ANTAUS

I welcome with open arms which ever Hurricane we get. We do need the rain, it's been an unusually dry year for us, even the lake out back is a few feet lower than what it should be. I'm also in the process of remodeling my house towards the end of the year, so if we can all have a group prayer, so we get a really juicy one here in central FL.... I would really appreciate it so my insurance helps out.

I welcome the S-Max here... actually, I welcome any vehicle period...Ford needs good products NOW. Unfortunately it's a hard business case to justify S-Max. My bestfriend just purchased a Mazda5 which she's totally happy with, other than, she would prefer more power at least. Luckily this will be justified when the 2.3L is increased to 2.5L with at least 175HP, that'll give it some pep without much weight penalty.

The above is a common senario that has been played out by many people for numerous reasons such as catastrophies and such. I know of some very good people, who the same occured to them. Unfortunately there's something that exists now called "Universal Default Credit"... Notice those "0% interest for one year" offers? Then if you do default, it jumps to 21-25% APR ?" Well Universal Default Credit will not only apply towards that one card you have, but all credit cards you carry. So if you sink one, your sunken in all. That's something that the current adminstration passed. And it gets even better...Now for numerous jobs, they requires a credit check, and if you don't have good credit, you simply don't get the job. So let me understand this...you NEED a job to pay off your credit cards, debt, and improve your credit, YET you can't get it, because you have bad credit? It's a vicious circle that all it does it push someone that originally made a decent salary, have to take some shitty job in the hopes they don't check their credit. And this is ocurring currently and will continue to get progressively worse. Now just watch in the next few years all the people who pulled out "Interest Only Mortgages", that might have their houses foreclosed on, because the interest rates are obviously going up. So what once a $900 payment, is now going for about $2100 for that same homeowner. And then come in the foreign investors buying our debt...

Thanks Richard, did remember reading that back then, but because of current changes, I'm keeping my fingers crossed it keeps what Ford media originally boasted.

My other concern would be, fuel economy...MPG's? As it is, the Rotary doesn't really post spectacular figures for what it is. And also consumes a bit of oil as well, they would be wise to rectify that as well.

If this means they can dump the UAW, then I'm all for it... other than that, eh...

The media has already stated that the market will continue to be fragmented, the years of 400K+ units per model won't be common. Other than the F-150, Silverado, Camry and Accords, that'll probably be about it. This is out there, we have all spoken about this before, this isn't new news. And the Accord and Camry both are perfect examples (thanks for bringing them up) of vehicles that combine all the business attributes I stated earlier. No they aren't the most powerful, no they aren't the most stylish, but they were vehicles that continue to be polished (not just in styling and conviniences) but manufacturing wise. Although Toyota has stated publically, that they really don't make much money off the Camry, but it's a vehicle wish will bring someone in, in the hopes that later they'll trade-up onto a more profittable vehicle, or possibly Lexus. All vehicles have different missions, for different companies. The mission statements for Fords products are out there. After combing them through you will notice they all have (the above mentioned attributes) in common. Build them proffitable, don't flood the market with it, higher take rate on the higher trim levels, improvement on manufacturing and reliability, etc. This is what makes for a positive vehicle for Ford...not some old-school thinking of set benchmark sales from 15 years ago.

I've always had the Keypad, or have had it installed. Whenever I go to the gym, or beach I'll lock the keys inside. Or if I run into a convinience store, or bank, I leave the car running and just lock it so the car is still cooled while I run in for something. Or even at home if I'm closer to the car and don't wish to walk to the opposite side of the house to get the keys, I have the keypad option. I probably use it on an average of once or twice a day. I've always had the Keypad, or have had it installed. Whenever I go to the gym, or beach I'll lock the keys inside. Or if I run into a convinience store, or bank, I leave the car running and just lock it so the car is still cooled while I run in for something. Or even at home if I'm closer to the car and don't wish to walk to the opposite side of the house to get the keys, I have the keypad option. I probably use it on an average of once or twice a day. But for this piece of media to be published, at this time, Hmmm I think there's more to it. I don't see it as "Oh look we have a toy everyojne enjoys" I'm looking at this more in the line of "Well, we aren't going to go with the high-tech card in your wallet, auto-unlock, auto start, so lets start telling you now how much better this is". Mind you, the MKS will have this Keypad feature, but it'll be touch sensitive, rather than buttons... So we can safely assume that the MKS won't have the card in your pocket, auto-unlock, push button start, stuff...

I think some of the despair and "The sky is falling" rhetoric stems from commentator which haven't moved forward...they haven't changed as the auto industry have. In various internet chatrooms I find it quite comical to hear someone say that a specific vehicle that sells less than 100K units, is considered a failure. Such in the case of the 500.... "OH it only sold 125K, it's weak, underpowered, it's a total failure"... They forget the most important facet of manufacturing a product.... How many are them are customer, and not fleet sales? Is it profittable to build at the volumes they sell? Is it in a flexible manufacturing plant, that can compensate and reduce cost on logistics? Does the vehicle possess quality? Is it reliable whereas less warranty repairs costs are endured by the maker? Did they reach their target sales figures? Old school thinking is "IF they dont sell alot, is a failure". Whereas, reality is, "If the above is YES, we are moving forward". Volume isn't worth anything unless the above questions are addressed in a positive way. All volume did back then was just keep factories running, to keep the UAW happy, at the cost of low resale value, we know this already. So no... the Fusion will not reach Taurus sales volumes of 400K yearly. That was 1990's, this is 2006...totally different market, requires a totally different outlooks. Let's move positive in a Ford-ward direction and educate ourselves about what Ford's goals are, rather than what we think worked in the 90's, will work now.

