89-Pony

I'm more convinced than ever, this company is run by a bunch of Jackasses. Some good changes were finally made to the Five Hundred under the hood and chassis, yet they can't even change the shape of the taillights in those same 3 years? And while I applaud the improved materials for the interior, why no modernization of the design itself? Cal you imagine Honda doing something like this? And what's with the stupid fender vents, as well as that little chrome front fender thing on the new Focus? Like putting a dress on a pig...

This is the first concept I've seen from Ford which would truly motivate me to sell both my 1989 LX 5.0 and my commuter Altima, and purchase ONE vehicle for both the commute and the soul. So here it is, Ford -- Do you have the stones to FINALLY proceed with one of these concepts??? I'm sick of concepts from Ford that never see the light of production. Nothing came of the 427 except for the interpretation of the grill and headlights on the acceptable yet non-inspiring Mexican-built Fusion triplets. (While I'm on it, note to Ford -- Changing the grill and taillights does NOT fool the public, a Milan is a Fusion. Damn, they piss me off!) If Ford shows some LEADERSHIP and builds the thing, I will show up with my checkbook. If not, I will drive the Altima until it dies, replace it with an Accord (built by Americans) or slightly used Escape of my own, and sink a little money into the Pony as finances allow. In other words, unless Ford offers something HOT like this, they will get no more of my money for a new car. (I've had 5 Fords, 3 of them new and 2 used).

Oskar, the best snow tires I have EVER used are Bridgestone Blizzaks. Now, I've never used them on my 1989 LX 5.0, for I've been fortunate enough to have winter cars most of it's life (I'm the original owner). I've lived in the Pittsburgh PA area for all of my 44 years-- lots of hills, winding roads, and some days with deep snow, but a lot more with < 1" of hardpack or ice. 4WD isn't as important here as really good snow/ice tires. When I did have to drive the Pony in the snow for about 5 years, I put on studded (ugh) tires and 180-240 lbs of sand in the hatch. Even with all that, driving a 5.0 in the snow is enough to make Madelyn Murray O'Hare find religion. Anyway, on my winter cars of late, I've been using Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's, on all 4 corners. You do NOT want to ride on just 2 of these. In fact, I just put on a new set last weekend from Sears, I think I got 3 or 4 seasons out of the last set (I put about 8,000-10,000 miles a season on them before switching back to all-seasons.) They are simply phenomenal! My little Altima goes like a tank in the snow, absolutely unstoppable climbing hills, and brakes surely, even without ABS. I figure the new Mustangs, with their 52-48 (or so) weight distribution, traction control (you did get traction control, didn't you?), ABS, and good heavy weight, should be worlds better in the snow than my 1989 Pony. Go to epinions.com and look up the Mustang, there are lots of good owner feedback on there, including winter experiences. I think Yahoo has a similar owner-site offering too. I'd STRONGLY recommend the Blizzaks, I can't see how you'd be sorry. I got them at Sears for about $86 each (205-60/15 plus all the tax/mounting nonsense), and I know the Tire Rack sells them for $80 each if you have a trusted garage to mount them. I've dealt with the Tire RAck in the past, they are knowledgeable pros. Good luck, let me know what you do!

The Fusion is made in Mexico with only 20% US-made content. The Accord is made in the USA with 60%-65% US-made content. So where do you want your money to go? Who is putting Americans to work? Sure, I understand the need to price the Fusion competitively, but getting rid of the job pool or job bank or whatever-the-hell it's called to pay people to sit on their duffs would surely bring a ton of savings. THAT's the type of "tough decisions" Billy needs to make. That, and having someone other than Zippy the Chimp making product decisions.

Oops, I did it again! We took the Escape to the dealer for an oil change, and before we left, I pointed out a Tungsten Gray GT to the wife and said "how do you like this one"? Before you knew it, we were out for a test drive! Unfortunately, another automatic. They had no manual-shifts. The salesman was worthless. He was spouting off all kinds of misinformation. I didn't even feel like correcting him, I just get so weary of people selling cars only because they are inbetween jobs, and not because they have a passion for the product or even for cars in general. I told the salesman we'd be purchasing the Mustang using the X-plan (thanks to my company's arrangement with Ford) and of course he had to get his manager, who layed some BS on me that he could only honor the X-plan if I took one from his lot. Now HIM I corrected, he just wanted to get rid of the automatics. Worthless SOBs. But, the good news is, it was clear to the missus how much better the new ones are than my '89. (Sorry old buddy). We're going on a 2-week vacation, we'll see what transpires after that. It's just a matter of being comfortable with the finances. You know guys, I want to own a dealership and sell at a flat non-negotiated (low) price, and only hire people who LOVE CARS. No pressure, no BS, no lies, no misinformation. :slap:

