ANTAUS

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72 month loan on a $15-19K car... Wow thats sad. I mean, if they are really that bad off, just buy a used car for that matter.

To think, Gillette and V8 Juice is getting some free advertising with the Ford Fusion, while PepBoys wouldn't allow Ford to use the Futura name because they have cheap shitty tires with the same name...Hello? Who really needs who here??

Focus based converstible...ahem... Volvo C70 ....

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We are already getting it, it's called Lincoln MKS.... Lets start thinking price. The last SHO was "special" since it had a DOHC V8. under $30K which is quite the feat at that time. All the Fusion can do at most, is offer a Turbocharged engine, then finding a 6 speed tranny that can handle 310+HP and AWD (new GM/Ford venture tranny will top out a bit under that), and all this under $30K. And then the next question to ask would be, "Well why not make that the MKZ where it's ok to charge up to $40K for it".... Realistically, if "SHO" would really be made financially feasable, it would probably be my slapping the 3.5L, giving it DI, better breathing, over the regular 3.5L, and allow it to have 300HP at most (so as to not go tranny hunting) and keep it all simpler.

So 4 cylinder power, with V6 fuel efficiency, on a "small" car weighing in at 3000lbs, and I'm sure it'll come standard with VW's Unreliability program. Interesting... Let's see how many suckers take the plunge...

Supposedly the Honda's are praised for their ergonomic efficiency, but as of late, they have been critisized for confusing common knobs, and such. As seen on a friends Accord, the Radio display washes off in certain angles during sunny days...which my friend learned, it's about $700-800 just to replace that bulb for the display at 43K miles.

LINK-Autoweek.com

Has GM corrected the pistonslap issue of it's Vortec engines yet?

You know how many years more, it'll take Honda to put the stupid Sunroof button overhead where it belongs, than behind the left side of the steering wheel... And LIGHT IT UP PLEASE !! Same with dashboard mounted power mirror switches...So for me with long legs, I have to reach forward from my seating position, OUT of position, to adjust it? Geesh

I dont see why the next generation Falcon, can't be a combined engineering effort with FOA and produce 1 product that has interchangable components that can be tailored to different markets. Importing this vehicles from AU wouldn't make much economic sense, and at the pricepoint expected, and for what it is, maybe Mexico might be an alternative and they could possibly export it there to other countries as well.

Well if the LS appealed to a "very" small number of people, the Zephyr is appealing to an even smaller number since it's sales are half of that if not more....at an average rate of 2000 units sold per month

This is good overall. GM had a 26% decline in sales, DCX had 13% decline, Nissan had a 19% decline...

LINK-Autoline.com

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I agree. Take a Focus Hatchback 4 doors, raise it a bit, give it more cargo room, and Voila! And to begin with, at least the Focus stems from a good platform. When I think Caliber, it reminds me of the POS Neon....

13.6Cu.Ft. We are talking about Focus like...which for a Focus, it's generous trunk space, but a family sedan? I'm still having issues with that one... The 3.5L goes down to 235HP from 250HP. If this is, so the engine runs on regular, that might be somewhat acceptable, but nothing competitive. If it's to keep the R/T at 250HP and make it exclusive, then it was a stupid decision.\ Plus 3 engine choices? Not like they sell enough anyways...hmm probably it's to make the 2.7L the price leader. If it's Chrysler, the uplevel engines should have been kept, since they try to aim for a polished brand, while keeping the cheaper engine on the next Corporate twin...Avenger. I'm really not impressed. I was really expecting something serious from DCX considering the 300, but it's as if the car was designed by 2 committees... From the B-Pillar Forward, and the B-Pillar backwards...

Did anyone catch the 13.6 Cu.Ft. trunk? Is that a typo? That's a joke for a "family sedan", and 3500lbs for the fully loaded with the 3.5L? It's gonna need it. Mooooooo

Actually the 4.2L gets dropped, along with the 3.8L when the minivans are phased out. (about time). Your looking at 2008 for this change...

The rear end, specifically the trunk lid reminds me of the previous generation Avalon, the rear lights have an upswing into the fender that reminds me of the Saturn LS. The sides have a Saturn LS like beltline. The C-pillar window has a sunken look to it, like current Maxima. The front is typical Chrysler, although the shaped likes make it look mean which is a common philosophy lately. Almost MKZ like foglight arrangement. I'm not impressed, and not at all intimidated by that evil grille/light arrangement, in fact, I'm laughing lol

You mean to say that a little old lady driving her Crown Vic into a store front window is NOT a BOLD MOVE? LOL

Well I'll share my experience with my dealerships have been great to me, and why my Lincolns last longer... I drive-in, immediately have a technician attend me, they ask questions, I supply answers, and walk me to the lounge where I wait. With coffee, donuts, pastries. While looking at other vehicles coming in for service, I notice how well taken care of the cars are. I mean, what could 65 yr old granny do to her vehicle ya know? Luckily the maintenence for the first year on Lincolns is covered, although I think they are removing that, if not already, but I'm covered. Inside the lounge, I await with a few other people, quality conversation of an older nature, some CNN, UsaToday, Wall Street Journal laying around. Some magazines as well. Ask others what they are in for...One guy "Fred" was noticed while just getitng his oil change, that they heard the vehicle make a certain noise, which was attributed to worn brake pads, and said they would take care of it, no change (even if he was out of warranty). Janice next to me was in because her daughter noticed that one of the speakers was blown in her Navigator, which of course was immaculate...Told me she spent $20 a week on having it hand washed...And I'm sure she didnt notice because she was hard of hearing actually...Since I had to rebat myself a few time. And yes, 15 minutes later, the service staff came to remind me, my car was done already...asked me if I wanted my vehicle washed... I tell them yes, they ask "machine wash, or hand wash"... Being I have black, of course hand washed. Just excellent service all around. Of course, granted, the majority of those there are older, won't ever drive their vehicles as hard as I do, you know 90% of the Navigators there have never seen un-paved roads, and those THX systems will hardly be blasted to their full potential, and those Town Cars are not being tossed aimlessly around...so Yes... I believe there's a certain class and demographic out there, which shows they too take care of their vehicle (much more than I do) BTW, this is my 3rd LS-8. 2000 with 123K when I turned it in and all it had was the re-programming of the tranny then a 2003 which I had for 115K miles troublefree, and now the '05 with 18K (broken cupholder-my fault for getting head inside a vehicle).

I mean, Ford doesn't need to do much with 900K+ sales a year, they can stay sadated as the competition improves itself and passes by them...ya know, like the Taurus, Ranger, Focus, etc. If Ford IS serious, they it'll bring a larger engine, diesel option, Navigation available, improve interior, offer AdvancTrac, etc. Thats IF they really wanted to show thier "BOLD MOVES". If it doesn't come to plate with that, forget it, the media will continue to chime in on Ford's medicoredy.

I keep seeing a bit of Fusion to it, but it's typical for GM to copy Ford styling ideas, so not expected. But Ford needs to worry more about what's happening under the hood, which is where Ford is weakest.