ANTAUS

Technically sophisticated isn't something that GM is synonymous with, considering their obsession with OHV engines. Considering the last comparo's between the Mustang/Camaro, the rags usually pointed out that GM made old-technology tick...and Mustangs usually won considering their were the "secreteriats" car and was more advanced and comfortable overall.

There's a few things to look at that I've taken into consideration. The vehicle is a cash-cow, it would be stupid of Ford to totally dump it, but if the majority of going to fleet, how profittable can it really be overall? Those that really care, will probably be the fleet/cop/taxi. And out of those buyers, I'm sure the vast would be easily diswayed if GM waived a $5K rebate check on a Malibu as a replacement. The Panther Mafia maybe it's only cheerleading force behind it. Their Panthers have been for the most part very dependable and such loyalty is to be appreciated. But the vehicles are sssooo dependable, that really? How often do they replace them?... Every 6-10 years? Thats not enough. As a whole, and as what the industry sees it is really a black eye for the Ford brand overall. Mainly in a techinical aspect, moreso emphansized by the fact the the vehicle has traditional porportions that cater to a much older demographics who's next ride might not be a Panther, rather a hearse. The Panthers only truely fault has been as to where, or how Ford has managed the vehicle. Little investment for revisions, for a cash cow, whos buying public is mainly dying or looking at more modern alternatives. So where is Ford taking the vehicle? Personally, Ford is focusing much more on perception and "what people think", and rather than spending millions on revising the vehicle to meet future federal mandate for gas tank requirements, it'll probably just wither to exclusive fleet sales. Most importantly, this will be the time that Ford will have to introduce a viable alternative, say the Interceptor concept. That vehicle will need 1-2 years to prove itself in the marketplace, not so much for consumers, but for fleet buyers as well. And we might see a full integration where the Interceptor will pick up, where the CV left off. What we'll have to sit back and watch is, will Ford invest on taking the Panther, to the Interceptor level of design and innovations, or will Ford let a global RWD take over and invest on that moreso? I personally think the latter.

Careful with some of those commercials, and read the fine-print. I can make any vehicle be the best selling vehicle, just takes words... "The Commander is the best selling vehicle in the tri-state area, that have the color Bowling Green, with black interior" (then find out no one really offers that color cept them).... lol

I have seen an '05 Accord, hit the side of an '04 Explorer...it happened to a friend of mine. The Accord was traveling at 65 MPH when the driver failed to stop at a red light, and Yes the Accord driver died instantly. At the speed of impact, the Accord hit the firewall (considering the Explorer is still moving), made it's hardest impact on the B-pillar, and the crashing stopped at the rear driver fendr. The Explorer did end up being pushed (specifically the tail end) where it looped around and both cars were face to face. My friend in the Explorer suffered no real injury, cept the airbag detonation smoke on her face. Damage wise, the side frame rails took the majority of the hit. The driver door could be opened if you pulled it hard enough, but she just exited on the passenger door. While the Explorer does have lower frontal beam so it doesn't overide the vehicle it hits in front of it, it doesn't have it on the side other than just the frame itself. Therefore, regular vehicles are hitting the frame rails, moreso than B-pillars. Actually the B-pillar was only detented towards the bottom where it met with the lower frame, it was perfectyly fine from the window to the roof. From what the investigators pointed out, the Accord collapsed and wedged itself under the Explorer, which is what caused the Explorer to twirl it's tail around. Again, this was 65MPH.

That's commendable in this day and age...best to sink money into a property that will appreciate, rather a car that depreciates. Unfortunately we are a consumer driven society, so we are in the beginning of a major foreclosure/repo period. Ironically my neighbor tells me the other day "I'm not here to compete with the Jone's" So I asked her "So your competing with Sanford and Sons? I mean, just because house paint has a 20 year warranty, doesn't mean you gotta test it out". So being an architect, I'm hoping your building something "purdy"

Well all predicted this over a year ago when the Commander debuted. This should be of no surprise. Next up, the Aspen...

Whats' with the perception that the 2.3L is old and antiquated. It's really not that old, and it's just as modern as the competitors I-4 engines. This same engine in the turbocharged version just received an award from Wards 10 Best Engines. This Mazda designed engine is used worldwide is was part of Ford's plans to consolidate engine families. If anything, THAT family just begun not to long ago. While there's the direct-injection turbocharged version, a larger variation of this engine is under works, 2.5L I believe.

LINK-Detroit News

That is true LOL The 3-bar grill works best on vehicles that actually have the frontal area to pull it off on. IN the Focus, it wouldn't have worked, not much space from the top of the hood to the bumper. On the 500 it looks squeezed and bastardized and should have been taken into the lower bumper area, so it wouldn't look tacked on as it does. On the Edge it works well too. This F-150 looks great, but again as mentioned previously, the magazine illustrators are better designers than the actual car companies stylists.

I'm not quite clear why so many people whine that the production and concept Zephyr differ so much. Other than the chin-spoiler/l;ower fascia not getting the brightwork, and the rear decklid tail-lights are bigger and designed differently, everything else is the same Granted, your getting a sleaker greenhouse with the higher belt-line, much larger wheels in every concept, other than that, the above pictures show how similar they really were/are.

