I Think The Maverick is The Best Entry Level Vehicle Ever Created

[HughdMan]

Can anyone else name an entry level product from any mainstream brand that's been this affordable, practical, reliable, efficient, good looking, fun to drive? While also having this much character? I've never seen another affordable vehicle that has this much passion put into it.

I've been in civics, in Kia Rios, Toyota tercels, cruzes, fiestas. There's always this underlying message of "We don't really care about you" that you get from something like a Corolla or a civic. It's a "They'll take whatever we give them" mentality. The maverick is the first entry level vehicle I've ever experienced that doesn't feel or act like an entry level vehicle, that's a major reason why it's sucessful imo. The efficiency and versatility is great, but it's also an affordable vehicle that values you as it's owner.

I think you are right. Maybe the 1998 Tercel 4x4 Wagon is next, but I was never motivated to buy one, not new anyway. I have never in my 67 years felt I could justify the cost of a new vehicle until the Maverick P'up came out. Heck- it was cheaper than many used trucks. Even if I had to wait 18 months for delivery and had to get bumped to the next model year (with it's $3K additional price) I think the little rascal is well worth the cost (and I got a rebate that covered most of the additional cost). I get 47+mpg commuting 40 miles each way in the NC mountains. Driving around the hills of North Georgia I get 50+. That is as good as my 1980 Rabbit Deisel, but the Mav is far more useful to me. The dealer must agree- they keep trying to buy it back for more than I paid.

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[RobbieAG]

There have been many great entry level cars over the years (VW bug, Corolla, Civic etc.), but I don't know of any that have the utility and practicality of the Maverick.

 

[VICKY]

Can anyone else name an entry level product from any mainstream brand that's been this affordable, practical, reliable, efficient, good looking, fun to drive? While also having this much character? I've never seen another affordable vehicle that has this much passion put into it.

I've been in civics, in Kia Rios, Toyota tercels, cruzes, fiestas. There's always this underlying message of "We don't really care about you" that you get from something like a Corolla or a civic. It's a "They'll take whatever we give them" mentality. The maverick is the first entry level vehicle I've ever experienced that doesn't feel or act like an entry level vehicle, that's a major reason why it's sucessful imo. The efficiency and versatility is great, but it's also an affordable vehicle that values you as it's owner.

LOVE THIS COMMENT, SO I AM NOT WEIRD TO ALSO BE MADLY IN LOVE WITH MY TRUCK!!!!

 

[710-oil-614]

I know about the Ford quality award they won a few years ago, but was not aware of any other recognition. Can you provide a source for anything else?

I can. You're going to scoff at it because it is from 2007 but Oliver Wyman (an automotive industry management consulting firm) rated it the top rated assembly plant for "Compact premium conventional" vehicles.

Hermosillo first came online in 1986 - the factory has been in operation for almost 37 years and in 2003 invested more than $1b in the facility.

I can attest that the Maverick is well constructed relative to my Dearborn built Bronco which was a true piece of junk.

 

[EIlig]

It's a cheap vehicle built with cheap labor by one of the most recalled manufacturers in America.

While it has no competition when considering the bed and price, it would not be my first choice in the 25-40k price range if I didn't need a bed.

Recalls indicate to me that the manufacturer is paying attention trying to make things right, especially in a vehicle new to its market.

Sell the Maverick while you can make a few $... Very few recalls on this mode of transportation and a bed

 

[EIlig]

Says who?

https://mexico-now.com/ford-hermosillo-is-recognized-as-the-best-assembly-plant-in-north-america/

 

[OneAlienBoi]

It’s the Honda Civic and it’s not really close.

I'd don't know man, my experience with civics is cars that have issues after 30 mins of leaving the dealership and blow their engines a day into ownership. That was my families first and last Honda. My friends civic only has 80k on it, and it's a POS.

 

[MAVRICK]

https://mexico-now.com/ford-hermosillo-is-recognized-as-the-best-assembly-plant-in-north-america/

As said by a "totally unbiased" WEB site charged with (and paid for) promoting Mexican industry.

Here is reality ...

The Ford Maverick is built by newly hired trainees using newly designed (or re-designed and/or re-engineered) components produced at (and transported from) multiple (US & Mexican) factories and using parts from newly established surrounding (Mexican) part suppliers in a recently retooled Mexican factory ... Knowing all that, I still bought a Maverick ... but I'm not kidding myself.

 

[EIlig]

As said by a "totally unbiased" WEB site charged with (and paid for) promoting Mexican industry.

Here is reality ...

The Ford Maverick is built by newly hired trainees using newly designed (or re-designed and/or re-engineered) components produced at (and transported from) multiple (US & Mexican) factories and using parts from newly established surrounding (Mexican) part suppliers in a recently retooled Mexican factory ... Knowing all that, I still bought a Maverick ... but I'm not kidding myself.

Source...? UAW Newsletter?

Sounds like you have an issue with Mexico...

 

[BoskoPColtrane]

It's a cheap vehicle built with cheap labor by one of the most recalled manufacturers in America.

While it has no competition when considering the bed and price, it would not be my first choice in the 25-40k price range if I didn't need a bed.

But you own one?

 

[bigbopper]

Pontiac Aztek. jk...or am I?

The Jeep Cherokee XJs come close, but maybe not quite entry level when they were new. Practical, reliable (well, the engine and transmission were, little things would break a lot), capable, and not very expensive.

But I agree the Maverick is pretty unique in that it checks a LOT of those boxes.

Pontiac Aztek......practical, yes...and totally butt ugly!!

 

[Ozarkbeard]

I'd don't know man, my experience with civics is cars that have issues after 30 mins of leaving the dealership and blow their engines a day into ownership...

Apparently, some people just have bad luck.

 

[MAVRICK]

Source...? UAW Newsletter?

Sounds like you have an issue with Mexico...

I have an issue with platitude statements, unsupported facts, and the truth ... you, however may choose to see this trough your own lens and assign some sort of "... ism" to my comments ... very popular thing to do these days in the absence of worthy arguments.

 

[colinl]

I didn't really, truly, need a bed. This is my first truck and I've survived up to this point with sedans, wagons and SUVs. I ride MTBs a lot and was very tired of using a roof rack on my wagon, so I got a hitch rack for my SUV. I got real tired of the hitch rack behind my SUV, so I wanted a bed to use a tailgate pad and damned if it hasn't been as convenient and easy to use as I thought.

But it's been extremely helpful having a bed. Hauling branches, lawn & leaf bags, trash, recycling, furniture. All those things are better with a truck.

The Maverick probably is the best entry-level vehicle of any manufacturer today because almost every other non-luxury brand has some kind of compact SUV/CUV, compact sedan or hatchback as their cheapest vehicle and the Maverick crushes them all.

Per dollar is the Maverick the best new vehicle on the road? IDK, probably depends on what you use it for.

 

[Mavboy2023]

Can anyone else name an entry level product from any mainstream brand that's been this affordable, practical, reliable, efficient, good looking, fun to drive? While also having this much character? I've never seen another affordable vehicle that has this much passion put into it.

I've been in civics, in Kia Rios, Toyota tercels, cruzes, fiestas. There's always this underlying message of "We don't really care about you" that you get from something like a Corolla or a civic. It's a "They'll take whatever we give them" mentality. The maverick is the first entry level vehicle I've ever experienced that doesn't feel or act like an entry level vehicle, that's a major reason why it's sucessful imo. The efficiency and versatility is great, but it's also an affordable vehicle that values you as it's owner.

What about the Trabant?

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