WTB Lariat Hybrid but it has a Lemon Title.

[PamelaHaley]

No one has test driven it because the salesperson was afraid to go along.

One of the buy back lemons from the forum would go dead while driving. No power steering, no power brakes, dead. Potentially lethal at highway speeds. Dealer tried to fix multiple times of course. Had to try before lemon/buyback. Could not fix. Forum member felt bad that another person might actually drive it someday

Other buyback lurched dangerously while stopped at traffic lights. Same action - dealer tried to fix multiple times but no success.

Both no longer Maverick forum members I’m guessing. Problems like theirs are very rare. Unless you buy one of their trucks. In that case a problem is guaranteed.

This one had more problems. Different problems. Equally dangerous problems. Problems GOOGLE AI said need 2 seasonal extremes and 1,000 miles to prove truly fixed.

Admittedly, my previous car (Mazda) cut off on me, on the interstate one time. The road was empty and I was able to exit and get to a parking lot by the grace of inertia.

Over 10 years, I think we went through 3 alternators and 4 batteries before we figured out the culprit was the ignition. Not the ignition itself but, the circuit on the board that went to the ignition. Just one teeny little part! Fortunately my husband is handy so, it only cost a of time and parts.

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[Aleks]

Fortunately my husband is handy so, it only cost a of time and parts.

have mercy on him, get a non-lemon maverick! 🥹

 

[MaverickDragon]

I think she'll buy it.

Well, this just might be one of those rare occasions, where it turns out your assessment of the sale scenario and reality appear to be diametrically opposed, unless you have some Svengali powers that enable your control of an otherwise averse buyer via forum posts...

I find that unlikely, and about as unlikely as her purchase of the screaming yellow zonker model in post #71 by @BK007

Hopefully Pam finds a truck she likes, but apparently she is taking her time and exploring options.

@PamelaHaley
As far as model year differences, there was a model refresh in 2025, and quite a few obvious as well as significant changes.
The infotainment screen had buttons migrated to it for environmental controls.
Some don't like that, some do and others like me don't mind after living with it after awhile.

The big change is in availability of the hybrid in both FWD and AWD and 4K towing, and the hybrids got a major improvement in the HF55 eCVT transmission.

You may find this Edmunds link comparison helpful.
Hybrids are available in the Ecoboost or hybrid in all trims but the Lobo and Tremor which are EB only...

Happy hunting.

 

[Fcnrwy]

I think she'll buy it.

She must like the color.. Area 51

Since, I was waiting for my paint to dry... (yes, seriously).
I read the rest of this thread...

I did a quick Truck search on CarGurus. (used them to find my last Ranger 2008).
OP"s in Georgia?
There are (3), 2022, 2024 Area 51 Lariats with-in 100 miles of Atlanta..
Unfortunately ALL Eco and AWDs between $28K - $33K.
NO Hybrids..

Truth Be Told...
If my Pup was NOT an Area 51, I probably would NOT have driven the 500 mile round trip to get him..

Jerry

 

[MaverickDragon]

If it was on looks alone, the truck would be worth consideration, but since it's a vehicle that is intended to be driven, there are likely better choices than someone else's proven prior headache(s)..
I think this particular example is a poster child for why the lemon laws were enacted in the first place. Despite considerable effort, some vehicles just can't be made right.
Maybe it was built after a wild weekend in Mexico...

 

[Fcnrwy]

If it was on looks alone, the truck would be worth consideration, but since it's a vehicle that is intended to be driven, there are likely better choices than someone else's proven prior headache(s)..
I think this particular example is a poster child for why the lemon laws were enacted in the first place. Despite considerable effort, some vehicles just can't be made right.
Maybe it was built after a wild weekend in Mexico...

Yes, this poor thing seemed to have issues, from the get-go..

Jerry

 

[PamelaHaley]

She must like the color.. Area 51

Since, I was waiting for my paint to dry... (yes, seriously).
I read the rest of this thread...

I did a quick Truck search on CarGurus. (used them to find my last Ranger 2008).
OP"s in Georgia?
There are (3), 2022, 2024 Area 51 Lariats with-in 100 miles of Atlanta..
Unfortunately ALL Eco and AWDs between $28K - $33K.
NO Hybrids..

Truth Be Told...
If my Pup was NOT an Area 51, I probably would NOT have driven the 500 mile round trip to get him..

Jerry

Well, there is a " good one" at a CarMart near Orlando but it would be a thousand mile round trip and, I'm not sure I'm that dedicated. They only offer a 300 mile warranty.

Is this also a lemon? FFS
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...71ohM2hyrVisiaGjeeJdzesftrslZ9pB18=&brand=atc

 

[Fcnrwy]

Well, there is a " good one" at a CarMart near Orlando but it would be a thousand mile round trip and, I'm not sure I'm that dedicated. They only offer a 300 mile warranty.

