[IwannaKuga]

On Monday this week I had to take my Focus to my Ford dealer and saw this Kuga Titanium in the showroom. Loved the look of it and decided to have a sit in the driver's seat. I had to peal myself out of it before giving the rest of it a good look over. Have been keen on this type of car for quite a while, since riding in my brother's CR-V (wife told me that if I got one of those, she would refuse to ride in it - temptation

). So, when I got back home, started by telling her that I had sat in this 4x4 Focus, called a Kuga! Since then, I have been scouring the 'net to find out all I can about it. Luckily I found this forum.

Reading all the reviews I could find (and don't they start to look identical) I noticed that several "journalists" had noticed wind noise at motorway speeds. This is something that I find very irritating (not the journalists - the wind - although....) and so wanted to find out if actual owners found this a problem. Owners on this forum don't seem to have found this at all.

However, ploughing through the technical pages of this forum, I have noticed an apparently high number of potentially serious electronic problems, such as the ESP malfunction, keyless locking, and so on. Also, there seems to have been quite a number of trim and carpet problems. Then again, I do realise that those most likely to write to a forum like this are those who have problems - the, hopefully, majority of owners would not be prompted to look on line anyway.

It looks like many of the problems with dealerships could stem from the fact that this is a new car and a highly technical one, therefore they have not had the chance to build up much experience with them - you are their guinea-pigs.

When I bought my Focus (2004 2 litre auto Ghia) that model was some 5 years old, with many on the road, so the dealers had built up a considerable knowledgebase and, of course, Ford had ironed out a lot of the early niggles.

The question is - do I want to become another guinea-pig? I would not be able to afford a new car, but a pre-owned one. Then I wonder if I would be buying a troublesome one that someone had decided to get rid of in disgust. Oh, the agony of it all. I do so want one

.

What do you think - is it safe to buy just yet?

 

[wiggers]

Hi
If you like it get, it I'v read a lot of reviews and a lot of the forum technical comments about carpets etc but dont bother me. I bought a MK2 Escort brand new (B reg ,thats showing my age) after 400 miles had to have new pistons etc

.Bought three more over the next 6 years.Go for it.

I pick up my Kuga this weekend I hope and can't wait.

 

[championkuga]

Might be worth trying to get your hands on an ex demo like I did. Hopefully you are therefore more aware of the cars history and any potential earlyniggles will have been sorted out by the dealer while they were 'running it in' as it were. Of course, the other great advantage of an ex demo is you get a top of the range Kuga with all the bells and whistles at a much cheaper price with minimal mileage.

 

[IwannaKuga]

Hi Wiggers & ChampionKuga, thanks for your thoughts on my dilemma. So many people seem to be thrilled to bits with their Kugas that I am probably being a bit silly.

 

[gareth turbo]

Hi good deals available on vehicles held as showroom stock on a 09 plate. You get whats on the vehicle - can pick up these extras - packs etc discounted from published price.

Go in to your local dealers - see what they have got in & haggle. Worth asking them to throw in the premium mats - cool kuga badges but not worth £50.

Best of luck

 

[capainkevey]

hi iwannakuga panther black app pack 2wd had mine for 4 weeks ,touch wood no probs ,im a, so happy .
dont forget iwannakuga its a forum 4 discussions ,am sure if you went on other specific forums for other vehicles you would get the same sort of pros and cons reports
regards kev

 

[championkuga]

I can understand. After your house, a car is your biggest and most expensive single purchase and you want to get it right.
I do believe in gut instinct though, it sometimes just feels right as soon as you try it and you know you don't need to test drive any more. The more you look, the more confused you can get.

I did very little research into the Kuga. I saw an ad in a magazine soon after launchand loved the looks, went to a Ford dealer to see one in the flesh, had a test drive and just knew as soon as I pulled away that I had to have one.

Perhaps I should have looked at the opposition but it had everything I wanted in a car and 6 months later I still have no regrets.



Good luck.

 

[IwannaKuga]

I know what you mean about that gut feeling. Last year was very keen on a CR-V but at the same time there was a little niggle in the back of my mind. My wife was dead against it though, so I went no further. When the Kuga was announced, my reaction was - yes, that's the one, but could not aspire to a brand new one. So, as mentioned above, I eventually sat in one at our local dealer and that sealed it - I must have one. Then I decided to look at the reviews, etc, on the internet and saw that some people have had a few teething problems, hence my posting here. It will probably be a couple of months before I take action, if I can even wait that long. After all, the money in the bank is rapidly evaporating or being "stolen" by the financial "experts".

 

[mianwo]

Only got my zetectoday but really like it so far. Did look at a crv just in case i preferred it ,certainly is roomier but the dealer could hardly be bothered to even speak to me. When i asked about the basic crv he was " oh we dont sell any of those" and deals? " we dont do deals, it devalues the brand", i had to tell him about the honda deals that were on at the time. So i thought you've had your chance, ill not bother.

 

[mianwo]

ps i guess any cars can have some teething problems, question is how well does your dealer, deal with it.

 

[BigG]

Well iwannakuga,
i had very similar thoughts as yourself with regards to problems faced by other Kuga owners but i have no regrets about ordering my Kuga whatsoever. Many other makes and models have problems and you can expect the Kuga to have it's fair share too,but as someone pointed out to me there are equally as many Kugas out there that willl not be giving trouble to anyone and many owners will be delighted.



I'm very much looking forward to picking my new car up in the next few weeks and it'swonderful knowing that this great forum is full of like minded folk who are on hand to advise should one come across any problems.



Should you get a Kuga?? Go on treat yourself, it's a no brainer!!



Good luck with what ever you decide.



Graham
Edited by: BigG

 

[IwannaKuga]

Thanks everyone, what brilliant support

With this forum, there is nearly a year's worth of advice and guidance. Someone had even posted where to download a handbook from - which of course I did. Miss Kuga is a very complicated girl, isn't she. Since time immemorial cars have neen female - after all, they can be a bit temperamental, can't they (with great respect to KugaCat and all the other lady members of course).