rsgnome

what the hell sort of name is "Cruze" anyway? I have visions of shit(literally) when i see the name. One of the few time I actually watched Televison.. an ad came on for this unfortunately named vehicle... bunch of old ppl in a nursing home that couldn't hear the TV they were watching. C'mon really GM? If I were in the market for a new vehicle, the "Crud" would be nowhere on my list... thanks solely to this commercial.

just fyi Brady, you list the engine size as 3.5L at the end of the article. Very nicely written, I really in joy reading your reviews. thank you! :-)

gah! what the hell?! Mazda had a good thing goin until they introduced the current Mazda3 with that abortion of a front end... someone needs to slap some sense into them!

It is not bad for what it is. works pretty well with the flow of the new front and rear design.

Lipstick on a pig...

what are you talking about? they already are extinct in most trucks.

I test drove a 2.5/6M last year. It left me with the impression that Ford is trying to phase out the Manual tranny in the Escape. Not only is it limited to the bare bones models... The clutch was about as firm as a wet noodle. It gave you absolutely no feed back as to where the clutch engagement point was. I took this thing around about 10 miles and I was never able to shift it smoothly. It also grinded going into gears, which I found odd for a brand new vehicle. I am sure the Automatic models are much better thought out, but I have to say I was very disappointed with the manual transmission.

It is the same engine... iirc, Ford redesigned the heads to a SOHC setup in 1998. It was initially used in the explorer, then eventually migrated to the Ranger in 2000.

So, supposedly, there is going to be 4 new powertrains. What about Transmission choices? Is Ford going to keep the manual on the base 4 cylinder... or will it make its way into the V6 and TF 4 Cylinder as well?

Very well said Blackhorse! Happy 4th of July everyone :D

That's not entirely true. Ford began work on this revision of the Taurus/500 before the 500 came to market. However, I do see your point in as far as this: Ford has taken heavy criticisms over the 500's shortcomings, and it is apparent that Ford has gone to a lot of work to address these issues. There is a lot of buzz going around about the new Taurus, a majority of it very positive. I think that while Ford is not out of the woods yet, they are taking the necessary steps to ensure their survival. I'm very interested to see what Ford does with the Taurus for the 6th generation. To the topic at hand: I think they all look like very nice evolutions of the current vehicles. The Milan doesn't look like it has changed much. I'm not liking the tailights on the Fusion. The current models' taillights look much better IMO. The MKZ looks stunning! The MKR grille works quite nicely. Those tailights suit the vehicle much better. If these pictures look as similar to the real thing, as Igor has stated, I will feel very optimistic abouts Ford's future prospects.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...photopanel..2.* More of Edmunds usual dribble... however, for an edmunds review of a Ford product, it is upbeat. I do agree with their blasting of the radio faceplate... but I have a hard time buying that the Taurus goes 0-60 in 8 seconds... the 500 was supposedly rated at 8 seconds. Can anyone confirm this?

That looks really sharp! The exterior is orgasmic in that darker colour. :o

I think you're on to something. The Taurus does have many strengths over its safety ratings. It is possible, that Ford is simply keeping those strengths in reserve for future advertisements. But, given Ford's track record, I'm not so sure that this is the case. Only time will tell I suppose.

I really like that. Good job! :thumb:

Well, you are talking about a country that had its presidential elections to be stolen by an incompetent. Toyota getting away with this shit here shouldn't come as any surprise.

I dunno wtf Ford did to the Automatic-equipped I4 Fusion, but I did notice similar behavior. It just was noisey, and unrefined and not very lively at all... Suffice it to say, my dad and I were not impressed... We went on to test drive a V6 Fusion(which was really great) and a Five Hundred(also a great vehicle, I think the new Taurus will be something special) that day. My dad did end up getting a Fusion I4 with Manual transmission. The manual transmission really fixes those issues. The engine doesn't sound stressed, it's silky smooth, and it really doesn't need to rev much at all to get up and go. At my altitude, and tyhe commute he takes, that Fusion gets great gas mileage as well. It averages around 35 MPG.

Speaking of things Fordish, The rims on the Motortrend spyshots look conspicuously like the Fusion 17 inch rims. Just goes to show that the Japanese don't have to lift a finger for innovation, they just wait for the Americans to do it for them.

how the fuck can you deem a product to be a "disappointment" when you can't really make out much more then its basic shape, headlights and grille?

I do like the changes... I'll have to check them out when they become available. Any idea when and where they'll be unveiled?

and have President Cheney? no thanks!

What a stupid thing to say. An increase of sales does not constitute all(or even a significant portion as you seem to be implying) of these sales being to fleet customers. I agree with Zan, the burden of proof is now in your court. cough it up or stfu. And for the record, I have driven a 4 Cylinder/Manual Fusion extensively. I simply don't understand how this car can be considered mediocre in any sense of the word. It is engaging to drive, the power is above and beyond what I expected, even the equipment levels for a base SE model is more than expected as well. Ford definitely has a winner with this car. They are taking the right steps to promote this vehicle. It's no wonder that they sold over 40% more of them vs. last month.

and what does Lincoln have that is worth exporting? I'm sure the Town Car would go over really well. :do what:

That remains to be seen. If Mulally is serious about brining back the Taurus name... a massive advertising campaign is definitely in order. Only time will tell how this will all play out.

Is it just me... or does it look like the 5th Generation Sable? and I thought Toyota lacked imagination... This is damn near a carbon copy. Still damn sexy!