Last Ford I buy

[RickG]

In general, the trend towards complexity is driven by demand e.g. CarPlay, Nav etc. Sometimes it's just a vision that is driven by a company such as Tesla removing physical controls or Apple removing the audio jack on phones. I think the Maverick strikes a good balance to make it as simple as they can reaching to the past, but adding those features that are demanded for today.

Note on quality. I normally like purchasing a car that is not the first year of production if I'm concerned about having no issues. This is the year where they find out all of the unexpected problems. When I buy first year I know there will be issues. I purchased 1990 and 2002 ford explorers. Both were first year designs. There were some issues, but nothing that couldn't be fixed - most under warrantee. I still have the 2002 Explorer with 240,000 miles with the only serious problem is I had to replace the transmission at 135,000 miles. I don't do dealer service, mostly just oil changes. I also bought a 2013 C-Max - a new hybrid. It had some issues such as EPA wasn't as good as advertised. But I still have that vehicle and almost all issues were recall zero cost fixes. They also send me a check for $1000 to compensate for the lower EPA.

As a comparison I had a brand new 1993 Camry and it had an engine design problem that caused overheating with no dealer fix available. That couldn't be fixed easily and therefore wasn't. I had to replace the heads ($3000), radiators, and the blend door broke so couldn't properly operate the air conditioning. Door locks quit working and the headliner started falling down. I couldn't get rid of that vehicle fast enough but ended up keeping it until 95,000 miles. I have yet to have a single Ford vehicle with as many problems as the Toyota. Also had a 2005 Mazda 6. There were many expensive annoying issues with that (unrelated to drive train). I had to replace the radio and information screen twice due to a poor design for a total of $3000.

I like the Maverick because it is simple to operate, and it looks like a truck but is easy in/out like a car. I'm buying the 2024 so I expect fewer issues than the hybrid or first year purchased vehicles. The Maverick is getting reasonable quality results as found by JD Power. But for those that have a big issue or are stranded, that's an experience that is hard to overcome from a product bias. So I get the OP thoughts, but some perspective is important, or you will jump from one brand to another and perhaps find a worse experience. It's a roll of the dice many times.

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[Nw_adventure]

Any chance the 2025 Re-Fresh includes different and or upgraded Axel shafts ?

 

[bgn]

Any chance the 2025 Re-Fresh includes different and or upgraded Axel shafts ?

My guess?

The only things that have been changed are cosmetic. New infotainment, new plastic, same stamped metal and mostly same parts underneath.

 

[Gonzo chris]

We just need to go back to simplier times, back when people or at least some people didn't see you as an opportunity to get the most out of you. Back when people took pride in craftsmanship and didn't adopt this culture of constantly replacing things ever few years.

It's not just in cars, it's across all industries, hell up until I think 2007 I use to use an old tub TV that was like 15 years old and it still worked when I got rid of it. Now it seems the majority of people want whatever is the newest and they replace so much every 2 or 3 years.

Manufacturers have taken notice of this and just kind of roll the dice as to what customers will keep their products long term and one's that won't and then look at cost savings measures to maximize profits while also taking advantage of the situation, because if the average consumer doesn't keep their product long term, then they might only be concerned that it will last the initial ownership cycle.

What's that old saying...they sure don't make them like they use to! The dealership I've been taking my Maverick to, well this morning they had me ride in my car with a tech this time, he felt the wobble and this tech was also a Maverick Hybrid owner too, so it was nice that they put someone in the vehicle that has personal experience on how the Maverick should drive but what he was telling me, doesn't give me hope for long term reliability, on at least the Mavericks cv shaft, he said they have been replacing a lot of cv shafts on them, all failing at really low mileage and Ford has yet to put out any kind of TSB, even though they know there is a quality issue with them.

I think Ford is hoping to just ride it out and hope the warranties expire before they have to replace them and hope that demand for the Maverick overshadow the issues it has because they are the only manufacturer right now who is making a small, semi affordable and fuel efficient truck but once other manufacturers start making one, they are going to lose those customers....I think a good portion of Maverick owners, bought it because it was a cheap and fuel efficient pickup, they don't want a giant vehicle, or need to tow a lot and also don't see value in spending $80,000 for a vehicle and as soon as we have another option, a good majority will jump ship if they don't do better.

