whatfruitlivesagain wrote:See my posts ITT. In summary: Great from third gear onwards, a little ropey in 1st and 2nd gear. I suggest test driving on either a boiling hot or freezing cold day (seriously - most of the complaints about poor lower gear changes online seem to mention hot or cold weather, and I think it's true) and somewhere where you'll need to do a lot of stopping and starting. |
The Car Advice Thread
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nudistpete 1,273 posts
Seen 19 hours ago
Registered 4 years ago -
nudistpete wrote:
It was your post that had me questioning my purchase. I have put a deposit down but am happy to kiss it goodbye if I'm looking at 5 years of problems. The one I was looking at was a 2015 Fiesta. It did feel a little sharp from start on the test drive, but I put this down to no experience driving a car produced this millennium.
whatfruitlivesagain wrote:
See my posts ITT. In summary: Great from third gear onwards, a little ropey in 1st and 2nd gear. I suggest test driving on either a boiling hot or freezing cold day (seriously - most of the complaints about poor lower gear changes online seem to mention hot or cold weather, and I think it's true) and somewhere where you'll need to do a lot of stopping and starting.
Has anyone had any experience with the Ford powershift?
If I was to go a modern auto what brand or models should I be looking at?
Edited by whatfruitlivesagain at 16:40:34 18-07-2018 -
nudistpete 1,273 posts
Seen 19 hours ago
Registered 4 years agowhatfruitlivesagain wrote:
FWIW ours is a 62 reg Focus with the dry clutch, the same kind of arrangement used in the Fiesta. I'd hope that with yours being 3 years newer that some of the kinks would have been worked out.
It was your post that had me questioning my purchase.
We've learned to live with the sloppy low gears and it's been my wife's daily driver for over three years now with no other issues, and because it's our bigger car we use it for all the family stuff. We still have nearly 5 years of transmission warranty left as well.
The jerkiness at low speed is a lot less noticeable if you put it in S and/or if you drive it like a lunatic. -
elstoof 28,125 posts
Seen 8 minutes ago
Registered 16 years agoIt’s just the car’s way of telling you to stop being such a pansy -
nudistpete wrote:
I'm killing myself.
whatfruitlivesagain wrote:
FWIW ours is a 62 reg Focus with the dry clutch, the same kind of arrangement used in the Fiesta. I'd hope that with yours being 3 years newer that some of the kinks would have been worked out.
It was your post that had me questioning my purchase.
We've learned to live with the sloppy low gears and it's been my wife's daily driver for over three years now with no other issues, and because it's our bigger car we use it for all the family stuff. We still have nearly 5 years of transmission warranty left as well.
The jerkiness at low speed is a lot less noticeable if you put it in S and/or if you drive it like a lunatic.
I put a deposit down last Friday for a June 2015 Reg. The deposit was only a 100 pounds for an 8 grand car. I'm tempted to lose my deposit and cancel the purchase reading some of the horror stories about these gearboxes on the interwebs. I'm buying second hand so only have a 12 month warranty.
Did you buy your focus brand new?
Edited by whatfruitlivesagain at 16:22:14 19-07-2018 -
nudistpete 1,273 posts
Seen 19 hours ago
Registered 4 years ago@whatfruitlivesagain nope, it's a second hand mobility car, so we had it from 3 years old. We took it into the main dealer for some non warranty work (add mudflaps) and they have us the warranty extension then and "upgraded the software" as well.
I queried the dealer about the reliability issues and they said they've sold plenty of them and only replaced two which were actioned by Ford's warranty dept without quibble.
Like I said, it's otherwise a great car and I've heard the same complaints from VW owners about their DSG's, which makes sense given it's the same technology. -
nudistpete wrote:
My worry is I live on the fringes of London where its all traffic lights, zebra crossings, one way systems and mindless pedestrians running out into the middle of the road. The jerkiness does worry me slightly. Mine is a former mobility car but they have mentioned nothing about the gearbox warranty and tried to up sell me on a 3 year one for £400.
@whatfruitlivesagain nope, it's a second hand mobility car, so we had it from 3 years old. We took it into the main dealer for some non warranty work (add mudflaps) and they have us the warranty extension then and "upgraded the software" as well.
I queried the dealer about the reliability issues and they said they've sold plenty of them and only replaced two which were actioned by Ford's warranty dept without quibble.
