KCM1

Or maybe just with a deposit, depending on if the dealer is willing to put that down as the purchase date and help the customer out.

There has been a lot of discussion on this subject lately, so thought I would do some research to clear it up. The main question is what constitutes a purchase in terms of the credit, buying the car or taking possession of the car. Here is an article from Ford Media about the credits available: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29778 Notice that the credit does not disappear completely on March 31, 2009, but is reduced by half. Tax Credit Amount: 1/1 - 3/31/09: $3400 4/1 - 9/30/09: $1700 10/1/09 – 3/31/10: $850 4/1/10 and later: $0 Now from the IRS.gov site: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=157557,00.html This excerpt should clear things up: "Notice 2006-78 announced the credit phase out schedule for advanced lean burn technology vehicles and hybrid vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. (Toyota and Lexus vehicles). For the period of 10-1-06 to 3-31-07, purchasers of qualifying vehicles are eligible for 50% of the allowable credit. For the period of 4-1-07 to 9-30-07, purchasers of qualifying vehicles are eligible for 25% of the allowable credit. The table below includes both the full credit and the reduced credit amount depending upon when the vehicle was purchased. The date of purchase determines the amount of the credit available for a vehicle, i.e. whether a vehicle is eligible for the full credit or whether a portion of the credit is phased-out. The placed in service date determines the taxable year in which the credit may be claimed. For example, if consumer A purchases a Prius on Sept. 30, 2006, and takes possession in February 2007, consumer A can claim the full credit for 2007, the year in which the vehicle is placed in service. On the other hand, if consumer B purchases a Prius on Oct. 1, 2006, and takes possession of the vehicle in February 2007, Consumer B can claim 50% of the credit in 2007, the year in which the vehicle is placed in service." Since the Prius credit was reduced by half on 10-1-06, the consumer B could only claim half, while consumer A buying it one day earlier could claim the full amount. Taking possession of the vehicle is not the determining factor. So by this, if someone buys a Fusion/Milan hybrid no later than 3-31-09, but does not receive it till August, they would still get the $3400 credit. After that, they would get less of a credit. Possession date, or when it is put in service, only affects what year it can be claimed on for taxes. The official purchase date most likely could be worked out with your dealer at the time of the order to get the credit. I would think putting down a deposit would be enough to determine the purchase date, or the full amount surely would. I suppose this would just be up to what the dealer is willing to do to help the customer out, essentionally what they will put down in writing as the purchase date. Additional reference information on the subject and on claiming the credit: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_hybrid....#phaseoutAnchor Hope this helps.

The people on the phone were probably referring you to this Ford site: http://www.fordvehicles.com/2010fusion/ There is a recent link to a review of the hybid on the Ford Motor Company Discussion forum on this site: http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_cont...-in-comparisons From all reviews I've seen so far, the Ford Fusion Hybrid by far out-performs any of the hybrid competition in pretty much all areas. You can check out other reviews on the web. I know Motor Trend has one in their new issue and Autoblog has talked about it. There is a lot of information on the 2010 Fusion on the web right now, both picture and articles. As has been said, the 2010 non-hybrids should be out next month and you can test drive one of those. From what I've read, the hybrid will perform very similarly. Or test drive a 2009 and expect better from a 2010. Be aware there have various upgrades to the interior, including the dash, and the engines and transmissions have been improved over the 2009.

I get the impression the guy is more of a car guy than a truck guy. He appears to like the bling and car like ride more than the brawn of the trucks. There is a group of people out there who can use a heavy-duty 1/2 ton "truck" like the F-150, those being people that tow campers and trailers. They need the towing capability and want the luxury of a car when not towing, but don't want to jump up to the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. I think Ford has catered to that market by offer more towing and payload capacity in the 2009 F-150 with whatever luxury level you want. If the King Ranch does not fit your style, as one forum member stated, then Ford offers many other trims with one surely to fit any need. Gotta love Ford! On the Dodge bed with the flip-open sides, it seems they waste a lot of space. They are only so deep and require the inside of the bed to be smaller with flat sides. Plus they are worthless if you want to install a topper. Again, this seems to be more bling for people who want to use it as a toy rather than a truck. The fact that the box storage areas will hold five cases of "beverages" and will keep them cool, the steering wheel is heated, and the it has a car-like ride tells you Dodge is marketing their trucks as toys rather than work trucks.

