tzach

You can not see any reason that a front plate might come in handy to law enforcement? Really! Maybe you should think a little harder. Denying a tool to all cops because some don't do there job properly is moronic. I suppose whatever profession you are in is full of all hardworking , honest, rulefollowing perfectionists. And the whole argument is pointless anyway because it is not the cops in any given state that decide wheather there is a front plate or not. It is the politicians, now if you want to get on them for not doing there job properly I will be right with you. But front plates are not one of there mistakes. Finally what is the big deal anyway? If you live in a state where they are required you really don't even notice them because you are so used to them being there.

WOW! Hopefully now people will buy them. Otherwise the manual cause willl take a hard blow to the face. Wonder why they just would'nt make it optional in the SEL also. I also wonder if this does sell could it effect the Escape and the Fusion as far as availability goes.

I don't think so actually. The S is available only with the 2.5L and from Fords website it says • Available new 1.6L EcoBoost* engine. Coupled with standard SelectShift Automatic® six-speed transmission or optional manual transmission. So I would assume it will be available on the SE at least.

I am not blaming Ford Not blaming anyone! I am just sad for the disappearing of manual transmissions. Funny though I think if more people at least tried out driving a stick for a week more people might discover that they like them

I beg to differ, there is a reason. That being that there are people that want them. Efficiency is great but it is not like there is a 20% difference! I am more than willing to give up 1 or 2 mpg for a stick. And I get that the number of people who want sticks are dwindling and the number that will not buy a car they want because one is not available is far less still. I think it is a sad time and over the mext ten years i would not be surprised for the stick to disappear from the Fiesta and Focus. Hopefully it will stay in the Mustang forever. I will not buy an auto until I loose the ability to push in a clutch, and at that point I might as well let my wife drive.

Manuals used to be more fuel efficient and autos were still around for those who wanted them! So why is it different now that things have switched. The only Ford that will be left with a stick soon will be the mustang. So sad!

If you do live in this country and are not joking, I will be counting the hours until your drivers license is taken away or you kill yourself. I just hope you don't take any innocent people with you.

I don't know how old you are, I am 46. Having grown up during the 70's maybe gives me a bias I don't know, but I really love Fords 70's styling. At least the first 1/2 of the decade. i think the worst time for Ford was the early 80's. Example '77 - '79 T-Bird awesome and '80 - '82 horrible. I agree with you as far as triing to create luxury with grilles and vinyl roof however.

WHAT? I don't know that! Ahhhhhhhhh

So your saying that every car company that offers a manual transmission, basically all of them, are wasting money just to keep a small minority happy? OK whatever you say. It is not even worth debating this with you, because no amount of logic, good reason or number of people will change your mind.

I fail to understand why it gets some people so angry that some of us prefer to drive manuals. Obviously you do not drive a manual because you would understand that just because there is more involved with driving one does not make it more difficult. I do not find it harder just more enjoyable. You should not comment on things of which you have no first hand experience. I regularly drive both, my work truck and my wifes car are autos. My car is a stick and always will be. Try driving a stick for 6 months and see what you think ( I know unrealistic ) before making uninformed comments and putting other people down for choices they make.

Oh boy, here we go again. First of all by using the word snob you are implying that we think we are better because we prefer to drive a manual. That is not true. Second of all you are saying that driving a manual is harder thean an automatic, for some maybe, but not for anyone who is experienced. You anti manual guys are always starting this argument. You think manuals are old and modern autos are better. Well that all depends on your point of view. So in my opinion you are the snob, you think just because something is new and easier ( your opinion ) everyone should prefer it, well they don't so leave us alone to do what we enjoy.

It is not a sexist satement, it is a true statement. My wife can drive a stick, she learned on one and my sister-in-law will deive only sticks like me. I get worked up with the anti-stick crowd enjoying the decline in manual transmission percentage. The try to tell everyone that modern autos are better. But more efficient does not better make! Not wanting to drive a stick is fine but thier joy at our pain is annoying. Women are safer drivers, yes no doubt, better, some are some are not. Not the point. Sticks are for enjoying being part of the machine not for stroking. A little projection there I think. And sticks were not invented because autos were not good, there were sticks only because that is what was invented with the car, autos came later. You can have all the reasons you want that sticks are no good, they are your opinion and you are entitled to them but don't try and act like they are fact for everyone. I am sick of the auto crowd and there critcism of the stick because they feel inadequate. Get over it and like was said there will be sticks forever for us who want them, so take glee and shove it.