Is this also a lemon? FFS
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/778738113/experian?ps=true&make=FORD&encryptedVin=I037AyAxyvmcVedXHHHcERsN01OMN2W9jxOivB 0Qew=&encryptedSid=MK emWgFz71ohM2hyrVisiaGjeeJdzesftrslZ9pB18=&brand=atc

I looked up Wisconsin's meaning of "State Title Brand".....

Yes, a state title brand means the vehicle does not have a clean title. Instead, it marks a permanent record showing the car had a major event like severe damage, a total loss, or a lemon law buyback
There is something about this poor pup as well..

Though, IT IS Cleared Good to Go..
There still is a good part of the 5yr/60000 warranty.
21 months on most stuff and 57 months on the battery..
To me this all means, IF something should happen again. You would get a lower insurance replacement value.

I personally never worry about the vehicles' value. I drive them until their last miles..
I saw that as Very Funny.. When I bought-back my first Ranger for the 2nd time (15 yrs old). They placed the value at $1500.00. I took it back and got $1400.00 as a settlement. The pup still did what I had asked of it for the previous 15 yrs. IT STILL was a viable piece of transportation..(TO ME).
So, when folks get all excited over future depreciations, that means nothing to ME..

Jerry

 

[MaverickDragon]

Likely a buy back because the engine was replaced, according to the report, and that gave it a salvage title.
There seems to be quite a lot of work done, considering it didn't seem to be driven...

 

[MaverickDragon]

I personally never worry about the vehicles' value. I drive them until their last miles..
Jerry

Worry is the interest on a principal balance that never becomes due, so it's wasted effort.

A vehicle's value may become important if you don't get to drive the car due to it getting totaled.
With a buyback title you will get a lot less money from insurance, so that means you may have to pay if there is a loan, or the $35K you paid in cash may mean you only get $20 after the total.

The point is, with a lemon or salvage title, it could be more important that you don't pay more than the actual value of the vehicle, which includes the significant depreciation of the title with issues...

 

[mwelby]

I'm in the market to replace my totaled 22 Lariat hybrid. I found one for sale at a Ford Dealership but, it's been on the lot for 6 months and the sales guy straight up said it was a manufacturer buy back that was taken for a brake and acceleration issue (among other related issues), that have since been remedied by replacing a battery and updating software.

I asked for a vehicle history report (via email) and he just deflected and reiterated what he told me, adding that it had a lemon title... So, I'm already turned off by the sales guy (just send a history report, bruh.)

I said it's standard that I expect an official report when I buy a car. I'll wait on that.

In the meantime, apparently this issue means the car is worth 30% less, by default, yet it's listed at a price like there is nothing wrong with it at all... Which technically there isn't, if it's been fixed but the title is eternally cursed.

IDK. Would anyone here consider buying that or is it my sign to move on? It's a First Edition Area 51 sub 30k miles.

Hmmmmm…..

 

[MaverickDragon]

Hmmmmm…..

She's aleady decided to pass on the original vehicle she was looking at...

 

[mwelby]

Not sure what state of the union you're in but typically, in order to sell a lemon law vehicle:
"The manufacturer and any subsequent dealer selling the car must provide the new buyer with a written disclosure statement. This document must be signed by the buyer and describe the nonconformity that led to the buyback. Additionally, the manufacturer must affix a decal to the vehicle, typically on the driver's side door jamb, which clearly states it is a Lemon Law Buyback and identifies the specific defect(s)."

You can lowball an offer, but if the problem has not been adequately resolved, you may be buying a headache instead of a vehicle.

Typically, a branded title can be up to a 40% discounted price compared to the same vehicle with a clean title.

That doesn't mean the dealership has to discount the price.
They may be waiting for somebody who needs to buy a vowel to spell cat.

Regardless, if the vehicle is purchased, any insurance company is likely to discount the car value considerably in the event the vehicle is totaled.

It might be beneficial to contact your insurance agent and see what their valuation would be, based on the VIN number and lemon title.

You could use that as a negotiating tool if the truck doesn't have an issue that may be unresolved, and the defect was a problem you are willing to risk, and the dealer takes an appropriate offer based on the vehicle's value.

Right now it seems like there are too many unknowns to make a rational decision.
Good luck.

Well, there is a " good one" at a CarMart near Orlando but it would be a thousand mile round trip and, I'm not sure I'm that dedicated. They only offer a 300 mile warranty.

Is this also a lemon? FFS
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...71ohM2hyrVisiaGjeeJdzesftrslZ9pB18=&brand=atc

300 mile warranty? Run away!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

300 mile warranty? Run away!

Absolutely
At least the Maverick in Georgia would have been covered by a 12-month 12,000 mile warranty on the repaired part per Georgia law.

Actual buyback date 1-25

 

[Chops]

She's aleady decided to pass on the original vehicle she was looking at...

Started with the crappiest Maverick available and slowly moving her way up. Not a buying strategy that most would follow - but might get lucky. Save some money and “make lemonade out of a lemon”.

Although there is a difference between “when life hands you lemons” and actually actively seeking them out

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