Three years in review
#1
01-01-2014, 06:10 AM
Three years in review
Happy New Year to all of my FTE family!
My beloved Black Stallion is an early build 2011 with a build date of 01 / 2011. She was delivered to the dealer in 01/2011 as indicated by the January Virginia state inspection sticker on the windshield.
She patiently sat till June 2011 and that's when I came long. She had about 20 miles on her when I showed up, many dates but no proposals. I suspect that is for a variety of reasons.
3.31 axles, Scab, base model XLT, ecoboost, P235 tires, no chrome package. As luck or fate would have it, she was built just for me.
I've just rolled 33K miles since my purchase in late June 2011. My avg. lifetime MPG's are right at 19. I don't tow or work the truck very hard, it's my daily driver and is primarily doing what a Focus could do for much less $$$.
Issues to date: None too serious, the ecoboost badges and the grill emblem were replaced under warranty because they were delaminating. The rear bumper was replaced under warranty for a scratch and rust formation I found during delivery. And, the front brake discs were turned as they started to warp some. The dealer replaced a wheel on his own dime for gouging it while repairing a tire that was leaking.
The first oil change was performed at 2500 miles. This was mainly because the truck sat for six months, was moved all over the lot and test driven some within that period. Otherwise, I stuck to a 6000-6500 mile OCI, all performed by the dealer. I conduct a monthly full inspection of the truck and the oil level has never changed. I'm not super concerned about fuel dilution on this truck. I've never paid for an oil analysis and I never will. If I were to become concerned, I'll increase the dump cycle.
The transmission does have a small personality and like most Ford 6R80's, it seems to have it's quirks. If not for FTE, this rare and intermittent behavior may have spooked me. I feel that it's the nature of the beast.
It's no secret how I feel about the build quality and overall material quality. I think the truck is extremely well built with poor quality materials. With that said, the frame and drive train are it's only keys to redemption.
The Hankook tires have 33K on them as I mentioned. They've only been rotated twice and still have 6/32's on life left evenly across each tire. That speaks volumes for Hankook IMHO. Truthfully, the tires suck eggs. I can light em up on dry pavement and I've brought her around sideways a couple of times, no traction what so ever. They're coming of ft his summer / fall and being replaced by a set of 265/70/17 BFG's for all terrain. I don;t need anything too aggressive as Virginia has a pretty mild climate and I don't mud anymore.
So the burning question: Would I buy another? I will always have a truck in my household. I just hope thi sone lasts till I no longer need one.
My beloved Black Stallion is an early build 2011 with a build date of 01 / 2011. She was delivered to the dealer in 01/2011 as indicated by the January Virginia state inspection sticker on the windshield.
She patiently sat till June 2011 and that's when I came long. She had about 20 miles on her when I showed up, many dates but no proposals. I suspect that is for a variety of reasons.
3.31 axles, Scab, base model XLT, ecoboost, P235 tires, no chrome package. As luck or fate would have it, she was built just for me.
I've just rolled 33K miles since my purchase in late June 2011. My avg. lifetime MPG's are right at 19. I don't tow or work the truck very hard, it's my daily driver and is primarily doing what a Focus could do for much less $$$.
Issues to date: None too serious, the ecoboost badges and the grill emblem were replaced under warranty because they were delaminating. The rear bumper was replaced under warranty for a scratch and rust formation I found during delivery. And, the front brake discs were turned as they started to warp some. The dealer replaced a wheel on his own dime for gouging it while repairing a tire that was leaking.
The first oil change was performed at 2500 miles. This was mainly because the truck sat for six months, was moved all over the lot and test driven some within that period. Otherwise, I stuck to a 6000-6500 mile OCI, all performed by the dealer. I conduct a monthly full inspection of the truck and the oil level has never changed. I'm not super concerned about fuel dilution on this truck. I've never paid for an oil analysis and I never will. If I were to become concerned, I'll increase the dump cycle.
The transmission does have a small personality and like most Ford 6R80's, it seems to have it's quirks. If not for FTE, this rare and intermittent behavior may have spooked me. I feel that it's the nature of the beast.
It's no secret how I feel about the build quality and overall material quality. I think the truck is extremely well built with poor quality materials. With that said, the frame and drive train are it's only keys to redemption.
The Hankook tires have 33K on them as I mentioned. They've only been rotated twice and still have 6/32's on life left evenly across each tire. That speaks volumes for Hankook IMHO. Truthfully, the tires suck eggs. I can light em up on dry pavement and I've brought her around sideways a couple of times, no traction what so ever. They're coming of ft his summer / fall and being replaced by a set of 265/70/17 BFG's for all terrain. I don;t need anything too aggressive as Virginia has a pretty mild climate and I don't mud anymore.
So the burning question: Would I buy another? I will always have a truck in my household. I just hope thi sone lasts till I no longer need one.
#2
01-01-2014, 07:46 AM
Happy New Year to you also Mr Tim! Many dates no proposals, almost lost some coffee on that one! I am also very happy with my ol' 5.4 and hope it lasts me well over 200K. At this pace that will be 2025 or so 
But I am back to driving my truck to work for the winter ( or until I get laid off again) and I really do enjoy it. I have just enough done to it to make it "mine" and it stands out in a crowd just enough and I haven't spent a fortune on this one like the last one 
Win Win for me, knock on wood
But I am back to driving my truck to work for the winter ( or until I get laid off again) and I really do enjoy it. I have just enough done to it to make it "mine" and it stands out in a crowd just enough and I haven't spent a fortune on this one like the last one Win Win for me, knock on wood
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01-01-2014, 11:59 AM
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01-01-2014, 04:58 PM
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My 2011 was built in August 2011, took delivery in Sept 2011. It had one recall (something with a switch). The plastic cover on the tailgate needs replaced, hopefully I don't have to argue with the dealer over this being under warranty. Other than that, it now has 20,000 miles on it, and has been trouble free.
#5
01-01-2014, 09:49 PM
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01-02-2014, 09:23 AM
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01-02-2014, 11:50 AM
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