U-Boot

Looking at a 06 Freestar SE, has some options such as the DVD player, styled steel wheels and the bucket seats in the 2nd. row. Miles are 30k, nice clean body and interior, one owner. Test drive 1 indicated a warped rotor/s. Dealer replaced all rotors and pads. They also did a remarkable cleaning of the interior as my wife criticized an odor in the interior. I couldn't smell anything odd? Took it on the highway and noticed a low frequency whine at 40 and 65 MPH. Shifting seemed iffy and slow. Told dealer that there was no deal, unless a 100K powertrain warranty was included, as I had a real problem with the tranny sound. Business manager threw in the warranty as part of the deal. (It still has 45 days and 6K on the Ford warranty and they include their 60day, 6K warranty on top.) Van cost after talking $10,900, excluding fees etc.
He then had the service manager an old timer in the business, 25+ years in service take it for a ride and he went with him. They came back and the manager said you are right there is a problem, we will do diagnostics and check it out on Monday when the trans techs come in. Went back on Monday and the business manager said it needed work in the "rear drivetrain", parts and labor would be about $1500.00.
He said as the additional costs were so high and the profit margin so low he couldn't include the powertrain warranty, but he would give any Ford extended warranty, including the powertrain of my choice for 1/2 their cost for 100K miles. Years has to be defined yet. I feel I am being penalized for detecting the original problem, but he has a valid cost point also. Not knowing their actual cost I am probably at a disadvantage, but so far he has been reasonably honest and cooperative.
Received a call today from them and it is ready for another test drive and the tranny has been completed. Next Monday the bride and I will take it for another ride and deal with the warranty cost and see what compromise is possible. If we can agree, we will have a decent 06.
Any idea of dealer warranty cost?
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ve14326

U-Boot...A 2006 with 30K miles....

Sounds like what my wife and I bought except we got the Limited....

Is it a Ford Dealer??? If so, ask about getting it Certified Pre-Owned....

That only cost us $825 and came with a 6 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty....then, for about $800 more we got it bumper to bumper until 75,000 miles...We went that option because of all the power doors and hatches and those motors could be costly....If you don't have all of that stuff on yours, then the Certified Option might be something you want to discuss...Plus, they'd have to do all the 30,000 maintenance on it (flush transmission fluid and filter and a new fuel filter) as those are part of the Certified Process as well as the fact you'll probably get new tires (we did).

Good luck with it...let us know what happened...

Vince

U-Boot

Hi,
This Monday is decision day as whether we buy it or not. Have to discuss and negotiate the warranty situation. Have to affirm that the previous no cost warranty has been withdrawn, based on the repair cost. It will be interesting as to hear what they offer in terms of cost, if this is true. I am going to try to make it to another Ford dealership and investigate actual warranty cost on their side. I worked one summer at a GM dealer years ago and at that time the limited warranties availiable cost them $100.00 on up. Everything they got over their cost was pure profit, it was a profitable margin!
If I find anything out, I will post it.
U-Boot

ve14326

Not sure why you don't try to go for the Certified Pre-Owned route....

Seems if you want the powertrain warranty for 100,000 miles, this is the cheapest way to do it....

Vince

U-Boot

Asked the sales guy about that and he said it was expensive and required a lot of labor. Also several Ford dealers offer Ford warranties at considerable discount, up to $300.00 less. To check them out, Google Ford ESP and view the sites. Ford is offering a $185.00 rebate on warranties from their web site. I believe I can get one from the dealer for $500.00, if need be. I will know Monday, + or-. I saw a 06 with 7K documented miles on it, price was about 12.5K, could be a lot of problems.
U- Boot

ve14326

UBoot...

Where did you find the thing about the $185 rebate on the warranty???

I can't find that anywhere....we bought the ESP also....

Vince

U-Boot

The rebate is offered on the Ford ESP website, they will E-Mail you the info. You may have to go through the site information for the various plans. I believe it is good through the middle of April, but it may only apply to warranties sold on the web site.
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U-Boot

Hi,
Now the owner of a clean 06 Freestar. Got the extra care warranty for $400.00, 72 Mo./100K miles. The business manager did some creative number work to assure the dealership. got their full profit from the warranty sale. The transmission required a replacement of the differential planatary gears and I believe they replaced the converter as a precaution. Has all new fluid and seals and tested out OK. The cost would have been a minimum of $1500.00. With all new rotors and brakes it should be OK for a few more miles. They also included free oill changes every 5K miles and they filled the 26 gal tank to the top as a courtesy. Seems to do well on milage, the gauge didn't move after 30 miles at 60. Stiil have the original Ford warranty and their 60 day/6K warranty as well. So have to put some miles on it!
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