Jump to content

Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/27/2019 in all areas

  1. Well, I put a deposit down today for the new Aviator, Black Label Flight Theme in Flight Blue. The salesman told me they’re hoping to be in around the June timeframe. Needless to say, I’m excited!
    4 points
  2. OK, I pick up the Ranger on Tuesday morning. Here are my impressions from the Test drive / walk-around: This is the first Ranger my dealer got and I'll be the first one to purchase one. First off it was parked next to an F-150. Anyone who thinks that these two are remotely close in size needs to really take a look at the two next to each other. The Ranger looks tiny compared to the F-150. I got the SuperCrew XLT / FX4 / Sport Package with running boards in "Magnetic". The Interior: Let's get this right out of the way. It is pretty small inside. Much tighter than I was expecting. But it also made the feeling of driving a truck a bit easier without the adding expanse of a cavernous interior. Since I got the XLT, it comes with cloth seats. I was concerned that not getting leather seats would not allow for heated seats, but with the 302a package, the front seats are premium powered cloth with heat. So that's all I cared about. The seats are comfy up front, the back seats are a bit tight for adults. Don't let the pictures fool you, the Ranger is pretty small inside. Definitely smaller than my wife's Edge, which would also be considered mid-size. All the broo-haha about the interior materials feeling cheap? While things are not as nice as the Edge, it didn't seem outwardly bad at all. Some ergonomics are not great (I could not find the mirror controls because they were up on the dash behind the steering wheel instead of on the door panel like most vehicles). The Drive: It drives pretty nice while not letting you forget it is truck. To no surprise at all to me, my wife ABSOLUTELY HATED it (she does not like pickup trucks at all). She sat in back during the test drive and said it rode horribly and to never ask her to sit in it again (of course, that made me want to buy it even more). My kids LOVED it. The 10 speed transmission freaked me out a bit. It shifts a lot. And the shifts were not exactly smooth, which surprised me a bit. I'm not sure if it was because the truck is new or I'm just used to the sloppy shifts in my Focus, but it will be something I keep an eye on. The 2.3L turbo doesn't feel underpowered at all. But admittedly, when I got on it from a stoplight, it didn't feel like it was "quick" in any sense of the word. I'm guessing it is similar to the 2.3 turbo in my wife's Edge (?), but her's feel quicker in the butt dyno-meter (of course, I'm sure her's weighs less too). I'll give a more thorough review once I have picked it up and have put some miles on it. ---- Oh, I traded in my Focus. They gave me a bit more than I expected so I was happy with that. Bye bye shitty DCT!
    4 points
  3. While that's true, approximately 50% of Ford's sales in Europe are Fiesta and Focus but since the model changeovers last year, all the high series buyers have deserted Ford. It's just breath taking how quickly the market changed away from Ford's car and MPV products. I suspect that this is why Ford is in disarray, it was obviously hoping that the new Fiesta and Focus would stabilize sales and income while Ford addressed the rest of its showroom. It's underscoring that gap year Ford suffered thanks to Mr. Fields, everything is 12 months late or still coming (Escape and Puma). The biggest criticism of One Ford is that it's just too slow delivering new products, in the rest of the world, it is notorious for doing a couple of three year MCEs to get nine years or more out of product cycles, you just can't do that against good competition.
    2 points
  4. Part of it is that they are locals and a lot of sales preference goes to VW group, Peugeot ect...remember that Ford is still an outsider in Europe. Like the US, Ford has been caught in a huge shift away from cars to utilities and Ford Europe's sales are heavily skewed to Fiesta and Focus. And FYI, Ford Europe's profits helped to carry Ford NA when it was in the shitter 12 years ago
    2 points
  5. S550? I don't believe so. If anything S550 is more closely related to CD4 than S197 simply because they share wiring harnesses and the IRS in the Mustang is very similar to the rear axle in the AWD Fusion/Edge/Continental, despite the fact that until the Lincoln came along, FRAP didn't build AWD cars. Not sure if I said this before but because of the similarities between CD4 and S550, I believe that CD4 and CD6 are more closely related than we are being lead to believe by Ford. Remember at one time it was leaked that CD6 was supposed to be more modular and capable of both FWD/AWD and RWD/AWD but over the last 2 years the scope of the program changed and I think that (and I remember akirby stating this to be his opinion too) C2 is really just the FWD version of CD6 and at some point the 2 were branches off into separate platforms. I'll be curious to see how many modules, harness and chassis parts are shared among all of the C2 and CD6 vehicles in 3-5 years, especially since we recently learned that the next generation T6 is being folded into the F-150 program which tells me they are serious about more modular "architectures" as they call them.