Where I'm from, there appears to be quite a few 2009 Fusions and Milans on the lots. I'm sure Ford, and the dealers, want to make these old models look like an even better deal to move them out of stock. I have even seen 2008's still advertised. They're not going to give the customer a smokin' deal on a 2010 model with several 2009's sitting there. After the old stock is depleted, I'm sure the dealers will be offering good deals on the new models.

I have thought in similar terms. They should do one of two things. One, use the GMC marquis for all of the SUV's, large vans, and trucks, and Chevrolet for all the cars and minivans, though I'm sure there would be outrage from all the pickup buyers. Or better yet (2), use the GMC marquis for their commercial heavy duty line of trucks. I have never understand why they have a GMC pickup as they appear nearly identical to the Chevy, and I seriously doubt sales figures even come close to the Chevy numbers.

According to this article from the Ford site, http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29450 it implies that the 3.0 V-6 will have the Aggressive Deceleration Fuel Shut-off on all engines produced for the 2010 Fusion. It does say the technology will be applied to the 2.5 I-4 later in the 2010 model year, but does not give an exact date. I went to the annual Auto Show today where I live and they were also bragging about this technology on the 2010 Fusion 3.0.

When I saw the exterior picture of the Camaro, I thought to myself, "That's one mean lookin' car." I thought they did a pretty good job with the retro look. I feel the same about the new Challenger. The first picture I saw of the Camaro interior were the seats, and I was thinking, "What are these forum guys talking about. It's not that bad." Then I saw the picture of the gauges next to the shifter, and I thought, "Holy Crap! You've got to be kidding me. Can they get much cheesier?" The gauge cluster is horrible and looks El Cheapo along with the shifter gauges. Looks like they took the dash design from the late sixties and melded it with the early eighties, with a touch of nineties thrown in for good measure. What self-respecting sports car enthusiast wants to look down at the shifter to read the engine status. And the radio controls look susceptable to being washed out by the sunlight, though the gauge cluster is heavily shaded. Not too fond of the center controls either. They got the exterior and powertrain right, but screwed up the interior. People like retro, but there is a limit how far you should go. Just another reason why GM is in the shape they are in.

If I am reading the order guide right, looks like that if a Rapid Spec option package is not ordered and you start with a base SEL, then option 58N can be ordered, which is the single disc navigation system. If you want the sunroof and/or 6-disc player (Moon and Tune Package), looks like you will have to order Rapid Spec package 302A in order to get the navigation system, as the Moon and Tune is not a stand alone option. 302A would of course include the rear view camera and reverse sensing. No other Rapid Spec package will allow you to get the navigation system.

It has been posted in an earlier thread. See post #4. http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index...showtopic=28015

They still didn't fix the error on page 9 where it says cloth interior for the Milan Premier and right next to it says leather trimmed. The standard features for the Premier say leather. Bet there will be a lot more updates.

Took me a few minutes to find the difference. If you look on the first page, at the bottom of the left column, it state: LATEST ORDER GUIDE UPDATES • Added Fleet Only Option "Mirror – Heated, Non Puddle Lamp (54P) to SE 200A, 201A & 202A" Big Whoopee, read :boring:, for most of us. I was comparing the Milan and Fusion guides, as my dad is planning on buying one or the other, and I know what you are saying about the specs. The standard features are arranged a lot different, and the Milan does have more detail. Being they are basically the same car, you would think the specs would read almost identical in content and order.

From the order guide posted on the first page of this thread, there is no mention of AWD in the Hybid standard features or option page, so I'd say it is safe to assume it is FWD only. The Milan order guide also does not mention AWD for the Hybrid.

Ice-capades, Thanks for the info. Is there any chance you could do the same for the Milan?

Hi Folks, I'm a diehard Ford guy and just found this forum today and registered. So far I like what I see. Already found lots of good info. Can't believe I hadn't found this site sooner. I'll sure be back often to browse around. Was wondering if anybody has the 2010 order guide for the sister car Mercury Milan. Doing research for my dad who is planning to buy one next year. Thanks.