Gigantor

I think that Ford may have lost it, hopefully not for good. We are stuck in between thinking it's because of the multiple new model launches on new platforms/new powertrains etc and thinking it's because management has lost the game and gone off the track. Or maybe a combo of both? Good dealership service can only go so far, people like being taken care of but they also paid a lot of money for a new Ford and you can't drive good dealership service. If Ford is sacrificing its hard fought quality/image gains for high levels of productions and margins, well, any benefits will be short lived. The questions are: -What is the root problem or problems? -Can these problems be effectively identified? -Can the problems be fixed?

The EB1.0 is only available with an MT? Someone please tell me that this is only a temporary thing and it will also be available with the PowerShift.

I didn't mean it like that. Build quality should always strive for perfection but that hasn't been the case, from what I've seen/heard, lately. If Ford wants to charge a premium for their cars because they are premium cars then their shouldn't be tail light assemblies that look like they were put together by handicapped chimpanzees. It's a marketplace acceptance thing as well as seeing the price of a car as justified.

The misaligned rear tail-lights and by extension the poor trunk fitting looks very bad and cheap, actually, the Mercury Milan had the same problem. It is more pronounced because of the way the rear tail lights are designed. For the Taurus you have the LED lights not matching up at night, the silver piping being 'off'...for the Focus/Old MKZ you have the lights/trunk etc looking poor. It catches your eye and isn't flattering especially given the price of the cars. If prices are rising then those fit and finish issues must be taken care of and the goes triple for the luxury brand that is Lincoln. But anyways, the new Fusion looks great on the road, I've heard some solid anecdotal reviews from various owners and the Car Mag reviews have been good. I'm just still not sold on the 1.6L Ecoboost or even the 2.0L as the top range engine. Wish it had an 8spd transmission to match.

Interiors, for the most part, are fine. It's the exterior fit and finish that can be pretty sub-standard specifically in the rear light alignment, trunk lid fit etc. It's most obvious in the 2009 and on Taurus, Lincoln MKX, Focus etc....the Buick Enclave suffered the same fate.

Looking good sporting that red bandanna!

So, what will be the exact output of the 2.0 EB? it's 240HP/270TQ in the Edge/Explorer but will they use the previously quoted 237HP/250TQ, or does the 237HP/250TQ even exist anymore? The lower output numbers were in the Explorer glossy brochure that was mailed to me 6 or so months ago but it ended up being bumped up. What's the deal?

I've noticed this as well. The Elantra has gotten dinged in every other comparo for having its "economy car roots show" throw excess noise, a buzzy engine and unimpressive fuel economy amongst other things but in this comparo it's the cream of the crop. And whats with the VW getting ahead of the Cruze and Focus? Isn't it a mid-size? And haven't other mags given it dead last placings and mocked it for a last gen interior and 2 generations old exterior? What the hell was going on in this review?

I saw Woescents (or however you spell it) post over at GMI, he thinks they may offer more stock to pay off some debts. 7.00 is getting into the realm of a "little to expensive" with a wedding to pay for, so I would love to know what those odds are and what it will be offered at. I own about 300 shares averaged at about 1.95 so I am certainly looking to get back in and party. My lady just bought a new Focus so we've done our part.

I was thinking the same thing. Great review but I thought Ford had said the auto/4cyl. would be/is rated at 23/34? Motor Trend had it at 22 / 30 for it and the auto is 22 /29. I am also interested in knowing the MPG rating for the improved 3.0 engine. Anyone?