fllcobra

Sell Aston Martin now. The automotive market is cyclical. What is hot today will be stale in two years unless significant amounts of money are pumped into it.

Ford cannot rest is laurels on the Fusion, Mustang or Edge. The pictures have been out for so long that they are already starting to look dated. And the import makers have caught up and have already put out better looking CUV's while Ford tinkered to get the bugs out of the Edge. Fortunately, Ford has Mazda. And Mazda has the answer to the onslaught of import CUV's with the CX-7 and supercool CX-9. Ford would be wise to snag the designer for the Mazda CX-9 to work on the next generation Explorer. The interior of this vehicle is gorgous and its design theme should have been integrated into the Edge. Ford sales have dropped the automaker into 4th place in 11/06. Considering the next launch is a barely warmed over Five Hundred and Escape and this carmaker is in real trouble... again. Time will tell as to whether people respond to the conservative look of the 2008 Escape. I can only hope that Five Hundred's cheap looking interior has been changed significantly. Compared to the Avelon, there is no comparison or reason to consider the purchase of the Five Hundred. Fortunately, the PAG division (minus Jaguar), Volvo, and Mazda are poised to kick ass in 2007. Ford will need the help as it ponders it next "bold" move.

You know, I bought a used 1991 Escort GT that had problem with its cruise control. I discovered it when I kicked in the clutch to downshift. I assumed that doing so would disengage the throttle. I assumed wrong, because the engine speed shot up right past the redline. Tapping the brakes did nothing so I kept my left foot on the clutch and kept the car out of gear. So what did I do? I didn't panic. I simply hit the end button on the cuise control and the engine went right back down to idle. I took the car to Ford and they wanted hundreds of $$ to fix it. Instead, I just had them disconnect it. This is likely a different problem than the one described here, but the message is still the same. Problems can and do happen. Drivers need to be alert and not panic. Panic is what kills people.

:reading: Not bad. Now how about showing some other colors besides orange?

I agree with you. The steering wheel, door switches, shifter, radio buttons, and instrument panel all look and feel cheap in the Five Hundred. What astounds me is that Mazda gets it right and after all these years, Ford hasn't adopted more of Mazda's parts. As the market gets more competitive, the interior look and feel counts. Ford is doing a better job, but so is the competition. More needs to be done to improve the dull interior.

Who would buy Lincoln? And why would Ford sell it when it has some of the highest margins per vehicle in Ford's empire?

I remember everyone lamenting last year that the Zephyr should have had a unique engine to differentiate it from the Fusion, blah, blah, blah. Now, everyone wants the MKZ engine in the Fusion. How times have changed... ? I agree though, the 3.5 should go in. I just don't want to hear any bitching about how the Lincoln's are just rebadges. When every other manufacturer does it, that argument get old.

Contact the guys as http://www.discountcarstereo.com If anyone has the part or advice you need, it is going to be them.

I like it. I especially like the big bright fog lights. It definitely has a look that is more sporting than the current version.

It all comes down to styling. A lot of older folks in my area like the Camry's exterior and interior styling. The new rear end design on that car is eye catching and "Lexus like" I am told. The younger folks like the Fusion but are turned off by the antiquated engine and the rear end that looks like it was lifted of a mid 90's Honda Prelude. I have seen more Fusion's lately so sales are being taken away from Honda and Toyota. Ford just has to focus on timely updates and quality. Then the problems it has will work itself out.

Dude, there are very few vehicles out there within this class that have as nice an interior. But I understand some of your gripes. One thing you need to look for is you manual. In it you will see the power lock switch in the cargo area is located on the upper left side panel at the base of the rear left side window. The other thing you should appreciate is that nearly all of the buttons and switches on the Explorer are illuminated. Not all manufacturers do this. As far as the radio volume button goes, Ford could have opted for an illuminated version, but some people found it too bright and distracting at night to have a ring of light around a large button. Ford could have illuminated a notch, but that would have jacked up the cost considerably, because the button would then have to be motor controlled to match button inputs from the steering wheel. As far as the door panel and pull handle, any further changes other than the cup in the arm rest would have required another round of crash tests. Frankly, I think GM does it better by intergrating a handle in the arm rest and not cups. I have a 2006 Mountaineer Premier and my truck detects objects behind me as I turn the wheel. It will detect pedestrians as well. If yours isn't you should have it checked out by the dealer. Some of your points, I disagree with. For instance, I prefer a pull mechanism to release the parking brake and not the foot release. The reason is it is difficult to tell if the brake is engaged in the dark. A one hand pull ensures it is disengaged regardless of whether or not the pedal is pressed down. But with the foot operated releases, you end up engaging it if it was not engaged. Then you have to go through another motion to release it. That is a pain if you have multiple drivers where some leave it engaged and some don't after they leave the vehicle in park. And finally, I like the fuel door on the passenger side. It means I can swing my door wide open and not have to worry about hitting it against the curb or the the concrete poles used to protect the fuel pumps. In many respects, we agree on other features. I too would have preferred a better looking instrument cluster and navigation system. I would have also preferred a two tone interior and better looking, more functional door handles. Hopefully, this will be addressed in the next update. But for now, I love those power folding running boards and power folding rear seats. Those two features really stand out.

Dude, you don't have a Lemon Law case. This is a clear case of dealer F-R-A-U-D where these jackels pawned off a damaged car as new without informing you. I would get the most aggressive blood sucking attorney and take Sunshine Ford to court for not only the full refund of the car, but for punitive damages as well. Seriously, this case is why lawyers exist.

Thanks for the break down. After reading your list, I went over to Advanced Auto Parts and got a pair of the 9007SU's. (They were $38 for the pair. Advanced has all of the Sylvania's on significant discounts until the end of the year.) They are worth every penny. The thing is I now have to change the lower fog lamps in order to match the color temp.

Hey great! Thanks :beerchug:

Is the X-Plan pricing program over? I used one earlier this year to buy a Mountaineer. Now my dad wants to replace his 1998 Ranger with a 2007 or 2008 Escape. But I can't seem to find the X-Plan request page. Thanks in advance.