akirby

Why is everyone assuming it's D3 based? Land Rover has a very capable unibody SUV platform that could easily be shared. It's RWD, holds a V8 and tows 7700 lbs.

Remember the Mustang concepts had IRS and were built on the DEW98 platform which is NOT what ended up in production. How can you say that it's not durable enough for fleet duty? Just because it's unibody?

Just because the concept has a solid rear axle doesn't mean the production car will. There is also no guarantee the production version will use the mustang platform. Let's face it - this is the only platform available as a RWD V8 right now so that's what they had to use for the concept. I bet we'll see a new RWD platform with IRS, probably shared with the Aussies.

But the buyout effectively eliminated any retirement benefits and this is clearly a benefit for retirees just like health care and other perks. You can't get the buyout AND benefits, that would be double dipping.

It was soft - softer than the Fusion. The MKZ is closer to the Fusion.

I guarantee it gets built. Horbury said last year that Ford was done building concepts that never made it to production like the 427 and Continental and Navicross. And there's a new sheriff in town who now holds the purse strings, not the bean counters. It will happen - only question is when and on what platform.

You don't need the card - if you use X plan you get the discount. I think it expires at the end of the month but I'm not sure.

That is quite common with newer plastics. After cleaning and drying the windows normally with glass cleaner, take a piece of newspaper and wipe the windows until they become smooth and slippery (clean). Sometimes the film doesn't come off with windex and needs a little elbow grease. Once it's off it shouldn't return.

Hybrids will take a bigger hit than other vehicles with the 2008 tests. The main reason is A/C. Previous tests were done without A/C. In the new city tests, there are 5 different city cycles that get averaged together. 2 or 3 of these will be done with A/C. In a Prius, if you run the A/C the gas engine runs constantly and won't shut off when idling which eliminates the biggest advantage of a hybrid in city driving. And most consumers don't read car magazines - they just look at the epa sticker and think that's what they'll get.

That is correct. Commercial fleet sales are good. It's the rental fleet sales that they're cutting back on.

The GT wasn't built on the normal Wixom line. It was assembled from almost completed parts in a separate area.

Only on the V6.

Our local PBS stations (both of them) are doing pledge drives so it wasn't on yesterday, but it will be on SPEED Dec. 16.

But that's just it - they can't. The state franchise laws won't let them. They tried to hold back around 1% from dealers who don't measure up (Blue Oval Certification) and they were immedately sued and lost. Don't underestimate the power of the state automotive franchise laws.

Ford tried to improve their dealer network with the Blue Oval Certification program. The dealers sued, Ford lost and that was the end of it. The dealers won't allow Ford to do anything - they use the automotive franchise laws to do whatever they want, and unless they do something really terrible or illegal Ford just can't stop it.

It says these are the 2007 models. Eventually.

I went from a 2000 LS V8 Sport to a 06 SEL V6 Fusion. The Fusion is a lot more comfortable for daily driving and gets better fuel mileage. And it's just as quick although with a bit of torque steer. I do miss the LS on road trips though. My plan is to use the Fusion as a daily driver and get a Mustang GT convertible w/manual as the "fun" car.

I have an Aviator and have owned 2 other explorers and one expedition. If by back seat you mean the 2nd row - in the explorer it will be tight for 3 adults but they'll fit. The expedition will have much more room in the 2nd row for 3 adults. As for the 3rd row, it's only suitable for 2 in the explorer. The expedition might fit 3 but it would be tight. An Expedition would be much more comfortable and carry a lot more cargo than an Explorer or an Edge.

Didn't we just hear the Fields sent the F150 team back to the drawing board to make more radical changes? If so then they haven't had time to change anything. That was just a few weeks ago.

Only vehicles that are new or significantly changed each year are eligible. I'm sure they like the new 3.5L engine and the available Hybrid. And it's not like there was a lot of competition this year: "Among competitors for Car of the Year were the Chrysler Sebring, Saturn Aura, Nissan Altima, Kia Rondo, Honda Fit, Mercedes-Benz S Class, Volvo C70 T5 and the Volkswagen Rabbit."

Not when I bought my Fusion last year. They were within a couple hundred dollars comparably equipped. I doubt that's changed.

The dealer is wrong. Have them check with Ford.

Spring 2008 at the earliest.

You need to use the EPA figures as a guide when comparing the Edge and other SUVs/CUVs. We all know the duratec engines take at least 5K to loosen up. The 2 main reasons to buy an Edge over an Explorer are styling and ride quality.

Ford allows any dealer to perform warranty work on any vehicle (that didn't use to be the case but they changed it sometime in the late 80s/early 90s). But I don't think they can force a dealer to do work on a particular vehicle. I don't think I'd want to give my business to a dealer like that but I'm not sure there's anything Ford can do about it, other than send them a nastygram. Might be worth a call or email to let Ford know what they're doing though.