20 years driving- but never drove a Ford.

C.K Dexter Haven · 13-12-2012 07:54PM #1

I've been driving over 20 years- and it just struck me yesterday, I've never driven a Ford- ever!

I've been in a Ford many a time- especially as a kid- but I've never sat into the drivers seat of a Ford turned on the engine, and driven off. I've owned a number of cars but never thought of buying a Ford so never even test drove one. I've rented loads of cars also - but never a Ford.

Don't know if this is unusual or not so thought I'd throw it out there- have you been driving a number of years and have yet to drive even once, a mainstream brand like Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen , or indeed, a Ford?

corktina · 13-12-2012 08:02PM

i think ive driven pretty well everything from a dumper truck to a 7.5 tonner by way of a forklift and MANY Fords....

anthony4335 · 13-12-2012 08:16PM

Never driven a Fiat, Citroen, Mazda, nissan plenty of makes I have never driven in 19 years to driving legally. What I have driven would include Lada riva 1500 estate in beige, proton GLS, fords ,toyotas ,BMW ,Saab ,Subaru and so on. So nothing wrong with never haven driven a Ford.

veetwin · 13-12-2012 08:19PM

OP you should definately try a Ford. They are generally better than the marques you mentioned and most Fords are actually a little better than their immediate rivals - Mondeo better than Avensis/Passat/Insignia - Focus better than Golf or Auris/Corolla - Fiesta better than Polo/Corsa/Yaris (IMHO at least)

Of course don't forget the Transit which is pretty much the Daddy of vans.

On topic I don't think I've ever driven a Kia or at least if I did I've forgotton it!

CrowdedHouse · 13-12-2012 08:19PM

My OH in probably 25 years plus driving has never owned anything except a Ford !

C.K Dexter Haven · 13-12-2012 10:19PM

veetwin wrote: »

On topic I don't think I've ever driven a Kia or at least if I did I've forgotton it!

Drove a Kia Picanto on a motorway in Spain. Not for the feint hearted when overtaking

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

My OH in probably 25 years plus driving has never owned anything except a Ford !

They've just been so part of the motor industry in Ireland over the last number of decades, it genuinely surprised me that I'd never driven one.

Marcusm · 13-12-2012 10:32PM

OP

If you prefer the musical, try this one:

http://sorrentolens.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/cruise-in-04192008-017.jpg

If you prefer the (superior) non musical, try this one (he seemed to be a spokeman)

http://www.efootage.com/stock-footage/65646/Cary_Grant_Endorses_Ford/

Darwin · 13-12-2012 10:38PM

OP if you like driving, you have definitely missed out. I think it was around the introduction of the Focus around 1998 or so that they really sorted out the handling and 'fun to drive' factor of a lot of their models. My first motor was an Escort which in hindsight was bit of a thrasher, but later models such as the Puma, built on the Fiesta platform, got great reviews for its handling and sweet gearbox (and rock hard suspension which I can attest to). Other models in the range including the Mondeo received praise for its class-leading handling. I gather rivals have now caught up, but still worth taking a spin in a Focus to see what the fuss is all about.

Henry Ford III · 13-12-2012 10:51PM

You didn't miss much

1993 Escort RS Cosworth

2011 Focus RS500

C.K Dexter Haven · 13-12-2012 11:25PM

Would love to drive the mark 1 actually:D

ardmacha · 13-12-2012 11:39PM

If time machines exist or you jump off a tall building...

jomoloney · 14-12-2012 12:20AM

40 years driving,

once took a mondeo for a test drive intending purchase, haven't driven ford since

veetwin · 14-12-2012 12:23AM

jomoloney wrote: »

40 years driving,

once took a mondeo for a test drive intending purchase, haven't driven ford since

What did you buy instead?

Our man in Havana · 14-12-2012 03:04AM

I have never driven a fiat or any Italian car in my 20 years on the road. I am proud of that.

CianRyan · 14-12-2012 03:11AM

veetwin wrote: »

What did you buy instead?

A Mazda 6.

ABajaninCork · 14-12-2012 04:18AM

I LOVE Ford!! My first car was an Escort 1.3. Now drive a Fiesta.

Meanwhile, I've driven Cavaliers, Mondeo's, BMW 316 & 325, BMW 6, Mercedes CLK, Peugeot 206 (my last car) and 306, Astra's, AND a Transit, as well as an Escort van.

Not bad for a lady driver!

djimi · 14-12-2012 08:50AM

First car I ever drove was an ancient Fiesta (81 model I think it was) when I was about 9/10. I remember how bloody hard it was to steer with no power steering!

Only other Ford I have ever driven was a Ka I had as a loaner from the garage and it was comfortably the worst car I have ever driven.

keithclancy · 14-12-2012 09:40AM

C.K Dexter Haven wrote: »

Would love to drive the mark 1 actually:D

Its a quirky little car, jumpy auto box and seats without headrests. Apparently they cost a fortune as their quite popular for rallying.

I want to drive a Daf 66

Apparently its more like driving a boat than a car.

The lifelong feature of fords has been the gammy looking analog clock in the centre of the dash.

who the fug · 14-12-2012 09:52AM

ardmacha wrote: »

If time machines exist or you jump off a tall building...

