92merc

This is not good. Not good for Ford, not good for the "prospective buyer" wanting an Edge. I hope the union realizes they are jepordizing a lot by striking just before a new model roll out. I realize it's not CAW. But still not good. Whether or not they are justified in striking, it just isn't good. Especially since I'm one of the "prospective" buyers. Just went to the dealer this weekend and was talking about ordering an Edge this week. For everyones sake, this needs to be short term...

Orange Crush is a SportTrac color.

I saw a picture just the other day that applies: An argument on the Internet is like running in the Special Olymics. Even if you win, you're still retarded. My apologies to those are are actually mentally handicapped...

Look at what you're getting vs a Santa Fe too. Edge has standard side air bags, stability roll control and a more powerful engine. The old Sante Fe is an Escape competitor, not Edge. New Santa Fe, maybe. I just re-did my fully loaded FWD Edge I'll be ordering. Came down just under $1000 less than before. I can live with that. Never mind my XPLAN pin I have...

I thought I read the Edge at 3,000lbs. With a loaded car and camper, it WILL be over 3,000lbs, that's for sure. While the Grand Marquis and Crown Vic is officially only rated for 1500lbs, a few upgrades would tow all of that better than any other "car" on the market. The CV/GM uses the same transmission as on my 2003 SuperCrew F150. If you didn't buy a CV/GM with sports package with better springs, you'd probably want to add air springs. Tranny cooler and maybe oil cooler would be good. Outside chance on power steering cooler too. So it wouldn't be cheap to upgrade exactly. But that's the only way you'll do it and keep in the mid 20mpg range for "normal" highway driving for work. Outside of that, something will have to give...

Updated Freestyle will be a 3.5 with the standard 6 speed. The updated 6 speed transmission too, BTW. Funny about the shifting. Most people I've talked to loved how smooth it was because of no shifting. It did require people let go of old habits and expectations on a shifting transmission. But that's all besides the point now that Ford has dropped the CVT...

According to what I'm reading, it says the EPA changes won't affect 2007 cars. It starts with 2008 Model Year cars. Not that Ford couldn't be using that method already. http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/420f06009.htm http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/a...33;OpenDocument

I noticed something odd. If you look at the MKZ, it shows the HP as 263. But if you check the MKX, it's at 265. Why would that be?? Personally, I was hoping for closer to 20/30 for MPG on this engine. With the Edge coming in at almost a 1000lbs heavier, I don't know how it would get "better" than the MKZ. The wife and I really really want this Edge, but the MPG is a dissappointment if it comes in at this level. After talking about it, we've still decided we want the Edge enough in spite of this. And we've been comparing everything Ford from Focus, Fusion, 500, and Grand Marquis. The Edge still fits what we want most. I guess MPG ends up being third priority after style and versatility. I just hope the ride is good, otherwise we'll be back to thinking again...

Reminds me of the pundits crying about Harley's new VROD engine and how it was a German Porsche engine, not Harley. Like you said, more than enough Americans invovled to make it American.

One part I found funny, is his statement that "too few variants to adequately cover the market". And then goes on for 6 paragraphs stating how bad the Stang sucks. Hmm, V6 Stang, Standard Stang, Shelby Stang, Hertz Stang, newer what was it, Boss Stang? Ok so much for no variants. And doesn't even address the point that the V6 Stang is actually the biggest seller out of the bunch. Whatever dude. What's with Mexi Mazda? I thought the Fusion was a Volvo platform? I forget these days. But either way, the vast majority of the Fusion parts are either unique to Fusion (skin), or are used in Ford, Lincoln, Merc, Volvo, Mazda. I get the "Mexi" part, just not the Mazda part. Hell, even the tranny isn't in the Mazda. That uses a variant with manual shift mode. I think the guy just likes to hear himself speak, or write as the case may be. As far as I'm concerned, sounds ilke he should go sit on the can if he wants to hear himself speak. It's about as useful. I gotta go get some Kool-Aid now. :-)

Then maybe some engine cooling would be in order. Does Ford shoot oil to the backside of the pistons? I've heard that done on some bigger engines for pistion cooling, therefor combustion cooling. Can't recall where I heard it though...

