FordBuyer

I just saw the new edition of Automotive News and it shows increasing production figures for Taurus X......about 2,900 Taurus units built and over 3,000 Taurus X units built through last Friday. Hard to understand how they could be making mistake about this when they produce numbers every week. Btw, Ford has five plants working overtime. Both Kansas City plants, Louisville plant that builds Super Duty, Avon Lake building vans, and Oakville building Edges. Good sign. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

A good rule of thumb to use when driving is the heavier the vehcile, ADD following distance between your vehicle and vehicle in front and you should be fine. Since new Edge is a heavy vehicle, add another second or two when applying following distance. The heavier the vehicle, the more following distance you want to apply. If you have three passengers, or add a trailer, add even more. Common sense should tell any driver that weight is factor in stopping distance. Unless the brakes themselvers are faulty which I don't think is the case with the Edge, just give yourself another second of space to allow for longer stopping distnances. Not a big deal in my bood. For example, my ABS came on in my 2002 Taurus a couple months ago and I'm too cheap to have sensors replaced at $100 a pop plus labor. So I just give myself a little extra following distance knowing that my computer is down and I have to pump the brake myself in emergency stopping if needed. I have owned the car for 5 years and never used the ABS system once. I'm not a tailgater as so many drivers out there are. I imagine tailgaters will be in trouble out there with their new Edge, but then all tailgaters are in for possible collision, no matter what its total stopping distance.

I agree. A few years ago Ford offered a premium Focus wagon with slot wheels, leather seating, and a few other features and then dropped it. It was pretty sharp and I still notice quite a few on Metro Detroit streets. Last few years Ford has done little with Wagon other than make it. They could have spiced up the wagon a little like before and advertised it, especially in summer with spiking gas prices. You get nice wagon with lots of cargo room and great fuel mileage. You could tell Ford was up to its usual abandoment game last couple years and then claim it didn't sell, so we drop it. Ford also used to do special edition models of Focus like Sony Focus and Kona Focus. To its credit though, it does look like Ford is trying to add a little excitment to new 2008 Focus with some new features like ambient lighting and Sync. Hopefully Ford will add some new Focus models by spring like ST model and something else to keep sales going until European Focus arrives. With high gas prices, Ford needs to keep its Focus line fresh and exciting. I am leaning towards buying new Taurus, but if new Focus is nice and offers some nice features maybe I will bite the bullet and drive a 4 cylinder car again. Kind of tired of spiking fuel prices every summer that get worse every year. Something appealing about 34 mpg and maybe more. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

In my view, cutting Focus models for 2008 is nothing more than shortsighted cost cutting. With sky high fuel prices every summer, it makes no sense to me for Ford to offer a myriad of models in its pickup line and a dearth of models in its fuel sipping line. Presentlly, Ford offers 4 Focus models and for 2008 only two. No hatchbacks and no wagon. Maybe you can make an argument for cutting 3 door hatchback and even wagon, but no way can you make business case for cutting 5 door hatchback. Does Ford's product managers notice Dodge Caliber sales. It seems to me quite a few customers like 5 door hatchback models as Dodge cannot make them fast enough. Some people like that nice, wide entry for bulky items and rear ledge for putting on sports equipment. I would imagine there are a few customers out there who want multi functional vehicle that gets 30+ mpg and at affordable price point. So in the end Ford cuts its model lineup in half and after initial sales uptick ends up with less market share. Short term gain and long term loss. Same goes for Fusion if Ford does not increase its model lines. What about a 5 door hatchback for Fusion along with 2 door model? Give the thrifty shoppers who don't want a $35,000 and 22 mpg a broader selection to choose from. With more stringent fuel mileage standards certainly coming, Ford needs to get on the ball and broaden its fuel sipping line soon. The clock is ticking. IMO, at NAIAS this coming January, Ford needs to have more new models there than anyone elso. And I mean surprise new models like new Fusion and Focus models along with new B segment vehicle. We already expect to see new F-150 and MKS. How about some surprise new models that show Ford has been doing its homework instead of sitting on its hands watching world pass it by. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

