Hey Scotty,
I have a 2019 Ford EcoSport SE, FWD, 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine. The lease is up next year. However, I'm thinking of purchasing the vehicle since I like it very much. Ford says it can last up to seven years and "100,000 miles before developing serious problems that will need expensive repairs." Does it make economic sense to buy the vehicle? For the past 2 years, I only have over 2,000 miles on it. What is your opinion on the Ford EcoSport?
Wow, Ford told you it’ll only go 100k mi before major repairs? A modern vehicle should be able go 300k mi with regular maintenance. I’d be out of that thing the next day. Those small turbo/GDI motors are not built well. If you’re going to average around 9-10k mi a yr with it it might do you well. Personally I’d get out of that thing and get out of small, GDI turbo motors. Realize Ford doesn’t want to mess with cars. Their focus is on perfecting the pick up truck. (Which they still need to work on a little bit). If you want a small econo car the Japanese have perfected those because that is their focus. America doesn’t build cars very well. America is a SUV/ pickup market. We want the baddest, most computerized and fastest. while trying to save on fuel? Type of vehicles.
What a pile of junk those EcoBoost engines are. Tiny little engines with direct injection some with cylinder deactivation. Ford is so shameless to say the car will last 100k miles. It's almost as if its a good thing. 100k miles is NOT good lifespan in the modern world. Cars that fall apart before 100k miles are those with lowered quality, (i.e. Ford, GM, Nissan, Fiat, Hyundai...) and cars like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Subaru... they strive to make better quality cars. Resale value is also horrible. You did the right thing by leasing, do NOT buy it if you value your wallet. If you like burning money wasting your time and living at the Ford dealership, by all means go ahead and buy it.
Does it make sense to buy it?
No, not in any way.
Lease another if you really absolutely have to, but don't buy it. I'd be out of it and running away. Do you really believe the dealer? But hey, you do want you want to do.
No, don't buy that thing. Very likely that it's going to start falling apart shortly after the lease is up.
Since you put only 1,000 miles a year on it, I don’t see a problem buying it. However, why buy it if you are not going to drive it? I am not a fan of that engine - small displacement engine under strain and if you start driving a lot it will wear out.
If it were me, I would only lease that vehicle or move into a different vehicle. I think you can do better than that vehicle.
