I've only ever owned a Ford. However, as of yesterday, I've learned my lesson - I won't ever buy another Ford "just because it's a Ford".
As a 17-year old who'd worked and saved for a year to buy his first car, I fell in love with what may have been one of the most anomalous cars Ford ever produced - a 1974 Mustang II, with a gutless 2.3l, 88hp engine. Sure, it was Motor Trend Car of the Year, but it was a gutless wonder, because it was Ford's hasty response to the '73 oil crisis. And I loved it.
But, this diary is about how to buy a car; I just formulated the guidelines yesterday, while working on my most recent Ford, a 2005 Focus ZX3. I've give you one word to whet your appetite: headlamps
Dive into the tookbox with me to learn the only thing you'll ever need to know about how to choose your next car.
But, before we get there, I just have to tell you about my other Fords - the truth is, despite the criticism of American-made cars, I've loved every single Ford I've ever owned, and I never have had any really significant problems with them (saving the 2005 Focus, which we'll get to in a minute.)
I drove that Mustang II into the ground - it got me through college; and I still sold it for 1/3 of the new car price a decade later. My next car was a Ford Fiesta. True, it was a German Ford, but what a car - that tiny little 1.8l engine could outrun any small car that Detroit or Yokohama was producing. Then came the second generation '88 Escort EXP Sport Coupe. The Escorts seemed to suffer from quite a few problems, but mine ran flawlessly for 100k, and Ford had finally figured out how to make a small HO engine.
For my next purchase, I went retro, with a classic '69 Bronco. For a single, gay grad student in Red State America, this vehicle, with the hardtop removed, roll bars and 5-point harnesses was, undeniably a "guy magnet". The next two Fords were a bit more conventional - a '98 Ranger and then, because I returned home (the Colorado Rockies) and needed a 4x4, an upgrade to a 2000 4x4 Ranger. Fantastic vehicles.
A few years later, moving for the first time to an urban lifestyle, I bought the '05 Focus. But never again will I buy a Ford, just because it's a Ford. Why? Because, after dealing with one major repair expense and the unreasonable hassle of a minor "fix", I've formulated Aggieric's "Everything You Need to Know, in One Word, About How to Select Your Next Car".
Two years into owning my Focus, with ample bumper-to-bumper warranty remaining, I learned that "bumper-to-bumper" isn't. Now, living downtown I walk to work, to the grocery store, to entertainment. So, I only drive once or twice a week (and often not at all) and only on weekends. But two years ago I had an unusual need to drive during the week. I got in the Focus, started it up, put it into gear, and it wouldn't budge.
A call to the tow truck, a haul to the dealership (from which I'd purchased the car) and after a look-see, the service manager informed me that the brakes had rusted together and it would cost me $980 to repair.
Me: How's that possible? And why isn't it covered under the warranty?
Him: From the looks of it, you left it sitting in a field for months. Why'd you do that? We're not responsible for your actions which damage the car.
Me: Huh? I drove it three days ago! How's it possible the brakes rusted together in three days?!? I'm not responsible for the brakes getting wet - all brakes get wet!
Him: It'll cost you $980.
I went home and after a google search, discovered that there's a class-action lawsuit in California against Ford over the quality, or lack thereof, of the brake system in the Focus. And I shelled out the damn $980.
However, that's not what led me to Aggieric's "Everything You Need to Know, in One Word, About How to Select Your Next Car". No, that came yesterday, when I noticed that the passenger side headlamp was burnt out. Now, the diver's side headlamp burnt out a week ago. And it took me 30 minutes, in freezing cold, to change that $%#$@*! bulb. Between the unreasonably complex system which holds the lamp in and the lack of access to it, I ended up with hands that looked as though Timothy - my sister's unrepentantly vicious pootie - had played cat-and-mouse with them. And killed the mouse.
But, I reasoned yesterday, and in somewhat more temperate weather, the driver's side headlamp was more complicated to access, and the passenger side lamp should be much easier. And I had experience, so I'd learned how to do it. Right?
Wrong. It took 20 minutes and two different wrenches, this time. And I'm pretty sure the passenger side headlamp is now out of alignment.
I'll tell you what: When I owned that '74 Ford Mustang II, my dad made sure I could do more than merely change the oil and filter, which I did every 2000 miles. On that vehicle, I changed the alternator, the heater core and replaced the brake pads. I could (and did) do my own minor and semi-minor repairs and fix-ups on the '69 Bronco, but the higher quality and introduction of computerized electronics in autos has limited my ability to make most repairs on my modern vehicles. And generally, I'm ok with that, because modern cars (including Fords) are much better and more reliable vehicles.
And I'll tell you what else: Aggieric's "Everything You Need to Know, in One Word, About How to Select Your Next Car" is simple:
The next time I go to buy a car, I will pop the hood and try to remove the headlamps - both sides. And if I can't, that car's not going home with me, because if I can't change the headlamps in 5 minutes or less, then you can bet that every other simple DIY repair won't be the least bit simple either.