I agree with most of that except for the TV part. I don't want an old TV where I have to squint to see who has the football, I'm over 50 and my eyes aren't what they were to begin with. I mean it would be nice at the TVs lasted longer but if you look at what a 75-in 4K, Dolby vision etc. Cost today. That's thin enough that it'll hang on your wall compared to that old 500 lb dinosaur. That was about 30% screen maybe I'll take the newer TV stuff
I mean hell. I'm getting to the point now as an old dude where I wish either it was a lot more expensive to use the internet or you had to be 21 to use it. Too many annoying things spread around amongst our youths. It's like they're a bunch of droogs from a clockwork Orange. I know I'm going to sound like an old fart now, but it seems like this last year we've had flocks of kids flying around on mini bikes who seem to go out of their way to annoy whatever adults are driving or in the vicinity. Back in my day. I did act like an idiot occasionally but I wouldn't disrespect an adult male cuz I know they might smack the crap out of me or tell my dad and he would. Now they just tell you to go f yourself and they film you in case you give them the old reset

 

[Gonzo chris]

Oh I'm happy I don't have that old tub TV, I hate owning anything I can't move by myself and also enjoy the minimalistic look of having it mounted on a wall too.

My point I was trying to say and maybe electronic have away been their way, but I find it wasteful and sort of sad that our society has developed into a culture of over consumption of cheap goods, to what it use to be...people use to keep things a lot longer because they worked and there was no need to replace and with that, we kind of held power so to speak, over these big companies with our money.

Now it's somewhat of a mix, we have to replace because it's broken or we're brainwashed in thinking we need to replace because it's obsolete and/or not "trendy" and new TVs are just a great example of that.

I have a membership at Sam's Club, and it just amazes me (also angers me too) each time I go in there how much cheaper they are getting, I mean I saw a 86 inch 4K Samsung TV for $650 the other day on clearance because it was the last years model but when you compare the two, they are exactly the same. I remember when something like that use to cost $5000. I mean I think it's good that products are getting cheaper, but also in the same instances I think it manipulates people into thinking they need to upgrade constantly. I hate social media, but unfortunately you have to be part of it if you want to find used goods, though whenever I'm on Facebook Market Place, the most common item I see people are selling are TVs. Most of them not that old and some people feel like they can sell them for what they paid 3 or 4 years ago, which if you compare the prices to what you can get them for new, it's either it's not much more to buy it new or maybe even cheaper.

That is another rabbit hole of society I rather not just get started on, though if you think about it, it kind of plays into your comment about people being on the internet too much. I know some might read what I'm about say and vision me with tin foil on my head, but a lot of the products we buy now days make us the product and people these days are so easily manipulated by these companies...from our phones, tvs, the food we buy when we join memberships to save a few dollars on a hamburger or even vehicles.

Maybe it's my time in the military that has jaded my outlook, but I find what our society has become sickening and I know I add to it by being a consumer, but people really need to wake up and realize, none of these big companies have your best interest at heart, they just want your money, and/or be able make money off you!

Yeah like my son is 17 and he's a smart kid, and more importantly a good kid, but he watches these guys on YouTube and stuff tik tok and they want you to click And subscribe or worse, Be a follower. I told him back in the '90s if you were called a follower that was a pretty bad insult..... But I was also trying to tell him a lot of this stuff and those videos is product placement without you knowing it. Like the guys he likes on YouTube, buy a certain snack or whatever. I said they're getting paid for that.

 

[First Sergeant]

Oh I'm happy I don't have that old tub TV, I hate owning anything I can't move by myself and also enjoy the minimalistic look of having it mounted on a wall too.

My point I was trying to say and maybe electronic have always been this way, but I find it wasteful and sort of sad that our society has developed into a culture of over consumption of cheap goods, to what it use to be...people use to keep things a lot longer because they worked and there was no need to replace and with that, we kind of held power so to speak, over these big companies with our money.

Now it's somewhat of a mix, we have to replace because it's broken or we're brainwashed in thinking we need to replace because it's obsolete and/or not "trendy" and new TVs are just a great example of that.