Everytime I see a Mercury Monterey minivan, I wonder why Ford took that minivan away from Mercury dealers. They had 7 passenger van with sliding door, and then took it away. I know that minivans are not as popular as before, but why strip all of Ford of any minivan when they were once player and there is still market for them. All Ford had to do was tweak the Monterey inside and out, and put new 3.5 V6 in it with 6 speed trans, and Mercury would have been place to go for Windstar fans. Ford should still have a sliding door 7 passanger minivan somewhere in its lineup if it wants to call itself a full line manufacturer. Mercury needs the product, and there is still market out there for good minivans. The Monterey could have been competitive with new drivetrain. I really have hard time understanding Ford's thinking at times. Very hard time. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

Automotive News shows the Taurus X being built to the tune of 1,000 units so far with about 3,000 units of Taurus and 1,000 units of Sable. I thought Job 1 for Taurus X was June, but not according to Automotive News production figures. Currenty drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

I don't think so. If you remember, the Montego Premier comes with HIDs, and the 500 Limited doesn't. Ford has to differentiate the Sable from the Taurus some way, and this will be same as with Montego/500. Just like with the MKX which offers available adaptive projector headlights while the Edge doesn't. If you want HIDS, and nicer appointments, buy the Sable. There is not much difference in price between the two. They are both Fords. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

Car and Driver recently reported a 0-60 time of 8.1 with I-4 Fusion with 5 speed manual trans. I thought that was a very good time and better than both 4 cyl. Camry and Accord. I would think 31-35mpg on highway is doable with I-4 Fusion, and not bad accelaration times to boot. :shades:

How about an F-250 Super Duty with new 6.4 liter powerstroke pulling into gas station and paying about $2.75/gallon for diesel along side Tundra driver filling his gas guzzling V8 with premium unleaded gasoline at $3.60/gallon. Then you could accentuate the 650 lbs. of torque vs. 450 lbs. or whatever plus better gas mileage as diesel gives up to 30% better gas mileage. Then add in the extra towing power and payload numbers. Ford has a winner with the new Super Duty lineup. Currently drive Taurus SES Sport, Mike

Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, MI has two Roush 427 Mustangs sitting out front. The 427 emblem on front fender stands for 427 hp. They both look pretty sharp...one is black and another is red. I like the two big exhaust pipes coming out back end. The wheels are pretty sharp and Roush dressed up side view of Mustang nicely. I don't care for the Roush shifter though, and the interior is rather plain for $45,000 sticker price. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

I live in a townhouse condo and couple next to me got a divorce or he moved out whatever. Now the woman who is left lets her daughter, her husband, and their two kids like there. This started about 2.5 years ago, and they are still there. The kids are about 9 and 11 and live upstairs in a bedroom. The parents live in lower level family room which is basically a walk out basement onto patio. He is postal carrier and she does some pittly ass part time job for low wage. The owner of condo has good job and from what I can tell pretty much supports them. The couple have to be in their early 30's and seem content living in basement forever. They seem more entrenched than ever. The kids go to local public school and ripping off school district as I don't believe they have any lease with condo owner. It figures that these freeloaders drive Kias and he as postal carrier usually hides his truck behind condo and spends most of day goofing off or whatever he does in there. I believe they will live with Mom until kids are out of highschool. It seems to me that lots of young people today for whatever reason don't seem to have much ambition or self-respect and seem happy and content with living with parents forever. You think this guy would be working two jobs to get his family out of in-laws basement condo and into house fitting young family. But instead they seem to be more hunkered down with each passing year. If I could sell my place in Metro Detroit for decent price, I would move, but I'm stuck here until MI economy improves. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

I know Borg the poster has said Ford will be phasing out Mercury. I have not heard any official word about that and Mark Fields at first turnaround meeting televised said that Mercury offered Ford value and would stay. But everyday evidence seems to tell different story. Monterey minivan gone and no Sable X even though Taurus has one. And no announcements about any new Mercury products. I would say that if Ford announces no new Mercury products withing year and that includes any products from Europe, evidence points to slow fade out as present products age. That would be sad and I would certainly miss the Mercury brand just as I miss the Oldsmobie brand. Don't miss the Plymouth brand :boring:

