Walked away from a GT :(

[anmut]

Current 2017 EcoBoost owner, had worked with a dealership in WI for months trying to get the right deal on an 18 GT. Finally we agreed on price. This morning I traveled an hour to go pick up the car. First thing I did was start it, listen for the famous tick. Sure enough, it was there loud and clear. I didn't even test drive it... just walked away.

Salesman was cool about it, but the sales manager was kind of a DB... at one point he told me to just "blow it up, it's under warranty..." - really dude, I'm not that guy that is interested in having my vehicle spend half it's life in a shop. But thanks for the super sleaze-ball tactic.

Been depressed all day walking away from the car that was pretty much the dream hot rod for me, however, I just couldn't chance going through engine rebuilds and/or buy back.

Ugh... I was so depressed I stopped on the way home and drove a Charger 392 Scat Pack. Crazy power... it would break loose on a 5mph roll with just a push of the pedal - but cheap on the inside and ... it just wasn't a Mustang.

So I still have the ecoboost, which in it's own right is still pretty damn fun. It's just... not.that.v8... First world problems I guess.
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[Fatguy]

Current 2017 EcoBoost owner, had worked with a dealership in WI for months trying to get the right deal on an 18 GT. Finally we agreed on price. This morning I traveled an hour to go pick up the car. First thing I did was start it, listen for the famous tick. Sure enough, it was there loud and clear. I didn't even test drive it... just walked away.

Salesman was cool about it, but the sales manager was kind of a DB... at one point he told me to just "blow it up, it's under warranty..." - really dude, I'm not that guy that is interested in having my vehicle spend half it's life in a shop. But thanks for the super sleaze-ball tactic.

Been depressed all day walking away from the car that was pretty much the dream hot rod for me, however, I just couldn't chance going through engine rebuilds and/or buy back.

Ugh... I was so depressed I stopped on the way home and drove a Charger 392 Scat Pack. Crazy power... it would break loose on a 5mph roll with just a push of the pedal - but cheap on the inside and ... it just wasn't a Mustang.

So I still have the ecoboost, which in it's own right is still pretty damn fun. It's just... not.that.v8... First world problems I guess.
View media item 14187

You did the right thing.


When you get a new car it should be perfect with no problems. The tick is a problem even if some say it’s a matter of degrees. You did the right thing. It is easier to buy another car then get out of a problem car. Problem cars usually just get worse and not better. This makes me a bit of a pariah around here when I say that but secretly people know I’m right and that is why they have lemon laws in the States.

Keep driving the Ecoboost and looking at cars. It’s more fun that way than buying a car you instantly have to worry about major engine damage. Who the hell needs to pay for that?


I have driven V8s all my life till his V6. So I don’t have this itch to get a V8 like the younger guys. I get it, but get a motor that is bulletproof. Plus, there are other cars aside from Mustangs. Keep looking and have fun. And when you pull the trigger on a new car make sure it is what you want and problem free from the start!

 

[steveo1960]

I know how you feel :( I have an 03 GT Vert and have been looking to upgrade since it's got about 160k on it. Still runs smooth as silk, no oil burn, nothing... Of course another Mustang was at the top of my list so I started in early 2018 looking for a leftover 2017.. Having read of the tales of woe on this and other sites, I was keen on what to look/listen for and I have to say, literally every car I had the dealer start up, both new and gently used, had ticks and other noises that are documented on this group.
So I stopped for a while and waited till late 2018 figuring things would get better and maybe it was earlier models with the problems.
Unfortunately with the later manufactured 2018 models it was the same routine. And the dealers I went to were mostly sympathetic. No additional information could be coaxed out of them but they did acknowledge that "some cars" did have problems.. I was looking for a PP1 , premium loaded model, automatic, which in my area was a little difficult to locate in a decent color. At least when I was looking.
Oddly, I did drive 2 PP2 models that were sticks and neither made the noise.. Weird coincidence I think.

