judge

Well the announcement came down today 6/2/10 from Mark Fields - no more Mercury Division. Congradulations Ford, you have managed to kill off a great automobile due to lack of upgrades, no imagination, weak advertising, and a lack of understanding your own customers. This is no reflection on the crew at STAP - they have done an excellent job for years with no corporate support for improvements. Best of luck fellows, I hope you will find something soon. As for me, I know where a full size rear-drive sedan still exists - it's called the Chrysler 300C. Ford has just lost another customer - time to sell the Mercury GM. Fantastic car, the best I've ever owned.

I love the page 2 - where it lists the major improvements for 2011 - NONE listed!! Unbelievable. How easy would it have been to drop in the Mustang GT V-8 along with the 6 speed auto. Then watch sales take off, even with the minimum advertising this car gets from FORD. Is anyone awake up there??

Ford is being run by idiots. To take a car (CV/GM) that has had customer loyality for 30 years and let it go down the toilet is beyond belief. With any improvments, and just a little advertising, these cars could sell well for years to come. Are they the king of gas mileage, probably not. However, a lot of buyers DO NOT CARE - if you want mileage get a VW diesel. I'm on my 3rd Panther, and if they stick around, I will buy another one soon. I would pay extra for the 6 speed trans & 350HP, HD suspension, positraction, dual exhaust. Whatever the cost, I'm willing to pay it. Wake up Ford.

To say that FWD or RWD are not an issue, I strongly disagree. For me, it's the only issue. What Ford does not understand is that there are FWD drivers, and RWD drivers - and most will never switch. If you are used to RWD, that is what you want. I would not have FWD if I could get it for half price. Do you see MB, BMW, or any other top car going to FWD - never happen. When I see a FWD car win at INDY or Daytona, then I'll consider buying one. Not one day sooner. If the CV/GM are dropped then it will be good-bye Ford, and hello Chrysler or maybe Cadillac.

For those in the know, will there be any upgrades to the 2008 model, or can we expect the same old "cosmetic" adjustments as usual.? Looking for better HP, 5 or 6 speed transmission, etc. Hoping for the best in 2008.

Best wishes to all on the recent retirement - I am on my 3rd GM and about ready for another one soon. Thanks to all who build this car. It's still the best value on the road today. Hope Ford will upgrade it soon & not let it die a slow death.

Mercury GM (LS) with the "handling pkg." Still needs about 100 more HP, and a 5 speed auto minimum. I could care less about IRS rear end - the old style is fine with me.

I sold my TC to a fellow in the Limo business a few years ago. Car had about 50K when he bought it from me. Was involved in an accident last year, totalled the car. Mileage at time of accident - a liitle over 400000. He was planning to keep the car till it got to 500000. BTW, the motor and transmission were never torn down - just regular service with good oil/fluids. These limo drivers put on about 100000 a year in our area - they can wear a car out in no time. They also swear by the TC as being the very BEST.

Having worked at Boeing during the really busy years, I can say that as a line worker our job every day was to find ways to IMPROVE the product. Not to make it cheaper, not to save a buck, but to make it better every week. That's what quality control is all about. Bring in about 100 retired Boeing QC inspectors and turn them loose - you will get some changes in a hurry. Good luck to the new CEO, he'l need it.

I have to laugh at some of the stupid comments re: Panther buyers - too old, too fat, retired, etc. Who cares as long as the check is good. I've been driving RWD cars my whole life, and if Ford won't provide what I want, someone else will. I don't want a truck nor an SUV - just a full size RWD car with a lot of trunk space. Have you ever seen a CV advertised on TV, NEVER!! The GM is only advertised at the end of the year when they need to move out the old models. Ford does not promote the product (xcept trucks/suv) and they refuse to upgrade the Panther year after year. How do you expect to increase sales when you do NOTHING to improve the car?? With some good advertising and real improvements, the Panther could double sales in 2 to 3 years. Even the TC could do better - just upgrade the car & provide OPTIONS that people want. Remember when you could get a hugh list of options? I do. What happened??

Only FORD can cut jobs, lose market share, close factory's, and call it "The Way Foward" - give me a break!!!

I am satisfied with the current body style - all the car needs is some performance upgrades, i.e. 300hp minimum, 5 speed trans, trac/loc rear end option with choice of gears, dual exhaust, good set of gauges on the dash (it only took 20 years to get a Tach!!!) To me, dollar for dollar, the Merc. GM is the best car you can buy for the money. If Ford gives up on this car and the Crown Vic, they are NUTS.