FoMoCobra

Newer Hondas and Toyotas have 90K belt replacement intervals. My Acura has a timing Chain that does not need to be replaced during normal service intervals. Its only recommended that it is checked out at 120K. I would imagine the 1.6L EcoBoost would have a similar 100K belt replacement schedule.

:o

I want to know what she ran... Judging by the looks of things, i'm gonna guess between a 10.0 and 10.5 sec 1/4 mile

Tim, thanks for that bit. I must have missed it since I only read two of the reviews. I love that Tow/Haul button... actually I love any vehicle that gives electronic control of transmission shift points. And.. I just realized that I nabbed the MPG on the Raptor: 16 MPG average. I took a guess on the last thread. :lol:

Its interesting how they all complain about the transmission's need to pick the highest gear. The truck is still designed to be used in the real world asphalt jungle first and an offroader second. If this were an SVT Raptor R, then I could certainly understand. Every Silverado I have ever driven goes straight for top gear the second you ease off the pedal. This usually results in better MPGs.

WOW! Killer video... Bravo One thing I cant understand is why the Iococca Mustang is an '09 and not a 2010.

Well.. they should have been able to tell by the sound of the car whether it was a TT6 or the 5 Liter. Either way, I have a feeling the next GT with either the 5.0 or the TT6 will be just as fast as the 2007-2009 GT500s thanks to difference in weight. I'm willing to bet on it.

Well, its a lot more than what I thought Ford could get for Volvo. So, as a member of the "I own Ford Stock" group, I say if we can get that much, then sell it! :lol:

Nice, an exact replica of how i would order it: Black on Black, no graphics, NAV & Sunroof. Only thing missing? 6.2 I'll hold out till then.

Gas Mileage? On the street or the Dirt? Either way, those 35's arent going to help. I'm going to guess 15 avg city/highway for both 5.4 & 6.2 9 MPG avg on the dirt :P we'll wait & see....

The Edmunds list makes much more sense. And it fits my own initial calculations more closely. It was getting pretty dissapointing as I looked down the top 10 clunker list and found 8 Fords. And then I look over to the top 10 clunker buys and only 2 (maybe 3) Ford models populated the list. I was kind of shocked that all those Explorers got traded in for compact cars. Folks who owned Explorers still need the space which is why the Edmunds list makes a lot more sense. The conspiracy theory is interesting as well... but i think i will go with Richard on this one. Its too obvious of an assessment to make falsely.

I kind of see Volvo the way I see a stock. It was bought at the peak of the market for a high price. It has paid some really good dividends, however since we are at the bottom of the market moving up, there would be no point in selling it now. With the CARS program and the recent strong quarter, I think Ford will do just fine hanging on to Volvo. Instead of selling Volvo for the needed $1.5 - 2 Billion, I think another debt for equity swap would raise just as much without having to lose Volvo. Stock is now almost $8 and prime for the swap. Volvo should be sold in 2011 for 3.5 Billion in my opinion.

As a member of the "sell Volvo 3 years ago" group I say: keep Volvo.

Well said... I used to think the mustang could survive without a V8 in the engine line up. But I soon realized that the formula above is what made it successful since day one. Its just not a Mustang without a V8 in the line up. It probably doesn't even have to be the most powerful motor available.... but it should be. The V8 shouldn't get a bad rap for gas mileage either. The mustang is fairly light weight. If Ford added a 6-speed auto & a 6-speed manual to the GT, then tossed in a little computer re-fresh the GT should add at least 2 mpg to its average fuel consumption.

Didn't read the article, but I would be dissapointed too if the Fuel Economy did not improve. Thats going to be a problem considering the non hybrid Chevrolet Equinox beats the escape hybrid in hwy mileage.

Sorry... 2013 WSJ Article

What a great motor this could turn out to be. Nice to see that it will be in many of the mainstream vehicles. I think a 2.0 I4 should work just fine in base model F-150's. But it will depend on the following: 1. The 2.0 I4 has anywhere from 215-240 lb ft. of torque. 2. A torque curve similar to the one on the 3.5 EB 3. Ford includes the F-series in its plan to reduce weight (-400 lbs in chassis at a minimum) Either way, the trucks fuel consumption must be improved drastically to meet CAFE rules as others have mentioned. I do recall hearing that by 2011(ish) 90% of Fords cars will be powered by an EcoBoost motor. Maybe the remaining 10% would include non base model F-series trucks, full size SUVs and the Mustang GT/GT500

I'm surprised that it took this long. When the car came out I had a really good feeling that it would climb to the top as a serious import contender. But its better late than never. I personally think its the best high volume FWD car Ford has ever built.

Well, your probably right.... however The way i see it is: You really cant put a dollar value on the amount of attention you grab from the greenies and the younger generations in that car segment. It is such a great image builder. And when its time for those folks to upgrade, you can be assured that the next car they purchase will be of the same brand. Its a stout marketing tool. In the end, I think it builds highly valuable loyalty and image.

Its hard to tell around here (LA). I have already counted about 6 new Insights in the last 3 weeks. Seems like a hot selling hybrid to me. Which makes me wonder why Ford did not decide to build a small inexpensive hybrid to come in at $18-19K range. It would be the perfect competitor. The Insight may take Toyota's crown for hybrid volume and for no other reason than price.

I think the factory installed ballistic panels are absolutely the coolest part of the Interceptor. Imagine how much safer an officer feels knowing he has that feature. I first noticed the ballistic door panels while watching "Southland". I wasn't sure if it was Hollywood or reality. The CV has pretty much turned into a purpose built police car. I wouldn't drive anything else if i were an officer. You saw a Flex Police unit? Awesome, I had a feeling the Flex would have the best chance at replacing the CV. Any pics out there? I recently put a 1000 miles on an 09 Flex and found it to be a great long distance hauler. But for police duty, only an EcoBoost six will do. Not so much for the extra power, but the more powerful transmission... in my opinion.

It all comes down to weight. At 4300 Lbs. The car is very heavy. Its tough to get good MPGs out of something that weighs that much. Whether the power comes from a V8, V6 or even a 4 Banger it still takes a lot of fuel to move that mass. Thank goodness Ford is planning on dropping 250 to 500 lbs from each car. In my opinion, its the only way to improve efficiency.

Wow, that is the sickest little Import destroyer I have ever seen!! White really brings out the car's aggressive design.

IL Edmunds Quote: Rodriguez says, "This car is really my pride and joy." And as she stops the engine with the button on the dash of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, she says more to herself than to us, "I think I've got the best job at Ford." That's what I said!! She's so lucky..

"Crissy" has my dream job. She's one very lucky (and probably very smart) individual.