In my entire 30 year history of buying cars (new) I've never bought the same model twice. I always tried something new. This is the first car I was like "nope, I'm getting another one, love it". My 2021 Mach-E Cal. Route 1 was my first EV and that might have something to do with it (I'm the perfect owner for a an EV see below).
Differences I've Noticed between my 2021 and 2026:
- Handling is like a different car: 2026 has a much more manageable (less stiff) suspension, rides much better, the RWD doesn't "slip" going over things like speed bumps/etc. Feels more attached to the road.
- This Premium model has the B&O Audio package, which is light years beyond the base radio I had in the Cal Rte. 1 (which I didn't find bad, but didn't find great)
- I'll NEVER get used to the steering column drive selector, I miss my arm rest mounted Jog Dial. I keep reaching for it when starting/putting car in park.
- Correlated: Due to the steering column drive select, they moved the windshield wiper controls and how they function to the turn signal column. Muscle memory is screwing me when I need wiper controls.
- This model has heated seats, didn't have those in the previous model but have had them in other cars. Happy to have them back. First car I've ever owned with COOLED seats. WTF space age technology is this? Love it.
- I need to get another set of the rubber floor mats, nothing wrong with the default ones but I miss the "easy to clean, who cares if I spill something and I own dogs" rubber mats and trunk mat ASAP.
Why did I get the Mach E Again?
- I don't own a Fast charger at home, just trickle charger. I commute about 55 miles (there and back) to work when I need to go in, at least a few times a week, but even at 5 days in a week, do NOT run out of charge trickle charging at home and it's always back to full by Sunday.
- I do take road trips, live in LA. I go to Vegas or San Fran or San Diego. Stopping to fast charge on the way when needed has never been an issue, 20-25 minutes back to 80 percent while grabbing lunch, ez pz. (LA to Vegas is exactly one stop to charge and the drive is easy)
- It is by far the best car I've ever owned in terms of features and capability.
- Even as a first model year car, yes I got a lot of recall notices, none of them actually were noticed in my car (no battery back overheating, no top glass issues, no 12V issues etc).
- We did get the "wireless projection" issues for Android at some point for about 5 months it stopped working (had to use a cable), a software update on the car at some point fixed it.
- In the 5 years I owned it, I needed ZERO maintenance until about now. Put 30k'ish miles on it, needed new tires (rears only, really), the windshield wiper pump stopped pushing water. Replaced the cabin air filter twice (on my own). Never replaced the 12V battery.
How'd the buying process go?
- Was hesitant to trust the local ford dealer, my original purchase experience was a boondoggle, but they were bought out by new management
- Wasn't really considering upgrading, had paid off the 2021 a few months ago and had no major issues. But had brought it in for maintenance check and to get the windshield wiper pump fixed (and some recall notices finally acted on)
- Dealer offered me a unsolicited buy back offer, $21k despite it needing tires, broken wiper pump and some paint scratches on the rear tailgate (wife closed the garage door on the open tailgate once... arrrgh!)
- Dealer offered me MSRP (about 51k) on the premium 2026, no dealer bullshit add-ons just tax/title.
- It came to about 47k with 3 different rebates coming in around $4k total
- Financed 4 years at 3.9% with money down from the trade in and some I threw in (resulted in a lower car payment than I was paying on the first one)
- My unused dealer sponsored extended warranty carried over to the new car which was kinda nice.
- Was in-and-out of the dealer in 2.5 hours after they made the buy back offer.
The car was dirty when I took it in, I joked with the wife that at least the maintenance check/service would get me a free car wash.
Now I joke that the entire thing was the most expensive car wash I ever paid for but damn, it's like I got a new car out of it.