Found On Road Dead...

abolfaz · Sep 6, 2006

Update: I figured since there have been a few others with the same bolt breaking transaxle problem as I originaly had that it was a good time to resurect this thread. Allthough I haven't had any more axle problems yet (I hope twice is enough), I have the following problems now:

1- Rattlesnake noises at 2K rpms.
2- Misc vibrating noises at all other rpms
3- Aluminum corrosion problems an powder coated parts that makes the paint bubble (fuel fill, passenger compartment trim.)
4- Paint/finish pealing off of trim parts around rear window.
5- Door panel trim are both loose.
6- Weird wear/bubbling on door panel leather
7- New oil leak from back of car.
8- Boost gauge that was replaced (in search of rattlesnake) is brighter than the rest of the guages.
9- Various nicks and bruises throughout interior from dealer taken the car apart in search of said snakes.
10- Rear clamshell fit getting worse (so much so that my wife said it looks like its going to fall off.)
11- Side decals pealing off (again!)
12- Clutch not fully disengaging (start the car in gear with the clutch depresed and the car moves forward).
13- Discoloration all around exhaust tips (white bumper is off white now).
14- Passenger side door gap off almost 1/4 inch making people on the road think my door is open (dealer says thats normal).
15- Lights in center console work intermittently.
16- Interior dash parts no longer fitting the way they did when the car was new (once again from the dealer taking the car apart so many times).

Thats just what I can think of for now. What really pissed me off today was moving the car out of the garage and finding a puddle of redish fluid under it. I'm to the point where I'm sick of taking the car to the dealer (I've had it 9 months and its been at the dealer for almost 87 days!!!!!!!!!), it seems like every time I take it there it comes back a little worse. The people at the dealer are great, but I honestly believe that the techs are not worthy of working on a $160k+ car, they might be great on F150's and such, but not on an "exotic".

If the car wasn't so much fun to drive I would have lemon lawed it already, but I'm really getting fed up. Thanks for allowing me to rant! :willy

B O N Y · Sep 6, 2006

Send it to Saleen to rebuild the car or Lemon Law it. I feel for you. This is not right. So sorry.

abolfaz · Sep 6, 2006

bony said:
Send it to Saleen to rebuild the car or Lemon Law it. I feel for you. This is not right. So sorry.

Thanks, that really means a lot. The fact that I still have the car should speak volumes about how much I really love the car. I HATE FORDS! But by owning this car I feel like I've bonded with Ford and am actually looking at their products a little differently, I'm just at the end of my rope with my car. I tried ignoring these problems but my wife constantly reminds me how much this car has cost me and why am I putting up with these problems from a FORD! My car meets the lemon law criteria on at least 3 different statutes, but I really feel like I would be betraying the GT people and you guys by condeming the car like that. I'm going to take it to the dealer one last time at the end of this week, if they fix it I'll keep it, if not its gone.

Nardo GT · Sep 6, 2006

Just venting.....IMO

Having had numerous vehicles in my 50 years including Ferrari, Corvette, Porsche, Viper, Jaguar and countless other "normal" cars and trucks I will say that quality doesn't necessarily come with higher priced vehicles. It should, but it does not. For Ford to say in their old ads that "Quality is job one" must indeed be an old statement that they do not adhere to anymore, if they ever did. I love my Ford GT, but to say it is quality......hmmmmm, perhaps my definition is different than other folks. I have had several issues in my 2000 miles of ownership....including the axle bolts breaking directly across from the Ford dealership (if you want to call that lucky). The a/c doesn't cool as well as my 99 Chev pu with 168,000 miles on it, but I have yet to even mention that. I have mentioned to my dealer about the slight crunch (seems like a synchro issue to me) shifting into second gear only. He really had nothing to say about it. The guys here on the forum said a few had noticed this as well and that it would get better with time. Does this mean the same as when the painter told me one time on another vehicle that after the paint sat for a few months on a repaired fender that it would match better.......I surely hope not, because it didn't. The clamshell is a definite issue....it seems as though a design problem to me.....in that if you don't close it with your hand squarely in the middle (as I do) it may go slighty to one side and nick the side air scoop (unknowing "helpers")....ok...ok...you say adjust it.......again it appears to be a design flaw in that you have to be sooooo careful closing it. Several other disappointing things as well, but what can I say.....I truly enjoy the car for it's uniqueness and performance and I definitely don't think another GT would be "problem free" either. Customer service is not at all what I had wished and probably never will be.
My experience could most assuredly be enhanced by better service and perhaps better initial "quality" as well. Oh, I forgot.....when warm it has a clutch throw-out bearing noise ....especially noticeable when outside the car standing behind it with the engine idling....just barely push in the clutch and it disappears. My dealer showed me a message from Ford that said the noise was "normal" and "do not attempt repair". This may be true, but I have been around many manual transmission cars and have never in my 50 years heard a noise like this that I would call "normal". Just tell everyone asking "what is that noise?" that it is normal. Should I really have to explain strange noises coming from my $150,000 car? Again,,,,,,I guess "normal" can be perceived many ways. But don't misunderstand......I plan on keeping the car.....just wanted to "vent".

abolfaz · Sep 6, 2006

Prowler said:
But don't misunderstand......I plan on keeping the car.....just wanted to "vent".

