SparcEE

Not sure the rental company, but sister had a new Mustang rental in San Francisco 2 weeks ago that used MyKey and it was limited to ~ 75MPH and the stereo volume was also limited to ~ 50% max....sad. SparcEE

This is the 2nd Gen of F Family seats...Flex, MKT, and MKS launched Ford's new internally designed Gen I seats. It was pretty crazy how much seats cost for a mid to high level ride before the design responsibility was brought back in house...starting around 2006 the seat group was reborn. Wonder how long before upper management has a bright idea about outsourcing the entire design to Tier 1 suppliers. SparcEE

New Baltimore, MI has a Explorer PI...replaced a totaled Charger. It looks really slick with the low profile LED light bar...NB has no issues with putting lights everywhere possible on a cruiser. The vehicle is kinda stealthy as you are not expecting it to be the police. From the local paper on the cost compared with a replacement Charger: "The cost of the Explorer to the city is about $13,000, after insurance monies. The price of the vehicle, with equipment included, was about $26,000 and the price of a new Dodge Charger, with equipment, would have been about $28,000, Police Chief Tim Wiley said." My link SparcEE

My Mazda5 was purchased specifically for the 3rd row that only gets used occasionally, it's overall ability to move stuff easily on a regular basis, and economical costs ($19K purchase, 25 MPG mixed driving, and decent reliability) . I have no need for a Flex or Explorer 98% of the time nor do I need the associated costs that go with these vehicles. The 3rd row in the Mazda5 is small by most, but offers the quick 6 passenger movement...hell I even put my in-laws back there on occasion for 30-50 minute short trips. I wouldn't do this for long trips with adults, but it's mighty nice for quickly increasing the passenger carrying capability or moving kids. I was really excited to replace my Mazda5 with the now cancelled C-Max with the 3rd row as I prefer American options, but looking at the different options Ford is offering I'm thinking to look elsewhere....I'd like a Dodge Journey that isn't a POS, but looks like the only people that understand reasonably priced transportation (less than $25k) with good fuel economy (>20MPG city) are the Asians. Thanks Ford for cancelling my next Ford vehicle... SparcEE

Being a 2006 Mazda5 owner I guess I'm the right demographic for this vehicle...The new Mazda5 is absolutely horrendous with its side curves and stupid smile, so it's out of the question when the '06 needs to be replaced. Also my '06 hasn't been that trouble free, but more issues than I expected. With FoMoCo's take on this class of vehicle it should improve the areas where the 5 is weak e.g. NVH, nasty throttle tip in, not enough gears, audio, HP. We love our 5 for many reasons, but now that I have a Ford option so there's no need to look back..Zoom Zoom has been fun, but there is a new sheriff in town and it will probably steal what small sales Mazda5 gets (even less with the new style). This vehicle isn't for everyone, but for those that don't need the space and don't want to fund OPEC as fuel prices keep climbing I'm totally fine with the alternative mini-mini-van. If the costs are out of line than this thing is dead...looks alone will cause some to look elsewhere, but for this class of vehicle there's not a lot of choice. Congrats to Ford for having the balls to launch this in America...sooner or later due to CAFE and fuel prices this type of vehicle will become more popular...only have to look at Europe. SparcEE

Mazda coined the 5 as a "Multi Activity Vehicle". I own one and never call it a minivan and neither does my family who laughed when we bought it. However, when you figured what I paid, what I can do, and a reasonable cost over ownership I'm the one laughing. My '06 needs another auto trans gear (4sp vs. 5sp which they did in '08) for highway and it's a bit noisy compared to my 2010 Fusion...however, I like the looks and the sporty handling. Too bad Mazda killed the design with their wave on the side, but won't matter as I will have another choice with the C-Max. Not sure how many people will be cross shopping a mini^2-van from a minivan...I agree there shouldn't be significant overlap, but comparing it to a Chrysler minivan that can be had on the cheap and during firesales isn't a fair comparison. The people I know who buy Chrysler vans are buying them because they are cheap and hold a lot of stuff...these are the same folks who would jump ship to the next cheaper thing. Why do people pay so much for VW's? SparcEE

If the new 2011 Sonata can get 274HP and 269 lb-ft of torque and 34 MPG from a twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder...Dearborn hopefully will beat that, but assuming we are getting close to the laws of physics and durability...along with regular unleaded gas. SparcEE

Had the seat recliner recall and trans PCM update completed...only the front passenger seat recliner was changed. Total warranty work $403.98 SparcEE

Didn't get the recall #, but the way he described the issue it sounds like it. They have to order parts and should have it in the shop middle of next week. My main concern is the trans as I only have 1200 miles and want to make sure I'm not causing any extra wear and tear without the PCM refresh. SparcEE

Thanks Mettech...called the dealer and my VIN is on the list for PCM reflash. Also found out there is a recall on the seat recliner mechanisms. SparcEE

My new Fusion's front center channel (DSP in stereo mode or surround) speaker justed started making a distortion/popping during music playback. When the audio source is paused it's all quiet, but when music is playing it sounds like a speaker that has failed. Anyone have a similar issue? Thanks, SparcEE

Thanks for the help....man $180 for the manual @ Helm and you don't even get a kiss. SparcEE

Anyone know what the 2010 Fusion shop/service manuals cost at the dealer or are the real Ford manuals available elsewhere or electronically? Thanks, SparcEE

Thanks much...I just got mine 2 weeks ago and loving everything about it. SparcEE

So is this a TSB that a dealer will fix even if the problem doesn't currently exist? Seems like changing the valve body is a whole lot cheaper than changing clutches... SparcEE