LSFan00

The fuel price spike could be sustainable if the greater middle east deteriorates in even a linear fashion vs. the past 2 years (see: Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Egypt; they don't all export a lot of oil, but impact the region a lot), and our energy policies remain unchanged (Obama Admin always has targeted $3-4/gallon gas, with limited domestic exploration). It's a global commodity anyway. Unemployment/confidence is not improving, I agree. But for auto's, after several down years even a flat economy with high fuel costs could see good sales gains.

Well, darn. Of course they already make it. So much for me being an 'idea' man. With it produced in the US now/next, I'd be surprised if this isn't actually offered in some fashion between 2013-2016.

Smaller displacements are the wave of the future. The replacement for displacement is GDI/Turbo, high compression, and 6+ gears. The 6.2 (and 5.4 for that matter) won't make it into this type of vehicle (if it's ever built). 3 abreast seating, 8 foot bed, and 2,000lb payload. The other obvious option (after Explorer, or Flex, which at least has a real truck looking hood/front clip) is I guess a Transit type of vehicle (we're looking for utility sales, after all). Since they'll be making those for conversion vans now, you'd think they could throw a bed on that and say "good enough for 5,000-7,000 sales." No real risk of stealing F-150 sales there. Whoever sits in the middle just has to be the skinny guy. Transit=flexible/durable

Explorer is 197 inches long already. It wouldn't be that hard to stretch the bed/back to 8 feet.

This sounds essentially like a reborn Explorer Sport Trac (present Explorer with the back seats ripped out.) -EB2.0 -2,000 lb payload -add AWD -Unibody -could plausibly seat 3 in a bench config (exceptionally improbable though) -Already a much lower platform than present half ton's -Throw in said composite bed -Offer PI 3.7 (already mated to Explorer) as performance halo vehicle trim

Yeah, I think 25% is all they'd have to cover to have a big impact on the floorboards, and if I can do that up front for a few hundred it would be worth it if it makes a noticeable impact (again, cruising @ 72.)

Road noise @ highway has marginal correlation to the windows (unless you're driving next to an 18 wheeler). I disagree.

Because road noise is dramatically higher @ 72mph than my old Lincoln LS. Not a whine, just a fact and I'm trying to see if it is a good option or not.

Has anyone had a sound shop add materials such as dynamat to quiet the Focus ride at all? It's quiet enough around town but at highway it might be useful.

Pathetic that anyone would willingly fork over real money for that magazine. It's just a total joke.

Seriously, the 6-auto in the Focus has been ripped in reviews, but I haven't seen any reviews since the August re-programming. I love my auto SEL (built in October) and can't imagine wanting to get a manual in a car ever again. When the MFT is updated (any day?) I think it will be an unbeatable combo, but the question is who/when is going to review the 2013's with the updates so the public finds out about it.

New Fusion/Escape will add profit in their segments, and volume/profits in Focus/Fiesta. Ford will (by end 2012 when they're available) have a real premium car (-based) product line with logical price spacing/segmentation. January through June won't really be indicative of that of course.

So, hang on, more performance for the base car (6-ish second 0-60), better mileage, plus more fun on roads with curves? The base Mustang has always been a "secretary's car" so I don't see why this could possibly be seen as a net bad thing. Throw in a trick 3rd door and you might see it as a new soccer mom mobile.

90- and 120- days supply is bad news. But, it's outweighed by this I thiunk. *fair use excerpt;

The 3.5 in the camry has higher hp but of course, as with the 3.5 vs. 2.0eb in the Explorer, the difference is where the torque comes in. Camry will lose in mileage, and how it feels to drive it around town.

From the rear license plate until the hood it still is only acceptable as a hearse, externally. I still don't know anyone who would consider getting one, but I only socially know one legally blind person (doesn't own a car).

When even the worst fashion trends of the 60's and 70's have been revisited lately, please don't even publicly discuss vinyl car roof's. I fear someone will claim to have discovered they have renewed appeal. The fender vents are horrible. Not capable of ruining the car, but picture a real style/tech thought leader like Steve Job's reaction to such a craptastic thing to stick on a pretty new model. And you can't surely remove them with a hair dryer...

From C&D's blog;

CX5 is at least 200 pounds lighter.

Exactly. The Edge is now on the older platform, and less efficiently packaged than the Escape alternative (which is now not painful to drive cross country).

You can't. The Fusion/Taurus are comparatively inferior, period. We're not all 6'5 350lb monsters who need the huge shoulder/belly room anyway in NA. The Taurus wins in that category only.

Good deal, thanks. It's got some glitches but it's not like it's a vehicle-worth-destroying option. I enjoy it as-is.

I read page 1 of this thread and was shocked to be a little interested myself in the GM XTS offering. I looked around a bit and see Cadillac is stealing the Fusion's hideous headlights for their flagship Buick, err, lower end Cadillac 3.6 L V6 FWD sedan. Ok. Caddy/Buick/GM has no idea what they're doing. At least the Buick version of the XTS has sensible headlights (such as I expect from the new Fusion/Mondeo).

Does anyone know when the software update for this (bigger) update look to come out? I have v2.11, but figured this would be available for download shortly. I'm just curious, and would assume it requires going to the dealer (65 bucks?) or is it going to be installable through the syncmyride website?

At least they didn't hold onto an unpopular design motif all the way to the graveyard like Pontiac. Isn't Aston Martin criticized heavily for just reworking the same basic design ad nauseum? Can't make everyone happy, even if you stick with gorgeous.