LINK-Ford Media

LINK-Detroit News

Reminds me of the Inifinititiniki commercials in the 90's...the philosophical thoughts, ideas, quotes, sayings. Don't remember the vehicles they were pushing but it looked like some Calvin Klein commercials selling actors, not product lol

My 2000, 2003 and current 2005 LS-V8 have never posted anything better than 15MPG around town...maybe 26MPG in the highway if I take a strict road trip with cruise control on at 85 and A/C off, but realistically it's really 22-23 with A/C on at 105MPH. I even gave up trying to be "gentle". Tested it for a week... started off on 2nd or 3rd gear with SST, ease off gently wwaaayyy before stops, etc. Gained me just 2MPG around city which wasn't worth it. So after that test I simply gave up being "gentle" and now just do my usual routine at 13-14MPG. And I dont care, it's tax deductible at the end of the year so burn baby burn !!

I believe the Turbo 6 had a GM supplied transmission if I remember correctly. This was years ago when they debuted the S80, and the engineers stated they just couldn't make a 5 speed fit at the time....I believe earlier than that, Jag was using the same unit on their XK-R models for the same reason...GM had one available that could do the job. As for the V8 though, I think that's a ZF tranny isn't it ? I could look it up but, I have enough on my plate for today.

Why would someone (or could they) declare bankruptcy with $20BIL+ in the bank ?

The same transmission is not only Toyota, but Volvo has also been a POS. For some odd reason that version is experiencing a high failure rate. The Mazda6/Fusion/500 version seems to be avoiding any issues... There has to be a common denominator in that.

Because Ford's advertising agency, simply sucks. I have yet to see a decent commercial in years. I think the only informative, decent ones were a few years back when Bill Ford described the vehicle or it's features.... Now we have "Lincoln" commercial that don't discuss the vehicle at all, yet peoples hopes, dreams, and whack off fantasies...

The reason the V12 is rated at just 280HP is because that is the limit, the government allows an engine to have. They don't limit torque, just HP. So the thinking behind the V-12, is just capped at 280HP, but have much more torque.

When you like a vehicle, chances are it's because it has numerous attributes that are important to you. Yes, theres' always a vehicle which is, bigger (if you want that)...smaller (if you want that)...More powerful, more fuel efficient, better inteior, or better technology, better rebates, etc.etc. Yeah there's a BMW thats a few thousands more, but I'm sure it lacks on many other levels, yeah there's a Rav4 with 3rd row seating, Yeah there's even the Explorer with more seating and available V8, etc. Still, it's all about how the person likes the vehicle. I personally wouldn't even venture for a BMW X3..flimsy crappy little thing, but a good engine. The Edge is more inline with the Murano. Ford calls them "Crossovers"... I call this a "Personal Crossover". A bit more intimate and personal than a Freestyle per se....stylish like the Murano (but attractive)... BUt again, this is all personal opinion and taste.

I had a Scion that got a lil' bit upset tonight because when he made a right onto a main street, I did as well, but jumped over to the left most lane and gunned it. Dont know WHY the hell he thought it would be cute to try to catch up, but didnt matter...red light came up. Then when it turned green, he must have turned red seeing me blast off in my LS. And this whole time I'm thinking "A Scion? Really, get real!..in fact, a GET REAL car even if it's used" An Aveo SS, would be a joke...

If we place import tarriffs on Japanese vehicles entering the country, there wouldn't be that many that would be affected since many of them are produced in the U.S. already. What you could do, is place a tarriff on the basis that it's a company HQ's in Japan, but then the argument against would be "Well this is Toyota of NA", thats our headquarter. So it's very tricky. Most importantly, you need a government that would be willing to at least look at alternatives, and unfortunately ours have said there isn't a problem...

It's a Daewoo engine, which isn't very efficient to begin with, it's not really the size or the weight of the car. I had a friend back out of a Honda Civic purchase when he found out the Civic Si, had V6 like fuel economy. He just couldn't believe it, so "Honda-boy" (as he called himself) is now looking at other vehicles. If he's so inclined, I told him to try a V6 Accord since it's almost the same fuel estimates.

Trust me, the Tundras introduction is certainly not going to distract anyone from the holidays

I've noticed something and maybe have my own conclusion, when I see these lists, I dont think "Hmm, those are vehicles people REEALLY want"...since the sales numbers doesn't usually put them as top sellers in their segments"... I think "Hmm, those are people who are really looking to research to find a deal because it's a vehicle that is hard to find a rebate on" Thats my take...

Thats' hilarious... I couldn't have said it better...