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My First Ford: Two Years Later


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I just dropped off my '13 Edge Sport at CarMax and wanted to reflect on the past two years of being a first time Ford owner.

 

I had been driving a used BMW M3 since late in '08 and was starting to worry that I would be forced to make an expensive repair should something break. I also was looking for something newer, with a little more room, a quieter inside, and something that my friends and I could take to the snow or on road trips.

 

I had started to see the Edge Sport on the road and loved the styling. When I saw the car in person at the LA Auto Show, I was very impressed as my pervious Ford experience was with my friend's 2001 Mustang, which was falling apart inside. I test drove the Edge and liked the way it drove. I also liked the features available for the price and eventually purchased one. It was great to carry my friends around, confidently go to the snow and not require much in the way of maintenance.

 

Unfortunately there were also a few things that bothered me. The first was the My Ford Touch system. Now it was not an issue of me not knowing how to use the system, but it was how the system was always having issues, especially with a car full of people. It was great to explain how the navigation on my new, $40k car would freeze when we really needed it. ("Someone pull out an iPhone!") As time went on the updates helped, but they never completely resolved all of my issues. In fact, I was still having issues today as I stood in the CarMax parking lot. I patiently waited for new features, such as AppLink, but with the announcement of Sync 3, I gave up on seeing any major improvements. This was upsetting since Ford often touted how easy it was to update!

 

Next was Ford service and support. I'm not sure if this is just a local thing, but the various dealers in my area just feel old and dirty. They aren't places I'd want to hang around while my car was serviced. While this isn't a showstopper, it was just different from what I was used to and I think it reflects on how customers are viewed. Anyway, all maintenance visits went fine, but anything relating to My Ford Touch was a fight. It was a constant battle to get anyone to even understand what issues I was having and then it would usually be Ford blaming my phone or performing a master reset. I must have had that done at least ten times! I think my last visit a couple of weeks ago was the last straw. The service writer was having trouble understanding the issues so this made it hard for the technician to look at the correct items. I had to make a couple of trips to the dealer to walk through the issues, which took time away from work. I've reached out to Ford support multiple times, but they really didn't seem to care. It was usually just a "sorry for the trouble" and "we're working on it".

 

Lastly, little things such as not being able to order HIDs and not having automatic windows were just annoying. Especially seeing these items on cheaper cars. While I did enjoy the Edge for the past two years, this might be my last Ford for a while. My plan was to keep it for three years, but with the price CarMax gave me, it was a no brainer to sell it to them. Hopefully my experience isn't the norm, but I just thought I'd share.

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Carmax seems to be the place to go for trade-in as long as the vehicle is stock. Hopefully Sync 3 will begin a new & better chapter in Edge history! I wouldn't say my dealership is the best, but they do keep their customer (& shop AFAIK) areas clean.

 

So, how did you feel about the Edge apart from the electronics? Any replacement yet?

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Carmax seems to be the place to go for trade-in as long as the vehicle is stock. Hopefully Sync 3 will begin a new & better chapter in Edge history! I wouldn't say my dealership is the best, but they do keep their customer (& shop AFAIK) areas clean.

 

So, how did you feel about the Edge apart from the electronics? Any replacement yet?

 

Yeah, I was really surprised by that offer! Especially since it needed tires and there were a few cosmetic things I probably would have had to fix for a private party. I hope Sync 3 can be what MFT was supposed to be, but I just feel like Ford didn't really care once the car was purchased. There was, and still is, very little communication regarding the whole thing.

 

Aside from the issues above, I liked the car. I wish the gas mileage was better, but I'm sure part of that is just the nature of my commute. The only other thing I probably would have done would have been to change out the suspension. I already had added HIDs and upgraded the stereo.

 

I'm looking at a used X5. It has all of the tech goodies I'm interested in.

