Rotating tires, be careful.

[Barry Willis]

A few months ago I took my AWD Ford Fusion (I never expected to be driving a car again especially with the time I spend in the foot hills of the Rockies year round but the prices of trucks, SUVS and even vans went through the roof and I could only afford a car) to the shop to rotate the tires, thinking I was doing the right thing so they would last longer as they were getting down in tread. Three weeks later the rear diff was making a racket when I turned corners. Took it to a reputable shop and turns out one or more tires were shorter or taller in height than the rest. $6500: 00 repair bill. I told them to keep it. I actually done myself a favor and I don't mean to bore you guys with this but I had to share it with someone. Even though I'm getting a little long in the tooth I'm like a little kid on Christmas eve when it comes to new toys LOL, as a few months later I found the vehicle, an older one, but still the SUV of my dreams, one owner, which I never expected to ever own. May sound stupid but for a while  I couldn't keep my eyes off it or my butt out of it. I have had my share of luxurious SUVs over the years but nothing like this. Rides and drives an handles like it was brand new. No road noise what so ever. 230.000 KM, brand new agressive all seasons on it, new brakes all around and new battery and also four brand new, never been on the vehicle studded snow tires on fancy aluminum mags. Tow rating of 9200lbs where as my Fusion was 850lbs and 380hp. After a week of dickering and dealing I got him down to $7000 from the $8500 he was originally asking for it. It's the nicest thing I have ever owned.         

 

Edited November 28 by Barry Willis

[BillM]

Congrats!!  Keep an eye on those cam phasers  

[glen]

Luxury cars sure are nice.  I’d put a big boat behind it.   

[smitty55]

4 hours ago, BillM said:

Congrats!!  Keep an eye on those cam phasers  

Definitely an OBD code reader is a must have to carry.

[Barry Willis]

I should have cleaned the interior before I took the pictures. It isn't bad but there's obviously room for improvement. The garbage in the parking lot isn't from me. I did pick it up though but should have done it before I took the pictures, too late smart.

16 hours ago, glen said:

Luxury cars sure are nice.  I’d put a big boat behind it.   

It would certainly handle it Glen. I will be putting a boat behind it but not a very big one as I am almost broke now after buying this LOL, no regrets.

[Rizzo]

looks like new! We are in the market for a used vehicle too as my son smoked a deer the other night. Hope I make a nice find like you did

[bigbuck]

Nice truck. Pig on gas but ohhh so comfortable!! Change the oil every 5k. Also, do a flush with seafoam or some atf. The phasers and solenoids get plugged with sludge. Do it for the first 2-3 oil changes. Use a good oil and enjoy. 

[smitty55]

1 hour ago, bigbuck said:

Nice truck. Pig on gas but ohhh so comfortable!! Change the oil every 5k. Also, do a flush with seafoam or some atf. The phasers and solenoids get plugged with sludge. Do it for the first 2-3 oil changes. Use a good oil and enjoy. 

Without getting off topic here, from what I just researched ATF is not recommended anymore to use as engine flushes.

[Barry Willis]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:46 AM, Rizzo said:

looks like new! We are in the market for a used vehicle too as my son smoked a deer the other night. Hope I make a nice find like you did

I hope you do to Rizzo. It took me e few months for this one to come along but it was well worth the wait.

[Barry Willis]

2 hours ago, smitty55 said:

Without getting off topic here, from what I just researched ATF is not recommended anymore to use as engine flushes.

It isn't bad at all on gas, no worse  than my last Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.9. Gas is the least of my concern as aside from heading out to my trail cams once a month I don't drive around much. Ya wanna play ya gotta pay right? LOL. I couldn't be happier with this thing in all aspects, and yes it is ohhh so comfortable, One could easily fall asleep in this thing.

 

 I do appreciate your insight on oil changes etc. and I am a firm believer in that (preventive medicine I call it) That's why my vehicles last so long. For several years I have used nothing but Royal Purple Synthetic and they have a top of the line engine flush.  Bough my first car before I was old enough to get my drivers license, 55 years ago. A gorgeous 66 Chrysler Windsor. Wish I still had it.

[Walltrout]

That's a LOT of vehicle for $7K..........congratulations on the steel......pun intended.....lol

And the $1500 you saved on the purchase will pay for your first 2 months worth of expensive gasoline.

Drive with care and ENJOY ! ! !

[Barry Willis]

12 hours ago, Walltrout said:

That's a LOT of vehicle for $7K..........congratulations on the steel......pun intended.....lol

And the $1500 you saved on the purchase will pay for your first 2 months worth of expensive gasoline.

Drive with care and ENJOY ! ! !

 

12 hours ago, Walltrout said:

That's a LOT of vehicle for $7K..........congratulations on the steel......pun intended.....lol

And the $1500 you saved on the purchase will pay for your first 2 months worth of expensive gasoline.

Drive with care and ENJOY ! ! !

I sure will, and yes it was a steel of a deal LOL. He has more money than most people will ever see. He just wanted to see it go to a good home. We've actually become good friends.

[smitty55]

3 hours ago, Barry Willis said:

 

I sure will, and yes it was a steel of a deal LOL. He has more money than most people will ever see. He just wanted to see it go to a good home. We've actually become good friends.

Speaking of a good deal, it sure does help when you're dealing with someone where money isn't much of a concern. Case in point, I drive a '95 Lumina with only 117K and never winter driven safety checked for $3500 that I picked up just over two years back. Nice Michelin tires on it  with plenty of tread. I bought steel rims and winter tires for it. There was some sidewall cracking on the Michelins that was getting to the point where they wouldn't pass a safety and I was getting concerned. So I did a search on Marketplace and came across an add for some almost new BF Goodrich Advantage tires and alloy rims. They had cost $1200 at costco installed and had only been used for two months. They were asking $450 for them but after checking the rims didn't fit my car so I told them  I was going to keep looking as I had found a good price locally. Turns out two of those tires weren't good so I passed on them and decided to keep looking. Bad time of the year though as it's all snow tires for sale. So a couple of weeks later I contacted them again and offered them $300 for the tires only so they could sell the rims separately. They came back to me and said to take them all for the $300 so the next day I went and picked them up and sure enough they looked brand new still. Well the neighbourhood they lived in was strictly high end homes with a Mercedes in the driveway so it was obvious that money was of no concern, he just wanted to get rid of the tires. Rims are in great shape so I know I'll easily be able to get $100 for them so these $1200 tires will end up costing me $200 plus install, now that's a great deal that will last me a long time with only summer use.

[Barry Willis]

Glad you got such a good deal Smitty. The wheel that does the squeaking get's the grease.

[Silvertracker]

Get an extended warranty - may cost you 3 to 4000 but worth every penny

I have an Explorer - replaced 2 Turbos - $12000 - had to wait 7 months during Covid - lucky i had a 2nd vehicle

Just recently - water pump - should be 5 - 600 bucks right - nope - $4000 at the dealer - secondary shop - $2500

Now just replace catalytic converter - $700 and now the engine light is on 

Starting to be a nightmare....

[Barry Willis]

A nightmare is an understatement. Personally I would have gotten rid of that money pit long ago.

My Fusion was covered by warranty but they would only cover a portion of the repair costs. They actually done me a favor otherwise I wouldn't have this Expedition which is much more practical for my outdoor activities and the places I go in and around the Rockies.