FStephenMasek

I had an Edge on order, but then discovered two things. First, the Edge cargo compartment is not wide enough for my needs. Second, the Explorer cargo compartment is radically more useful if you order it without the 3rd row seat, which means that there is no bulge on the left side for the rear HVAC, and without the Audiophile system, which means there is no bulge on the right side for the subwoofer and amplifier. Of course, the Explorer provides the pleasure of a V8 and rear wheel drive. Why would anyone order the Explorer six, as the V8 has the same MPG ratings? Even as much as I drive (30,000 plus miles per year for business), the Explorer only uses about $50 more gasoline per month than an Edge.

Thanks, but it was more planning than bravery. Those troughs in the roof seem like an ideal location for those little antennas. I also drilled one in the tailgate, behind the license plate.

Everyone - I just added two more photos. The Crutchfield adapter harness has an orange wire for the IP illumination connection, but the harness in the Explorer does not have a wire in the corresponding slot. The screen was very bright last night, so I realized my error, opened it up today, and connected the orange illumination wire from the AVIC-Z1 to the IP illumination wire on the HVAC controls (blue with brown stripe). Now the screen dims when the lights are on. Oldracer - I had the base sound system. I specifically did not want the Audiophile system, as the big bulge on the right side of the cargo compartment would make it impossible for me to carry my ladders. It sounds fine with the four 3-way speakers and just the amplifiers built intot he AVIC-Z1. However, it would have been easy to add external amplifier(s) and a sub-woofer. NLPRacing - The Eddie Bauer I bought does not have the steering wheel controls. However, you can use them with the Pioneer unit. A company named PAC makes the adapters: http://www.pac-audio.com/products/products...eel%20Interface

I completed the installation yesterday. To see pictures go to http://www.photobucket.com and look at the album under my user name - fsmmcsi Having the shop manuals was essential. You will be amazed, even stunned by the difference made by replacing the factory speakers with good speakers. I started the installation by installing Cerwin-Vega IT-683 speakers: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_286.html I bought the Pioneer AVIC-Z1, back up camera, Bluetooth unit, and XM & XM NavTraffic units from: http://www.abesofmaine.com/ and the installation kit and adapters from Crutchfield.

My new 2006 Explorer V8 sometimes does the same thing. Please let us know if you learn anything new.

The tanking sales of the 500 and Montego are no surprise, but I am surprised that everything I read seems to indicate that Ford is still waiting until the Detroit show to show-off the revised Five Hundred, and maybe Chicago to show the Montego. If they would at least publish photos now, it might be enough to help the dealers convince at least some car shoppers to wait before buying a competing vehicle. In fact, why don't they just forget the car shows and get the revisions into production ASAP. Is Spring / Summer the best they can do, or it the information delayed because they are not finished with the design work?

Igor, I originally posted those figures on Edmunds and elsewhere. I have not seen anything to indicate that the FWD and AWD MKZs have different final drive ratios, although they may.

If the Oakville workers allow these strikers who do not even work at the assembly plant to significantly delay the Edge, they do not deserve any of my money. Perhaps I will cancel my Edge order and buy a CX-9 so that the funds go to the workers in Hiroshima, Japan.

Although I have an Edge on order, I really would prefer a sedan, preferably one with an elevated seating position, and the cargo space of the Five Hundred and Montego is even better for my needs that that in a CUV / SUV. The combination of no telescoping steering wheel and the over-sized boxy console makes it impossible for me to sit comfortably in the current versions, the current interior is cheaply finished, and the current engine and CVT are far too noisy. We all know that the 2008 models coming out in early 2007 will be shown at the Detroit show, and will have the new 3.5 V6 and GM-Ford 6-speed automatic, and will have enhanced front and rear exterior styling. What about the interior? Bill Ford has mentioned something about a revised interior, but why haven't any photos been taken of the new interior, if there is one? In fact, why is Ford waiting? All of the vehicles which might compete with the Five Hundred are already on the market, or are so close to being on sale that photos and detailed specifications have been published. The only exception is the next Accord, although plenty of people would dispute that it and the Five Hundred / Montego compete. Therefore, what has Ford got to loose by ending the secrecy about the revised Five Hundred and Montego? The sales of the current models will not decrease, but Ford stands a good chance of causing people to delay purchases of vehicles if they have all of the information on the revised Five Hundred and Montego. Why not release photos, specifications, and show the new versions in Anaheim? If they are not finished by now, Ford is in far greater trouble than any of us imagined.

My estimate is 18 city and 26 highway for the FWD Edge and 17 city and 25 highway for the AWD Edge. The MKX weighs more, so will probably be rated one MPG less. With production starting in one month, the real figures should eb out soon.

If Fields and Ford really understood their emergency situation, they would already be re-tooling a factory to make the MKS. If Fields and Ford really understood their emergency situation, they would already be re-tooling a factory to make the MKS. They showed the concept at the car shows in early 2006, so the production car should be out in 2007.