    2 points
  6. Another thing to consider about platform consolation-the Mustang might not move to a CD6 platform per say, but might become a branch of it. I have a feeling that the next gen model will be a major refresh to allow electrification (PHEV/PHEV models), but the bones will still be S197 based like the current S550 is. Further more, suspension components, switch gear, wiring harnesses and other major end items like powertrains (engine/transmissions) will be shared with the CD6 platform. from what I understand, one of the major changes with the S550 was it shared harnesses another things with the CD4 platform, which was one of the big changes outside of the IRS being added. Its sorta like the upcoming T3 platform that is supposed to underpin everything from the Ranger/Bronco/F-series/Expedition going forward-they all won't have the same frame, but they'll share alot of major end items. With the Explorer moving to RWD configuration-it opens up sharing engines with the F-150 and other BOF trucks (with in engine compartment limitations) which helps with costs of developing engines/power trains.
    2 points
  7. https://leftlanenews.com/ford/mustang/2021-ford-mustang-hybrid-to-land-with-v8-power/ “Website AutoGuide uncovered the patent filing. It was filed by Ford in July 2017 but not published until January 2019. The filing outlines a "twin motor drive system for hybrid vehicle" made up of an internal combustion engine that spins the rear wheels, and a pair of electric motors each powering one of the front wheels via a reduction gearbox. This setup gives the Mustang all-wheel drive, a first in the nameplate's decades-long history.”
    1 point
  8. It’s a $7K difference between the two when equipped the same way(BL/BL GT), and the wheels on the GT don’t look nearly as good as those on the standard Black Label, but that’s just my opinion. The 3.0L is more than adequate in my Continental so I have little concern about it being underpowered. The Black Labels are so much nicer inside than the Reserves, again just my opinion.
    1 point
  9. Depending on how much my opinion changes on the direction of the company by the time the lease is up on my Fusion we will probably get a new Explorer for the family vehicle. Gotta be ready in case we decide we want to go for number 3.
    1 point
  10. Nothing is ideal for rear-facing car seats. Well, maybe a Flex. Congrats Anthony!
    1 point
  11. While that might be a legitimate concern for some, I would be surprised if there are too many people spending $70k+ on a car that don't have a garage/space to plug in.
    1 point
  12. I dont.. deposits are fully refundable so there is no point. My 2020 Explorer has my name listed on the computerized order and will be printed on the window sticker (just like my f350 was)... thats good enough for me. There is zero reason to put money down.
    1 point
  13. Not a bad set of countries if one considers global GDP
    1 point
  14. Good to hear some S650/NG Mustang news at last! With regards timescales, last I heard it was going to be a '23MY, anyone know if this is still the case?
    1 point
  15. Going over numbers now! I’ll share my impressions a bit later today when I get home.
    1 point
  16. I look at it as a deposit to ensure you get first chance at the vehicle when it arrives.
    1 point
  17. His desire to keep things as close to the story as he could, barring that stupid family drama part of the movie. The guy the movie is based on drove a Mark LT
    1 point
  18. It’s interesting that some dealers make you put a deposit down on an order. I have never had to do that. I can understand if it was a unusual color or configuration, but for a normal desirable vehicle it doesn’t make sense to me. They should pay you interest in your money. Nevertheless, congrats on the new pending vehicle. That is exciting.
    1 point
  19. I'm glad that Ford took the time to develop new RWD architecture the right way, how ironic that GM's RWD Alpha and Omega platforms can't sire a Utility
    1 point
  20. Oh trust me, I know. They stopped selling the LC200 in Europe a couple years ago. With diesel's starting to lose favor in Europe, selling the Explorer Hybrid alone would make sense. Lexus has been doing an exclusive hybrid lineup in Europe for years. But Everest makes more sense logistically. They already have the import channels from South Africa established. Little need to change much for EU spec since the Ranger already does that. Also, from a dealer level, service centers already know how to work on the T6.
    1 point
  21. Got this year's x-plan pin yesterday. Going to test drive a Crew Cab XLT FX4 with 302A, Sport and Trailer Tow package either tomorrow or Tuesday.
