Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Sun City West, Arizona

Sun City West, AZ Car Consumer Discussions

FEH brake problem

by kengreen on Fri Mar 20 10:05:24 PDT 2009

I purchased my 2008 FEH , new April 2007. I had read about brake lights, and brake problems in this forum, and thought probably a rare thing. Now in the last two months, it has happened to me. The ABS light and the check brake light would come on. After shutdown and re start it would be off, but then in a few moments come back on. A visit to the dealer, resulted in rebooting the computer. Next day same problem, dealer replaced some module(?), O.K. for a few days, then the lights again. Up to this point I still have had brakes, just with a different feeling when this happens. So again, back to the dealer. At this point, the "tech" called Detroit to consult with the engineers, they recommended replacing the master brake cylinder. In all of my 65 years of driving, only one of many, many vehicle had a master cylinder problem. They told me I could drive the vehicle over the weekend, until the master cylinder came in. I did. The m.c. was replaced, everything was fine, and then about two weeks later the same problem again, and again they replaced the m.c. called me and said, sorry that one had the same problem, an they replaced it again. Success, I have had it for a day, and it still works. Does Ford have a problem? I know, I have. So far, this has been covered by the 36/36 warranty, but my dealer tells me that when that's up, too bad. I like my dealer, he has provided me a vehicle to drive, if they need to keep mine longer than a day. I like my FEH, it's my 3rd Escape, and the nicest. Will I buy another FORD ? If this problem is not resolved, and if it starts costing me money. NO ! The least Ford should do is to extend the warranty on that issue until the problem is solved. Ken in Sun City West, Az. :(

Re: Forum #6 Looking 4 Jetta SportWagon 2009 TDI [kooler]

by donna388 on Thu Mar 12 07:28:04 PDT 2009

"I have been on foums and either the guys think I am a mess, they think I am a lier because I will not buy fom a dealer many other members had purchased from in PA, fly there and drive the car home that he sold them. All above MSRP, which is OK, but I was not well and definitely not able to fly 6 hours away and drive a new car 4000-5000 mi. back home. I am i Salt Lake City. I would do something like that but I would like to find a dealer in the West somewhere. so, I am not even sure if this will ever hapen. I do not beleive in "good" or "bad" luck. I think there might be another reason why this is all happening but I still want a Jetta SpotWagon TDI with panoamic sunroof, 17" tires, any color but black and open to anything else" One thing you must do is to learn how to post correctly to these forums! We are not idiots here. You need to start 'proof-reading' your posts for spelling, proper capitalization, etc. prior to sending them. As examples: "not able to fly 6 hours away" . . Six hours from SLC to PA? It is not even six hours from coast to coast! "I am i Salt Lake City." Did you read this before you posted? "drive a new car 4000-5000 mi. back home." Again, you do not exaggerate figures at all, do you? PA to SLC is less than 2000 miles! "I have been on foums and either the guys think I am a mess, they think I am a lier" When a person such as yourself exaggerates things the way that you do, who will or can believe anything you say? You 'say' you want to travel in your new JSW? Why not go to PA and get a new Jetta SPORTWAGEN and then enjoy the relatively short trip back to SLC? "above MSRP" Have you bothered to read and compare his prices which are clearly posted on those 'other' forums you say you have been on? I have never seen him post prices that were even close to MSRP let alone above MSRP. I, like many others here seriously doubt if you are really in the market for a JSW. BTW, I do know where there is a new White JSW TDI DSG with 17 inch wheels, but it has no panoramic sun roof. Your problem among other things is your trade-in.

Mileage

by sandman46 on Tue May 13 15:04:58 PDT 2008

The 3s gets about 25 or so in the city driving and about 32 on the highway. Both great cars to drive and we're pretty happy. I now know why the a/c has problems cooling quickly in the 3...all that black in the interior heats up significantly and it's probably a necessity to tint the windows. Unfortunately, the wife won't do it so she lives with the few minutes of intense heat until things cool down. I, on the other hand, have the lightest tint on the Civic and since my handicap parking space at work is sheilded by the building from the west sun, my car cools down much quicker. But I wouldn't let this one issue dissuade anyone away from the 3 if they really like the car...using a windshield shade will probably help alot. Like I said, the 3 is a much more exciting car to drive...much like a little race car which just adds to the fun. It's a little pocket rocket especially in the "S" version. The Sandman :)

Re: ... Scientific American, the Solution ??? [roland3]

by ruking1 on Tue Jan 08 07:57:24 PST 2008

Makes sense to me!? Somewhere on the earth 24/7/12/365, leap seconds to days, etc, the suns light energy (other products also) hits us. This can generate a HUGE source of policy options. At the cost of no new footprint construction, convert and /or require ( new construct mandatory) those buildings (aka, ALL) to modular (to be able to implement efficiency changes) solar energy generators (roof, sides, poles, parking lots) . Now EVERY consumer site has the ability to be a generator and consumer to net net net generator of energy. We would be literally up to our eyeballs in....energy. As for the bio diesel, there are plenty of adaptable on going proceses, which can in effect convert parts of the process to bio diesel, as a energy product. Indeed the municipal garbage dump, City of Berkeley, CA which saw and TURNED (from) the waste stream production, an annual production of app 40.000 gals of marketable bio diesel. All they had to do was to overcome their own more than onererous regulatory rules against permitting an outlet ;to sell these former "waste" products. Name me a place of human habitation (some others where humans do not habitate also) that does not have a "waste" stream.

