Ford Problems

Always buy the highest specification model you can in your budget. This will help retain resale value and increase enjoyment of the car.

Ford's mid-size C-Max isn't a terrible car, just like Ford's Focus, but there are more luxurious and more sporting vehicles. All in all, it is a great middle-of-the-road vehicle for people needing reliable transport.

Press the narrow end of the key together at the grooved section, lifting the middle back panel up, which you can then lightly pry away using a flat-head screwdriver. Lift out the metal key, then place your flat-head screwdriver under the opening in the back of the key, at the narrow top end of the key fob. Twist the screwdriver and the key will separate in two, revealing the battery to be swapped out.

Ford's C-Max (and Focus) is built in Spain, Mexico, the USA and Germany.

There’s clearly no point in talking sense to you, your head is in a complete muddle. You want a fix for your mid-life crisis, yet you talk about resale value, warranty, fixed-price servicing and boring stuff like that. You need to think about what it is you want from your “sporty-ish” car, do you want a performance car that will be thrilling to drive, or are you a park-and-poser and just want to look good when you stop at the café for a latte. The VW Golf GTi is a thrill-a-minute hot hatch; you like the i30N, and both would be good buys. Buy the Lux if you decide on the i30N. You could also think about a BMW M3, or an older Porsche Boxster. I wouldn’t suggest a Commodore SS or a Falcon XR6T ute, they’re a bit boring.

Is the clutch you fitted a dual-mass one, if it is I would suggest you fit a solid clutch. Before doing that I would suggest you call Clutch Industries (1300 369 787) and ask for their advice.

The current model, second-generation Ford Edge (or Endura in Australia and New Zealand) is built in Europe and the USA. More than 1.5 million Edge models have been sold since 2006.

It’s only the dual-clutch transmission that’s affected, and Fiestas also had the problem. I’m guessing you bought the car secondhand, which is probably why you got no response from Ford. Contact the ACCC (1300 302 502) for advice.

Before you worry about what might happen in the future the problem needs to be fixed now. I suspect the problem is not the computer, but within the transmission. Have an auto transmission mechanic check it.

On average a 2012/13 Wildtrak is worth $27,000-$30,000 and would have 80,000-120,000 km on the clock. For that you would expect it to be in good condition and well serviced. Yours fits into that window, but of course has an extensive array of extras that would add to its appeal, and its value. I would suggest you add up the cost of each of those extras and add about 50 per cent of that value to your asking price.