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Gigantor

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Posts posted by Gigantor

  1. 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?

  2. I never understand this thinking. What does price of a vehicle have to do with the manufacturer not trying to do best effort building every vehicle they build.

    Its OK to over look shoddy workmanship on a $20,000 vehicle versus a $40,000 vehicle?

    I remember reading an article on Alan Mulally when he first started working at Ford, and he mentioned this exact issue and asked why cars such as the Focus, the accepted grade of quality was a B build quality, but for more expensive vehicles the goal was to get a grade A build quality

    Either the auto manufacturer takes pride in everything it builds or it doesn't I'd say.

     

    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.

    • Like 1
  3. Every car has its problems, but I'm not a blind evangelist that observes but doesn't report. You take the good with the bad.

     

    I do have visible fit & finish issues on my 2011 MKX, especially the right rear lift-gate which is obviously misaligned with the fender (and sucken in), highlighted by the misaligned taillight. The rear spoiler is also misaligned to the roof so it's flatter than the curvature of the roof, a problem I didn't have with my previous MKX. These are problems I could have had fixed, but it's a lease so I'm not overly concerned about them, but it is something that has always bugged me about the car because it's visible evidence of QC issues. I've actually never had so many fit & finish issues with a car as I do on this one and the Escape. I did get the interior ones fixed on the MKX for the most part, but the exterior ones are less important. And in the end, with the exception of MLT, I've had no functional quality problems.

     

    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.

  4. 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?

  5. Meh, MT is famous for changing their criteria from shootout to shootout in order to fit their agenda. Plus with the Focus flat out dominating every other shootout it's been in, MT probably wanted to be different to get attention.

     

    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?

  6. 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.

  7. Kudos for the 6 speed but only 22/29 mpg??? Am I missing something? I know they said the S was rated at 31 mpg. Does the auto get that much better? WTF

     

    Isnt the auto like 34 mpg hwy??

     

    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?

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