Michael Reynolds

Even if it does have a 3 bar grille, it won't look like the ones Ford used on the previous versions of the Taurus and Fusion. Once the 2011 Edge is unveiled I think it will be telling....but I guess at that point we probably will have production Fiestas uncovered.

Why would Ford use a 3 bar grille on the Fiesta when the Focus doesn't even use one? On top of that it appears that Ford has taken the 3 bar grille a step further with the new Taurus and Fusion.

I had an Escape the last time I travelled, but I made a stab at getting a Fusion and that was a no go.

That's what I didn't understand, but as mentioned on another message board a 10 Best List without the Accord and 3 Series just isn't going to happen.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/...n_hybrid_page_5

That's funny because the less expensive Jetta TDI DSG is 38K over 5 years. So what's your point?

Per IIHS: Apparently, it's not that complicated. Do we know for a fact that it isn't an easy fix?

I'm aware that the roof didn't change on the Fusion, and I think it goes without saying that it won't on the Edge. Having said that, if it is a matter of utilizing higher strength metal I don't see the problem. There's more than one way to improve roof crush standards, and it doesn't necessarily mean that the entire roof and door have to be re-designed to do so.

Why would the test the Edge when the refresh is right around the corner? Also if you look at crash test ratings of Ford vehicles that did not fair well, they were improved over time. Look at the Fusion's initial crash test ratings compared to today's.

Not necessarily, especially when done right: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/roof/detailsbyclass.aspx?30 If you look at the vehicles that earned a 'Good' rating the weight was inline if not less (in some cases) with the Fusion's.

That's great for Chrysler, too bad their inclusion of safety equipment (which is standard on every new Ford) is pretty haphazard. If you want a Sebring that IIHS has on their list, you have to spring for the Limited model and even then it's optional. Then you have the Jeep Patriot, which also made the list, but only with its optional side airbags.

If it's an easy fix, I hope Ford makes it happen.

Yup

Although I didn't notice any panel gaps on the SHO that I drove, I did notice how sloppily the carpeting around the front driver's seat was cut. Not to go on a side rant, but a few other things that I've noticed on various other Ford products: - Sloppily cut headliner in a couple of Fusions that I've sat in - The way the cord is shoved up into the headliner in vehicles equipped with an auto dimming mirror, it looks half-assed and it creates a bulge in the headliner Not serious offenses, but I'd like to see more attention to detail.

- Three spoke steering wheel designs (which I think we're getting anyhow) - Readouts for the tire pressure sensor (already mentioned) - A multifunction display similar to what VW/M-B utilizes.....capable of displaying radio, navigation directions and other information

Well that's my issue, almost every car that I've purchased I've switched from dino to synthetic. If Ford is going to go over and beyond a simple mileage counter I'd rather the capability be there to actually monitor the oil quality. Simply put a regular oil change interval adjusted to suit driving conditions is all you need, not more complexity. The only way I see a huge benefit from something like this is, would be fleet vehicles.

If I could have the choice between the two I'd rather have a mileage counter. The system that GM utilizes is not capable of monitoring the actual condition of the oil. If you decide to switch over to synthetic there's no way that the oil life monitor will be able to compensate for that. Having owned two Infinitis, a Volvo and an Audi all of them revved up during cold starts and then settled down after 25 seconds.

Considering the fact that it's Orange County, enough said. Whether he was able to afford it or not, he should have been able to decipher what he was getting for his 45K instead of being a badge snob. Then again I'm not one of those folks that find poverty spec German cars desirable. Besides if you don't want to pay 45K for a FORD, uncheck option boxes.

Weight is endemic to the automotive industry as a whole. Instead of folks complaining about how much x vehicle weighs, it would be a bit more productive to pick apart why cars have gained so much weight over the years. I also don't understand why folks complain about the sticker on these cars so much. Really what are you expecting from a car this large with this much equipment. Hey, you're right it's not a Bimmer.....a Bimmer this size with those sorts of options will cost you double. In fact you can't even get a 3 Series with that much equipment for 45K.

And you know BMW is going to charge a premium for it over the 328i. So while it might be cheaper than the 335d, it's still probably going to run upwards of $35K+......and probably have crappy lease rates.

Fusion sales had momentum going into the C4C program: April - 18,321 May - 19,786 June - 18,561 July - 17,610 August - 21,010 Now granted there was a spike pushing Fusion numbers over the 20K mark for the first time, it's not like Fusion numbers doubled month over month.

If it's something buried in a menu (knob or touchscreen) you are going to have to take your eye off the road and look at the display to navigate through said menu no matter what. On top of that it's not like vehicles don't have voice commands.

I'd like to see what the gauges look like. Hopefully Ford has figured out what a multi-function LCD display is.

Well I'm not totally shocked, it's not like Toyota's interior build quality has been anything to write home about recently.

I was up there a few weeks ago, rented from Dollar and convinced them to let me upgrade to an SUV. Anyhow I ended up with an Escape too. You're right it has a great deal of power, more than I expected. What do you think of the steering?