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#1 | ||
Extended Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 11
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Hello all,
In 2004 I bought a 2002 CL Auto Sedan from Col Crawford in Brookvale in Sydney, with about 35,000kms on the clock. It's now up to 115,000kms, and the only major expenses so far have been new tyres, a new alternator and battery, and more-frequent-than-I-would-like replacement of brake pads, along with the usual expense of servicing. A few years ago I moved up to Berowra and I decided I didn't want to travel to the Ford dealer in Pittwater for servicing, so for the last few years I've taken it to 2 local mechanics - the first guy was pretty good in pointing out that the in the previous ford dealer service the spark plugs were replaced with ones that were older, and he was reasonably-priced, but overall I wasn't convinced he knew enough about new-ish model fords to do a proper job - and he couldn't fix squealing back brakes. Another guy I've taken it to for servicing has also been unable to fix the squealing and I get the impression that while he too is reasonably-priced, this is mainly to do with the fact he doesn't do very much with it. So as I paid off the loan a couple of years ago, I'd like to keep the car a bit longer as I think it's potentially got another few years. However, some issues: - the coolant warning light has come on on long-ish journeys, and this co-incides with it revving very high before second gear kicks in. (This sometimes happens anyway.) The warning light usually disappears when it has cooled down. If this is as simple as replacing the coolant then it would appear it has not been done for a long time. The manual suggests getting it looked at - preferably by someone who knows what they're doing. - there is a low whirring noise from the back that appears to be getting louder. I'm worried it may be a bearing problem. - sometimes a knocking noise from the back when turning corners, especially with passengers in the back. This may be related to above - though I think it's always been there. - back brakes still squealing when cold. I guess what I'm looking for is someone who could do a proper diagnostic and give me an idea of how much it would cost me to keep it on the road and be reasonably confident of it being able to handle medium journeys - say Sydney to Canberra. I'd be prepared to travel to a dealer anywhere in Sydney if there was a recommendation someone could give me - though in my experience this is very hit and miss. Peter Warren seems to get a mention a bit - can anyone share their experiences? Sorry for all the info, I just need to decide what to do with the car. Thanks, Ramondo.
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2002 Focus CL Auto Sedan - now up to 183,000 |
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#2 | ||
Old enough to know better
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,311
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A couple of thoughts.
1. You have a good European built Focus (can't recall exactly where the sedans were built) 2. The cost of fixing a few issues will probably be way way less than what you'll pay on transfer costs of buying a new car 3. Peter Warren's have always been a reputable dealer AFAIK 4. Think about paying for an NRMA vehicle inspection in order to get an independent view of what needs fixing on the car inspection
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec. Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior. www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918
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#3 | ||||
Extended Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Quote:
Thanks for the replies.
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2002 Focus CL Auto Sedan - now up to 183,000 |
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#4 | |||
AFF Post NAZI
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Albury
Posts: 3,634
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Quote:
Just food for throught, my mother always says that you dont save money by buying cheap, and to date she has been right. Princapal i am trying to convey is that yes you are trying to keep costs down, but you may not be able to if you dont know what the problem is or how to fix it.
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"Its not always about power, The car has to handle Beautifully" |
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#5 | ||
Extended Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 11
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Okay, took it to Peter Warren's:
1 - The squealing brakes are mostly fixed - somtimes a little squeak, but nothing like what it was before 2 - The whirring is the back tyres worn, possibly due to misalignment - anyway I've been told replacing them and a realignment will fix the problem. Until next time, I suppose. 3 - The not-so-good news. A check of the coolant system found nothing, but a diagnostic code indicated a problem with the automatic transmission. This is going to take an overhaul. Starting price 3 grand, possibly more. The redbook guide indicates a private sale value of the car at around $7,500. This is not good. ![]() I need a big ditch.
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2002 Focus CL Auto Sedan - now up to 183,000 |
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#6 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Victoria
Posts: 877
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Quote:
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#7 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,461
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Quote:
if you spend more than a grand or so fixing some issues, you may as well keep it for a few more years to get your money's worth out of it. |
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#8 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 804
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I usually keep my cars way to long, but the costs of repairs is less than the depreciation on a new car until they get at least 10 years or about 180,000 klm
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#9 | ||
I wanna XR5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: South Oz
Posts: 749
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Rear brakes, have they tried different good quality brake pads and machined the rotors before fitting the new pads.
had a similar problem with a merc, just came down to a cheap set of pads that had been fitted by another mechanic.
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Great Wall X240. Bouncing around the APY Lands Ex Ford owner and member of this great site for ages. South Australia, where the RIGHT hand lane is the NEW LEFT lane??????!!! %&#@* |
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