Carsguide is at it again.

[Buntz]

Coming off from the recent good news that is the Ford Territory being exposed at the Thailand motor show, it's time to dig the boots back into Ford... because this is what the sensationalist media likes. Or... they just hate Ford. Whatever. I read this in the latest Sunday times as I like to skim through to read what they've printed about Ford or Holden... for laughs.

The Ford Territory launched and it was a vehicle with flaws. Most notably the issue of the ball joints in the front suspension. Aside from this, it was a good family hauler, that drove like a car, and was popular with consumers.

Carsguide recently printed an article by Graham "smithy" Smith. And it was as created as his aforementioned nickname. Hailing the territory in the sub-title as "far from flawless". It took some digging to find it in their low brow site, as it's not laid out very well. Basically the article goes on to warn people of the world ending disaster of paying quite a fair bit to change the front ball joints after 30000k's. Any other manufacturer would have got the description as "as cost unique to this vehicle". It also goes on to describe the problems with the very fine ZF transmission. Such that you would find in early noughties era BMW, Aston, and Mercs and the like. He doesn't describe any troubles but just labels the unit "troublesome", with some kind of notoriety of such. The article ends with a terrible note declaring: "With quite serious front supension and automatic transmission issues buyers should be wary of the Territory. Approach with caution.". Basically as soon as you hand over the money for one, the front suspension will collapse, and the gearbox will explode and you're left with two tonnes of metal. But I could be overreacting. Please read it and decide for yourself:

Note the title says "it's fine points, of which you will find... none."

Graham 'Smithy' Smith reviews the Ford Territory 2005-2009: its fine points, its flaws and what to watch for when buying it.

New Ford responded to the growing demand for SUVs by producing the Territory, a high-riding wagon with the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and five or seven seats.

The Territory was shorter than the Falcon, but sat on a longer wheelbase. It was roomy inside, accommodating five in the base model, but seven with the optional third row, and there was still space left over for luggage.

The same 190 kW/383 Nm six-cylinder engine as used in the Falcon was slipped under the Territory's bonnet. There was also the option of the turbocharged version, also lifted from the Falcon, which produced a whopping 245 kW and 480 Nm.

Quite why you would want a turbo Territory is a mystery when the base engine has all the performance you could want and, while thirsty, isn't as much a fuel-guzzler as the turbo.

The rear-wheel drive version was a smart move by Ford when it would do everything most owners wanted, for less money and less complication. At the same time the AWD system was there for those who did want the safety and the offroad ability that came with all-wheel drive.

All models were well equipped with all the goodies most people expect these days. Even the TX base model had air, adjustable pedals, power windows, cloth trim, CD player and remote central locking.

The TS got you dual climate control air, cruise, rear cargo shelf, velour trim, six-stacker CS sound. At the top of the range was the Ghia with leather, powered driver's seat and a host of other goodies.

Now The Territory has been popular with families since its introduction, but it hasn't been without its flaws and they need to be recognised when thinking of buying used now. The most serious issue was the wear and failure of the front suspension balljoints. Some balljoints actually broke, even at low kays, but most wore out and required replacement at anywhere between 30,000 km and 100,000 km.

Initially Ford was using the same parts when replacing worn or broken joints, and these were just as likely to break or wear out as the ones they were replacing. Ford now has an improved balljoint and is fitting them to cars free of charge when customers ask about them.

Owners should check with their dealers and have the revised balljoints fitted. Another common problem concerns the degradation of the rear diff mounts, which can often he heard as a clunk in the rear of the vehicle when taking off or braking. The ZF six-speed transmission can also be troublesome, and very expensive to fix. Dealers tend to prefer to replace the whole gearbox rather than repair them, and the cost of doing that can run as high as $6000 or even more.

It's a good idea to get a second opinion from an auto transmission specialist in the event of trouble, as they can often repair the transmission for much less than a dealer would charge you. When test driving a Territory with the six-speed transmission make sure it shifts up and down smoothly and without hesitation.

Rust was a common complaint with early Territorys, particularly around the fuel filler cap, the rear window and under the bonnet. The engine is a tough old nail and has no serious flaws to speak of, except for fuel consumption, which is not brilliant at 12-plus L/100 km. The 4.0-litre engine will happily run on LPG should you want to cut your fuel bills.

SMITHY SAYS

With quite serious front supension and automatic transmission issues buyers should be wary of the Territory. Approach with caution

Please don't turn this thread into a wild hoorah either. I just want to discuss this "conspiracy theory" by the media.

[bigwil]

The herald suns carsguide is an absolute joke, any ford australian made will cop a bashing. Graham Smith and Paul Gover, i can just imagine the bedtime stories they tell each other everynight.