When comparing Prius with not yet introduced Hybrid Fusion one improtant function is being left out....handling and fun to drive. The Prius is a very numb feeling vehicle as it was built for fuel mileage ostensibly. The tires on Prius are roll resistant and give little support in tight turns and curves. It is allaround a very sedate vehicle. On the other hand, the Fusion is a drivers car and is fun to drive, especially on curvy road with good accelaration. I suspect the Hybrid Fusion will offer same handling and fun to drive quotient. In my view, the Hybrid Fusion has potential to be a much more satisfying vehicle in every way plus significanly increase gas mileage. Also don't forget the new 3.5 liter V6 was designed for hybrid use also. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

Too bad because the Sable X sitting in Livonia Trans parking lot looks more like finished product than test mule. It looks like it just came out of factory ready to go to dealership. I didn't know they made any. Merucy could have used that vehicle. Looks just like the Taurus X except for grill and taillights. Sable needs a CUV version just like Tauru already has. :shades:

I can read the stopping distances and it does seem too long, but I'm not sure it matters much in real world. We don't drive on test track. The other day I was doing threshold braking for yellow light as it caught me right at point of no return. I was driving a Taurus and in lane next to me was Edge and driver outbreaked me even though I wad nosediving the Taurus down somewhat. Looks to me like Edge brakes fine with no muss or fuss in real world. I don't see any issue with Edge brakes. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport, Mike

Something to be said for driving the largest vehicle you can afford that fits your lifestyle as opposed to buying smallest to save a few bucks in fuel costs. I know I personally won't go smaller than mid sized car. A Focus wagon was tempting, but I want a little mass around me in case some crazy T-bones me. Good luck to all those buying B-segment vehicles. More and more drivers run red lights and many still drive DUI all the time and run red lights, rear-end you at high speed, and swerve across center line into oncoming traffic. My life is more important to me than saving money on gas. My next vehicle will be the new Taurus which at least has some mass and weight to it with all the latest safety features. I know this driver was driving an Accord which is mid-sized too, but I believe in early 90's the Accord was smaller than today's Accord. The Accord used to be compact car and has grown bigger over the years into mid sized status. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport

Yes, the Ford family if it truly wants to sell should wait until better economic times and traditional domestic buyers like myself are buying new vehicles again. I know that some would disagree with me like Wall Street, but the economy sucks IMO. Auto sales have been flat to bad for long time now, and the housing industry has been bad and getting worse. Add in the dire situation in MI and other rust belt states, and the economy is about as bad as it has ever been in modern times. For that matter, I could not believe that Daimler would sell Chrysler at basement price instead of waiting for better times and much better price. It is to me like selling convertible in winter instead of waiting for summer. You just don't buy high and sell low. I believe that within 6 years if not sooner we will see 20 million new vehicle year and then everyone will feast until their bellies are full. It's a matter of being patient and waiting for better times. These are not good times. If these were good times and Ford was doing terrible, then maybe yes. But I think Ford can do much better in time. I know that Ford does not have a lot of time anymore, but I am still optimistic to a point. I'm not selling my holdings just yet, but I do have plan to sell if things don't meet my goals for this company. Next summer should tell us a lot more, especially after restructuring is complete and UAW contract is in place. Just too premature to sell just yet IMO.

