akirby

Ribbed for pleasure?

According to Joey (ice-capades) the 2013 Taurus order bank opened 11/18 and scheduling begins this week with job 1 2/6/2012. Not sure why your dealer can't take your order now. I wouldn't expect more than a $300 price increase, if that.

Last I heard it was still late January but that probably depends on how many bugs they find during beta testing (going on now with employees).

And price.

Exactly - and by the same token good products don't have to be RWD.

You're assuming 2 things that are patently incorrect: 1 - that the new Lincolns will perform just like current Fords but with more luxury features. They'll have more power and much better driving dynamics with standard AWD, unique powertrains and electronically adjustable suspensions. 2 - that luxury vehicles must have superior driving dynamics to be successful. The Lexus LS made it's mark with luxury features, not performance. There has never been a performance version like an AMG Mercedes. Even BMW doesn't do a M7. You're taking your desire for RWD and trying to rationalize it. Lincoln will do just fine without RWD as long as they get the dealer network fixed and offer a luxury ownership experience with gorgeous vehicles that look better and out perform similar Fords. Once that's done they can add RWD niche platforms to satisfy the small enthusiast market.

Because they're German, not because they're RWD. Switch the C class and E class volume models to transverse engine AWD setups with the same power output and most buyers wouldn't even notice. Obviously RWD is important for high performance vehicles and most here would like to see Lincoln with at least one or two RWD high performance vehicles. But to imply they need RWD just to compete is wrong. The current platforms can yield enough performance and refinement to get Lincoln back on the luxury map. Go check sales of Lexus' FWD based vehicles vs. RWD based vehicles.

Exactly why new Lincolns won't share any sheet metal, roofs or doors with Fords.

So why does this loaded SuperCrew show 17/23? http://www.inventory.ford.com/services/inventory/WindowSticker.pdf?vin=1FTEW1CMXCFA17589&refid=FV

I suspect we may see Lincolns being AWD only with more powerful engines except maybe for Hybrids and c sized and smaller vehicles.

Some were, some were not. If you share interiors, drivetrains and options then it's a rebadge. (Fusion/Milan, CV/GM, Ranger/B series, Explorer/Navajo) If you have unique drivetrains, interiors and options then it's platform sharing which then breaks down into 2 categories depending on whether they share sheetmetal/greenhouses (like the Fusion and MKZ) or not (like Flex, MKT and Explorer).

First - thank you for having a civilized and intelligent discussion as opposed to the usual negatardism. It's refreshing. The problems with your suggestion are: 1 - people who like the Flex styling don't just like it - they LOVE it. This allows Ford to keep ATPs higher. For those people it's a Gotta Have It type of vehicle. Making the styling more mainstream would kill that advantage. 2 - Ford already has the Edge and Explorer and MKT for people who want a more traditional style and most likely a new Expedition and Navigator and a Lincoln Explorer on the way. A mainstream Flex would seem to be redundant. In other words, a more mainstream Flex might sell better but at lower ATPs with fewer conquests and would probably cannibalize other SUV/CUV sales. I suspect the cutoff is around 20K units to keep the Flex - assuming the conquests and ATPs stay high.

But the styling is THE reason that people are buying them instead of imports and paying high ATPs. It's unique. It's obviously a niche product they could do without but it must be making money and serving a purpose. Same with the MKT. If they're not pulling their weight then they'll be killed. It's that simple.

So, any vehicle you don't "get" should be killed even if it brings in a high number of conquest sales who would otherwise not buy a Ford and it makes money due to a highly shared platform and high ATPs?

Is it really possible to get one candidate who excels at both foreign policy and economics and everything else a President needs to do? A CEO doesn't handle finances - that's the CFO's job. I understand there are cabinet positions but maybe we should replace the Vice President with multiple VPs - starting with Vice President and CFO who would be someone with a business/finance background who oversees the budget, etc. It works for businesses, why not the federal government?

I bet they don't eliminate the 112 mph speed limiter either.

OK

Watch this and follow my lead......

Nobody here is publishing their reviews or claiming to be media professionals. If you're publishing a magazine you should at least be consistent with your biases.

Fusion and MKZ use the same greenhouse and doors (and probably quarter panels and fenders). From the side they look identical. Going forward this won't be the case. Yes it's expensive but necessary.

But none of those rebates are restricted to cash buyers only. Maybe Dean meant "buying" as opposed to "leasing".

Should be SVT, not SHO.

It sells well in certain areas (like California) and not so well in others. It will never be a huge volume vehicle but it doesn't need to be in order to be successful.

Cash or finance - I don't think it matters.

Why would you praise publications that are so blatantly biased and inconsistent?