akirby

The only requirement is that the oil meets the Ford spec. Ford makes synthetic 5w-20 but the factory oil is a synthetic blend which is really good. Some synthetics don't meet the Ford spec so make sure whatever you use does - and don't change it for at least 5K miles to let the rings seat better.

Here's a clue - starts with HY and ends with BRID. I think that's the only way for Ford to make huge mpg gains. They were working on a hydraulic hybrid several years ago. I don't know if that's the plan - I'm just saying that it is a possibility that you aren't considering.

How did Ford increase Fusion fuel economy dramatically? It's not just about ICE and weight.

It is a fact that the initial Focus inventories were constrained. I spent several weeks looking for one in June and ended up ordering one. There were very few on dealer lots. Others have confirmed the same thing at their local dealerships. You can't judge an entire national market based on what YOU see at YOUR dealer. You need to take into account what other people are seeing, especially Dean and other dealer reps. If you say "I think" and state a fact that conflicts with common sense or other known parameters then you're going to get called on it. If someone says "I think the Earth is flat" would you not correct them?

I'm sure the dealer can do it.

I don't know which one saves more money but obviously both types of sharing are desirable. The biggest savings for the platform itself is probably that you don't have to start from scratch to develop a new vehicle. You just modify the existing platform.

Me too. But then you probably already guessed that......

I don't typically like station wagons but that's pretty nice.

They're no longer making the decisions and they're not using the same processes. If you don't understand the HUGE change in Ford management the last 5 years then you simply haven't been paying attention. I love Rangers. I owned 2 of them. But you simply can't deny the realities of the small truck market just because you want a new Ranger. It's not so much the F150 is a sacred cow - it just has so much volume and high ATPs that the ROI from a F series investment is so much bigger than the ROI from the same amount invested in a new Ranger. 600K volume (and growing) versus a potential 100K (and shrinking). We've all heard there are major architectural changes in store for the F150 in 2 years. A full sized F series that gets significantly better fuel economy is a much wiser investment. You people need to start thinking with your heads instead of your heart.

I think it's a given Taurus will have to either share the CD4 platform (longer and maybe wider) or a GRWD Falcon/Mustang platform. I don't think D3/D4 will suffice for cars going forward.

Are you saying the Fusion won't come with tires?

It does if you're an engineer.

Just remember - the jury is still out whether GM can offer all these choices on a vehicle this price AND make money. Not saying they won't but that has to be a consideration for the mfr. Unless you're GM where you really don't need to make money on a particular vehicle.

My point, in case it wasn't clear, is that leather is a natural material and while it may be colder or warmer than cloth for a couple of minutes, it quickly adjusts to your body temperature. If you don't like leather or just don't want it - fine, but don't use temperature as a reason.

And what makes you the expert on why people are not buying a Fiesta?

I don't think of any of those first - I think of the more commonly seen models first. A8 is the last Audi most people would think of (for me it's R8, A5, A4, TT). Well duh. This would have been a good point to make 3 years ago. But Lincoln has not only announced plans for unique vehicles and upgraded dealership experiences they've taken actions - like hiring a team of over 100 people dedicated to turning Lincoln around and having a dedicated design staff (and killing Mercury - don't dismiss that commitment). This is akin to a sports team saying "what we used to do isn't working so we're going in a new direction with a new coach and some new players" and having sports reporters say "this team will never go anywhere if they keep doing what they're doing." By the way - if you take the MKZ concept and super-size it the new MKS, throw in a base 3.7L DI 330 hp engine with a 400 hp 3.5L ecoboost optional engine and standard AWD - why wouldn't that compete with the S class, LS and other full sized vehicles? Those aren't exactly canyon carvers - they're more about luxury appointments and size than handling.

Who?

This doesn't make sense to me in the Escape. It's the same way in the Edge with the Sport but the assumption there was they wanted to protect the MKX which has the same engine as the Edge Sport so to get HIDs and the 3.7L you have to go with the higher priced MKX. But with the Escape there is no Lincoln version yet nor would they be likely to share the top engine. Maybe they're trying to limit Titanium sales for some reason (CAFE, parts availability, ??)?

They're obviously leases - most likely 27 months since those seem to be the ones being subsidized right now. But it doesn't really matter whether it's a 27 or 39 month lease - the monthly payment is all most leasees care about.

The Escape and Fusion leases are being subsidized by Ford. They're subsidized - Fiesta and Focus aren't.

Bingo. You won't see that when the new Fusion and Escape arrive.

I agree in principle but we need 1 change to the current law: If I am in an accident with someone who is not wearing their seatbelt I cannot be held liable for their injury or death nor can my insurance company. If you don't want to buckle up then whatever happens is your liability, not mine or my insurance company's. Same for motorcyclists without helmets.

So let's look at 2011 Sales (rounded) IS 30K GS 11K LS 10K Total 51K ES 41K RX 83K CT 15K HS 3K Total 142K The rest: SC 18 GX 12K LX 3K Bespoke platforms or not - Expensive RWD luxury vehicles do not sell in big numbers. If you were tasked with reinventing Lincoln which market would you go after first?

Not feeling the dash, especially the climate controls/shifter. Reminds me of a Corsica rental car but maybe that's just the grey plastic. I hope it's actually darker and closer to black than grey - I've seen that in some interior pictures where black looks grey.