I usually take our cars to the dealers for annual maintenance first. They'll notice if there's something obviously wrong so that I can have it fixed before the inspection record of the cars will be soiled by a failed inspection.
Since yours is a 2006 model, it doesn't have the infamous turbocharged and direct injected Ford EcoBoost engine. Good for you. The EcoBoost engine, in production since 2010, has had head gasket issues because of a design flaw in the cooling channels near the cylinder head. They fixed it in 2020. And since the displacement tends to be small relative to the power output, heat and mechanical strain can be issues in general.
One of our cars is a 2005 Mitsubishi Colt that runs without any problems apart from the infotainment system (the small digital display and the radio) being dead. It's gone through minor repairs only a couple of times apart from the usual wear and tear items but nothing costing more than €400 at the shop. The other is a 2012 Lexus 450h with a little shy of 200,000 km on the clock. I chose the make and model based on expected durability and reliability. It's got a naturally aspirated (no turbo) 3,5 l V6 with less power per liter of displacement than its European competition. Both direct and port injection meaning less chance of carbon buildup. I love the fuel economy and the smoothness of the hybrid power train. Only 6% of 15-year-old Toyota/Lexus hybrids have had their high-voltage batteries replaced - including cars that have been in accidents. Fingers crossed.
Today's trend is toward smaller turbocharged engines, which affects their durability. Even Lexus has caved. I really hope I won't have to buy a new car for a long time but when I do, I hope batteries have become much cheaper.
I’m happy to report, against all odds, my car got the OK this morning. Only have to replace/fix the light above the license plate and keep an eye on the right takapyörälaakeri. My car was very well behaved, considering it has been giving me very broad warning signals on the dash when starting up on several occasions. Prob wet/faulty wiring somewhere but the engine running normally.
I don’t know much about cars but I believe the simpler the better. With new cars there is more issues to be had and less of what you can repair yourself. Ofc if you gots the moneys then it’s no problem.
My dream car would probably be a tank or some ridiculous Ford F150, but I’m happy with something that always get’s me from A to B, and has a big trunk!
Replacing a single wheel bearing is not an expensive job. Congrats on passing the inspection.
Simpler is absolutely better. I have no need for all the gizmos they put on new cars these days. More failure points. I like physical buttons and dials especially if they're high-quality and durable. Once you have everything operated through a screen what are you going to do when the screen goes blank or you get the blue screen of death? Some cars you might not even be able to drive.
The smaller displacements and the turbocharging as well as the direct injection are to improve fuel economy first and foremost. The reason is tightening emission regulations. At the same time, manufacturers advertise longer oil change intervals and that's a recipe for trouble.
Crypto has to go much, much higher if I'm to be able to afford my dream car, which is Rolls Royce Spectre with the electric powertrain. Extremely quiet and refined.
My next new car will likely be electric if and only if the technology matures a little more.
I hope yours will contain no items.
I usually take our cars to the dealers for annual maintenance first. They'll notice if there's something obviously wrong so that I can have it fixed before the inspection record of the cars will be soiled by a failed inspection.
Mine is a 2006 Ford Focus so I’m not too fussed by a failed inspection on the record 😅
How many kilometers on the odometer?
A mere 300K 😁
Since yours is a 2006 model, it doesn't have the infamous turbocharged and direct injected Ford EcoBoost engine. Good for you. The EcoBoost engine, in production since 2010, has had head gasket issues because of a design flaw in the cooling channels near the cylinder head. They fixed it in 2020. And since the displacement tends to be small relative to the power output, heat and mechanical strain can be issues in general.
One of our cars is a 2005 Mitsubishi Colt that runs without any problems apart from the infotainment system (the small digital display and the radio) being dead. It's gone through minor repairs only a couple of times apart from the usual wear and tear items but nothing costing more than €400 at the shop. The other is a 2012 Lexus 450h with a little shy of 200,000 km on the clock. I chose the make and model based on expected durability and reliability. It's got a naturally aspirated (no turbo) 3,5 l V6 with less power per liter of displacement than its European competition. Both direct and port injection meaning less chance of carbon buildup. I love the fuel economy and the smoothness of the hybrid power train. Only 6% of 15-year-old Toyota/Lexus hybrids have had their high-voltage batteries replaced - including cars that have been in accidents. Fingers crossed.
Today's trend is toward smaller turbocharged engines, which affects their durability. Even Lexus has caved. I really hope I won't have to buy a new car for a long time but when I do, I hope batteries have become much cheaper.
I’m happy to report, against all odds, my car got the OK this morning. Only have to replace/fix the light above the license plate and keep an eye on the right takapyörälaakeri. My car was very well behaved, considering it has been giving me very broad warning signals on the dash when starting up on several occasions. Prob wet/faulty wiring somewhere but the engine running normally.
I don’t know much about cars but I believe the simpler the better. With new cars there is more issues to be had and less of what you can repair yourself. Ofc if you gots the moneys then it’s no problem.
My dream car would probably be a tank or some ridiculous Ford F150, but I’m happy with something that always get’s me from A to B, and has a big trunk!
Replacing a single wheel bearing is not an expensive job. Congrats on passing the inspection.
Simpler is absolutely better. I have no need for all the gizmos they put on new cars these days. More failure points. I like physical buttons and dials especially if they're high-quality and durable. Once you have everything operated through a screen what are you going to do when the screen goes blank or you get the blue screen of death? Some cars you might not even be able to drive.
The smaller displacements and the turbocharging as well as the direct injection are to improve fuel economy first and foremost. The reason is tightening emission regulations. At the same time, manufacturers advertise longer oil change intervals and that's a recipe for trouble.
Crypto has to go much, much higher if I'm to be able to afford my dream car, which is Rolls Royce Spectre with the electric powertrain. Extremely quiet and refined.
My next new car will likely be electric if and only if the technology matures a little more.