Like I said, it's otherwise a great car and I've heard the same complaints from VW owners about their DSG's, which makes sense given it's the same technology. -
nudistpete 1,273 posts
Seen 19 hours ago
Registered 4 years ago@whatfruitlivesagain give either a Ford main dealer or their warranty dept a call and ask, they should be able to tell you about the balance of any warranty from the reg or VIN. -
nudistpete wrote:
I think I’m going to walk away. Reading up on it it seems Ford are abandoning the technology in the wake of the Australians and American class action lawsuits for updated torque converter technology. The new focus and fiesta automatics do not have Powershit dual clutch systems installed.
@whatfruitlivesagain give either a Ford main dealer or their warranty dept a call and ask, they should be able to tell you about the balance of any warranty from the reg or VIN.
When I rang the main dealer they played ignorant of any knowlegede to an extension to the warranty for the gearbox. -
Armoured_Bear 31,233 posts
Seen 3 days ago
Registered 10 years agowhatfruitlivesagain wrote:
When you're spending a lot of money and it really doesn't feel right, better to lose the 100 quid and walk away IMO.
nudistpete wrote:
I think I’m going to walk away. Reading up on it it seems Ford are abandoning the technology in the wake of the Australians and American class action lawsuits for updated torque converter technology. The new focus and fiesta automatics do not have Powershit dual clutch systems installed.
@whatfruitlivesagain give either a Ford main dealer or their warranty dept a call and ask, they should be able to tell you about the balance of any warranty from the reg or VIN.
When I rang the main dealer they played ignorant of any knowlegede to an extension to the warranty for the gearbox. -
I've walked away from the Fiesta. I phoned the dealership and told them what I understood of the pending lawsuits, well documented reliability issues and my reservations.
The salesperson who dealt with me when I visited the showroom on Sunday wasn't in today so I talked to one of his colleagues.
I quizzed him on the gearbox, he confirmed Ford have discontinued it on all future models. He also offered an extended warranty on the Gearbox. This just made me more suspicious
I explained I was not happy continuing as I had asked if there were any known issues with the car or model when I came in on Sunday.
They have agreed to cancel the purchase and return my deposit. Feel like I have just dodged a bullet. -
Armoured_Bear 31,233 posts
Seen 3 days ago
Registered 10 years agowhatfruitlivesagain wrote:
Sounds like the right move.
I've walked away from the Fiesta. I phoned the dealership and told them what I understood of the pending lawsuits, well documented reliability issues and my reservations.
The salesperson who dealt with me when I visited the showroom on Sunday wasn't in today so I talked to one of his colleagues.
I quizzed him on the gearbox, he confirmed Ford have discontinued it on all future models. He also offered an extended warranty on the Gearbox. This just made me more suspicious
I explained I was not happy continuing as I had asked if there were any known issues with the car or model when I came in on Sunday.
They have agreed to cancel the purchase and return my deposit. Feel like I have just dodged a bullet.
What now? -
Armoured_Bear wrote:
Going to do some research and ask around like I should have done in the first place.
whatfruitlivesagain wrote:
Sounds like the right move.
I've walked away from the Fiesta. I phoned the dealership and told them what I understood of the pending lawsuits, well documented reliability issues and my reservations.
The salesperson who dealt with me when I visited the showroom on Sunday wasn't in today so I talked to one of his colleagues.
I quizzed him on the gearbox, he confirmed Ford have discontinued it on all future models. He also offered an extended warranty on the Gearbox. This just made me more suspicious
I explained I was not happy continuing as I had asked if there were any known issues with the car or model when I came in on Sunday.
They have agreed to cancel the purchase and return my deposit. Feel like I have just dodged a bullet.
What now?