Small car-based wagons are popular in Europe, but not here for some reason. If gas prices stay at present price, maybe someday, but not now. Yeah, I was disappointed about Ford ending Focus Wagon as I almost bought one, but opted for present Taurus sedan instead. But I at same time can see logic for Ford not building small wagon as they just don't sell anymore with upwardly mobile Americans choosing CUV's instead. I saw a new Edge pulling a rather large boat the other day and it didn't look overwhelmed doing it. Let's face it...CUV's and SUV's are the wagons of choice in today's market. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport Mike

I think you will get your wish about Mercury Freestyle in that there is a preproduction Sable X sitting in Livonial Trans parking lot off of Levan sitting there for all the world to see. It is white, has Mercury signature grill and taillights, and CAP must have built it recently. Not sure what Ford is waiting for in announcing it as I find it hard to believe thay they would go to trouble and expense for CAP to make it and then not produce it when CAP could use the extra production, Mercury could use the product as it doesn't have a CUV right now, and there should be a Sable X wagon just like there used to be with the old Sable. Btw, I saw the Sable X again today as anyone who drives by off Levan North of Plymouth Rd. can see it about 20 feet off of sidewalk. Again, it is white and has been sitting out there for over a week. There are 2008 Focuses sitting out there too and usually a few test mules. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SESSport Mike

He did say who was cutting back quite a bit but he also said it was unconfirmed rumor. And it was Chevy who may be cutting back on the number of teams it will be financing. Chevy supposedly doesn't want to field as many teams since TV ratings have dropped this year with NASCAR and empty seats are showing up. Chevy doesn't need 9 Chevys finishing in the top 10...2-3 will do. Personally, I don't see why Ford stays other than to keep Roush happy which I think is smart move. Let Toyota have it. The race cars are the same with different decals. Big deal. I have tried to watch a few races this year and every time it gets good last few laps they start running into each other and take out half the field and have caution flag for 30 minutes. By the time they restart race, who cares. Ridiculous. Besides, Ford only makes one performance car now and it's not a Fusion. So what's the point other than to waste money they don't have. As stockholder and investor in Ford fixed income note, I would rather see Ford spend money on new product, not dumb NASCAR. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport Mike

Another way to see how a vehicle is selling is to look at vehicle production numbers. Oakville plant is working overtime building them and as of now is making more Edges/MKX's in one week than Ford is making Fusions down in Hermosillo, Mexico. Oakville has been working overtime for about a month now and is ramped up to where it's making over 4,000 Edges/week and over 1,000 MKX's/week. That would tell me Ford is getting high number of Dealer orders and that means Ford/Lincoln dealers think they can sell them and if you drive around Metro Detroit streets at all you know they at least sell a lot of them here. It's amazing how you see so many Edges on streets here after only being for sale short 6 months ago.

I can only speak for myself, but I have not had any trouble with Ford Dealers in years. I have owned a 97 Taurus, 99 Taurus, and presently drive a 2002 Taurus SES Sport and have all maintenance work done at Ford Dealer. Only once did I have to bring vehicle in for warranty work and it went fine. No pressure, written estimates were fair and reasonable, and work was completed with quality. I have my present Taurus at Dealer now for some rear brake work where brake cylinders are not functioning properly. Fair price and work was done promptly. This vehicle is 5 years old and really no issues of any consequence other than ABS light came on couple months ago after five MI winters. Diagnostic work was done as part of oil change package and two censors out with frayed wire. Estimate to repair ABS is about $400. I may take it some other places to get other estimates on ABS, but not a big deal as brakes otherwise work fine. I do know that Taurus brakes are an issue, but $200 for servicing brakes over five years is not bad not factoring in ABS repair. Major reason I choose Dealer over private shops is that IF I do have issue with vehicle I want Dealer to do all service and have the records for it. Makes sense to me that I would rather have Ford Dealer screw up oil change than some mom and pop oil change place that cannot rub two nickels together. Ditto for transmission service and cooling system service. Ford Dealer has my complete service history as they did it. Also, if I trade in vehicle for new Ford they have all the records and did the work. In other words, my Ford is maintained by Ford. And the Ford Dealer I use does outstanding work. Currently drive 2002 Taurus SES Sport Mike

I will add in that I like the new Escape and Mariner also. It looks like all new vehicle instead of just a freshening. Too bad Ford kept the same drivetrain, but at least both are good lookers IMO. I also like the interior and the new switch gear doesn't bother me personally. The new Escape/Mariner are more modern in every way other than drivetrain. Ford definitely needs more new engines as it comes out with new models. Mike