That model is why I will never own a Ford, the only time it ever started on time was to go to mass on a day off school

As my Grandfather said to my father in 1950 something

FORD stands for fix or repair daily

Pegasus Galactica · 14-12-2012 11:24AM

I've only been driving for four years and my first car was a fiesta, then I bought a focus now I drive a corsa and I would go back to Ford tomorrow.

dgt · 14-12-2012 11:29AM

I've had 2 Fiestas and 2 Escorts. All grand to drive!

Was once going to buy an Escort van and in recent times opted for a TDDI Mondeo (but ended up with the 406 instead :eek:)

Mr Benevolent · 14-12-2012 11:31AM

Our man in Havana wrote: »

I have never driven a fiat or any Italian car in my 20 years on the road. I am proud of that.

You're missing out. Some of them are shite but most of them have personality. On topic, the only Ford I've driven was a 1.6 Puma. Lovely car but not in great condition.

Rasmus · 14-12-2012 11:40AM

I had a Ford Taurus a number of years ago - great car, I loved it. Never driven a Fiat and would love to try a volvo. My first car was a Chevy Corvair - awesome but a bit dangerous!

flazio · 14-12-2012 11:56AM

ardmacha wrote: »

If time machines exist or you jump off a tall building...

Not according to Mr Clarkson 1:33 onwards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGzo8X8yI5A

Let's fire up the Quattro

renofan · 14-12-2012 12:03PM

I'm trying to remember all the cars I've driven...

Citroen : - BX, AX, ZX, Xsara, Berlingo, Saxo
Fiat:- 500 Abarth, Stilo
BMW:- E30 316, 318i, M3, E36 320i, E46 318i, E90 320i, E28 520i, M5, E34 520i, 530i, 540i, E39 523i, 530i, E32 730i
Toyota:- Starlet, Celica VVTli, Hiace
Nissan:- Micra
Renault:- Clio, Megane convertable, Megavan, Laguna, Kangoo
Lotus:- Excel, Elise, Esprit
Hyundai:- Accent
Opel:- Astra, Vivaro
MINI:- One - and original mini
Mercedes:- SL, W124 Coupe
Ford:- Ka,'94 Fiesta, '06 Fiesta, '11 Fiesta, '05 Focus, '11 Focus, '06 Focus ST, Transit
VW:- Golf, Polo, LT Van
Peugeot:- 309, 205, 206
Volvo:- 440
Alfa:- 147
Rover:- 214
Saab:- 93
MG:- MGB
Audi:- A4

furtzy · 14-12-2012 12:12PM

Out of all the new cars my Dad bought (26 in total) he never had a Ford. My folks had a thing against them because my Grandad bought a new Anglia and apparently it was a disaster! My wife bought a new Fiesta back on 2006 as a second car and its been great....would defintely consider Ford again. Not for me but for a second car

Mr Benevolent · 14-12-2012 12:37PM

furtzy wrote: »

Out of all the new cars my Dad bought (26 in total) he never had a Ford. My folks had a thing against them because my Grandad bought a new Anglia and apparently it was a disaster! My wife bought a new Fiesta back on 2006 as a second car and its been great....would defintely consider Ford again. Not for me but for a second car

Yeah my dad is like that, hates Fords after buying a Cortina that gave endless trouble.

S28382 · 14-12-2012 12:53PM

My last car was a mondeo i loved that car it was a great it very rarely gave any bother.

b318isp · 14-12-2012 12:55PM

It's funny how people latch on to the legacy of a previous car. The problems that a certain car has, on its own, is not representative of all of those cars - and certainly not representative of models into the future!

Back in the 70/80's almost every car gave trouble at some stage. I remember Mini/Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen/Audi/Austin/Rover/Opel/Vauxhall/Lancia/Talbot, etc. all regularily giving trouble with carbs, points, plugs, distributors, etc. Ford did too of course. Push starting cars was a regular winter past-time. The only cars that seemed to be relatively trouble free mechanically were Mercs, BMWs and Japanese cars.

I have fond memories of driving RS2000s (MkII), RS1600 (MkII), Mk 4 Cortinas, Fiestas, Mondeos over the years. Current Ford cars are, in the main, very good cars. Our family car is a Mk3 Galaxy, and its ability is incredible given its size and weight.

Surprisingly enough, of all the big companies I've never driven an Alfa Romeo or Saab.

Sleepy · 14-12-2012 01:02PM

Just bought my first one last week: a 2003 Mk 3 Mondeo.

Funnily enough, when getting my first driving lessons back in 97 from my Dad, he had a Mk1. I always liked that car but neither of us have owned a Ford since (he traded that one in for a C5 before beating a hasty retreat to the Octavia which he's had 3 of since) and I've not been in the market for a large car since and find the interior of the Focus so ugly I completely discounted what I know to be a good car when looking for cars in the past.#

Major Brands I've never driven: Saab, Volvo, Renault, Mercedes, BMW.

Stojkovic · 14-12-2012 01:07PM

Never driven a Ford either. I wouldnt drive anything that wasnt made in the Fatherland.

20 years driving- but never drove a Ford.

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