I've had great experience with my Fords.
1981 Lincoln Town Car - 137,000 miles with NO problems. Mother wrecked it.
1981 Mercury Grand Marquis - Water pump at 87,000 miles & again at 160,000. Rebuilt carb at 85,000 miles (4.2L/255cid with variable venturi carb - got 27 mpg highway after the rebuild). Trade in for a 1989 Tracer at 161,000.
1988 Mercury Grand Marquis - Alternator at 95,000 (engine ran on 1Q of oil towing trailer to the Keys). Power steering hose at 107,000. Engine finally died at 180,000 from the low oil abuse in early life. I think I could have taken this car to 500,000 miles. Loved it!
1989 Tracer - Drove the %*&* outa that car for 78,000 miles & never had a single problem - not even a flat tire.
Now I've got a 1999 SE V-6 and a 1999 ZX-2 2.0 (not a Ztec) both with about 50,000 miles.
No problems with the ZX-2.
Minor problems with the SE - TB clean, resistor pack, plugs (probably my fault), 1-2 bang shift. Starting to have paint problems - non critical. No biggie.
I've always been quite particular about where I buy. If a salesman gives me one hint that he's selling me a car instead of me choosing a car for my needs, then I go elsewhere. That's why I don't own a late model BMW now, pushy-ass salesmen. Nobody tells me what I want/need. I decide that for myself, thank you.