Ventilation is good...

TEXAS GT · Sep 6, 2006

Man... you really got a lemon! Sounds like the attempted repairs are responsible for many of the problems. If I were you, I'd dump it as fast as I could while there are plenty of new GT's still available to replace it with. You know you don't want to do without the car, and yes, it will cost you quite a bit to replace it, but you know it will be worth it in the long run. If nothing else, just getting rid of the aggravation will make it worthwhile. But then the question becomes "How do I know the next one will be any better?"

You don't, but the experience of the vast majority of us out here in the rest of the world suggests that you are the exception and you would fare much better with another car. I for one have had NONE of the problems you complain about and I have an early '05 model which is supposed to be the poorest quality.

I feel for you but I don't think I am out of line in suggesting that the expense of replacing the car would not be missed as much as the car itself if you decide to sell it and not replace it.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

B O N Y · Sep 6, 2006

Prowler said:
Having had numerous vehicles in my 50 years including Ferrari, Corvette, Porsche, Viper, Jaguar and countless other "normal" cars and trucks I will say that quality doesn't necessarily come with higher priced vehicles. It should, but it does not. For Ford to say in their old ads that "Quality is job one" must indeed be an old statement that they do not adhere to anymore, if they ever did. I love my Ford GT, but to say it is quality......hmmmmm, perhaps my definition is different than other folks. I have had several issues in my 2000 miles of ownership....including the axle bolts breaking directly across from the Ford dealership (if you want to call that lucky). The a/c doesn't cool as well as my 99 Chev pu with 168,000 miles on it, but I have yet to even mention that. I have mentioned to my dealer about the slight crunch (seems like a synchro issue to me) shifting into second gear only. He really had nothing to say about it. The guys here on the forum said a few had noticed this as well and that it would get better with time. Does this mean the same as when the painter told me one time on another vehicle that after the paint sat for a few months on a repaired fender that it would match better.......I surely hope not, because it didn't. The clamshell is a definite issue....it seems as though a design problem to me.....in that if you don't close it with your hand squarely in the middle (as I do) it may go slighty to one side and nick the side air scoop (unknowing "helpers")....ok...ok...you say adjust it.......again it appears to be a design flaw in that you have to be sooooo careful closing it. Several other disappointing things as well, but what can I say.....I truly enjoy the car for it's uniqueness and performance and I definitely don't think another GT would be "problem free" either. Customer service is not at all what I had wished and probably never will be.
My experience could most assuredly be enhanced by better service and perhaps better initial "quality" as well. Oh, I forgot.....when warm it has a clutch throw-out bearing noise ....especially noticeable when outside the car standing behind it with the engine idling....just barely push in the clutch and it disappears. My dealer showed me a message from Ford that said the noise was "normal" and "do not attempt repair". This may be true, but I have been around many manual transmission cars and have never in my 50 years heard a noise like this that I would call "normal". Just tell everyone asking "what is that noise?" that it is normal. Should I really have to explain strange noises coming from my $150,000 car? Again,,,,,,I guess "normal" can be perceived many ways. But don't misunderstand......I plan on keeping the car.....just wanted to "vent".

One thing was proved to those that went on the Rally, that Saleen will make it right. I would do everything possible to let the dealer fix everything, if they can't resolve all your issues,... then demand that the GT be taken to Saleen for the ultimate fix.... :thumbsup

fjpikul · Sep 6, 2006

I'm in total agreement with Bony. Get it to Saleen in Detroit, or lemon law it and buy a new '06 while they're still out there. I'd avoid white, ha ha.

samthejeepman · Sep 6, 2006

i'm with bony
left my gt at saleen after the ralley
had a few issues with it
saleen bent over backwards to accomodate me, repaired everything in question and even did my half shaft bolts while it was there
all warranty and shipped the vehicle back to me
from what i have seen, if its broken, saleen will make it right !!!

good luck
sam
#1451--------red/white
#003 -------saleen extreme

abolfaz · Sep 7, 2006

Am I the only one that thinks that perhaps all aspects of the GT warranty program should have been handled by Saleen? I know someone with an S7, when there is the slightest problem with the car, they fetch the car, move it accross the country to their shop, repair it and then send it back. When he got the car, it was shipped to saleen and he flew up there to have the interior/seats adjusted to his body.