When I ordered my Edge, the fleet guy told me he had just returned from sales training on the Edge, and that they were told it would be two years before the 3.5 was in the Five Hundred. However, I wonder if this is just another example of the confusion over calendar vs model year? They are still selling 2006 Five Hundreds, but I thought that the 2008 Five Hundred, due out early in 2007, would have the 3.5.

The order guide available elsewhere on Blue Oval News, and on other sites, has most of the dimensions. I measured the rear cargo area at the LA auto show, but did not write them down. I know that my 55" long Little Giant Ladder will fit diagonally.

I thought that those of you who build the Edge would be interested to know that the fleet / internet salesman who took my order for an Edge yesterday twice said something about the dealership needing a savior and hoping that the Edge sells very well.

On Monday 7/24 I called the fleet people at two nearby dealerships and both have the order guides, so I placed my order for an SEL Plus with AWD and the reverse sensors. The only other options I could have ordered were 18" wheels, a trailer hitch, and sound/navigation components. I want XM Nav-Traffic and Bluetooth, so will intall a Pioneer AVIC-Z1 after I take delivery.

Where oh where is the real data? Is Ford having problems with the new engine and transmission?

The Acadia (and upcoming Saturn and Buick versions) are radically larger than the Edge, and seat 7 or 8. They are really large SUV or minivan replacements. The Freestyle is larger than the Edge, but the GM vehicles are even larger. I too am considering the Edge, as well as the Mazda CX-7, The Acura RDX, the Cadillac SRX, and the 2008 Mercury Montego, so wish that Ford would get the information out. As big as the Acadia is, it would cost less to buy fuel for it than for the CX-7 or RDX, since both of them have turbo-charged fours which don't work well in 4,000 pound vehicles, so use too much premium fuel. Ford is supposedly are taking orders for the Edge now, but I have been unable to find any order guides, and the mileage data is still not available. I will go to a dealership this weekend to see if they know anything, but they usually only want to push what they have in stock.

The very poor IIHS side wreck test results show that the basic Panther structure is not one to keep. Yes, they tested a car without side air bags, but the structure deformed much worse than the other large cars tested. Interestingly, the Chrysler 300 and Hyundai Azera didn't do nearly as well as I would have expected from new designs. The Five Hundred, Avalon, and Impala (surprise) came out on top. I suggest watching the side wreck test video: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr061806.html

Well, since we are on this theme - what about FMX (Ford Motor Crossover) to pick up on the new Lincoln naming convention?

Yes, I considered the RAV4. However, go the RAV4 World web site and read about all of the quality problems. The final straw for me was reports of a steering column leaning to one side, the same defect which made me sell an expensive new Sienna after 4,500 miles for a $8,500 loss, as I could not stand the neck and upper back pain I had when driving the thing.

The information posted elsewhere shows that today (July 10, 2006) is the day the orderbank is opened for the 2007 Edge, but I can't find any order guides here or elsewhere. Did Ford actually begin accepting orders today? What about prices and fuel economy information?

Now that I think more about it, what the CV, GM, and TC really need is a modern diesel engine with 200-some horsepower and 400-some foot-pounds of torque. The fleet buyers and everyone else would love the excellent power and mileage such an engine would provide. As luck would have it, I understand that just such an engine is being developed for the F-150. I have been seeing more and more brand new GMs around southern CA. The exteror is fine, but the interior really does not need much work to also make it OK. I surely would like an IRS for the far smoother ride, and that would be the most difficult update, but with a separate frame, even that should be much easier than a similar change on a unit-body car.

Had Ford developed an IRS, updated engine, new 6-speed transmission, and new interior for the CV/GM/TC instead of for the Expedition and Navigator, and advertised the cars, and their superior fuel mileage and safety (stability control or not, the car handles and stops better and will not wreck in situations in which the SUV will), they would probably make more significantly more money than they will from the Expedition and Navigator update.

Very well said! However, once the updated Montego / Five Hundred / Freestyle are out, sales of those vehicles will probably zoom. I would still prefer rear wheel drive or rear-biased all wheel drive, but am unwilling to put up with the horrible fuel mileage and lousy handling of an Explorer. The CV, GM, and TC weight far less, so that alone makes it possible for them to obtain far better real world fuel mileage. Updating to the new 4.6 and the new 6-speed automatic and giving them updated interiors would be enough to cause a huge increase in sales, but at further expense to the Explorer and Expedition / Navigator. However, sales of those SUVs will continue to fall, so updated panthers would at least give Ford a reasonable chance of keeping customers who prefer rear wheel drive and a V8 (I think that rear wheel drive and V8 power are more significant than cargo capacity for many, or even most, SUV buyers). If Ford really wants to compete with Daimler Chrysler and the upcoming rear wheel drive GM products, they would also update the panthers with an independent rear suspension. Sadly, all of what the panthers need could be done with just part of the money being wasted on Jaguar.

Where are photos of the 2008 interiors? If Ford leaked the exterior photos, al least by driving or parking them in obvious places, then they need to park them at a restaurant or shopping center long enough to allow photos of the interiors to be taken. Upgrading the interior is the other key thing needed, now that we know that the engine and exterior appearance problems have been fixed.