Buying high mileage 2010?

[John Saint]

Hey guys, I'm looking at replacing my Ranger (starting to become a money pit) and might be able to get a near straight-over trade for a 2010 TC, problem is it's got around 111k miles on it and I'm a little concerned about the lifetime expectancy. Any high mile owners out there with anything good to say? The bodywork looks great on it.

[mrtn]

The body is solid and pretty much fully rust proof. Mine's 9 years old, done 170,000 miles in the rust belt and has a few paint defects. The metal is galvanized so the bare spots turn white instead of brown. The underbelly has just some surface rust in a couple of spots, much less than expected from a car of this age in this climate.

Can't comment on the American drive train as mine's diesel manual (still tight, doesn't burn any oil), had a fuel pump rebuild 2 years ago and the gearbox started making noise this year, replaced it with a Focus box from a scrapyard.

[Willie]

My answer would be that it depends on how you plan to use it. If you plan only light loads, short trips, and are willing to baby it, I'd give it a try. On the other hand. if you will need it for heavy labor, or will be demanding high performance, I wouldn't take the chance. Thats just my guess, though.

[BSUPC]

I have two 2012 Connects. One has 120k and the other has 190k miles on them. The 190k one has only had to have 2 wheel bearings replaced so far and the 120k has had no work done to it so far. Both are used in the transportation field and carry the max weight 90% of the runs. It all boils down to how it is driven and how well the maint. is kept up on it. But from what I have seen from my two, these things are pretty good at holding together minus the wimpy wheel bearings that Ford chose to use.

[103west43rd]

BSUPC, thanks for replying to John.

[Wingerr]

Funny but I was just looking at those two, a Ranger and 2010 Transit Connect with nearly 110k mi, and wondering just what might be typical lifespan before major work would be expected.

There's a listing for 2012 TC's with 200 to 250k miles (that's miles, not kilometers) by a taxi company, being sold as is but purportedly running, for $2100. Didn't think they'd go that long, but I guess running as a taxi and running almost around the clock is how it'd be possible. Is there a mileage figure considered end-of-life for these, or is it more determined by how it was driven, and luck of the draw? If they're running I'd consider one as a disposable vehicle to get an idea just how useful they'd be.

[BSUPC]

Both of my 2012's are still going with the same work done to them as posted earlier. They are now at 154k and 230k. Not sure if we have been lucky, but so far so good on these two. I am a expedited bulk delivery driver for the New York Times here in North Carolina. These vans are on the road 6 days a week with highway and city miles each trip. I think the main thing is maint. I know it may be over kill, but each Saturday is maint. day for these 2. I check everything from top to bottom just to make sure each Sat., and change the oil every 5k miles. But I also have a little workshop in the back yard with a lift, so this is a little easier to do for me. But from what I have seen so far from mine, these are some tuff little vans.