Considering what we paid for our cars, should ford have handled us the same way? Lets be honest, the techs at the dealers are not capable of handling this caliber of car.

dbk · Sep 7, 2006

I'm deleting posts because people can't stay on topic.

quick time · Sep 8, 2006

abolfaz said:
Am I the only one that thinks that perhaps all aspects of the GT warranty program should have been handled by Saleen? I know someone with an S7, when there is the slightest problem with the car, they fetch the car, move it accross the country to their shop, repair it and then send it back. When he got the car, it was shipped to saleen and he flew up there to have the interior/seats adjusted to his body.

Considering what we paid for our cars, should ford have handled us the same way? Lets be honest, the techs at the dealers are not capable of handling this caliber of car.

I agree totally with your last statement!

dbk · Sep 8, 2006

PM sent abolfaz...

abolfaz · Sep 14, 2006

I've decided to leave the car at the ford dealer one last time to see if they can resolve ALL the issues on my car. I'll keep you guys posted.

BTW, the vents on the clamshell are warping and cracking now.

TEXAS GT · Sep 14, 2006

abolfaz said:
I've decided to leave the car at the ford dealer one last time to see if they can resolve ALL the issues on my car. I'll keep you guys posted.

BTW, the vents on the clamshell are warping and cracking now.

Dump it! Get a new one before the prices start going up again. I'm dealing with several dealers for a second one and most refuse to go below MSRP because they know "they aren't making them anymore". The price can't help but firm up and even go up as fewer become available. Color selection is becoming more limited daily also.

STUNTS · Sep 22, 2006

Well, I was reading this post from the beginning. When I was on page 14, I asked myself, how long is this thread. I clicked to "LAST" and wound up here on page 27. I probably missed alot.

1st-I am sorry to hear about your baby! and I hope your daughter is OK too

2nd- what was up w/200+ more hp and not voiding warranty?

3rd- maybe a quick re-cap on all your problems w/ the GT

4th- how are you? Are you done w/her and ready to move on or are you stubborn and going to work through it?

I hope to here positive feedback.. :cheers

abolfaz · Dec 2, 2006

tmstunts#1233 said:
4th- how are you? Are you done w/her and ready to move on or are you stubborn and going to work through it?

I haven't driven my car for almost 2 months. In addition to the problems that I mentioned before I now have:

1- drivers side headlight out
2- clunking from front suspension that makes the steering weird.
3- new very strange engine noise above and beyond the rattle snake noise.

And I've also found all these new dealer related problems:

1- cut in steering wheel from boost gauge removal
2- damaged instrument cluster bezel from same gauge removal
3- Tear in leather headliner from last visit at the dealer.

(in case you need a refresher, these problems are still outstanding as well http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29623&postcount=240)

The best part of this is that I've literally been waiting TWO MONTHS for the parts to come in and the dealer tells me that they wont be able to get to the car until December 11th!

Can anybody here see where this is going?

B O N Y · Dec 2, 2006

abolfaz said:
I haven't driven my car for almost 2 months. In addition to the problems that I mentioned before I now have:

1- drivers side headlight out
2- clunking from front suspension that makes the steering weird.
3- new very strange engine noise above and beyond the rattle snake noise.

And I've also found all these new dealer related problems:

1- cut in steering wheel from boost gauge removal
2- damaged instrument cluster bezel from same gauge removal
3- Tear in leather headliner from last visit at the dealer.

(in case you need a refresher, these problems are still outstanding as well http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29623&postcount=240)

The best part of this is that I've literally been waiting TWO MONTHS for the parts to come in and the dealer tells me that they wont be able to get to the car until December 11th!

Can anybody here see where this is going?

Your the one person on this board I have to meet. You have more patience than God, ... and your still hanging in there. I would have lemon off that GT and got another one. I just honestly don't get it at all. I have to take my hat of to you.

Wonder whatever happened to the two guys from the dealership, they were
posting soime good stuff and just faded away... or did they run afoul of the architect???

abolfaz · Dec 3, 2006

bony said:
Your the one person on this board I have to meet. You have more patience than God, ... and your still hanging in there. I would have lemon off that GT and got another one. I just honestly don't get it at all. I have to take my hat of to you.

Wonder whatever happened to the two guys from the dealership, they were
posting soime good stuff and just faded away... or did they run afoul of the architect???

What am I supposed to do? I love the car too much to get rid of it, WTF am I going to replace it with?! I already have or have had almost every lambo worth owning, I can't stand ferraris, what else is there?

As far as the guys from the dealership, how could they defend themselves here knowing what they've done to my car?!

TEXAS GT · Dec 3, 2006

You may as well face it, that car will never be right. You should buy another one before there aren't any left. The market is getting pretty slim out there.

I feel bad for you. There's a lemon in every batch and I guess you picked it.

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