Last Report

by philmo on Mon Jul 23 13:51:52 PDT 2007

As I'm rolling through 11,750 miles this week on a 2007 Package #4 bought last December I don't think it, or I, qualify as "new" anymore. Nonethless, our most recent 2,750 mile, two week road trip is worth review. Generally, it's a fun car to drive and a real pleasure in cities and towns. On long stretches of interstate where the posted speed is 75 mph, not so much. Over 70 mph your mileage numbers are penalized by wind/drag as noted elswhere on this site. And the seating is troublesome after a 10 hours or so. On the days where we had lots of stops, sightseeing, activities, etc. it was no problem. But for the big-mileage days I was wishing for our Volvo seats. Using an 8gb iPod Nano connected with a $9 Radio Shack auxiliary cable we had plenty of new music. I've complained in other posts about audio quality in the "upgraded" system that is part of the #4 package and learned with many days in the car that tweaking the settings made a big difference depending on individual recordings. Our trip took us from Colorado to Oregon and back through Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. As you know, the west has been brutally hot the past few weeks. Big kudos for the climate control system which works well and cools the car down quickly. However, the big, black dashboard is a big, black negative acting as a heat-sink even when the AC is on. Next time you've parked out in the sun awhile and are back in the car hold your hand out over the dash: the heat will be radiating up from below your hand, not down from the window. Next accessory purchase: Prius-specific windshield sun screen. We got a 10k mile required oil change and service at a dealer in Bend, OR which resulted in quite a sloppy mess under the hood and with them reducing the tire pressure to spec which we promptly re-inflated to 42/40. One thing about driving all day and visiting friends and relatives with this car is that once you get there they then want you to drive everywhere for the novelty of riding in a hybrid and/or the sheer economy. But then there was the one 20-something hotel front desk guy in Boise, ID that said "what's a Prius"? It was great fun pulling up to river to fish and pulling out a fully assembled 9-foot fly rod while guides and clients had to re-assemble rigs broken down to fit into pickup trucks and shorter rides. But leather seats would have been preferred under a butt damp from wet-wading. The last night out found us in Rock Springs, WY very late where absolutely no motel rooms were available. A call east to Rawlins revealed only of $112 rooms at an "Econo"Lodge that we wouldn't have made it too until well past midnight. In the true spirit of a road trip I decided to make for an I-80 rest stop where I found a dozen or so other folks in the same predicament along with another dozen truckers who probably were regulars at this stop. Hey, it was safe, well-lighted and had a bathroom. The good news is that the Prius passed the "sleep-test" -- and with flying colors. Typically a night in the car is about waking up every hour or so to fidget and shift while taking a peek for first light. That night in Wyoming I overslept through sunrise and the starting engines of the departing motorists around me. Was I tired? Evidently. But being able to fold those front seats down flat surely helped. Arriving home with 2/3rds of a tank remaining the trip's fuel costs were $184. Fabulous. Best price: $2.88/gl with full service as is the rule in Oregon. Heading west with wife in the car, avg. 51.5 mpg. Returning east after flying her home in advance, avg. 53.5 mpg. No wife jokes, please ;-) She's already hating her new nickname, "Ms. 2mpg". That's it from me as I migrate toward the "Old Prius Owners -- Give Us Your Report" section. -Phil

Guys...

