LONGTERMERS #1, Update 1: Ford Telstar GC6W 2.0i4 DOHC 16v

LONGTERMERS #1, Update 1: Ford Telstar GC6W 2.0i4 DOHC 16v.




INTRO: The Ford Telstar is the TWIN Brother of Mazda 626 V6. It’s produced in Malaysia from April 1992 to Early 2001 in CKD form. The Telstar is a “Japanese car”, Made in Australia and assembled in Malaysia. In Malaysia, The Telstar came in either 147hpV6 Quad-cam 24v or 130hp 4 cylinder DOHC 16v. My car’s the latter. Without further ado, here’s some information about my car.

Year of manufactured: 1998 (registered January 1999)
Purchase price: RM42,000 (Aug 2005)
Current value: RM19,000 (As at June 2008)
Depreciation per year (averaged): RM7,667 (will explain later whether this is good or bad)

Mileage when bought: 97,000km.
Mileage now: 134,700km.

Average mileage per year: 12566km. Ie. 1,000km +/- monthly.
Fuel consumption: (Before price increase: RM100 full tank (RM1.92/L) => 360km mixed driving = RM0.28/km or 6.2km/litre. (Best: 440km and Worst: 290km).. After price increase: DON’T bother to ask. Why so high consumption? Will explain later.


Extras (Non-stock items):
I) 17” LENSO NX-01 polished rims and Bridgestone MY-01 215/45R17 tyres (see picture above).
II) Pioneer DEH-4750MP. MP3/WMA/CD/CDR head unit
III) Reverse sensor (rear)
IV) That’s about it.

If you are following my blog from the beginning, I posted a blog entry on my Telstar’s owner report back in 26 August 2006. Two years have since passed since my update. I’m here to announce a “LONG TERM TEST REVIEW” which will be updated every month. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, I update what I did over the last 4 months (1 quarter):

NOTE: I officially inherited the Telstar from my dad effective this month as my dad bought a NEW HONDA Civic 2.0IVTEC (See "Longtermers #2). My dad did not do a good job maintaining the car. As a result it broke down 2 days ago (why? Read on).

April 2008: Replaced Strut mount (cracked).

May 2008:
Changed the Rear absorbers: Kayaba OEM Mazda 626 V6

June 2008: Changed rear tyres: RM300 apiece. Bridgestone MY01 215/45R17.

July 2008: Car broke down on 26/07/2008. Towed to workshop by AAM. Spent RM260 repairing the car. 1) ENGINE OIL dried up (last oil change Sept 2007). 2) Spark plugs KO’ed. 3) Air filter too dirty (last change 2006).

Did oil change (mineral 15W/40 oil), Fuel filter, Air filter, Flush Auto transmission oil, changed to NGK Spark plugs.

Why engine oil dried up?
The mechanic told me that the car “Eat engine oil”. It’s caused by the worn off Piston ring. It means it needs top overhaul. I told my dad this story he immediately said “Let’s sell off this car”. When will I sell off the car? In few months time.

Engine, Dimensions and other technical information, see my 1st Telstar blog entry in August 26 2006.

Well, there’s a saying a picture’s worth thousand words. I now present the pictures of the car. One picture of the rear. The rest, the interior of the car.



Picture above, the Digital Climate control Air cond with Heater and Oscillating air vents (Useful features BUT only available in very few cars).


Above: The Original comfortable “Semi-bucket front seats. Bottom: The rear seats and its legroom.



The user friendly dashboard with integrated push up ashtray and 2 cupholders (below the CD Player). Note: My Pioneer DEH4750MP headunit.

END OF LONGTERMERS #1 Series/Volume/Update 1. Thanks for reading...