[Werd.]

Meh, I think the "Approach with caution" at the bottom was uncalled for, and I do doubt some of his claims, seems to talk up the ball joint issue, he says it like there's a 100% chance of it failing.. Realistically most don't have issues.

Would have been an okay review/buyers guide if he toned down the hate a little bit and kept it more constructive.. What alternative is there, a captiva? hah.

[Nikked]

I think it sums up the territory nicely...


You can't praise a car and hide its flaws if you are doing a buyers guide.

[mrghia]

you can if its a holden review.

[Mechan1k]

You should approach "EVERY" used car with caution. That's a given.

[pottery beige]

ive read worse written on here by so called ford fans.....

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

You should approach "EVERY" used car with caution. That's a given.

Exactly. You don't know where it's been. This article is just another attack by these bastards.

I have never heard of "troublesome" ZF transmissions in the Territory or Falcon.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

ive read worse written on here by so called ford fans.....

aint that the truth!

[Gspec ZL]

I recently wrote into cars guide concerning a poorly put together article. It was a Paul Gower article that talked about the return of the datsun brand. It breifly mentioned the return than bagged datsun for most of the article. I wrote in to point out all the very incorrect remarks he made. They edited my letter printed it and put in a laughable response. We all had a good laugh on the Datsun website (ozdat) All im saying is like the the herald sun dont pay to much attention to what they say like the herald sun do to the real world issue's.

[Gspec ZL]

Should also mention how terrible there website is!

[Nikked]

Oh yeah, Carsguide part of the NWO, conspiring us to only drive certain cars.

So when the NWO eventually rules the world through an authoritarian world government, we will all drive GM/Holden products.

[Auslandau]

In cars guide on the page before was a double page spread on the GT-E and gave it a massive wrap comparing it to BMW & of course the HSV Caprice finding the car near faultless and a better buy than those twice its price ......... did we mention this in the OP ????????

Originally Posted by pottery beige

ive read worse written on here by so called ford fans.....

Much worse ........ but have to admit when they spoke about the ZF being the downfall of the Territory I did do the double take. Yes, expensive gear box but so is every new gen box but not what I would consider a major fault.

[Fiesta_Man69]

The fact that Ford released the Territory with such major faults was inexcusable. These ball joint issues affected more than one or two cars. The fact that it took heavy print media pressure to get Ford to act says alot about the company and also explains it's current poor position in the Aus market place. I don't believe the article is too harsh: Ford only have themselves to blame, despite what those with rose coloured glasses would try and have you believe.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

In cars guide on the page before was a double page spread on the GT-E and gave it a massive wrap comparing it to BMW & of course the HSV Caprice finding the car near faultless and a better buy than those twice its price ......... did we mention this in the OP ????????

That wasn't in my Sunday Times

[Auslandau]

Was in the Herald Sun .....

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

The fact that Ford released the Territory with such major faults was inexcusable. These ball joint issues affected more than one or two cars. The fact that it took heavy print media pressure to get Ford to act says alot about the company and also explains it's current poor position in the Aus market place. I don't believe the article is too harsh: Ford only have themselves to blame, despite what those with rose coloured glasses would try and have you believe.

Was expected the ball joint issue etc to be mentioned but the ZF was a WTF moment ...... and no ....... Do Not need rose coloured glassed to know how good the Territory has been and is despite a few well known and fixable (after warranty) issues.

[Bucknaked]

No secret the territory has flaws. Lots of cars have flaws. It's guaranteed. The territory has ball joint issues. Hardly a conspiracy.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

Was in the Herald Sun .....

Was expected the ball joint issue etc to be mentioned but the ZF was a WTF moment ...... and no ....... Do Not need rose coloured glassed to know how good the Territory has been and is despite a few well known and fixable (after warranty) issues.

Exactly. Other than it's ball joint issue, and it's apparent rust issues which isn't unique to Territory either... the article is a very bashy, bogus, misleading piece of rubbish. It's carefully scripted, apart from the lack of facts on the transmission. And omits anything good to say about the car.

What really grinds my gears about it... is that it's misleading people into bias. And it doesn't begin and end with Territory... it affects the lineup by suggesting that all cars made by the company should be avoided. Especially the whole "cover up" business they're going on about.

[jpd80]

Ball joints were reversed in SYII and fixed by working in compression instead of tension.

I wouldn't expect an ordinary car buyer to know that but an experienced motor writer should
and write a more balanced piece. In the end any advertising is always better than none..

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

And omits anything good to say about the car.

.

Did you even read the article? Or did you just see "ball joints" and wrap your head in al-foil, and go post up a tirade about the great conspiracy to overthrow FoA?


