Roadrunner

You guys haven't been around a G6 lately have you? You're right that the changes are sparse. However, what I see is they will be plugging in a G8-style grille shape to their refreshed midsize sedan. I remember trying out a G6. It was the pedestrian (cheap) appearance that looked like a cross between a Grand Prix GTP (big snout) and a Grand Am that grinded me away.

So it could go to DTP or MTP, then? I would suspect MTP as packing more lines would keep that plant going since SUV sales have slid. Thoughts?

With current information, it is accurate. Obama did not choose to sponsor this racecar. Here's how it all went down from the team ( http://www.bamracing.com/ ): “An independent agent, knowing BAM Racing was seeking corporate sponsorship to return to the track, requested permission to connect BAM Racing with all three presidential campaigns. BAM agreed to explore the options. The same independent agent, referred to as ‘a BAM spokesperson’ in the recent Sports Illustrated article, ‘revealed’ what was only tentative, exploratory talks. BAM Racing has decided to heed the advice of the overwhelming response by fans to keep politics out of racing and continue to focus on several other exciting sponsorships soon to be announced.” As far as a Toyota team versus anybody else -- the an agent to the team approached Obama and McCain. Both campaigns considered it and opted not to go with it. The TEAM approached them. Obama did not approach a Yota team. Probably the campaign doesn't even watch NASCAR or know who he would have been sponsoring himself on.

CORRECTION To clear any rumors, the Obama campaign has denied that they would sponsor a racecar. BAM Racing (the #49 car that's always been at the tail of the field) had a representative put a sponsorship request to all three major Presidential campaigns seeking their money for sponsorship.

I agree. Wasn't the LTD full-size the best-selling car for 1982/1983? ('83 I think). Fleet sales notwithstanding.

So then like a Buick ?

The fair thing about Mercury, from where I stand, is that it has a different uphill battle than its competitors. Buick? Staid. Lincoln? Right now, still a geezer's car. Mitsubishi? Heh, us young folks went that route a while ago and learned what crap cars they build. Mercury, though... ah Mercury isn't labeled as anything. Mercury is, well, a Mercury. It's basically nothing but an upscale Ford and doesn't say much of anything except for being a piece of transportation that is slightly different than the crowd. So, with that said, Mercury actually can turn heads. What I'm wondering is what kind of turnover Mercury has in finding new buyers. Repeat customers, conquest sales and the like. Anyone know?

I can see this happening, but what might be more likely is the consolidation of Lincoln/Mercury dealers into being Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealers. The problem is that you will have consumers seeing a Fusion, Milan and MKZ in the same lot and be served at the Ford dealer level instead of the reportedly better Lincoln/Mercury dealer level of service.

+1

I agree with Taxman's comments in spirit but I am not sure that this niche is fillable anymore. If anything, that conservative middle-class driver will leap to a Lexus today, already having shunned the Buick.

See, I hate to say it but I think they should axe Buick within ten years and make Buick's products into big Pontiacs. Lucerne as Bonneville? LaCrosse no more? Saturn should stay or go - one or the other. Saturn would be perfect in today's economy as econoboxes like their 1990s cache. But... uh... nah.

I know Ford wants to skew younger with its lineup, but I could definitely see this as the perfect baby boomer car to complement the MKZ for the 30-40 year old buyer. The MKS appears to have an image of sedate luxury, with a hint of modern living.

+1 . Email me the pics and I will find somewhere to host them.

I've got a pretty well outfitted I4 Fusion. No sunroof or nav, but I didn't want/need those. What does that Premier you saw have?

If we don't make it witty, we don't give the reader vigor and pleasure. Then the reader walks away sooner, dissatisfied.

The Panther trio has many fans, I agree. However, as the CV is the defacto police vehicle, I would almost say that the sales figures presented are misleading. If we pull the fleet numbers off of those numbers and re-compare, I believe the story would be much different. // A Five Hundred apologist

How much of a load can it tow ?

I would say it mixes Honda lines with a Nissan grille. The back is Subaru-esqe.

The strange thing is that you and Richard joined within two weeks of each other to the forum. .... You newbies.

This is where there is much difference between McCain and Bush. McCain's strongest point to his candidacy is fighting pork and reigning in Big Government.

To be fair, in 2006 the manual transmission could ONLY be had with the Fusion S -- and the Fusion S was very, very decontented.

To be fair, the North Pole ice will be back at a colder time of the year. It has to - how come we have ice roads and awesome shows about Ice Road Truckers ?

What capacity is Hermosillo at right now? Does anyone officially know? I figured it wasn't 100%, but I don't have the figures.

Ahhh, takes me right back to 1998. Love it. Me? I always loved this one for Oldsmobile http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...ideoid=18577918

To remember W ? http://727tj.tripod.com/xp6210213.jpg http://www.classicmidsizecar.com/includes/...roletImpala.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...k_-_Century.jpg and of course the best one to ever be a W http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autore...28991990003.jpg // automotive topics only!