Roadkill

I just saw a quick blurb on one of the Fusion/Edge/MKZ threads about the next Mazda 6 being "next year". I have been looking for anything about the next version, but the only thing I have found is a couple of spy shots of heavily disguised mules and no dates. I'm guessing that at least a few of the regulars here work at the Auto Alliance plant, so I was hoping someone might have dates and know of a site with better pics of the next model. Any ideas?

"Wow---thanks for the good info. My neighbor has a Chevy Equinox and it sounds like a sewing machine---NO JOKE!" I got to go to a market survey and drive an Equinox, Vue, CR-V, and Sorento each on a 15 mile loop. The Sorento was by far my favorite - it looked and felt solid. A friend bought one and it only gets 16 around town. The Vue had the Honda V-6 and was a rocket compared to the others, but that mini-console is SOOO cheap looking. Equinox had same cheap interior with an equally cheap engine, but it was still miles ahead of CR-V. The CR-V was suprisingly quick for a 4-banger but the dash looked cheaper than the GMs and the doors sound like they were made from hammered aluminum cans. It was the first Honda I had driven in years, and it was a distant 4th to the others. I have no idea what all the excitement is about.

http://www.c30world.com/ has info but still no pricing.

Just daw a story in Autoweek http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...065/PROMOBLOG01 saying Volvo will probably bring the C30 hatch to the US in mid 2007. Does anyone have additional info on this or know where I can find some? I like the GTI but don't want to pay $28K for a hot-rod econo car that requires premium. I would feel better driving a Volvo and could hopefully use Z plan. Any info on $$$ would be appreciated (they are too proud of the S40) as well as tire/wheel sizes and how close the show car is to a production model.

1) The Equinox is built on a Saturn Vue platform and has a push rod engine. 2) 3.4 liters and only 185 hp compared to 3.5 liters and 265 hp 3) Even though we don't know the Edge's mpg yet, I can promise you it will be no worse than the Equinox's 18/23. 4) The Equinox has the same cheesy little console-ette with shifter where it looks like it comes out of the lower dash instead of the floor. Looks low-rent. 5) Buy the equinox because you can save serious $$$. It's a step below and Escape, and a few steps below the Edge.

The car is sharp, regardless of who it was designed for. Does anyone have any info on the aftermarket parts (who makes the ground effects, what brand and size are the wheels)?

"The problem I have with the Zephyr is the difference between it and a fully loaded Fusion just isn't worth the price difference. Load the Zephyr with options that distinguish it (Nav., Air Cooled Seats) and the price jumps into the new 2007 Lexus ES350 range. Of the two cars, I think most people will choose the Lexus." (Sorry, I haven't figured out yet how to paste a prior posting in the box) ...but I disagree with the "most people will choose the Lexus" part of this statement. There seems to be a group of mostly teenagers and wannabe preppies that think Lexus is the pinnacle of automobiledom, but most of the people I know fall into 1 of 2 categories: 1) If you just have to have a toyota but want something nicer, buy a Lexus 2) If you REALLY want a Mercedes or BMW but can't afford it, a Lexus will work Those who like toyotas will buy the Lexus, those who like Fords will buy the Lincoln. Those who Like GM or Honda won't buy either.

For 54 additional HP. the Mazdaspeed 6 is less than a second quicker to 60 than the 6s. The AWD and chassis stiffening add close to 400 lbs. I would like the 3.5 w/o AWD to save the weight. I hope some magazine does a MKZ 3.5 vs Mazdaspeed 6 comparison.

That's too bad. I like the MKZ, too, but it might be too pricey for my budget, even with Z plan. So Nissan will continue to get all the guys like me who want near- Mustang performance but need 4 doors. I really like the Altima SE-R but can't stomach buying a Nissan. I felt guilty buying a Mazda, but since they are controlled by Ford it has a Ford engine, I gave in.

That's what I was afraid of, but I had seen "Fusion" and "3.5" in these forums enough times that I thought someone had inside information. Seems like many of the people on the forums are Ford employees. Thanks for your reply.

I'm somewhat looking for a new car. I want a Mustang, but 3-year old twins and a 28 mile commute (each way) make that impractical. I really like the Fusion - my parents have one, and I have a Mazda 6 that I love. The current Fusion doesn't give me anyhthing the 6 doesn't have, so it's hard to justify one to the spousal unit. If the Fusion got the 265 hp 3.5, I get excitement + practicality at the same (or possibly better) gas mileage. I win, and she doesn't mind at all. When I ask any Ford person (I only have access to salespeople or car show reps), they deny my Fusion 3.5 will ever be made. It seems a pretty common topic on these forums. Does anyone here know for sure or are they just fantasizing like me? If it will happen in the next year, I can wait, but otherwise I might sink a few $$$ in the 6 3.0 for more excitement.

Dear Ford, Just saw the Lincoln MKS at the Dalls Auto Show, and if you will build me that EXACT car, I (and other 40-something white guys) will buy it in droves. But if you do the typical Show-Car-to-Real-Car 'dummying down' (i.e. smaller wheels/tires, cheaper interior bits, larger, less-stylish rear-view mirrors and headlights), then you will see this car relegated to the current Lincoln 'older than 40' demographic. P.S. - I want it in this green, too.

There was 1 MKZ at the Dallas Auto Show, and it didn't have 18 or 19 inch rims. Same 17s I was expecting. Still a gorgeous car - hard to tell the difference from the Zephyr, even when they were just a few feet apart. The MKZ just looked a bit more expensive.

The lady I asked about the Edge said it would be in showrooms in September. Take that for what it's worth. She had no idea what I meant by Job1, and couldn't provide a single technical stat. Just a nice-looking woman with a clipboard. And one more point, the Edge is a smoking-hot looking vehicle in real life. Much nicer than in pictures. With bigger wheels/tires, it would be nearly perfect.

The show starts tonight through Sunday. I am going friday and will post what I find out then. Have fun at the race. We are implementing software this weekend, so I am working Sunday night. Throw rocks at Stewart, Gordon, and JJohnson for me.

Has anyone seen the add for the Dallas Auto Show? It has 3 photos, and the top one is a MKZ with what appears to be enough wheel/tire to TOTALLY fill out the wheel wells. I have a Mazda6 with RX8 rims (18x8) with 235/45 18 tires. These in the ad photo definitely take up more space. I would guess 19 x 8 or 9 with just enough offset to make them flush with the fender lips. I lust after the Zephyr as it is, but with these wheels and tires, they have me as a customer. Unfortunately, I'm sure these are 'auto show only', and the best we will get from the factory are 17x7. Someone PLEASE tell me these are the new rims for the AWD MKZ!!!

I'm just a guy reading as many websites as possible, so I know nothing official, but what I've read is this fall as `07 models. I am heading to the Dallas Auto Show Friday, and it will be filled with Ford people. I will see what they say - I am interested, too.