I have had a recommendation from a mechanic/petrol head friend to look at Japanese companies as they currently make the best designed automatics at the moment. -
retro74 3,798 posts
Seen 23 hours ago
Registered 13 years agoMazda 2 is definitely worth looking at, it even looks like a Fiesta from the back
My wife used to have a Mazda 3 and it was a great car -
@retro74 Funnily enough my mate recommended the Mazda 2. He said the interior spec was pretty sparse but the engine was quality. -
retro74 3,798 posts
Seen 23 hours ago
Registered 13 years ago@whatfruitlivesagain how old are you going for your car? the 2015 onwards Mazda 2 actually looks pretty decent inside for a supermini
All the Japanese cars I've had over the years (5 owned myself and access to another 5) have been absolutely bombproof mechanically (that's 3 Hondas, 2 Subarus, 3 Mazdas and 2 Nissans) -
@retro74 I haven't looked at one yet. My mate said the Mazda is lower spec for what price you pay for a VAG group car or a Ford but are better where it counts (under the hood). -
Dougs 100,414 posts
Seen 20 hours ago
Registered 18 years agoIs it purely an Auto problem in the newer Fords? -
Dougs wrote:
Yeah. The automatic gear box is a similar design to the DSG of VWs but implemented from what I can gather cack handedly. I'm not a car person at all so can't comment on the technical but there seems to be a fault in the seals which leaks transmission fluid on the "clutch packs" which cause delay to the clutch engaging or juddering of slippage.
Is it purely an Auto problem in the newer Fords?
There has been a class action lawsuits against Ford regarding these "Powershift" gearboxes in Australia, Brazil, America and Thailand. Initially Ford laid blame on the high failure rate on customers not driving the cars properly however they recently settled the class action in America.
Ford have quietly dropped Powershift double clutch systems to a revised torque converter set up for their new models released over the last 12 months.
The EU have taken some action over their handling of complaints forcing them to extend the warranties in some territories.
The manuals do not have Powershift gearboxes so are unaffected.
Edited by whatfruitlivesagain at 15:35:36 20-07-2018 -
nudistpete 1,273 posts
Seen 19 hours ago
Registered 4 years agowhatfruitlivesagain wrote:
To defend Ford here, you'll find the same complaints with DSG's re: reliability and handling. Quick google shows up plenty of criticisms like this one.
Yeah. The automatic gear box is a similar design to the DSG of VWs but implemented from what I can gather cack handedly.
The technology for DCT's just isn't finished yet. By the time it's perfect we'll all be on electric drivetrains where there won't be a need to change gears because there's only a single one.
You just need to be careful buying an Auto in the UK, your choices are generally:
- DCT - new technology, as fuel efficient as a manual, reasonable price questionable performance/reliability
- CVT - proven technology, fuel efficient but universally hated, mainly because of the engine noise disconnect with the speed at which you're travelling
- torque converter "slushbox" - proven technology, less fuel efficient (because physics) and generally only available on cars with larger engines
All three types cost more to purchase and generally need to go to a specialist when something goes awry. -
elstoof 28,125 posts
Seen 8 minutes ago
Registered 16 years agoDon’t think anyone sells CVT transmissions any more, buying one used would be a mistake as the years roll on and servicing becomes trickier -
Dougs 100,414 posts
Seen 20 hours ago
Registered 18 years agoWhere's whatshischops? The one who could only drive an Auto? Maybe he has some words of wisdom. -
elstoof 28,125 posts
Seen 8 minutes ago
Registered 16 years agoPhoenixFlames! -
@nudistpete I'm aware of the problems with VWs DSG I just meant it was a similar design. They probably share similar problems.
Reading up on it it seems to be a classic story of untested technology which performs in a test environment which has not transferred well in real world conditions. -
fontgeeksogood 12,913 posts
Seen 5 months ago
Registered 3 years agoDougs wrote:
He's probably admiring his Classy Gents Watch (Tag Heuer)
Where's whatshischops? The one who could only drive an Auto? Maybe he has some words of wisdom. -
askew 24,121 posts
Seen 5 days ago
Registered 16 years ago
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elstoof 28,125 posts
Seen 8 minutes ago
Registered 16 years agoThere’s good gearboxes and bad gearboxes, plenty of shit manual systems out there. Dual clutch has been on the market for a while and some very high end cars use them - you don’t hear M3 owners complaining too much about it -
nudistpete 1,273 posts
Seen 19 hours ago
Registered 4 years agoelstoof wrote:
Just about every Japanese hybrid and nissan/honda grannymobiles have them.
Don’t think anyone sells CVT transmissions any more, buying one used would be a mistake as the years roll on and servicing becomes trickier -
Rusty_M 7,172 posts
Seen 4 days ago
Registered 14 years agoAnyone have any advice for polishing out scratches. Got a polisher and some maguilars, but don't want to go wrong and wreck my paint. -
Plenty of YouTube videos
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