Ford Territory buying advice

**jerryd** · 1st August 2013, 10:16 PM

I purchased a brand new territory for the wife in 2004 for her xmas present, it drank fuel at the rate of 15 litres + per 100 k's, all the bushes failed a week after warranty ran out and they refused to change them. Cost about $4k if I remember correctly to repair. I recall they failed again after about two years.

Air con failed,electric windows failed regularly, rear door lock constantly played up, lower ball joint failed at 100kph

Front drive shaft failed and wheel collapsed, it ate tyres at an alarming rate, power steering failure and probably a few more irritating problems

I remember ordering a green one, ghia spec without the leather, and lots of extras. I paid $55k cash up front and waited to collect it.
When we went to collect the car the salesman drove it round to the front of the garage, you can imagine our horror when he presented a "red" one

To cut a long story short, we were conned into taking possession of it and lawyers said we had no chance of getting our money back or the right car.
I could not believe the way we were treated by Ford, needless to say I didn't purchase the FPV

The best thing I did was trade it in against a Nissan Maxima and got a measly $10k for it.

I often tell the wife that I should have bought her a new Defender instead

**101RRS** · 1st August 2013, 10:24 PM

I bow to the personal experiences of people re fuel consumption.

I have never owned one and in fact only ever been in one once - however I do remember reading a lot of motoring reviews when it was released and the one common aspect was the high fuel consumption compared to its then competitors - the V6 Kluger and the Dunnydore AWD. If these reports were wrong I guess that is a good thing.

Garry

Garry

**33chinacars** · 1st August 2013, 10:25 PM

I'l second JC's comments . Design fault in front end ball joints. Replacements were no better. Possible fixed now but be very careful.

Gary

**BigJon** · 1st August 2013, 10:50 PM

They also flog out the rear control blade bushes, the rear toe control rose joints, the front sway bar links and general build quality isn't very good.

**Bigbjorn** · 2nd August 2013, 07:12 AM

Has the head gasket been changed and new head bolts fitted, also has the head been checked for corrosion between 5-6? Check the door hinges to see if they are cracking out of the doors. Just some of Ford's built in faults. Have the rubbish Ford Autocraft electrical components been changed for Bosch?

I don't have a Territory but do have a Falcon ute. Complaints about fuel consumption of 14-15 l/100k to the dealers resulted in their plugging in to the diagnostic socket and saying consumption was 11-12 l/100k and within guidelines. I know how much I was pouring down its throat and it wasn't at the rate of 11-12 l/100k. Went to local electronics and fuel injection guru to be told 14-16 normal, 11-12 impossible.

**jerryd** · 2nd August 2013, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by BigJon

They also flog out the rear control blade bushes, the rear toe control rose joints, the front sway bar links and general build quality isn't very good.

I knew I'd forgotten a few bits

**BigJon** · 2nd August 2013, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Has the head gasket been changed and new head bolts fitted, also has the head been checked for corrosion between 5-6? .

Only the older single cam engines do that, Territorys have the DOHC engine which is pretty well bullet proof.

**LandyAndy** · 2nd August 2013, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Has the head gasket been changed and new head bolts fitted, also has the head been checked for corrosion between 5-6? Check the door hinges to see if they are cracking out of the doors. Just some of Ford's built in faults. Have the rubbish Ford Autocraft electrical components been changed for Bosch?

I don't have a Territory but do have a Falcon ute. Complaints about fuel consumption of 14-15 l/100k to the dealers resulted in their plugging in to the diagnostic socket and saying consumption was 11-12 l/100k and within guidelines. I know how much I was pouring down its throat and it wasn't at the rate of 11-12 l/100k. Went to local electronics and fuel injection guru to be told 14-16 normal, 11-12 impossible.

Trade it in on a modern one Brian,they dont have head gasket issues in the DOHC 4.0lt motor.PLENTY more power and economy too.
Andrew

**Bigbjorn** · 2nd August 2013, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Trade it in on a modern one Brian,they dont have head gasket issues in the DOHC 4.0lt motor.PLENTY more power and economy too.
Andrew

This is the infamous "two in one" Falcon, the first and the bloody last. I had not owned a Ford for nearly forty years and must have forgotten why this was so when I bought this pile of pus. Unreliable gas guzzler, rust bucket, spare parts prices that would startle a Jaguar or Honda dealer. This car is why I bought the County-Isuzu, no electronics. The Falcon had to be towed to the dealership eight times during warranty with electrical failures. I spent so much time and money on the thing I have decided to keep it until it disintegrates. As it is now, with the rust, one could not get a Safety Certificate so would have to sell unregistered or for parts.

**LandyAndy** · 8th August 2013, 09:05 PM

We gave the 2004 Territory a miss.
Deb wants a Turbo Territory

,one of the coppers Mrs in town has one!!!
Now searching for a low to moderate km in excellent condition 5 seat Ghia,they are pretty thin on the ground in WA.They are 245kw standard,for $600 I can get a Capa Flashtuner(Nanocom equvelent) with map that takes it up to 300kw with better economy

Told Maxi Me(18yo son) we were looking at getting a Territory,he called mum a "Soccer Mum",a week later I txted him saying mum now wants a turbo,does that make her a soccer mum with balls??? His response,no dad,a soccer mum with no licence

Andrew

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