Ovaltine
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Posts posted by Ovaltine
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The excess rubber on the Fusion door frame could be, if it's what I'm thinking it is (a rubber gasket that extends upward onto the doorframe along the top of the side windows), there to reduce windnoise and provide better weather sealing. It is likely not a cost cutting measure, seeing that it greatly increases the amount of rubber used in the part, and may also increase assembly time.
I should have added that the "sticking up" condition I described was occurring only in the corners of the window where the vertical and upper horizontal planes meet. In each corner the gasket went from being flush along where the glass and frame met, to protruding out (and somewhat over) by 2 or 3 16ths of an inch. The protrusion (IMHO) is most definitely a *slight* case of sloppy design/fit, since the same areas (with a similar design) on my KIA are perfectly flat and fitted.
Again, I only use this comparison as an example litmus test of "state-of-the-art" Ford against the supposed "bottom-feeder" KIA.
-Ovaltine
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why does it matter, you cant siphon the gas
Here's a good link about fuel security: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005...ng_gas_cap.html
It does appear that auto makers have put anti-siphon devices on cars for awhile (something I didn't know!), but the above link also has some good info about why locking caps or doors are nice to have for keeping vandals away from your fuel filler neck.
All in all.... given the choice of a locking door or not, I'll go with the locking door.
This quote from the above article says a mouthful.
"Here in Australia, as in Europe, either locking or internally controlled doors over the fuel cap have been standard on most models for so long that now it's getting somewhat rare to see even an old bomb without one. "
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Your kidding right?
No....... I'm not.
Re-read the post, and I think you may understand my point.
I'm NOT trying to say that my Spectra is a superior car to the Fusion on an overall basis. BUT in a brief 3 minute close-up inspection I was able to observe the two deficiencies mentioned above. What I observed and documented is true.
Incidentally, have you seen, driven, or ridden in a new KIA Spectra lately? Check this post out (about 1/4 way down) where I posted some info and pics about the latest redesigned KIA products: http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=679
I think you'll be a little surprised.
-Ovaltine
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I parked my new-design 2005 KIA Spectra next to an attractive new silver Ford Fusion SEL today at work.
The Fusion appeared to be very nice. The Fusion (and 500 for that matter) really do show *huge* improvements in Ford product (at least on the surface). That cannot be denied.
But why is it that I can find several "little" things about the Fusion that's missing (IMHO), and that even KIA has managed to nail????
For instance.....
1. Why does a $13k KIA have a locking gas filler door (w/convenient release), and the $20k+ Fusion has a simple standard flip open filler door???? In this day and age of inflating gas prices, I'd be having to buy a locking gas cap at Murray's for my Fusion and dealing with the hassle of keeping a set of keys in the car, etc.
2. Why does the Fusion have thin outer rubber seals that stick up past the door frame (next to the window) on all four doors, but my KIA's same seals are seated perfectly next to the window and frame in perfect symetry and with perfect fit?
Since I haven't sat in or ridden in a Fusion yet, I can't make any further comparisons. But I will say that when the panel gaps, paint, and general fit and finish of Korea's supposed "bottom end" manufacturer starts coming close or surpassing the quality of any of the major players, then those major players need to ratchet it up another notch or two.
-Ovaltine
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A Gran Torino wouldn't be the same unless it had that character line in the rear quarter....you know what I'm talkin about.
You bet I do...... check out an example here:
I'm in agreement. They'd have to have a curvy enough body to incorporate that line attractively.
-Ovaltine
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The inside of the car reminds me of a KIA, man is it cheap!!!!! The fabric is blaw and seems dated. Plus the acres upon acres of cheap plastic and its hard plastic.
RC:
When was the last time you were in a new KIA?
Have you check out the interiors of the new Spectra? Or the Sportage?
I have, and for the money, I think they're d-mn nice! The controls are also laid out very intelligently. I also know that the Spectra's dash, door panels, and all armrests are nicely padded or made from soft plastic/foam materials. The Sportage dashboard is made of a hard plastic compound however.
Here are some pics:
New Spectra5
Rear seat: http://media.automotive.com/evox/stilllib/...2005/5ha/52.jpg
New Spectra EX:
Rear seat: http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo...._18_346x270.jpg
New Sportage
-Ovaltine
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Most of the Ford V8s' are using plastic manifolds and have been for a long time.
They work fine and don't disintegrate if properly designed.
I'm with Niteflight on this one.
Skip the fancy composites, plastics, styrofoams, paper mache's, whatEVER you want to call it, and make the the thing that sits directly on top of a broiling hot engine out of friggin' METAL!
The few ounces and $$$ possibly saved cannot be worth the kind of aggravation that this case has caused.
And as an owner who expects 10 years and 100k+ relatively problem free miles out of his cars (with proper maintenance), a "composite" manifold just SMELLS like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off somewhere in those later years of ownership. Esp. if the design incorporates coolant passages in it as this one did.
-Ovaltine
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This morning my escort would not start. The key was on the on position and would not spring back. Obviously not the starter, alternator, or battery, so it must be in the collum. Took the shroud off and found that the tip of the cylinder attached to the electrical start was snapped off, a very small peice made of metal. Now at this point I decided to hide the fact my Ford was broken so as not to add any fuel to the sceptic fire, except that I noticed where the collum was made. Right there on the collum is stamped MADE IN JAPAN. A '95 escort with a steering collum made in japan. Cant wait for my nieghbor the mechanic which loves his japanese made nissan to ask why my Ford wont start.
Collum? Did he say Collum, or........GOLLUM???
Parked next to a new Fusion....
in Competing Products
Posted
No..... a fuel filler door isn't a deal breaker. Again... I'm using this as a "standard features" litmus test between a top-line Fusion SEL and lower-end car. The question being begged is, "Why DOESN'T the Fusion have one?"
And, if you reference the bolded part of post #5 above, you'll see my reasoning on why I think a door is still a good idea.
-Ovaltine
This is an interesting fact.
From it I surmise that foreign buyers of these products AND U.S. purchasers of "import" brands (i.e. Mazda) expect this feature.
Is it such a long stretch then to surmise that such a feature wouldn't then be welcomed on a "World Class" car like the Fusion???
Today's mantra is: Perception of value...... value of perception........ perception of value...... :P
-Ovaltine