by iluvmysephia1 on Thu Mar 22 20:13:24 PDT 2007

I'm back! My wife and I absolutely loved the '08 Lancer GTS we test drove and we bought it! Here's what we bought. It's a 2008 Rally Red Mitsubishi Lancer GTS with the automatic CVT tranny. It also has the Sun and Sound Package, which includes the automatic sunroof and Rockford Fosgate 650 watt stereo with 6-cd changer and MP3 capability. Well...when I got there I was greeted by the Sales Manager(I'm not supposed to mention his name so I won't). He told me that the Rally Red GTS Lancer inside the showroom was the paddle shifter automatic. "But so and so told me you guys were gonna let me test drive a Rally Red 5-speed with the Sun and Sound Package!" I was fresh off the rush-hour Phoenix traffic and kind of tired from the drive(because I was so excited, too!). "We...ummm...don't have a 5-speed Lancer GTS for the 2008 model year in stock yet." "What...the guy on the phone told me you did!" "I'll try and find you one." Great. He'll try and find us one. That doesn't make me feel very good and I let the poor salespeople know it. But as time wore on my wife was slowly climbing on board this '08 Lancer GTS idea(I had been telling her all about it on the 209 mile ride from Willcox so I had her all primed...he-hee-hee...I was reeling her on in allright)we both started warming to the idea of getting the showroom car without the beloved 5-speed I wanted so bad. Long story short...we test drove the paddle shifter(I made one last call to my sales guy in Tucson...the Electric Blue Lancer GTS w/5-speed tranny hadn't arrived yet "but was due any day")and we both are head over heels over this new baby of ours! What sealed the deal was my wife's enthusiasm for the Lancer GTS and the possibility of her learning how to drive on this car. She grew up in Chicago and took the bus or El-Train and got no support whatsoever from her parents save for a rather unenthusiastic push from her Dad back in the 70's. I may not be the one to teach her how to drive but guys, this car would be a great one to teach someone how to drive in. My son doesn't drive stick(he lives over in Everett, WA, so he's a good 1,650 miles NW of us here in SE Arizona. But he could drive this Lancer GTS if he comes down to visit us, which he will). Here's what our car has: bluetooth, cruise control, 7 airbags including a driver's knee airbag, 4-wheel disc brakes the size of the Mitsubishi Outlander, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, a glorious whiplash control design for the front seats, micron air filter for the cabin, audio controls on the steering wheel, Rockford Fosgate 650 watt stereo with MP3, 6-cd changer and subwoofer in the trunk(!!) and a free 6-month subscription to Sirius radio(it's $12.95/mo. after that if you want to have the service continued...we may go for that), keyless entry, alarm system, a little tray at the fuel fill area that catches slop from the fuel pump as you're pulling away from your car...I've never heard of this technology before but this Lancer GTS has it. Oh, don't forget the wonderful sunroof which opens and shuts with the touch of a button. It has an information button on the dash wihich gives you average miles per gallon and also how many miles you have left in the gas tank! That is awesome technolgy. I averaged 23.7 mpg on the way back from Phoenix to Willcox. Not so great but I just put it in 'D' and drove...I didn't paddle shift on the freeway drive on I-10 home. Oh, I'll be paddle shifting till my hearts content all over here but was tired after the negotiating session and the whole car buying experience to use the paddle shifters. BTW-the CVT works like a champ...you have 6 gears + and 6 gears back to 1. You just put the gearshift inwards towards you and then paddle shift with the aluminum paddles on the sides of the great leather-wrapped steering wheel. The automatic stick shifter on the floor also is leather-wrapped. It's actually put together very tight and works great. It's gonna be fun. I wanted my 5-speed but to get a Lancer GTS built for both my wife and I I bought the paddle shifter CVT off their showroom floor. The dash controls also tell you the outside temperature, engine temperature, what paddle shift gear you're in and whether you're in 'P' for Park, 'D' for drive, etc. You can charge up your cell phone from the middle storage area. Oh, BTW, I like the armrest and my wife and I aren't smacking elbows together like we did in our Sportage 4x4! Guys...this is a major victory for me. Those of you who have followed my quest for a new rig the past year or so(it's gone from a Scion xA to a Scion tC to a Suzuki SX4(y'all know how I flipped over that car!)to a Kia Optima to a Chevrolet Malibu to the new '08 Lancer GTS. What has made it a major victory and not just another new car purchase is the fact that I have my wife on-board with me completely! She loves the car! We're so excited. I am one of the first people in Arizona to buy one of these. I was the first one to buy one from Avondale Mitsubishi(about 9 miles west of Phoenix), I know that for sure. But little hints I'm picking up from salespeople all over Arizona makes me think I got the first one(or one of the first few '08 Lancer's sold in Arizona). There is decent backseat room for passengers but I sat back there and there wasn't a lot of headroom, to be honest with you. But the seating position was comfortable and there was decent legroom available. The front bucket seats have dual adjustment knobs on the side and the seats moved forward easily and I found a comfortable sitting angle without much effort. Also, the seats are well-bolstered wrapping all around you to make taking turns go well. On acceleration the engine gives a bit of grumble..but it was a pleasant, throaty grumble and really doesn't make a loud noise a tall. Acceleration is pretty good...with the paddle shifter CVT I think 0-60 in 7.8 seconds is very achievable. Braking is sure-footed and well-fitted for this 4-door sedan. I still have to call and activate my Sirius radio and I will do that now that I've found my code number. This will happen in the next few minutes after I post this. Guys...I'm too excited to type any more...don't be afraid to ask me questions...you already know what a car nut I am so I'll be on here talking about this pup non-stop! This is the best car we've ever had...it looks beautiful inside and out and drives very well. Steering is solid and well-suited for both highway and inner city/urban driving. We both love the "feel for the road" and the sight out ahead you have when you drive. Sight vision is excellent and there aren't blind spots that make driving dangerous. This is one safe driving car, gentlemen. Oh, the car does have P215/45R18 Dunlop's on as OEM tires. They ride great and the car doesn't shimmy-shudder over bumps...bumps are absorbed really well by this car's suspension system.