So I started to look at the Camaro... Found out they have some serious issues as well, not as bad as the Mustang though. Mostly rear end groan and tranny issues with harsh shifting. Our brothers in the GM group are getting the run a round just like us Ford fans are. So band-aides to mask problems temporarily (fluid flushes, reprogramming computers etc) .
I'm still considering a Camaro or maybe a lightly used Vette. But I don't really have the fire in the belly for one of those.

On a whim, I too looked at the Dodge offerings. My wife wants a bigger car, we are in our late 50's, I want a sports car so maybe this is a happy medium. I too was impressed with the way the car drove. Oh, it's heavy and it feels heavy, but the model I drove (1 below the HellCat), had tons of get up and go and really wasn't bad on the turns. Very controllable but no "riding on rails" feeling like the Mustang or Camaro SS has. Interior is also kind of cheap although extremely comfortable seating for a 6' 1" like me.
I've had Chrysler minivans (2001, 2010 and 2012) and they have held up well. Usual quirks but nothing serious.

So now I'm at a loss.
I was weaned on good old American V8 muscle and dammit, that's what I want!!
However, I refuse to have something that lives in the dealership waiting for back ordered parts due to systemic (so it would appear) problems.

Not sure where I'm going now as it looks like the 2019s might have the same problems.
It's sad.
Very sad.

 

[Fatguy]

BTW: I too got the upgrade bug after I joined here. Looked at 2018 GT but got nervous about the engine problems and members here who owned 2018 GTs told me to stay away. Those are solid folk and I love them. So then I tried to get a remaining 2017 GT and almost got one but someone else got it a day before. Major league piss off that day!

The V6 is great and problem free for 1.5 years. My first problem in months were two tiny chips from some metal that fell of a truck onto my hood. Not even a dent. So I took up the rarly used touch-up paint and just touched the two chips lightly and all was good. That was my major problem in the last couple of months. I also worry about wear on the seats though there is no wear yet. Those are the extent of the problems with my car so far. So naturally I want to sell this and buy another more expensive car factory fresh with an engine tick - NOT!

 

[anmut]

I know how you feel :( I have an 03 GT Vert and have been looking to upgrade since it's got about 160k on it. Still runs smooth as silk, no oil burn, nothing... Of course another Mustang was at the top of my list so I started in early 2018 looking for a leftover 2017.. Having read of the tales of woe on this and other sites, I was keen on what to look/listen for and I have to say, literally every car I had the dealer start up, both new and gently used, had ticks and other noises that are documented on this group.
So I stopped for a while and waited till late 2018 figuring things would get better and maybe it was earlier models with the problems.
Unfortunately with the later manufactured 2018 models it was the same routine. And the dealers I went to were mostly sympathetic. No additional information could be coaxed out of them but they did acknowledge that "some cars" did have problems.. I was looking for a PP1 , premium loaded model, automatic, which in my area was a little difficult to locate in a decent color. At least when I was looking.
Oddly, I did drive 2 PP2 models that were sticks and neither made the noise.. Weird coincidence I think.

So I started to look at the Camaro... Found out they have some serious issues as well, not as bad as the Mustang though. Mostly rear end groan and tranny issues with harsh shifting. Our brothers in the GM group are getting the run a round just like us Ford fans are. So band-aides to mask problems temporarily (fluid flushes, reprogramming computers etc) .
I'm still considering a Camaro or maybe a lightly used Vette. But I don't really have the fire in the belly for one of those.

On a whim, I too looked at the Dodge offerings. My wife wants a bigger car, we are in our late 50's, I want a sports car so maybe this is a happy medium. I too was impressed with the way the car drove. Oh, it's heavy and it feels heavy, but the model I drove (1 below the HellCat), had tons of get up and go and really wasn't bad on the turns. Very controllable but no "riding on rails" feeling like the Mustang or Camaro SS has. Interior is also kind of cheap although extremely comfortable seating for a 6' 1" like me.
I've had Chrysler minivans (2001, 2010 and 2012) and they have held up well. Usual quirks but nothing serious.

So now I'm at a loss.
I was weaned on good old American V8 muscle and dammit, that's what I want!!
However, I refuse to have something that lives in the dealership waiting for back ordered parts due to systemic (so it would appear) problems.

