Lambykin

I can certainly understand your frustration - whether it be Ford, or any other dealer, it's extremely aggravating when it appears NO one has answers. Yet they represent the very company that supposedly designed it & manufactered it. Just for kicks, you should try asking for one of the engineer's phone numbers.

I own a few cars. One is a Honda, the other a Fiero. I avoid the GM dealer liek the plague for anything if at all possible. They're rude, and really don't seem to care about the customer havign to stand around for 15 minutes waiting to ask a simple question. In their defese, the GM dealership acknowledged I was standing there and they would "be with me in a minute." But there were a number of goons wandering about while I waited - extremely annoying (I was at parts getting a quote for a specialized starter that is sold by the GM performance parts division).

The type of service & respect I get at the Honda dealership is totally different - which explains why I've continued to give them my business for the last 22 years.

Not intending to make this a flame war - just using my experience as an example to let you know it happens to others at other dealers, too. I'm sure there are those out there who have had rotten experiences at a Honda dealer.

One thing for sure - I don't want to hear the North American car companies try to sell their cars by stating "The cost of replacement parts for an American car is cheaper, so the overall cost of ownership is lower if you buy North American." - Rubbish. GM is gouging people for this special starter at $335. They don't even make it - they simply slap their sticker on it. The starter is made by Hitachi, and supplied to many different companies. I found the same starter for $159 (not at a dealer).

Certain dealers really know how to leave a bad impression - sometimes so bad that you never would want to buy a car there. In my area, if I ever bought Ford or GM, I'd travel about an hour to get away from the buggers here (and I live in a city where dealers are plentiful of all different makes & models).

If you ever find out why there's no steering lock, let us know - very curious. Last time i saw a car without an ignition lock, it was on a car from the 60s...