I have a membership at Sam's Club, and it just amazes me (also angers me too) each time I go in there how much cheaper they are getting, I mean I saw a 86 inch 4K Samsung TV for $650 the other day on clearance because it was the last years model but when you compare the two, they are exactly the same. I remember when something like that use to cost $5000. I mean I think it's good that products are getting cheaper, but also in the same instances I think it manipulates people into thinking they need to upgrade constantly. I hate social media, but unfortunately you have to be part of it if you want to find used goods, though whenever I'm on Facebook Market Place, the most common item I see people are selling are TVs. Most of them not that old and some people feel like they can sell them for what they paid 3 or 4 years ago, which if you compare the prices to what you can get them for new, it's either it's not much more to buy it new or maybe even cheaper.

That is another rabbit hole of society I rather not just get started on, though if you think about it, it kind of plays into your comment about people being on the internet too much. I know some might read what I'm about say and vision me with tin foil on my head, but a lot of the products we buy now days make us the product and people these days are so easily manipulated by these companies...from our phones, tvs, the food we buy when we join memberships to save a few dollars on a hamburger or even vehicles.

Maybe it's my time in the military that has jaded my outlook, but I find what our society has become sickening and I know I add to it by being a consumer, but people really need to wake up and realize, none of these big companies have your best interest at heart, they just want your money, and/or be able make money off you!

This will make many of us here feel old. Going down to the grocery store to use the "tube tester machine". You removed all your tubes from TV at home, seems there were 5-6 maybe? Took to store while buying groceries, plugged into machine and push the button. After finding which one was bad, open cabinet below and match part number and get one. Maybe a few bucks? Problem solved. We didn't buy much stuff new. Grew up kind of poor, but always a house and food! Heck we were so poor at on time we could only afford "PO" Couldn't afford the extra two letters, the "OR" Dam it! Hahaha.

 

[Solaryellow]

Yeah like my son is 17 and he's a smart kid, and more importantly a good kid, but he watches these guys on YouTube and stuff tik tok and they want you to click And subscribe or worse, Be a follower. I told him back in the '90s if you were called a follower that was a pretty bad insult..... But I was also trying to tell him a lot of this stuff and those videos is product placement without you knowing it. Like the guys he likes on YouTube, buy a certain snack or whatever. I said they're getting paid for that.

Just guessing based on the age, you, like me, grew up in a time in which being a leader was important. Being a follower was a scarlet letter to the point where you'd be ostracized and rightfully so. Back then, idiots like the online people of today would have been laughed out of the joint.

 

[Gonzo chris]

Just guessing based on the age, you, like me, grew up in a time in which being a leader was important. Being a follower was a scarlet letter to the point where you'd be ostracized and rightfully so. Back then, idiots like the online people of today would have been laughed out of the joint.

Might be a little older than you , I was born in 1969.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Might be a little older than you , I was born in 1969.

Youngsters. 1957.

HRG

 

[bartflossom]

1957 myself. If I have to replace a 150 dollar cv shaft that's a cheap problem to me. I'm just thrilled I don't have to replace the points every 4 months. Break out the timing light to adjust the distributor timing. Put new rebuild kits in the carburetor. Replace the spark plugs every 5K. Replace the oil every 3. Get out and walk around the car to adjust my right side mirror. Get out and walk around the car again because I didn't get it right. And when's the last time anybody had their car "lubed"?

These are good times my friends. Most of us have at some point gone 150K with only minor problems or even NO problems with a vehicle. Unheard of in the olden days.

 

[RickG]

I think the government mandates to go all electric by 2030 has taken resources and focus away from improving ICE and hybrid designs. I can't help but think this is impacting quality overall.

 

[bbhaag]

I think the government mandates to go all electric by 2030 has taken resources and focus away from improving ICE and hybrid designs. I can't help but think this is impacting quality overall.

 

[RickG]

You forgot the reason you disagree. Have you ever worked in a R&D department?

 

[CurtisB]

Youngsters. 1957.

HRG

1958 here.

 

[Gonzo chris]

I think the government mandates to go all electric by 2030 has taken resources and focus away from improving ICE and hybrid designs. I can't help but think this is impacting quality overall.

I don't see that in all brands. Me think you don't like EVs or the idea of them are likely taking the correlation to causation leap

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