Looking at Fords, which dealer su@k$ the least?

[MoonieGT]

I'd like to work with Park Cities Ford as they are closest. Anyone have any info on a good Ford dealer or info on the bad ones?

[sammm]

I had good luck with Sam Pack's in Carrollton. Worked with their internet manager.

[sxk122]

I've had good dealings with North Central Ford and Town East Ford.

[motorollow]

We are looking at buying a new truck. So far, the people that handle the credit union sales at North Central Ford have been extremely helpful at providing information and pricing. Look at one stealership and buy from the credit union sales at another.

[MoonieGT]

I'm less concerned about the sales team and more concerned about the service department. Have you had service done at North Central or Town East?

[POS Racing]

I'm less concerned about the sales team and more concerned about the service department. Have you had service done at North Central or Town East?

Your already envisioning service department issues? I take it your thinking about another Mustache.

From my last experience with a Ford under warranty this is a wise move I spent far more time in the service department than I did actually leasing that lemon of an SUV.

Five Star in North Richland Hills would eventually fix it but a couple of times a call to the Ford Regional offices was required to motivate them to fix it. But rest assured they weren't serious issues mainly just transmission failures and electrical stuff. My personal favorite was mysterious electrical gremlins that would shut the SUV off when you least expected it to shut off. Got to see a lot more of the roadside attractions in Texas that way!

That said I'm back in a Ford albeit a 20 year old Ranger so this proves Former Ford owners are too stupid to hold a grudge!

[MoonieGT]

Actually, I'm taking a hard look at a Fiesta ST. Read a million reviews and I've done a few test drives. Fun little car with great gas mileage. However, I'm afraid of Ford's service department. I bought my Subaru from Sewell, and they are the epitome of awesome service in my experience. Should any issue arise with the Ford... I'm concerned that it will be a street fight to get things fixed.

[Steve E]

Avoid Anation at all cost... They make Pboys seem competent.

[POS Racing]

Should any issue arise with the Ford... I'm concerned that it will be a street fight to get things fixed.

From my experiece it will be a street fight but I enjoy exacerbating situations. It gives me purpose!

Been thinking about getting Evil KK a Fiesta ST it is a cute little car, but currently the kid wants to keep the Miata* which works even better for me.

*Subject to change without notice.

[OZMDD]

I agree 100% about the quality of the Sewell experience. Leasing my wife's Subaru from Sewell has been almost enjoyable, and she actually enjoys the facility when she is there for scheduled (free) maintenance. Cookies, wifi, kids area, free beverages, comfy chairs and couches. Even something as simple as a free car wash leaves a strong favorable impression. We will almost certainly be getting another Subie from them, but we will stick with Sewell even if we change brands. Wish they had a Mazda franchise.

i can also vouch for the Mini of Dallas experience. If you're thinking FiST, it's at least worth looking at either of the 2014 Coopers, base or S. They are all turbo now, with BMW motors, and are similar in size and price to the Ford. Killer maint package included, and are one of the best lease vehicles out there, as they have super high residuals. I might not want to own it after the 4/50k warranty period, but dealing with Ford might make the fist only slightly more desirable in the long term.
Im only at 12k, but I have had zero issues with the Mini, and it has 20+ auto cross events and two mild track days under its belt. 27 mpg driving exclusively inside the loop in Dallas, with a lead foot. I got 36mpg on a trip to Corpus, via the 85mph toll road.

[MoonieGT]

Glad to hear you've had a positive Mini experience. The few people I've know with them have had some headaches. I've been scared to consider them. But having Sewell as a dealer for one could be a game changer for them. Sewell has a Ford dealership... In Midland. Too far for service?

[Gator Bait]

i can also vouch for the Mini of Dallas experience. If you're thinking FiST, it's at least worth looking at either of the 2014 Coopers, base or S. They are all turbo now, with BMW motors, and are similar in size and price to the Ford. Killer maint package included, and are one of the best lease vehicles out there, as they have super high residuals. I might not want to own it after the 4/50k warranty period, but dealing with Ford might make the fist only slightly more desirable in the long term.
Im only at 12k, but I have had zero issues with the Mini, and it has 20+ auto cross events and two mild track days under its belt. 27 mpg driving exclusively inside the loop in Dallas, with a lead foot. I got 36mpg on a trip to Corpus, via the 85mph toll road.

I had good service experience with Mini of Plano. The sales people were tools, but that's the norm imo. As for the car itself, it's the only wrong wheel drive car I'd buy again; second only to my LS pwrd Miata as the most fun I've had in a car.

[Titus]

Your already envisioning service department issues? I take it your thinking about another Mustache....

....mainly just transmission failures and electrical stuff.

That is funny you say that... Driftdevil's S.O. just spent $800 on a new electrical harness for the transmission of her just out of warranty '13 Mustache.

[OZMDD]

It's funny. The Mini base is not particularly fast by any standard, but every person who has driven it at an autox has been pretty amazed at how well it handles, and the interior is roomier and nicer than people expect. I'm really happy with its practicality and as a DD. Besides having a favorable pax, it's actually a blast to autox, as you drive it at 10/10. At the track it's probably faster than it seems, but it's still a pretty major snooze.

For right around $20k, I don't see much else that ticks all the same boxes. Mazda3 is close, but a lot heavier and weaker residuals.

[MoonieGT]

The Fiesta ST sounds like the most fun of the bunch based on all the rave reviews, but it's not as nice as the Mini and won't hold value as well. The Fiesta is also very nicely equipped with recaros and nav at $24k. A copper S will cost $4-5k more with similar options right? Even the non-s cooper will be several $k more with some options.

I'll read up on Mini's...

[MoonieGT]

And the Fiesta has rear doors. I don't have the kids in my car too often, but it's nice to have 4 doors...

[MoonieGT]

Weird twist of fate. A friend just stopped by that had been given a 2014 Cooper Hardtop 4-Door as a demo loaner because she's thinking of buying one. I was skeptical of it because it had the 1.5L 3 cyl, but the power was decent and felt peppy enough. The interior was nice and quirky fun. That particular car had the automatic transmission, which was surprisingly good. It was one of the best "manual mode" autos I've tried. They even had it set up so that pulling the shift back went up a gear.

So anyway, maybe a Mini?

[goofygrin]

Autonation in Frisco was so so when I was acquiring my FFE. I've not had to service it yet (since Feb), knock on wood. Grapevine Ford has sponsored the dfw mustang board for a long time....

I'll (third?) Sewell. I've bought 4 cars from their network and the purchase and service was always fantastic. Too bad they don't have other brands.

[sxk122]

My Focus ST was purchased through Town East Ford, and all of the service has been completed there. No complaints. Waiting room is pretty basic, but I generally walk a few blocks to the s
Starbucks and read while they work on the car....

[OZMDD]

Yes, options will crank up mini prices very quickly. It is a BMW. I felt that the standard features were sufficient with only the sport suspension and e-diff options. Ediff is standard now (DTC.) Sport seats were already in my car, so I ended up with them, but they are quite good. My car stickered at $22k, and a comparable S should have been around $25k.