Does brand loyalty play a big part when you choose your new car? Have you considered moving away from Ford?

I've had 7 Escorts and 2 Focus. I erred a couple of times going with Renault and Fiat (huge mistake). 

I'm getting on a bit, and I think nostalgia is playing a part. I used to watch Escorts flying through forests on rallies, and the RS 200 still makes me go funny inside when I think of it. I'd kill to have my RS Turbo back. 

I remember when I could do anything to an Escort.  . New struts and springs, whip off the old exhaust,  new clutch fitted in an afternoon.  Now I struggle fit a new battery. 

My current Focus is a 2015 model and does strange things, my last one had starting problems from new, and needed new clutch and dual mass flywheel at five years old (OK and 100k miles). 

Its time to look for a new car and I know I should get a Golf or a Civic or a Mazda. . but I just know I'll end up with another Focus. 

What is it about damned Ford?

I've got no loyalty whatsoever. I've owned 7 different brands of car.  My car buying is usually based on reliability perception. Mostly Japanese cars, Mazda, Suzuki. But went to the dark side and last two have been fords, and focus was surprising reliable . Can't say the same for the Mondeo. Next car will be japanese or Korean. 

I have no loyalty to a brand.  I genuinely don't understand why anyone would.

What's the best car I can afford that meets my needs.  Needs might be sensible or emotional.  It could be from any brand.  Except Audi. I'd rather take the bus. 😄

Only bought my first Focus because I couldn't afford an equivalent specced Golf.   So no, not brand loyal...  I'm a VW guy when it comes to retros or modifying or shows, but a standard Golf against a standard Focus?  They're basically the same tbh, not bothered either way.

Only chosen Ford again this time due to the Active crossover they offer and the fact I can still get a manual in them.  No equivalent crossover from VW at the moment and Toyotas are all auto.  I also needed the heated screen over the last couple of months, but that'll be unnecessary for a while by the time it's delivered lol.

1 hour ago, Guy Heaton said:

I have no loyalty to a brand.  I genuinely don't understand why anyone would.

What's the best car I can afford that meets my needs.  Needs might be sensible or emotional.  It could be from any brand.  Except Audi. I'd rather take the bus. 😄

There are brands I would avoid with experience in the motor trade. Won't mention any as that usually starts conversation about having no problems with certian brands, when my 41 yrs in the trade says different in my eyes . 

2 hours ago, iantt said:

when my 41 yrs in the trade says different in my eyes . 

Only 41 years in the trade....

Interesting.  I was expecting a lot of 'Ford rules!' And 'Wouldn't drive anything else.'

Could be an age thing (although I realise someone with 41 years in the trade isn't young!)

When I were a lad I'd say 6/10 of us had Escorts,  3/10 had Minis and the odd weirdo had a Viva or Avenger or Imp.

The arrival of Golfs and Polo's changed things i suppose. 

In my experience you get VeeDub fans, Ford fans and Mini fans, and all the rest not so popular or outspoken. 

We used to go around with our Ford caps on and Rallye Sport jackets. . . I'm waffling sorry.

 

Edited February 20, 20215 yr by J0hn
Not finished!

I suppose "loyalty" lasts as long as the product or service continues to meet expectations. Our local (independent and convenient) Ford dealer has always been pretty good, so we've tended to stick with Ford for one or other of our cars over recent years. 

Had a heck of a lot of other stuff over the years though (there's a "car history" thread on here somewhere where many of us have listed our various cars). Don't know where to go next, struggling to find a car from any manufacturer that particularly interests me at the moment and can't see that situation improving with imminent electrification.

3 hours ago, m50e30 said:

Only 41 years in the trade....

I was lying, 40 years, 8months ,2 days, 9hrs approximately. 😂😂😂😂. And I'm still learning( well, pretending to ) 

Thinking back the only brand I've had twice in a row was Vauxhall.  Went from a V6 Sri to a V6 gsi.

1 minute ago, Guy Heaton said:

Thinking back the only brand I've had twice in a row was Vauxhall.  Went from a V6 Sri to a V6 gsi.

I had a run on Vauxhall's too, 5 I seem to remember. 3 Astra's 2 cavaliers . None gave me any issues as such.didnt keep them long enough to have chance to rot. 

I've had 3 vec b V6s.  The last was a cdx I got dirt cheap but really well equipped for the day.

Had several v6s, Alfa and VX but never a Ford.  Had a chance to buy an ST24 and wish I had taken it.