Not sure where I'm going now as it looks like the 2019s might have the same problems.
It's sad.
Very sad.

Your story is exactly what I'm going through. Ford, nope. Chevy, same so nope. Dodge - we have a '17 Pacifica that's been fantastic, so I wouldn't mind taking a shot - however they're just so... cheap. But crazy fast. The 392 SP I drove today made me smile for sure, until I had to look at the interior that is.

Are we at, or past, peak American muscle right now? What's the point in beautiful, loaded with electronics, high hp street and track beasts if their failure rate and quality control are horrible. I mean, these aren't boats... (boat owners will get that)

 

[anmut]

So naturally I want to sell this and buy another more expensive car factory fresh with an engine tick - NOT!

According to the DB at the dealership today, you should just throw all your money and time into waiting for your engine to be rebuilt. I could've glove slapped him...

 

[Fatguy]

According to the DB at the dealership today, you should just throw all your money and time into waiting for your engine to be rebuilt. I could've glove slapped him...

And we all know rebuilt engines last longer than the factory built engines.

 

[steveo1960]

Your story is exactly what I'm going through. Ford, nope. Chevy, same so nope. Dodge - we have a '17 Pacifica that's been fantastic, so I wouldn't mind taking a shot - however they're just so... cheap. But crazy fast. The 392 SP I drove today made me smile for sure, until I had to look at the interior that is.

Are we at, or past, peak American muscle right now? What's the point in beautiful, loaded with electronics, high hp street and track beasts if their failure rate and quality control are horrible. I mean, these aren't boats... (boat owners will get that)

It's really a conundrum !
You make an interesting point about American Muscle having peaked... I'm starting to wonder.. Word is, all rumor and Internet gossip, that Dodge is going to replace the hemi with a turbo straight 6 ala BMW... If that's true, I'm gone for good..
https://carbuzz.com/news/dodge-challenger-s-5-7-liter-v8-hemi-to-be-replaced-by-inline-six
Again, could be BS, who knows...
All things considered, and that means performance, reliability, cost to maintain, there is no substitute for a well designed, large displacement V8.. And yes, the BMW, especially the M Models are definitely very fast cars.. Now try and fix one when it breaks.. The motor is being stressed where a large block V8 is barely breathing. Only so much can be done, considering ease of servicing and reliability, with electronic wizardry.

And then we have the tree huggers who want everything electric.
Don't even get me going on that one. They have no idea of the TOTAL environmental impact of manufacturing, disposing of the power plants in these cars. Instead they blindly focus on emissions.

So back to the topic, I don't know the solution?
Good friend of mine has a 2017 Miata vert.
Super fun car to drive and it feels a lot faster than it is.
Another friend has a VW Type R that's stage 2 tuned.
It's like driving a missile.
Again, how long will it last?

Right now I'm looking at the Camaro SS, probably in September 2019.
Maybe a Vette.
Possibly a Boxster.
Mustang is off the list at the moment. If Ford steps up to the plate and fixes these problems I'll be back but for now I just don't want to take the risk. My prediction is Ford will have a completely new engine shortly and will hope they can mitigate the current problems.

 

[Fatguy]

It's really a conundrum !
You make an interesting point about American Muscle having peaked... I'm starting to wonder.. Word is, all rumor and Internet gossip, that Dodge is going to replace the hemi with a turbo straight 6 ala BMW... If that's true, I'm gone for good..
https://carbuzz.com/news/dodge-challenger-s-5-7-liter-v8-hemi-to-be-replaced-by-inline-six
Again, could be BS, who knows...
All things considered, and that means performance, reliability, cost to maintain, there is no substitute for a well designed, large displacement V8.. And yes, the BMW, especially the M Models are definitely very fast cars.. Now try and fix one when it breaks.. The motor is being stressed where a large block V8 is barely breathing. Only so much can be done, considering ease of servicing and reliability, with electronic wizardry.

