What do the owners think? - Ford Forums

scruba · 07-16-2004, 03:20

My in-laws are considering purchasing a Territory to tow a caravan.

What do those of you who own one think of them?

Any bad comments? Good comments? Tell us what you think please.

EDIT I have since looked through the threads in here and questions are answered.

Sorry for the not required thread

Organza · 07-16-2004, 17:38

Had mine a month now and I'm very happy with it. I haven't towed anything with it but I'm sure it would do a great job given the torque characteristics of the engine.

It is truly excellent in the city traffic with the only issue I've come up against being a bigger blind spot at the C pillar than you would be used to if you came out of a Falcon. But the car is an easier drive in traffic and better than a Falcon for sure. Yes I know that is a revelation because a BA is a great thing to drive as well, just that the Territory is even better!

Fuel use is the only thing you'll have to get used to in a Territory over a Falcon. In the city, if you used 14 litres per 100km before you'll use 16-17 in a Territory. The actual extra fuel used doesn't bother me but I have noticed the extra visits I've had to make to fill up. If the car had a decent 100 plus litre tank it wouldnt be noticeable I guess, but with only an extra 7 litres capacity over a Falcon (75 litre tank) its not enough to mask the extra use.

The REAL important thing to focus on though is that the Territory's positives vastly outweigh the couple of detriments outlined above. Couldn't be happier with the car and have to congratulate the Ford engineers for the wonderful job they've done. I'd love to try a turbo model if it ever comes out. Would be some SUV, that's for sure.

I only hope Territory (and Ford) gets the true kudos it deserves because it has a Ford oval badge on it rather than a Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) propellor badge.

bossxr8 · 07-16-2004, 19:42

I agree with the above post. My Territory Ghia is a great car, no problems yet and its an excellent machine to drive, really suprising for such a big machine. It drives nearly exactly the same as an Falcon XT. It is really a credit to the engineers to make a high riding vehicle drive like a lower sedan. It is a bit of a pig on the juice, it uses as much as my XR8 did, but so what if it costs an extra couple of bucks to fill.

burnsi · 07-17-2004, 03:27

Had mine for just over 24 hours, and I love it - so much so that my GTP is being left at home over the next few days at least!

What I love so far:

It handles wonderfully for a 2 tonne + car, with a significantly higher than normal COG;

Mine is an AWD, and today we had wet and icy roads - which would have meant being VERY careful in my GTP - no problem in the Terri! Didn't even feel the DSC kick-in!;

The higher driving position, provides good visibility;

Getting into and out of it is a cinch - it's just the right height;

Putting our son into/out of his baby seat is now so much easier, it's now at torso height, instead of leaning over;

Loading/unloading the cargo area is easy, it's also at just the right height;

The storage areas are great;

Love the seat position/heater settings memory on the different keys;

All the accessories that I fitted yesterday, fitted perfectly;

Auto-dimming rear-view mirror works well;

I thought I would think it was a slug after driving my GTP - it's not, and I don't even notice it (going back to the GTP should be good though!!).

Things that I would like, or have found to be a minor issue, but certainly not of concern:

Fuel consumption figures, around town, and being punted quite hard, equal my GTP when I go easy on it - ie 15.5 l/100;

The greater glass area (well it feels like it is anyway) had me reaching for my sunnies sooner than I ordinarily would;

Sat-nav programming doesn't allow entry of a destination address when the vehicle is in motion (GTP does this as well) - it would be good to be able to do this - not for the driver, but for the passenger;

Sat-nav remote needs a pouch so it doesn't get damaged/scratched whilst in the glovebox/console;

Recovery eye-bolt needs a pouch or stowage point.

But, in short, I love this car - pity it's my wife's car!!

rocket · 07-17-2004, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnsi

Had mine for just over 24 hours, and I love it - so much so that my GTP is being left at home over the next few days at least!
Fuel consumption figures, around town, and being punted quite hard, equal my GTP when I go easy on it - ie 15.5 l/100;

With the car being only 24 hours old, do you expect the fuel consumption figures to drop as the engine/driveline free-up??
What have others experienced??
Rocket

Organza · 07-18-2004, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket

With the car being only 24 hours old, do you expect the fuel consumption figures to drop as the engine/driveline free-up??
What have others experienced??
Rocket

I don't think there has been a significant reduction in fuel use since the car has been run in (now 4000 km) but the engine has certainly freed up a bit. At most maybe it has improved half a litre per 100 k's.

In previous Falcon's I've had it has taken 5000k's before I noticed an improvement in fuel economy, so the Terri might do the same.

On a trip to Canberra at 115km/h it used 13.2 litres per 100 km. So it has the potential to be economic outside of the constant 'stop, start' of Sydney.

bigbobbles · 07-18-2004, 01:49

Hi guys

I am new to these forums and new to Ford scene.

My Territory Ghia AWD is due in 3 weeks (fingers crossed) and it is going to be the first Ford I have ever owned.

Just a thought on the fuel usage - has anyone tried a "Hi Clone" or similar fitted to one of the Barra engines? I fitted one in a Pajero 3.0L that I had and it made about 50km's difference on a tank of fuel.

I am really looking forward to my new toy.

davway · 07-18-2004, 01:56

and what is a "hi clone"?

bigbobbles · 07-18-2004, 02:07

A "Hi Clone" is a device that helps mix the fuel/air going into the engine.

I don't know how/why it works.

Look at www.hiclone.com.au

I just know it did make a difference to the Pajero with slightly more power and better fuel economy.

burnsi · 07-18-2004, 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbobbles

A "Hi Clone" is a device that helps mix the fuel/air going into the engine.

I don't know how/why it works.

Look at www.hiclone.com.au

I just know it did make a difference to the Pajero with slightly more power and better fuel economy.

It works by creating a disturbed air flow in the intake manifold, which when fuel is added, creates better atomisation of the resultant mixture - which in turn provides a modest gains in power and economy.

Herrod Motorsport produce a "Helix Block" which does something similar - it sits between the throttle body and intake manifold on a Boss V8 engine - I think they make one for the Barra as well.

I have one for my GTP, but have not fitted it yet - plenty of my XR8/GT/GTP fellow owners have them and swear by them. On a GT/GT-P, they have seen gains up to 5 rwkw, better throttle response etc. Here's a pic -