I bought a used 98 SE with Touring Group option Oct 2001. Since then it has been in the shop for about a total of one month over serveral occasions. Thank goodness I had Premium ESP because this thing is a real lemon. Major items replcaced under ESP:
1. automatic transmission
2. rear struts and sway bar links
3. outer lower tie rod ends
4. Lower ball joints
5. lower control arm assemblies (after ball joints replaced)
6. power steering pump
7. electric cooling fan
8. two speed sensors
All in all the value (retail parts + retail labor) of all the above work exceeds the price of the car.
My car now has nearly 50,000 miles and many of the known wear items have been replaced. ESP is certainly good insurance against a lemon Ford.
Any repairs after ESP is finished and I am going to trade on a German or Japanese built car - not a Ford that's for sure.