And then we have the tree huggers who want everything electric.
Don't even get me going on that one. They have no idea of the TOTAL environmental impact of manufacturing, disposing of the power plants in these cars. Instead they blindly focus on emissions.

So back to the topic, I don't know the solution?
Good friend of mine has a 2017 Miata vert.
Super fun car to drive and it feels a lot faster than it is.
Another friend has a VW Type R that's stage 2 tuned.
It's like driving a missile.
Again, how long will it last?

Right now I'm looking at the Camaro SS, probably in September 2019.
Maybe a Vette.
Possibly a Boxster.
Mustang is off the list at the moment. If Ford steps up to the plate and fixes these problems I'll be back but for now I just don't want to take the risk. My prediction is Ford will have a completely new engine shortly and will hope they can mitigate the current problems.

Ford won’t have a completely new V8 engine so forget that. The 5.7 will get you nothing but grief from the Mopar crowd, they want you to get the 392. I’m staying with the V6. I used to be the guy that bugged the others for not getting a V8 back in the day, so this is justice via The Fates. So this remains my DD, but I may get a new Vette and work things that way. Maybe a cheap new one when the mid engine comes out. No mid engine for me. The Vette is just making good on old promises to myself and so that is probably my future car and just drive both.

Good luck with your next car as the choices are really drying up...

 

[thehunterooo]

My GT has had 4 engine replacements because of the BBQ TiCK and its not even an 18!

 

[CB18]

Hope they get you a good engine one of these times. Before they wear out the bolts.

 

[Ratfink53]

Your story is exactly what I'm going through. Ford, nope. Chevy, same so nope. Dodge - we have a '17 Pacifica that's been fantastic, so I wouldn't mind taking a shot - however they're just so... cheap. But crazy fast. The 392 SP I drove today made me smile for sure, until I had to look at the interior that is.

Are we at, or past, peak American muscle right now? What's the point in beautiful, loaded with electronics, high hp street and track beasts if their failure rate and quality control are horrible. I mean, these aren't boats... (boat owners will get that)

Curious.... why didn’t you like the interior? I owned a 15 Challenger R/T plus and then a Challenger Scat pack. I thought that the interior was pretty nice. I trade the SP for my mustang for better handling and the
V-8 that does not need to go to 4 cylinders to improve MPG.

 

[Condor1970]

My GT has had 4 engine replacements because of the BBQ TiCK and its not even an 18!

This is exactly why I DO NOT want the dealer to start ripping my engine apart. Seems like the majority of guys getting new engines still develop the BBQ tick within the next few thousand miles. I'm honestly beginning to think this is an inherent minor piston slap or oil film issue in the mains that happens on a regular basis. Primarily due to the engine design itself. The overwhelming number of engines with this tick do not appear to have any real noticeable damage occurring as a result. Unless you have a notable amount of metal in the oil pan and/or filter, I honestly would never have them tear my engine apart. Pulling heads, cams, lifters, etc. Simply not necessary unless a lot of damage is indicated. About the only thing I would want them to do is pull the plugs only, in order to scope/inspect the cylinder walls.

I think the guy on CJ Pony Parts is right in line with my thinking. Unless you see some serious metal in your oil, it's really best to just do one of three things....

1. Add Ceratec for better lubrication to make it quiet....

2. Sell/trade the car for something else.

3. Just live with it...

 

[Schwerin]

Sadly I was REALLY pumped to get a BULLITT, but after seeing all these Tick issues I'm starting to lean more to a GT350 or, sadly, even a Camaro SS 1LE. Ford is teh only American company I've ever owned and was REALLY hopping to keep it that way, but sadly I really feel like I have to look around now.

 

[Fatguy]

Sadly I was REALLY pumped to get a BULLITT, but after seeing all these Tick issues I'm starting to lean more to a GT350 or, sadly, even a Camaro SS 1LE. Ford is teh only American company I've ever owned and was REALLY hopping to keep it that way, but sadly I really feel like I have to look around now.

I hate to say this but one guy here had his motor go to crap, bought a Camaro SS and is now happy as a clam... But I digress...

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