Yep, that's what my buddy told me as well. I guess I should have been more clear on that part. Software is all Ford. They just took the principle from the patent and wrote their own version. I do enjoy the irony that Ford was able to take something from Yoda, and make it better. In the old days, it used to be the other way around...

This is now third hand info, but a fellow motorcyclist I talk to works for Toyota. He claimed that the mechanics of the Ford system were developed by Ford. But Ford was having issues with shifting and transitions to/from gas/electric. So supposedly they bought the software and rights to Toyora software patents from Toyota to make it work "better". I don't know if that's true or not. But if I were forced to take a Prius or Escape hybrid, I'll take the Escape everyday of the week and twice on Sundays! :-)

My question is "Too low? Compared to what??" If they are expecting a seat height of an SUV, truck, or minivan for that matter, they aren't going to get it. It's a car platform. Considering the whole CUV segement is a new and growing one, I still say their argument doesn't hold any value.

I've only seen about half a dozen Caliber's around my parts of the country. But now that you mentioned it, every single one had a driver of 50+. And if the Caliber is a Neon replacement, they've switched spectrums. About 90% of the Neons I see are by those younger than 30.

I don't trust Consumer Reports for anything anymore. I've seen their reviews become more and more worthless over the past 10 years. They still claim "independance" from marketing money. I guess I don't care anymore. For example, their last review of cell phones rated a Motorola as "excellant". I bought one. Me and a few others I know have had nothing but problems with the model. Same with cars. They aren't happy unless they nitpick it to death. They may be independant from marketing money, bu they sure aren' free of bias. I'll review the Edge myself. Hey, I just might buy a copy of this CR, take a picture of me and the family in front of the Edge and give them the finger.

Escort? How long ago was that? You're comparing a more modern car to a 10+ year old car. My bro still has his Escort. 250k+ miles on it. My mom's Escort is pushing 300k miles now. Neither had any failures. And mom's car has a HEMI! :-)

I think they're answering your question as to why the Focus is being built. CAFE refers to the overall MPG rating for a company. Ford needs to the Focus to make it's numbers look good.

My Edge will be built in Canada. You saying loosing a job to Canada was OK, they've been getting them for years. But Mexico isn't good? Hey, should be grateful I'm still sticking with Ford. It's the loyal Ford fans that's keeping them going. Until the Fusion came out, Ford had very few conquest sales from other brands.

I'd say in about three years, they should have the TT 3.5 DI ready for use in Lincolns. Maybe sooner. Slap that puppy in the MKX and they won't have anything to worry about. While I like the Edge looks better than either MKX or MDX, I like the MDX grille even less than the Mkx grille.

I've pulled my Coleman pop up with my 92 Grand Marquis. It was a 100 degree day too. But I only took it 50 miles. If I were to do it more often, I'd get a transmission cooler. The other thing was the back end bounced a lot. Not comfortable riding in the back seat. But maybe the newer suspension with Watts linkage is better. Worst case, you'd probably get some air bag assist shocks out back. Outside of that, just a good quality frame hitch should do it.

Considering the Sebring is even tamer (or is it lamer) looking than the 500, I don't see how they are going to pick up market share. They'll be lucky to keep the share they have. I just Googled the Aspen up since I haven't seen one yet. WTF? Are my eyes decieving me? A SUV? Looks like a Jeep to me. SUV sales are going downhill, I don't care how "confident" Chryco is that it will sell well....

Hey, who knows. Maybe the PI will live. But the consumer version is DOA.

Not true. JD Power Associates study on 2005 vehicles. Problems per a hundred vehicles. Lincoln was third on the list at 151, behind Lexus at 139, and Porsche at 149. Ford was at 231. Cadillac at 175. Merc at 195. Inifinity at 178. Over a three year study, Lincoln was still high on the charts for reliability.

And Ford could have used the same lame ass excuse on it's cruise control fire issue. Ford has sold way more F150's than CRV's. So I wouldn't be surprised if the percentage number is even lower than CRV fires.