I Need Your Advice before Buying Ford Kuga 2015

Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 20:36
Last edited 30/10/2022 - 12:30 by 1 other user

Hello everyone.

We were looking for a used car that is similar size to the Kuga. My wife's friend's husband lol buys/sells cars privately for a living ( no dealership licence). He told us he got a 2015 Ford Kuga that has 43k on the odometer. Car is in great condition ( I took it for a drive today). He said nothing is wrong with it and he is only selling it for $10,000 because our wives are friends ( I checked the price on some websites, $10,000 is way less that listed cars).

Now, throughout my life I was scammed 3 times when buying used cars ( 3 different sellers in 3 different countries haha). The seller said the only issue with Kuga is that there is an issue that could happen when the car is driven around 120,000km ( something with the transmission).

I only need the car for the 3-4 years then I am leaving Australia for good :(

Seller said I can take it for a mechanic for inspection if I wanted. I have not dealt with any mechanics here before (well, once where I was scammed/overcharged) other than that it's just the usual car service/oil change.

Prices for car inspection (Reservoir, Melbourne) is around $200-$300 which is a lot to me, but again it's worth it since I'm buying a $10,000 car.

Since I have never seen a Kuga on Melbourne roads before, the transmission thing and the fact that I was idiot 3 times before (4 if we count the mechanic), making me nervous/hesitant about purchasing this car.

What do you guys think?

*If I am taking it to a mechanic for inspection is $200-$300 reasonable? What should I expect in the inspection, is it like the road worthy but more details?

Anyways, better to ask you now than later :D

Thank you.

Automotive Car Ford SUV

Comments

  • Hybroid on 29/10/2022 - 20:40
    +5

    Get a pre-purchase inspection. Cars purchased off private sellers have no guarantees.

    They should use OBD scanner to find any fault codes, inspect for previous damage, repairs, history report, interior functions and further road tests that safety inspections don't really do.

    https://www.mynrma.com.au/cars-and-driving/car-servicing/mob…

    • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:24

      Thanks for the mynrma suggestion, there is a free 1 year subscription offer at the moment too, I might take advantage of that. Cheers.

  • Muzeeb on 29/10/2022 - 21:10
    +2

    My guess is that your wife's friends husband picked it up cheap because there is something with it.

    There are no bargains in today's market.

    It was probably purchased cheap at an auction. Cars only go to auction today when no one else wants them (ie. dealers and wholesalers). The reason they don't want them is because they have issues.

    That being the case (which I could be very much wrong) I would definitely get a pre purchase inspection.

    Have you performed a PPSR?

    Is it the petrol or diesel variant? BTW if petrol I think it's minimum 95RON

    • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:26

      That is what I am thinking, he said he is only making 'very little profit' but I'm still not convinced. It's petrol, what is 95ron?

      Thanks

      • Muzeeb on 29/10/2022 - 21:29
        +2

        Regular unleaded is 91RON. Premium fuel is either 85 or 98RON. It will cost a few dollars more to fill up with fuel.

        • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:33

          Aaah I see! Well that's another reason why we should steer away.

          Thanks Muzeeb.

          • Muzeeb on 29/10/2022 - 21:38

            @Wazzza: No problems.

            I had fat fingers above….

            85 should read as 95

      • pegaxs on 29/10/2022 - 21:39
        +1

        what is 95ron?

        A trigger word for this community… :D

  • hentabara on 29/10/2022 - 21:11
    +2

    Buy toyota/mazda/kia/hyundai/honda instead

    • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:27

      Prices of those brands are way more expensive :'(

  • Marioedd on 29/10/2022 - 21:14
    +1

    Dont bother with a Ford Kuga, transmission change for them is close to what you will be paying.

    • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:28

      Yeah it is really worrying me. The car will be for my wife and she is very excited about it, she says, we gonna use it for a couple years only, it will be fine :D

      Think she will regret it when we get the fix bill.

      Anyways, thank you.

      • Hackney on 30/10/2022 - 06:59

        Run!!

  • bathuu on 29/10/2022 - 21:18
    +2

    Sounds a bit suss, I would not buy it, specially if there is a connection between the buyer and seller (wife->friend->husband) when things go wrong that relationship is gonna be a bit difficult. In this case he maybe trying offload his car using this relationship to you. Better buy from stranger and get pre-inspection done before purchase. And stick with japanese/Korean brands if you can if you want less headache down the road.

    • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:29

      I totally agree with you. One thing about me writing this post is that I can show my wife's your replies so she can think again.

      Appreciate your input.

  • SF3 on 29/10/2022 - 21:20
    +1

    I was idiot 3 times before

    fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

    Fool me thrice, 🤦‍♂️ .

    • Euphemistic on 29/10/2022 - 21:25

      Fool me thrice, that was nice. ???

    • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:31

      Hahaha

      I know nothing about cars and I was dumb I used to easily trust people. Learnt my lesson the hard way,and I wish it was only the cars.

  • Euphemistic on 29/10/2022 - 21:27
    +4

    Trust your instinct. Ask your wife’s friend’s husband’s uncle’s dog walker’s vet to find another car that’s more common.

    • Wazzza on 29/10/2022 - 21:31

      Hahaha

      Yeah makes sense. Thank you

  • Caped Baldy on 29/10/2022 - 21:34
    +1

    Get a ppsr report. Sounds dodgy. I wouldn't touch a ford, didn't they have dodgy gearboxes.

  • barge-in hunter on 29/10/2022 - 21:53
    +3

    Ford transmissions have been terrible over the last decade - across almost the whole range.

    Kuga/Focus/eco sport/ranger/Mondeo… as much as you’re being told “it should be fine until 120kms” that’s definitely not guaranteed. The money you think you’re saving now may as well be put in an account named “transmission insurance”

  • cashless on 29/10/2022 - 23:48
    +1

    your advice before buying Ford Kuga

    Don’t

    They’re crap

  • Hackney on 30/10/2022 - 06:59

    Stay away from it! I had one for a very short period, great engine (2 litre Ecoboost) but that is we’re the relationship ended! Run!!

  • Overclocked91 on 30/10/2022 - 09:14
    +1

    Don't do it. Rubbish. The listing price may be higher than that but they take months to sell and the selling price ends up closer to what you're thinking of paying anyway. You're better off buying an older CX5 for around that money with higher km. Also, buying from a registered dealer second hand you have at least a small amount of pull if you drive away and it blows up a day later.

  • Gunnar on 30/10/2022 - 10:32
    +1

    There’s a thing I have when you’re buying second hand anything - you’re buying the seller as much as you are buying what they are selling you

    Do you trust the guy? If the answer is no, just walk away from the car now.

    If you trust the guy Do your homework and at a minimum get a REVS check and a mechanic to look over it.

    Did he tell you why he got it so cheap to start with?

    I have a friend who does this as a side hobby (ie buys cars at auction, usually pickles) then sells them. His purchase price is quite cheap. Generally because the cars he’s bought have been repairable write offs (ie insurance considers the car to be cheaper to pay out than to fix)

    It’s in part hobby because he loves it and I’m part as a side hustle but he doesn’t make much money. He keeps the cars for a while and there’s only ever been one that’s failed on him.

    I say this because it’s plausible that he can get the car quite cheap. Just be warned though if the car has been a repairable write off it’s value will take a hit come Tim to sell it

  • Cam imbesi on 30/10/2022 - 15:48
    +1

    Kuga's are known for transmission issues. Kuga aka Kaka

  • rad1235 on 30/10/2022 - 20:41
    +1

    Hi Wazzza,

    I had a 2015 Ford Kuga, top version with AWD or 4wd, petrol.

    Been driving great until transmission broken after 110000km.

    $3800 for a 2nd hand transmission replacement then sold for 6k.

    A great vehicle for driving but I suggest you dont buy. Or dont buy any vehicle with Powershift transmission.

    Good luck

    • Wazzza on 30/10/2022 - 22:48
      +1

      Hi Rad,

      Thank you for your advice specially that you own the same car!

  • Wazzza on 30/10/2022 - 22:49
    +4

    I would like to thank everyone who commented and helped us make the decision. We decided not to buy it. Hopefully we find a good alternative.

    Again, thank you all!

    • Hackney on 31/10/2022 - 06:20
      -1

      Common sense has prevailed!

  • lovetodiscuss on 31/10/2022 - 20:04
    -1

    I think buying a brand new car in this case will ease all concerns… :)

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