Ford Problems

There is some American-led styling on SUVs but bigger and higher bonnets — even on something as compact as a Mini — are a result of the safety regulations on pedestrian impact protection. The bonnet is now being designed as a "safety net" to cushion a pedestrian bowled over by a vehicle.

Is it fair? Yes, I think it is, but do I think will get a full refund, no I don't. I reckon what they've offered you is not a bad deal, it's one I would accept to get out of the car and get on with your life without any further anguish.

We have seen sufficient reports of lop-sided Rangers to believe that it is a problem. Some of the reports are of vehicles that are as much as 30 mm lower on one side than the other. Ford might say it is within specification, but I would suggest the specification is rather loose and should be tightened up. I would suggest you take your vehicle to a suspension specialist and have them measure it accurately, and suggest what might be done to correct it. Take that information back to Ford and request that thy take action to fix the car.

The Navara and HiLux would be out, for me, because they are utes and you shouldn't be buying a truck just because it can tow well. The Grand Cherokee is a great drive but I also hear lots of complaints, so the Everest — engineered in Australia and based on the classy Ford Ranger ute — would be my pick as the smart choice.

I can understand your frustration; the only option is to get out of the car. Ford has obviously offered you a deal that is unsatisfactory to you. You won't get back the money you have already spent on the car, your best course of action is to negotiate the best possible deal you can with Ford. You could try Consumer Affairs for help, or consult a lawyer, but should you do that you should be prepared for a long and protracted process that it is only likely to cause you considerable anguish. If a satisfactory deal can't be worked out with Ford go shopping and buy a car from another brand.

If you don’t want a convertible, which rules out the MX-5 as my easy first pick, then the 86 is the car for driving enjoyment on a reasonable budget. But don’t overlook its Subaru twin, the BRZ, which is my choice of the two. Both get The Tick, having shared our Car of the Year award.

The i40 is a good choice; it ticks most of the boxes. It’s well equipped, well built, reliable and durable. You could also look at wagons like the VW Passat, Ford Mondeo and Mazda 6, but it’s hard to go past the i40.

Both are very good cars, they're well designed, well built and reliable. The Outback is the more fuel-efficient of the two, but it has a CVT auto where as the Sportage has a conventional automatic. You should drive the Outback to see if you like the CVT before making your final decision. Clearly the more frequent servicing of the Subaru means its running costs are slightly higher, and the shorter warranty could have an impact later on. It's a line-ball decision, but for mine I would probably go for the Kia.

Years ago when you owned your Torana it was considered something of a performance car, as the Clubsport, SSV and Calais are today, but there are many other ways of getting your driving thrills today without having to go for a V8. Some of the hot hatches now available would give you all the thrills, and more, than the big-bangers of old. Take a test drive in a VW Golf GTi or one of the fast Ford Focuses and I'm sure you'd rethink your choice. All the cars you mention, the Clubsport, SSV and Calais are good cars with plenty of grunt, the V8 sound, and the comfort of a big car. For mine though I'd be going for a hot hatch.