[SteveH]

Hi, I have been lurking around here for a while and picking up various tips and hints and have finally decided to take the plunge. I am going to look at a 2006 (Nov 06) Tonic Blue 2000 petrol zetec with 7000 miles on the clock, one owner from new. I appreciate that the mpg could be an issue but it will cover no more than 5000 miles Pa.

The dealer has told me that the car has Ford warranty until Nov 09, is he correct that they come with 3yrs. Its been ages since I bought such a new car. Is there anything else I should be on the lookout for? any recalls that should have been done? or any help and advice in general?

Your help would be appreciated

Thanks
Steve

 

[c-maxxxer]

3 years warranty is standard, but make sure everything is there and works. I don't think there have been any recalls - butyou can easily check with a main dealer and get this done.

With a car 2 years old and mileage that low, I'd want to check out the car hasn't stood for a long time. Who's owned it and how have they driven it ? How did the dealer get it ? If the dealer doesn't give a believable story, walk away. HPI check is a must - I wouldn't trust the dealer to do it either.

You recognise the mpg issue, but what sort of driving are you going to do ?- if you do lots of short trips round town the mpg will be <25. My 1.6 diesel struggles to do 30 round town. A few long trips should get a lot better - mid 30's maybe ?

Don't rush to put a deposit down if you're not sure. I got caught buying a C-Maxby putting a deposit down on one and then seeing a much better car elsewhere. The dealer for the first car not only kept my deposit of £500 but pursued me for damages of nearly £1000 on top. Work on the basis that the dealer is a sheister con-man and you'll be fine.

 

[SteveH]

Sorry, forgot to mention its an auto!

And also what are the service intervals (i.e. what should it have had by now) and what do I expect in the future?

Thanks
SteveEdited by: SteveH

 

[Richard G]

I to would wonder about the low mileage especially with the bigger engine.

Do you actually need an auto as manual is always one less complication

First service interval is 12K5

do check the exclusion clauses of the warranty especially as regards needing to have a service that gets the "book" stamped

 

[SteveH]

The wife will only drive an auto, so no choice I am afraid. I will get clarification on the mileage. I dont understand what you mean by the exclusion of the warranty and the stamped book.........
Steve

 

[lazyb]

Hi steveH i used to drive an auto Galaxy and loved it but i didnt like the mpg even though it was a diesel.Your low mileage may just be that it was not sold when first registered and sat at a garage for ages or from a mobility person where they have not used it and given it up. Enjoy it anyway.

 

[Richard G]

SteveH

On certain warranties there is limited coverage for such things as engine components unless the vehicle has been serviced in line with manufacturers guidelines.

This usually means that it has to be done by those places that will stamp the service book

This usually means the cost of the service is higher than otherwise

As I say check the exclusion conditions of the warranty first

 

[SteveH]

Richard, thanks for the tip, are you saying that as long as the car has been serviced by a Ford dealer that should be ok. I have been told that the car has FSH and so I would assume that as it is 2 yrs old it has been serviced twice
Steve

 

[Richard G]

There are others who will say they can stamp the book but do check first forany potential problems

 

[oneten]

Richard, thanks for the tip, are you saying that as long as the car has been serviced by a Ford dealer that should be ok. I have been told that the car has FSH and so I would assume that as it is 2 yrs old it has been serviced twice
Steve

Make sure that the second service has been done. If the car is not quite at it's 2nd birthday yet, then only 1 service (Nov 2007)could be described as FSH as the requirements are 12 months or 12500 miles (whichever is first).

 

[SteveH]

May I bump this as I am looking at the car tomorrow and would appreciate some advice as to what to look for on the car and during a test drive. Any tips or hints
Thanks
Steve

 

[SteveH]

Well, it was delivered on Friday and I have spent a couple of days with it and it is fantastic. The driving position is really good and the 2000cc engine is suprisingly quick. It has 7084 miles on it and a fsh. I cant really fault it (too early I suppose) but the only thing that does get my attention is that there is a small "whinning" noise that seems to come from the rear os passenger area (sounds a bit like a fuel pump or could be power steering as I can cant be exact as to where it is from.

Any ideas

Cheers
Steve