Found one I can afford

[Greg S]

Re: Found one I can afford

The only possible reason for passing on an 02 is the fact that there is no COPS warranty. That is easily overcome with a Ford ESP plan under which they are covered. I wouldn't own any retro of any year without the ESP. So for me, it's not an issue. Not considering an 02 means you are passing up a lot of good cars. Have not heard from any 02 owners that say they wish they had an 03 to 05 instead.

[Gobird]

Re: Found one I can afford

As Paul said, nothing wrong with an 02. As for cops, mine has 83,000 and never a cop problem. I am replacing my cops and plugs this winter because of a very long road trip we are going on next year. I'm doing it myself and the parts will run right around $700.00. It was said years back among some of us that the 02 build quality was better then future models because Ford took their time with the 02's so they would impress the buying public.

[DogFather]

Re: Found one I can afford

I'm putting all of this info together in my head:

Spence says we can do-it-ourselves for $700

The warranty guy at the Ford dealership wanted a minimum of $1375 to cover me for 24 months, but he really wanted me to spend close to $2800. I don't remember if he was offering ESP or some other plan.

I was at my cash limit so I declined. When I started looking at the idea of a roadster, the price range was always $23K and up. This was a "someday" idea until they cut the price of my bird by over $3,000. Then it became a "today" possibility, so I moved on it.

I think I made the right move.

[Gobird]

Re: Found one I can afford

Pete, I was quoited that parts price from my dealer this past month. The Ford plugs were around $8.00 each and the cops were about $79.00 each.

[Greg S]

Re: Found one I can afford

Pete, I got my '02 covered last year through Lou for 5 yrs, 60,000 miles for $1,600. I know I made the right deal.

[DogFather]

Re: Found one I can afford

Pete, I was quoited that parts price from my dealer this past month. The Ford plugs were around $8.00 each and the cops were about $79.00 each.

I think I can live with that, Spence. I have half the miles you do. If I can go another 20K without a problem, I'll be happy. Even if I don't make it that far, I'm kinda weird in that I would probably enjoy tackling the COPs problem. I don't think I'd even mind doing that gasket replacement I saw somewhere.

[DogFather]

Re: Found one I can afford

Pete, I got my '02 covered last year through Lou for 5 yrs, 60,000 miles for $1,600. I know I made the right deal.

That's a better deal than anything I was offered, and I think I drew out the best offers they had. You did make a good move there.

[Gobird]

Re: Found one I can afford

Pete, You may be able to get the parts cheaper elsewhere but I'm going with all Ford parts. I have a very good Ford dealer down here and you may have to call different dealers for that price but my dealer treats people right.

[DogFather]

Re: Found one I can afford

Pete, You may be able to get the parts cheaper elsewhere but I'm going with all Ford parts. I have a very good Ford dealer down here and you may have to call different dealers for that price but my dealer treats people right.

I've been reading older threads and see prices from $46 and up not including the plug. There's a Ford parts depot about 20 miles away. They've been good to me in the past.

[Gobird]

Re: Found one I can afford

Sounds like your good to go.

[mickey1201]

Re: Found one I can afford

As others have said run. you most likely could not put a Ford extended warranty on it. I would get at least an 03 for the COP warranty. Keep hunting.

[ChromeDome]

Re: Found one I can afford

The 10 year cop warranty has been reached or is very near for the owners of the early 2003 cars. My dealer told me that the cop warranty is 10 years from the "In service date" or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

[MATBird]

Re: Found one I can afford

The 10 year cop warranty has been reached or is very near for the owners of the early 2003 cars. My dealer told me that the cop warranty is 10 years from the "In service date" or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Is that the same as what is written by Ford:

"2003 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES
This program extends the warranty coverage of the ignition coils and engine valve cover gaskets to 10 years of service from the warranty start date of the vehicle or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. For vehicles that have accumulated more than 100,000 miles, coverage was extended until December 31, 2007. Coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners"

Yeah, I guess the warranty start date is the date in service. Just trying to clarify for others.

[jssantoro]

Re: Found one I can afford

The 10 year cop warranty has been reached or is very near for the owners of the early 2003 cars. My dealer told me that the cop warranty is 10 years from the "In service date" or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

There are a lot worse things than COPS going bad. I bought a set of Ford COPS from Rock Auto for around $350, buy set of valve cover gaskets just in case, you can always return them. Spend a few hours and put them in and your good for a long time. 105K on mine and the only thing I ever replaced non-mainthenace was the radio.
Regards,
Jim
2002 Blue

[justjon]

Re: Found one I can afford

I can't be the only one who thinks that the 2002 wheels are the best looking of them all, chrome big spoke variety. If I get a newer one I'm keeping these wheels. I passed on a 03 Merlot because of ugly aftermarket wheels.