The long-term Ford Wildtrack review Thread

[Ricof4e]

After Manny and Chas basically begged me to start a review thread, I thought I might as well start a thread in which I will give feedback every 15k km.
Currently, the vehicle is done about 530km.

First Impressions:

1) Compared to the Nissan (a brand I will unlikely buy from again), it is well built and has a solid feel to it. The exterior looks the business, it has decent ground clearance (more than the Nissan) and the loadbin appears to be deeper than the Navara. IIRC, Ford is the only brand that sells a D/C which is fitted with a towbar as standard - and it is a decent towbar - not that shit Chas welds nor what Henri fitted. For most of my driving, the 18inch wheels will suffice (and make for a comfortable ride), but I fear if the off-road starts getting tough, the gazillion sensors in the front bumper will start to go crazy, nevermind the costs to replace it if the front bumper gets damaged.

2) The interior is a nice place to be. Dark brown leather with orange stitching, a proper (and easy to use) interface and the seats are sublime. I am a fat 191cm and I can sit with more ease in the back (than the Navara) with the driver's seat set at my preference. There are a few cheap plastic bits (as you would expect from a Ford) like the center console - its lever mechanism feels like something the Chinese would discard. One thing that pissed me off was all the safety warnings - again, I have to remind myself it's an American make and they have to cater for people with an IQ just north of a bedroom slipper. Luckily most of these irritating warnings, dings and bells can be deactivated.

3) The autobox is sublime. Forget all the kak you have been fed by those half-stroking ball head mouth breathing wankers who refer to themselves as motoring journalists. The changes are smooth (almost unnoticeable) and makes for an easy-driving experience. In D mode, it accelerates well and if you put it in S mode, it goes as quickly as Chas burning a hole in a piece of steel. The 4-pot bit-turbo is an excellent engine and mated with the 10-speed, you are always in the torque band.

4) The day after I took delivery, I had to travel to Opuwo for some work. Most of the journey I had the cruise control set at 120km/h and there were some times I had it set at 130km/h. I got 11km/l for the whole trip, which is not bad, although I expected a bit more. At one stage I flicked the gearbox into S mode and I chickened out at 190km/h (and it got there very quickly). On Wednesday I have to go to Otavi and its about a 720km round trip. I expect the fuel consumption to get better once the engine is properly run in and I get used to the autobox.

I'll report back again at 1500kms.

[BushWacker]

Did you trade your Nissan in and if so, what was the price of the WildTrack net of the trade-in ?

[Mad Manny]

Chas, are you trying to find out what he got for the Navara?

[Ricof4e]

Chas I got 310k for the Navara and 50k discount on the Ranger.

[AndreasR]

Jokes aside. Wishing you many happy miles in your new Ford. Enjoy.

[KurtG]

Here’s to hoping you make it to 15,000km on the same gearbox and turbos . Good luck

[Mad Manny]

Chas I got 310k for the Navara and 50k discount on the Ranger.

...and there we have it, the reason he went Ford - no one else could match the trade in and discount deal.

[BushWacker]

… well , sounds a sound deal to me, on the evident/envisaged purchase, running & maintenance costs…

Ricoffy will no doubt be able to dose us all
a lot of free beers in the months & years to come …

[Ricof4e]

Chas I got 310k for the Navara and 50k discount on the Ranger.

...and there we have it, the reason he went Ford - no one else could match the trade in and discount deal.

It played a big role, but it wasn't the determining factor. Nissan's service is crap and you could not find a more inept bunch of moegoes running the joint here.

While they were appraising my Navara, I chatted with the workshop manager at Nissan over a smoke. With no indication of embarrassment, he told me about how a client's Navara broke down in the dunes and how Nissan paid them R8k to go and retrieve it. He apparently knew exactly what was wrong (just a faulty sensor), took the sensor with, fitted it on their arrival and took the client's Navara on a fishing trip for a few days - at Nissan's expense.

Now why do I want those guys to service my vehicles?

So I went to Ford.

[Ricof4e]

Here’s to hoping you make it to 15,000km on the same gearbox and turbos . Good luck

The 10 speed and 4 pot milk-bottle has been on the market for almost 3 years now and it seems quite reliable.

I cannot start to explain how smooth that combo is - its a real pleasure to drive.

[Ricof4e]

… well , sounds a sound deal to me, on the evident/envisaged purchase, running & maintenance costs…

Ricoffy will no doubt be able to dose us all
a lot of free beers in the months & years to come …

Chas, when I'm down there, I'll sponsor a few beers. Hell, I'll even host a welding seminar.

[Ricof4e]

Jokes aside. Wishing you many happy miles in your new Ford. Enjoy.

Thanks Andreas.

[grips]

Geniet die Ford.

[Ricof4e]

So I made it to Otavi without losing a piston and with all the gears turning. Thank God.

Cc was set at 125kph.

It is in another league than the Nissan.

[Ricof4e]

Got safely back home. I had a slight tail wind so consumption was a bit better this round.

I am chuffed with the Ranger brand.