Info ON WQ Issues / Parts Prices

[Professor Farnsworth]

Howdy little car friends,

I'm seriously considering putting the EL V8 out to pasture (in the garage, only used for trips etc) instead of running it into the ground for daily duty.

I'm looking at getting into a WQ, preferably a Zetec but any will suffice. I've read some stories of the water pumps being dodgy, but some say this was rectified with WQ? We owned a WP Zetec from new back in 2006 and it was a great little car, apart from doing the clutch before 1000km, and sounding a bit like a diesel when idling, and the passenger seat sucking for anything more than a 10 minute trip. It rode pretty hard.

Questions:

1.) What's different about the WQ over the WP? Other than headlights/tail lights, bumper & reflectors, wheels, centre console, cluster. Anything mechanically?

2.) Does the WQ Zetec HAVE to run on premium?

3.) If done at a local mechanic, what are average prices for things like pads, rotors, starter motors, alternators, batteries, clutches etc. I've heard you HAVE to use a special type of battery? Also minor servicing costs?

4.) What's the engine life like with high km?

Also heard of the manuals slipping out of gear (second) down hills??

Any info welcomed!

cheers.