Having to work the stick and clutch involves you in the entire driving experience, the steering, accelerating and breaking are all interrelated in the whole driving experience, and the stick is one more part of this experience. Driving a stick is not a distraction to driving it is very much a part of it and does keep you more focused on that job. Anyone saying it is a distraction does not drive a stick everyday and the statement is laughable. Driving a stick is in no way a compromise it is a choice for people who like to have greater control over their vehicle, it is not "essential" for most but it is for us "enthusiasts" which you use sarcastically, but should not, if you are really into driving and not just cars, you would find it "essential". If you do not want to drive a stick that is your choice and fine with me But remember automatic transmissions were invented so women could drive!! So enjoy your manual. I will keep driving sticks till I am dead or can't push the clutch. Oh and by the way being happy that sticks are going away because of all the lazy @ss drivers out there shows you are imature. Manuals are not better alternatives to the complete driving experience, just to those just looking for transportation! If these kids can't shift and drive mabe they should ride the bus! My son will start driving this year and he will learn to drive a stick, everyone should.

What is the difference between D3 and D4 and why are Flex and MKT moving to D3 for the MCE. Why not just wait till 2nd generation and the switch to EUCD. Why will Explorer and MKExplorer stay on D4. Sorry for all the questions just curious.

I think he was referring to them with respect to each other, not that the next MKX will be smaller than it is now.

Sorry Baggs32 but it really is very simple, and don't see how it can even be interpreted your way at all. Could we be wrong and you right, anything is possible. We shall all see eventually.

I read it just like akirby. SelectShift comes with the package if you get the Auto. Otherwise the package would specify it came with auto.

Good point, I wonder what the price bump will be for the ST. Of course I would prefer my next car to be a loaded mustang gt convertible which I could get loaded with a stick. But in all reality the Focus se with sport package and manual is probably way more financially realistic!

I agree, and will only buy a manual for that reason. I would prefer a loaded car also but given the choice between giving up the manual or giving up the extras, I will give up the extras every time. What I don't understand is why Ford does not offer the manual on all trims? Does this somehow save them money? If so how? Is it because the take rate would be so low on the upper trims so they just don't bother, but why lose any sale because of this. Even if there was no dealer stock most customers who wanted a car this way would order it and wait I would think.

I like wagon myself, not all of them of course. Still love the 77 LTD II wagon my parents had, of course I love 70's Ford Styling in general, also the 72 Torino wagon. My wife had a 06 Freestyle and t o me thatwas a wagon no matter what Ford called it. Dante was right and not only product planners but the buing public at large agreed that each of those segmentswere mom mobiles. In todays world being "cool" has become more and more important o people in older and older age groups. It used to be only kids and teenagers woried about being cool and adults woried about about their budget and safety or other mature issues. Now most adults still have those issues in the mind but have added the cool factor into their decission making process. So as each segment was deemed "not cool" they moved on to something else. Of course the marketing is important to call it a crossover or SUV instead of a wagon and your good. Because when you look at it most crossovers are tall awd wagons.

I voted for names. My preference would be MKS > Sentinel MKZ > Zepher Future rear wheel drive large sedan > Continental MKExplorer > Aviator. I also believe they should be changed for all new models not for the MCE.

Yes, I know you were being sarcastic, believe me I learned from the best (my dad). Justpointing out that no matter how much sense limiting top speeds would make it is to big a money maker to happen anyway. I know a lot of people here would not want it to happen it would be a good thing overall. And yes know there are many contributing factors to auto accidents and speed limitation would not be a magic bullit it would save lives. Not only of the morons who are driving at excessive speeds but people they run into. Believe me am not for government sticking it's nose into and regulating everything but the should be protecting us from danger also.

This will never happen, there is to much revenue to be made by the States and towns when they pull over speeders.

The whole blind spot thing always baffled me, I adjust my mirrors so the cars in my rearview enter the sideview while still in the rearview and then into my vision while still in the sideview. I don't remember being taught how to adjust my mirrors when I was learning to drive but that was almost thirty years ago! So I don't know if they teach it different now or not. It just seams like common sense to me to adjust the mirrors this way. Everyone just needs to take a little time to adjust seats and mirrors properly, but it seesm this is to much work for most people, so many today have absolutely no respect for anyone else. I agree the driving today is worse than ever with a few of the big things being not moving over to the right of the lane or onto the shoulder when making a right turn. Speeding up to blow through yellow lights and even just turned reds, almost got rear ended a bunch of times because of this. No courtesy of every other car when merging. I can go on all day but I will stop my rant now.