The one I test drove last week was an automatic. The dealer didn't have a GT stick. I gotta say, this thing pinned me back when I tramped the pedal! I was thrown back in the seat. The only automatic I ever felt that in before was a '90 GT with a shift kit/etc, and a '68 coupe with a built 302. It would make the sell at home a lot easier with the automatic, but I have to agree w/KABC, I love the integration with the machine that can only be had with a stick. I didn't try the self-shifting mode of the automatic, I'd be curious to try that. But if I only had one extra $1,000 to spend, it would be on the 18" wheels, not an automatic tranny. We'll see. By the way, I dont think $$$ will be an issue. The average miles of my 2 cars (excluding the family Escape) is 125,000 and I'm logging 20k miles/year, so there will be a major purchase or expenditure necessary in the next several months. I'd like to hold out until the new 260hp Five Hundred is out, see how I like it for a daily driver and keep the 'Pony, but man, those new GTs have cast a spell on me...

I went out & test drove an '06 GT this week. How sweet! Unfortunately it was an automatic, but it rode so much tighter and solid than my '89. It pulled like a big-block, and was an extremely good fit. Afterwards, driving the '89 seemed loud, with lots of rattles, hatch bangs, and a ride like it had concrete springs. I feel bad now because when I look at it, I suddenly see an 18-year old car built off of the Fairmont platform. That never happened before. I feel like I'm abandoning an old & dear friend, but I think I need to go ahead and examine the finances. The only ?-mark is how much I'll get for the Pony. Thanks for the input on oil consumption.

I don't remember how long it's been using oil, but for a while. I don't really have the tools or facilities to do much of the work myself. Also time is a HUGE factor. Hey, I think I have the missus convinced that getting a new GT is a wise decision. She said "you don't really need a 4-door, and if you have to spend 2 hours a day in the car, you might as well be in something you really like. If you spend all of that money on the '89, you're still left with an old car with a lot of miles." Heh heh heh!!! :happy feet:

I would LOVE to see a high-end model of the 500 with the 4.6 and AWD. PLEASE?!?

I just have a problem buying a car made in Mexico. Am I the only one?

That's a question I wish someone could answer. What's better for the US economy: 1. A foreign car built in the states. Example: Honda Accord is built in Marysville OH with 70% US-made content. At least Americans are working. or, 2. A US-owned company making something like the Fusion -- Built in Mexico, only 20% of the parts made in the US? Which one is better for the trade deficit? This is really making me question my long-held belief that I HAD to buy a car from the big 3. Why bother, if buying a Honda, Toyota, or even Hyundai puts more food on US workers' tables???

Thanks Mr. KABC. I appreciate the feedback. I'll have to post a few pictures of the Pony. It's actually in pretty good shape. I already replaced the clutch & had the tranny rebuilt @ 90,000+ miles. Also the alternator & water pump. No biggie. The body is solid. I replaced the hatch already and the guy did a really good paint job. The bottoms of the doors had to be rebuilt, but again, good bodyman. It's solid, but the miles are starting to scare the poo out of me. And yes, it uses a quart of black gold (Texas tea) every 900 miles, like every other Ford I've owned (except the Escape). Decisions, decisions. I really thought I could get $4k-$5k for the thing. OK everyone, stop laughing...

I want to gauge opinion on this. I am the original owner of an '89 LX 5.0 hatchback. It has 141,000 miles now but is in really good condition. I have an 80-mile roundtrip commute each day, for which I drive a second-hand Altima. I live in western PA, so snowy hills are an issue. The Altima has 108,000 miles. It's getting time to buy something new. I have a couple options: 1. Sell the '89 Pony and use the $ for a downpayment on a new 'Stang GT. (How much could I get?) Then use the '07 Stang GT every day except in snow. Keep the Altima for that. 2. Keep the '89 Pony, and put a little money in it (suspension, brakes. Main concern is reliable driver in good shape). When the Altima dies, get something like a second-hand Escape. We have an Escape for the family car and love it, but the wife uses it while I'm off to work. So -- Sell the Pony and get an '07 GT; or keep the '89 Pony and put a little $$ into it as needed??? Has anyone have both models who can give some input?