    1 point
  22. Correct. it's got nothing to do with USA, that market is highly profitable, a dead set money earner that is being improved, what about everywhere else. akirby, I agree with your estimate on replacement revenue being much better and Ranger being the perfect offset or replacement for low end F150 incentives. Again, the US market is just a massive cash cow, the rest of the world is where big changes are needed and Hackett needs to man up and own them. In Europe and ROW, there's basically $40 billion revenue that's frankly not producing any nett income, something he needs to address. There's an April event for Ford Europe, that would be perfect for Hackett to reveal his road map to salvation for Europe and global operations. Everything ROW stems from European vehicles, if they are faltering or not working, then the ROW will equally falter. Fix one and you fix the other.
    1 point
  23. I think he's alluding to the fact that for decades now, Ford has had no idea what to do with any market outside of North America and by all indications that isn't changing any time soon.
    1 point
  24. I'm pretty sure this one is Pristine White:
    1 point
  25. I hope Sintercast is paying you extra for all this advertising.
    1 point
  26. We’ve been speculating about this for at least a couple of years so I wouldn’t be surprised.
    1 point
  27. Hi U251. Balanced out essentially means the model years production schedule/scheduling is finished. If you want a new Taurus of any kind, you will need to find one which is or will be in Dealer stock. On a side note...just to avoid any confusion: Although it is a moot point here, there is no "special handling" to get a vehicle with or without a moonroof (or any other option). What is in the Order Guide is all there is as far as standard features, options and option package choices. It is as simple as can it be ordered that way or not. So if a Limited comes standard with a moonroof, you can't get it without a moonroof (random example). I had that situation when I ordered my 2018 Lincoln MKZ. I wanted the Black Label trim level, but to get the engine, options and option packages I wanted, it came packaged with the moonroof. My only choice would be to eliminate the option package that included the moonroof, or keep the option package and have a moonroof. If I recall correctly, it was the Luxury Package that forced me to have the moonroof for the other features. So I went with the Reserve trim level instead, since I could get everything I absolutely wanted, minus the moonroof. I did have to lose a few of the Black Label niceties, but got all the important features I wanted. In my case, no t being forced to have a moonroof was more important than the minor Black Label only features I lost. And Lincoln lost a Black Label sale along with the higher profit. Enough about me...let's talk about you again...LOL: So there is no "special handling" to get things which are not available in the Order Guide for a vehicle. That goes for the Taurus SHO, Taurus and all other Ford vehicles. Just do not want you or anyone else to think they can go to a Dealership and order something "special", which is not available in the Order Guide. In this case, if a Taurus SHO with the options and option package you wanted came with a moonroof, there would be no "special handling" to order one without a moonroof. Hope my explanation about "special handling" is clear and understandable. Good luck with your quest.
    1 point
  28. The sooner they separate Ford and Lincoln dealerships the better IMO. A lot of them have no idea how to sell a luxury car and have been in business so long they have no desire to learn.
    1 point
  29. Sorry but it's not that difficult to change the TV spots in a schedule. It's a matter of the agency placing the schedule to change the insertion order. The spots may be placed by different agencies depending on the distribution... national, regional, etc. It depends on the client communicating with their agency and the agency then making the changes with the cable or broadcast company. The broadcaster (Network, Cable Operator, TV Station, etc.) then makes the changes and generates the revised insertion order, etc. Then it's up to the advertiser or agency to review and verify that the changes are correct.
    1 point
  30. The order bank closed already. If you want one you have to find one on a lot. shame on the dealers for not knowing that
    1 point
  31. That just means they don't give you as big of a discount on the price. If they're only getting $300 then they're making up the other $2200 somewhere.
    1 point
  32. Best to get some word of mouth opinions from friends and family if possible. There is no way to tell if they'll be good or bad. My previous dealer (6 vehicles) was a mom and pop operation owned by one family. I had a good salesman but I was using X plan so never had to negotiate on price, but they always lowballed my trade-in. Had two bad service experiences - one where I had to contact the owner. Now he made sure it got fixed correctly but I should not have had to contact him in the first place over a simple repair. Bought the MKX from another dealership - corporate owned but not a big chain. No problems. Fair price on the trade-in (2012 Focus) and excellent service. Bought my F150 from a different smaller mom and pop Ford only place about 30 minutes away because they had the truck I wanted in stock. They gave me what I asked on my trade-in and the price of the truck was the same as all the other dealers. In and out including 2 test drives in 2 hours. Could not have been a better experience. Did not use their service department. Since we moved I haven't needed service but I'll give the local Ford dealer a chance. They have a good reputation.
    1 point
×
×
  • Create New...