WelL i ment collectively, not on all vehicles, to be specific, the Aerostar, Probe, Aspire where the ones that needed standard dual airbags, and maybe 1998 was the federal mandate year then. I had a 98 Mark8, those were killed of that year because of what Ford said was an expensive platform (which that we know is true), but supposedly the Probe had my guess over 60+ unit sales a year when it died, and the Tbird/Cg/M8 collectively probably had over 200K sales. Their excuse was they weren't making much money. My question now is, "And you will out of 30K units of the MKZ"?

Actually the cars had the "floating oval" grill opening, with the emblem in the center. While the trucks had a chrome ovalular surround. Also, Aspire, Aerostar, Probe, Tbird were canned in 1997 because federal mandate required standard dual airbags, so Ford canceled them instead of retrofitting those vehicles. The Bronco was killed wwaaayyy before that.. And I believe it was 98-99 was when Ford was to surpass GM.

LINK-Wardsauto.com

LINK-Detroit News

Well there was the Explorer grill option, or the Edge grill option... I think the later works better for it. If it would ahve gotten the Explorer's grill treatment, it would have been rediculed for "trying" to be an SUV...

Thing is, would Ford be willing to make such an investment to appease 200K current owners? Sure 200K "possible" buyers the first year, then what? 10-40K the next year? I mean,if they could badge engineer Lincolns, thats fine, but realitically, our Lincolns are either too big, or have too large of an engine to make it workable for their market.

I too find them rediculous and un-interesting. If anything, of Buicks, because they tend to be doing that as well.

LINK-TCC.com

Update: Like if things couldn't get worse for my friend, last night she called to laugh and tell me her husband just crashed the XC90. Supposedly someone cut him off and couldn't react quick enough. So the insurance will probably hit the $1000 a month mark after this one. I think he's a candidate for A.D.D. medication...this is his 5th accident.

What tipped her off was when she received the cellphone bill, there were many calls for a specific number. Then when she checked his phone for text messages (she herself would send him a few a day), she would constantly see that ALL messages were deleted. Usually, thats not something you delete on a constant basis. Yes he was actually. She already placed a tracking device on his vehicle, it's just while she was at work, she needed for me to follow him to certain addresses, and in the process, BUSTED kissing the afairee right outside her condo. Whats sad though, is being at work (in her case) and suddenly getting a text message on the cellphone with a pictrure of your mate, cheating on you. But she hasn't comfronted him yet. She's switching some accounting around, closing a bunch of shared credit cards, and under-going the process with a lawyer before she mentions anything. There's just some people that aren't ment to marry, so stay single, don't put someone else through this mental rollercoaster I say.

You dont need a floating bumper. I've been bumped a few times when I had a 97 Tbird, 99 Mustang, and 03 LS and I never received any damage. And only on one of those the person had substantial damage, she had a 93 Celica where the bumper sunk in but I'm sure it could have been popped back out with maybe just paint chip/crease damage.

Yes the Rav4 is another culprit. I just figured since the CR-V relocated their spare tire, the issue was resolved. The Rav4 should have known better, but most won't care till it actually happens to them.

I'll chime in...living in Miami for so many years I have friends from every possible background, so this is what they have shared with me. Usually Puerto Ricans (at least here in Central FL) love their Hondas. It's every other one I usually see that creams for it. Not sure why, just do. It's falling apart and unreliable, but they'll never tell you that. Central Americas, usually Guatemalas' thru Nicaraguans, they love their Toyotas. Overthere the parts are cheaper, than that of detroit vehicles because of dealer distributions, so when they moved here, they continued buying Toyotas. Cubans are a bit mixed. Old school (50-60's arrivals) originally bought American stating that it's common sense, if they are built here, the parts are cheaper. I've heard that constantly. Although now their kids seem to be all over the place on what they have chosen for a vehicle. For the new Cuban arrivees (which usually don't get along with the original ones) they also tend to buy American because in Cuba, thats all there was... a collection of 50's Buicks/Chevys. All these other brands are new to them. I have a relative or 2 that moved recently here from Europe (and of course, buying up cheap real estate because the dollar is week), having never lived here prior. They bought American because they figure, it's built here, the parts and availability and dealer network help substantially. Although for the daughter of one of them, "The Euro Focus you had THERE, is not the same one here". SO it was comical how they asked for certain vehicles, which carry a different names here, or simply don't exist. So just like those imposter perfumes "IF you LOVED Mondeo, you might like Fusion", "If you LOVED Euro Focus, you might like Mazda3".

Like anything else, it'll trickle down to other vehicles in it's brand. And that gives them something to invent once again. For now it's the MyColor option, so it'll be a few years before we see that available on all Fords.

Oh yeah, that consumer has it all going on, he really knows his products. He had to buy foreign because there just wasn't anything he liked for detroit. Well Mr.Consumer, you have a glorified Accord parked in your garage, so you fell for that one, and most comical, you avoided detriot badge, but you just bought a Chevy Equinox with a Suzuki badge. Yeah you really put one over on detroit alright... :rolleyes: