92merc

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/1....fun/index.html

If American's were truly worried about "de-Americanizing", then they wouldn't be buying Honda/Nissan/Toyota's, now would they. I say, "Ford build it. I don't care where you get the parts. Keep the quality up and prices on par, we're good to go."

My Montego uses LED's out back. They are "holy shit" bright. I'm not sure, but I think the backup light is LED too. What ever it is, it's way brighter than any other vehicle I've seen. The third brake light is LED, and is plenty bright. Coupled with my HID headlights, that's one big reason I bought my Montego. I'm disappointed they removed them for the Sable.

I'm just shocked CR is actually saying this. They've been so pro Toyota for so long, I don't think they even wanted to admit Toyota has issues.

IF people start actually reading Toyota's reliability, then I see their car sales slacking off. CNN just posted that Consumer Reports won't recommend any Toyota car with a V6 without at least a year of reliability. Not that I treat CR as gospel. But about freaking time. So Ford is on a turn around in cars, albeit slowly. They need to advertise the crap out of the Taurus. Then the Fusion refresh is needed with better engine options and Hybrid. Mustang refresh. Focus is new for now. I still think Ford needs to slip another car in there somewhere. Like a RWD performance possible car. Sure make a V6, but with some SHO features as an option. Hell make it AWD capable with RWD preference. I think it could sell better than an AWD Taurus, potentially. All of that put together and Ford could be back above Honda easily. As far as Honda, I see nothing in the pipeline that is anything great. Definitely nothing with more Wow factor that Ford is putting out. And they don't sell as many models of cars as Ford. GM, I'm calling a wait and see. The Malibu has potential, but I don't think it'll sell any better than the Aurua is for Saturn. It'll be a "meh" car. But I still believe GM has the ability to turn themselves around. Chrysler who?? :-)

I think they did the same thing on the Mercury Sable. Since they moved the plate down to the bumper out back, they must have thought there was too much blank space. Put a monster Merc emblem out back. Too big IMO. But it's one way to distinguish it from the Milan...

http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/16/autos/cr_r...dex.htm?cnn=yes

Lucky bastards. We were ahead of normal until about a month ago. Now Bismarck is falling behind again.

First off, Bill's an idiot. He figures since the lakes are huge, there's plenty of water to take. Great lakes have been low. Shouldn't be taking water from there. But for example, Montana, and Both Dakota's have been in a drought for 8 years now. We have 3 major damns that produce electricity and both are huge fish stocks and recreation. That water could have been conserved, but No... The Corps of Engineers flushed it all downstream for barge traffic. We're now at record lows for the past 3 years. We have such little water, many cities water intakes have been compromised. The Corp has had to pay to extend all those intakes because of their mismanagment. So even though the barge industry has lost less money than the recreation industry has in our 3 states alone, the Corp screwed up and flushed all the water down river, and the barge industry is now stuck with short seasons anyway. Nothing was gained. More was lost than gained. Plus, the electric generation is one quarter of where it should be. It's clean energy. But now I'm sure those that should have gotten that electricity are whining they can't power their dildos...

Reminds me of the mouth of a blow-up doll...

Why does everyone believe just because it has the same name of Taurus, it should be the same car? Shoot, the first gen Taurus was a pretty good sized vehicle before the remodel/downsize. I don't know for sure, but the physical dimensions of Gen1 are probably pretty dang close to the new Taurus. So they put an old name on a new car. Big deal. Why do people think this is a negative? It's just a name. The name of Taurus carries some heritage and marketing value and Ford is using it. If someone shows up thinking they'll get something like the old Taurus, the dealer can easily show them something else if the new Taurus is too big. Also, Ford doesn't really have a good name in the smaller car class to carry that same name and marketing value. Contour? Granada? LTDII? Nothing worth digging up again. So the Fusion name is fine. Leave it. Don't muck it up. Stick with it. In the case of the 500 name, and Montego for that matter, Ford didn't market the name enough to garner any model recognition. So they didn't loose much there. Personally, I like the name Montego better than Sable. WTF is a Sable anyway? Some furry animal destined to be a coat? Montego just sticks with me better. But it's just a name and if I lost my Montego in a bone crush accident, the Sable name won't stop me from buying one to replace my Monty. Shoot, I call it my Merc anyway...

The red interior one looks to have the same audio system, and HVAC controls my 2007 Montego have. Same as 500 then too. Not that I'm complaining. I have no problems using them I'd be satisfied with a XLT trim level Supercrew and those controls.

Are they still pushing that number! WTF? Anyone I talk to around here is 42 max...

That makes no sense with regards to HP to weight. I ride a Honda Ruckus scooter. It's 194 lbs. It's 5hp stock. Top speed is 42mph stock. I get about 90mpg. All of that considered, just don't see how a much heavier car can get 282 mpg.

Stupid driving gets people killed. Period. Doesn't matter if they're on two wheels or four. I can kill my self on my cruiser just as fast as a sport bike. Idiot cager pulling out in front of me will kill me just as fast as I can kill myself, or a brick wall for that matter. Stupidity needs to be addressed. Not the mode used to obtain their stupidity. Fordbuyer, I'm sorry you lost someone from an accident. But your logic basically states that if someone I loved hung themselves, it's the rope's fault. Not the suicidal person. (In the case of the motorcyclist doing something stupid) Or if I accidentally cut my arm off in a band saw and bleed to death, the band saw company is at fault. (In case of cager killing rider). PEOPLE need to start taking responsibility for their actions. And they also need to be held accountable for mistakes.

I have an 03 SuperCrew. Before buying it though, I test drove an 04 Screw. The 04 was way smoother and quieter. If it wasn't for the fact of the $$ buying new, that's what I would have now. Oh, and by the way, I am just a Joe Schmoe who picks up stuff and tows a small camper. For everything I do, the 04 is what I would prefer. Just wasn't willing to pay for at the time. And I'll be keeping an eye out for the new generation. With trans and power updates, I just might be paying for new! (DIESEL!)

I doubt Ford will go back to a two row 6 person ala bench ever in a car. Just not needed. If people need more than seating for 5, they go for the X or the upcoming Flex. Besides, I don't think this Volvo platform was ever designed to do 3 up front. From a safety perspective, it's tougher to get by with. I won't be buying anything with bench seats anymore...

Old Fairmount: I believe the 3.5 was worth the effort. But if you look at it, it's not just replacing the 3.0L. It's also replacing the 3.8 and 4.2 V6's. For the power, it's also replacing that 3.9V8 from the Lincoln LS. Throw on top of it, with the direct injection, variable valve, and turbo possibilities, it'll be even more versatile and can even replace some 4.6 V8 applications. Ralph: I agree with you on power. I have the Montego with the 3.0L. I came from a Grand Marquis with the 4.6. The butt dyno says the Monty is just as quick. But it's different. With the 6 speed and electronic throttle, you need to mash the pedal a bit more to make it work for you. But when it does, the RPM's wind up and the gears start working for you. What I would prefer is Ford take the 3.5 technology with DI, valves and apply it to a 3.0 version. For the now named Sable, it would be nice to have a fuel sipper version that was maybe a couple more ponies better. I'd buy it. And I'm sure the lighter Fusion would benefit as well.

"I'm special! Dee Dee Dee". (ala Carlos Mencia)

BTW, that test was on the extended cab. That absent B pillar made it bad for the crash test. If you find a video of the standard cab or SuperCrew, it did very well. About as good as the current model. Go stir your crap elsewhere Blackpony...

No point in an Explorer based Ranger/F100. Explorer will be moving to unibody relatively soon. So if they are making a "new" truck, it's probably already on that unibody frame...

Heater hose. Just have him move it away from the COP. This happens sometimes and it usually makes a misfire because of the COP, not the injector. #4 is right up to the firewall where the heater core is.

WTF? It has a CD/Cassette? OK, I think Ford needs to maybe update a bit. A 6 disc CD would be more useful than that!

My favorite is the Mercury "God Head Logo" they put on the recent Marauder. I'd love to pick up a ornament like that, same size as my Mercury symbol on the front of the Montego.

When you say "sporty", you must mean the looks. I've taken my Montego around a clover leaf corner faster than I'd take my 700lb cruiser motorcycle. I have the 18" wheels and if you just whip the wheel, it will turn. Turns way better than my old Grand Marquis. But I pay for it. Ride is harsher. Not in a bad way. But road joints are more noticeable. Now as far as looks go, I have to agree. I didn't care for the fiver's grille. Which is one reason I bought the Montego. Just a better looking nose. But it's all relative I suppose.