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I'm glad I'm not alone with these annoyances. I literally just picked up a brand new 14 edge sport 1/2/15 (had 2 miles on it and has like 350 now) for the same reasons. I came from a 2011 Audi s4 and with a little one on the way it just made sense to get rid of it and into an SUV. I've been a log time loyal Audi customer but I couldn't justify 65-70k for the SQ5 and I wouldn't be caught dead in a regular Q5. I've always thought the edge sport was nice looking and for a savings a literally 20k+ I decided to take a chance with the sport. I like most everything about the edge so far minus the lack of all windows being 1 touch, lack of full power passenger seat, lack of HID's and non auto dimming side mirrors.

 

I'd be curious how you feel about the X5. Is it the X5M?

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I used to have an '04 A4! That was a fun car that I still miss. I actually didn't know about the SQ5 until recently, but yes it seems a little on the pricey side. Congrats on the Sport, I hope you enjoy your more than I did. I actually never noticed that the side mirrors don't dim, I guess it's because I had tint on the front windows. As far as HIDs, I'd just recommend a good HID kit and the factory HID housings. I actually had WhiteIS/dynamikillu51ons build me a custom set with the FX-R projectors (which were a huge difference), but I can't say I recommend his/their work.

 

Since I still have my M3, I've been taking my time on the X5. I am torn between the X5 xDrive50 and the X5M. I'm leaning towards the xDrive50 due to the (slightly) better gas mileage and the 8-speed transmission. I think it will come down to a test drive though and I'd be happy to report back. Funny thing is that neither of them have the blind spot warning system that the Edge has. Ha!

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I am torn between the X5 xDrive50 and the X5M. I'm leaning towards the xDrive50 due to the (slightly) better gas mileage and the 8-speed transmission.

I am always amazed how some tend to take decisions based on (slightly) better mileage when your paying close to 100 grand on a Sports Vehicle. Like what would a 2-5 mpg difference cost you? Take for example 20K miles in a year, USD 4 per gallon & 22 mpg highway ('14 X5 xDrive50) compared to 17 mpg highway ('14 X5m), that would equate to approximately USD 1,000 more in fuel cost. What is 1% of the X5m's cost affect in the decision??

 

Note: the 2015 X5m now gets the 8-speed & will be more efficient, so there you go, your decision on the X5m couldn't be made any much easier. Congrats in advance.

Edited by omar302
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I picked mine up and 2 days later I had tinted the 2 front windows to match the rear and the windshield is also fully tinted at 35%. I just got spoiled with the auto dimming side mirrors and other creature comforts on all of my prior and current Audi's. I have a ddm 55w 4500K HID kit being delivered today so hopefully that will fix that annoyance haha. Just hope I don't have any of the issues with them firing correctly when using the auto on/off like I've read some have.

 

Yeah, I'd be curious how you like the X5 no matter which you get. I think the edge will likely be a 2 or 3 year vehicle for me also. If I end up loving the SUV I'll likely end up picking up the SQ5 or the X5M next.

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I am always amazed how some tend to take decisions based on (slightly) better mileage when your paying close to 100 grand on a Sports Vehicle. Like what would a 2-5 mpg difference cost you? Take for example 20K miles in a year, USD 4 per gallon & 22 mpg highway ('14 X5 xDrive50) compared to 17 mpg highway ('14 X5m), that would equate to approximately USD 1,000 more in fuel cost. What is 1% of the X5m's cost affect in the decision??

 

Note: the 2015 X5m now gets the 8-speed & will be more efficient, so there you go, your decision on the X5m couldn't be made any much easier. Congrats in advance.

 

You make two good points, but I think you missed where I said I was going used. My commute lends more towards a "city" MPG figure, but as I said above, I think it will come down to a test drive.

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My son in law had to get rid of his BMW because he could not keep it out of the shop.

My Ex bought a new one also and got rid of it within a year for the same reason

Same can be said of my neighbors and their 2013 BMW....

My son in law traded his in 6 months ago on an ACURA...which has yet to be in the shop for anything

My Ex traded hers in for a Lexus...

BUYER BEWARE.

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