may take time to bring it up to speed.

 

[Zagnut27]

My Saturns '93 SL1 and '98 SL2 were both good cars. We have an '06 Ion that is on kid #2, and neither kid has managed to kill it yet. The interior is awful, but the rest of the car has been bulletproof.

My wife’s was an 03 Ion, and we had eventually given it to our niece as a high school graduation present. When she joined the Army, it then made its way to my MIL and that’s the last we heard about it (we don’t talk to her often). It had very few mechanical issues over the years.

The interior though…the seats would stain easily, even despite that Scotchguard (sp?) interior protection they sold my wife. The dome light would fall out periodically, hanging by the wires. The hood release handle would pull off regularly…I think “handle‘ might be too strong of a word...and then you couldn’t open the hood until you were able to reconnect it. That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. It’s a shame though, because the SL 1’s and 2’s, and my brother‘s SC’s were all really good. The interiors weren’t flashy by any means, but everything held up well over time. We got a lot of use out of all of them. You can’t ask for more than that!

 

[page2171]

My wife’s was an 03 Ion, and we had eventually given it to our niece as a high school graduation present. When she joined the Army, it then made its way to my MIL and that’s the last we heard about it (we don’t talk to her often). It had very few mechanical issues over the years.

The interior though…the seats would stain easily, even despite that Scotchguard (sp?) interior protection they sold my wife. The dome light would fall out periodically, hanging by the wires. The hood release handle would pull off regularly…I think “handle‘ might be too strong of a word...and then you couldn’t open the hood until you were able to reconnect it. That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. It’s a shame though, because the SL 1’s and 2’s, and my brother‘s SC’s were all really good. The interiors weren’t flashy by any means, but everything held up well over time. We got a lot of use out of all of them. You can’t ask for more than that!

Our '06 Ion has the same type of fabric as your '03. My '04 Malibu also has the same type of material. That Malibu was a good car, but the fabric drive me crazy. It would stain if anything resembling moisture came near it, which is less than ideal when you have a couple of young kids. I eventually found out that cleaning the seats with warm water and vinegar instead of an upholstery detergent kept the seats cleaner longer.

 

[Zagnut27]

Our '06 Ion has the same type of fabric as your '03. My '04 Malibu also has the same type of material. That Malibu was a good car, but the fabric drive me crazy. It would stain if anything resembling moisture came near it, which is less than ideal when you have a couple of young kids. I eventually found out that cleaning the seats with warm water and vinegar instead of an upholstery detergent kept the seats cleaner longer.

I used upholstery cleaner with limited success. We had a detailer clean it, and they got everything out, so maybe they did what you said, they know lots of tricks. I preferred leather for ease of cleaning, and the Active X seats in the Explorer are easy to clean too. I don’t mind cloth by itself, it’s the dog and kids factor that ruins it for me. Lol.