By KBC Associate 
A man is being open and honest about his buyer’s remorse two years after purchasing a 2023 Ford Explorer. The internet is predictably divided on the subject.
“This is my two-year review of my $70,000 mistake here,” TikTok user @silverbackgreybeard said to start the video, which he posted on Sunday. “Purchasing this vehicle in 2023 just because I needed a vehicle, and walking in and letting them play with the numbers for me.”
The on-screen text reads, “My $70,000 first new car in my 40s.”
Whether you’ve fallen on financial hard times or simply made poor decisions, bad credit can severely restrict your ability to finance a vehicle. Car buyers in this situation will generally pay higher interest rates over a longer loan period to overcome this challenge.
That’s how a 2023 Ford Explorer that starts out at approximately $40,000 can quickly turn into a $70,000 car note. To make matters worse, @silverbackgreybeard is already noticing several problems with the SUV in the short time he’s owned it.
What’s Wrong?
“Since the two-year warranty is up, I started doing all the maintenance myself,” he said. “One thing I noticed right off the bat was that my cabin air filter was filthy. They hadn’t changed it in the two years we’ve had it.”
The clip then cuts to him pointing to the trim on the rear bumper. “Right here, it’s already starting to change color. It’s making me angry,” he said.
And, finally, he noted, “Several pieces of chipped paint within the first 5,000 miles. And I brought it up, and they told me the paint was not under warranty. They also told me that by Ford specs, they were allowed to have these all over the car.”
Commenters Slam the Driver
In the comments section of the video, plenty of viewers offered their own opinions on his story. Not all of them are positive.
“Brave of you to put yourself out there on this one, geez,” wrote one person. “Rough comments. #Karma.”
“Any man paying $70,000 for a Ford Explorer should not be giving ANYONE advice on ANYTHING,” wrote a second person.
“Rock chips are not covered under any manufacturer warranty,” wrote someone else.
According to ConsumerAffairs, this user is mostly correct. Warranties are generally intended to help you with mechanical or electrical issues or manufacturing defects. If a paint chip happened as a result of regular road wear, the warranty will likely not cover it. If the paint peels due to a manufacturer’s error, the warranty may cover the cost of repair.
Of course, it’s important to check the warranties on your vehicle to make sure. A factory warranty may cover certain paint defects caused by other repairs. An extended warranty may also cover certain paint-related damages. It’s always important to read the fine print before you sign any contracts.
Motor1 contacted @silverbackgreybeard via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We’ve also reached out to Ford via email for comment. We’ll let you know if either party gets back to us.