It is a fair and balanced article. (well, for a simthy penned one)


Whats more damaging for Ford is the tin-hat theories that people hold on to.

It was roomy inside, accommodating five in the base model, but seven with the optional third row, and there was still space left over for luggage.


Quite why you would want a turbo Territory is a mystery when the base engine has all the performance you could want

The rear-wheel drive version was a smart move by Ford when it would do everything most owners wanted, for less money and less complication.


All models were well equipped with all the goodies most people expect these days. Even the TX base model had air, adjustable pedals, power windows, cloth trim, CD player and remote central locking.

The TS got you dual climate control air, cruise, rear cargo shelf, velour trim, six-stacker CS sound. At the top of the range was the Ghia with leather, powered driver's seat and a host of other goodies.

[1TUFFUTE]

this reeks of the ussual hate ford media group. Were not stupid and we know they add the obvious good points about the terry that anyone would know so as to not look biased...but then harp, spin, and focus on subjects not only easily rectified now, but almost notan issue considering ALL second hand cars will have some issues. No quarter given whatso ever and to doubt the proven gearbox is blatantly dissrespectful to ford and the territory. I never ever heard even half the commotion given to the holden adventure...(the most recalled car in aus history)

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Did you even read the article? Or did you just see "ball joints" and wrap your head in al-foil, and go post up a tirade about the great conspiracy to overthrow FoA?


It is a fair and balanced article. (well, for a simthy penned one)


Whats more damaging for Ford is the tin-hat theories that people hold on to.

Well he can't deny the obvious. There is space inside, it had good equipment. Anyone who inspects one will see this! The engine from the Falcon where it performs more than adequately, and praised so, can't then be inadequate in a taller car roughly two hundred kilo's heavier. And as far as the smart move of RWD. That's more the fact he know's RWD from FWD, but they would give the same credit to a FWD/AWD Captiva.

No mention at all of what the car was originally lauded for by all, which was an SUV that had car-like handling.

[cowboy]

I love the ask Smithy column, highlight of my week. Nothing else give me such a good laugh as his answers to the questions asked. I often wonder does he actually drive or does he just google the answers to all his questions. If the Territory had a Holden badge on it, then it would be the greatest SUV ever built....

[csv8]

I posted in the Territory section a few days ago..

[HUNTER8]

Wonder where these guys research their articles? Ford Forums, perhaps??

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by HUNTER8

Wonder where these guys research their articles? Ford Forums, perhaps??

true.. ......

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by HUNTER8

Wonder where these guys research their articles? Ford Forums, perhaps??

Exactly. If you were considering buying a used Territory and perused that section of this forum you would be extremely reluctant to take the plunge based on some of the horrendous experiences of owners (remembering too that this is a pro Ford site, so it's biased in favour of Ford). Ford only have themselves to blame for the cars reputation, not the media...

[HUNTER8]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

remembering too that this is a pro Ford site, so it's biased in favour of Ford

Really....when did that happen?

[TMC]

Balljoints. All SX and SY vehicles were/are subject to a free recall replacement of the said troublesome parts. Not all have had issues with them. Ford is not the only manufacturer to have had faulty ball joints either. Ford could have handled the issue better in the early days and now they have damaged the brand by delaying implementation of a recall. The mud has well and truly stuck, and will never be forgotten, although the real truth will be forgotten.

Bagging the ZF. If you bag the ZF, every other automatic on the planet must be called "a bucket of faeces ready to explode at any moment in your face" in comparison. The ZF, a German engineered, incredible gearbox, is one of the best automatics ever built. BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, and a heap of other big name manufacturers have or do use the same ZF 6spd used by Ford. There are two things that will damage the ZF. The poxy heat exchanger used by Ford can and does corrode through filling the box with coolant which is instant death for it. The other thing is 500+kW at the flywheel which tends to snap input shafts. But these are things that would do damage to any gearbox and are not related to the design of the ZF, but other things. True they are expensive to fix, but if treated correctly and serviced correctly (They're not sealed for life - don't believe that for a second) they should last for ages.

I wonder how many ZF's have failed that have nothing to do with a failed heat exchanger or enormous amounts of power and torque being pushed through them. I bet that there would be next to none at all.

As for the article, all second hand cars should be treated with caution. Who walks up to a second hand car with intent to purchase, reads an internet article on their common faults, and then buys one without checking it out?
To add, "approach with caution" as if the whole product is a ticking time bomb, at the end of the article is unfair. But that's the Holden blood flowing through his veins. Remember the VL Commode is fully sick.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

(remembering too that this is a pro Ford site, so it's biased in favour of Ford).