T'Cal

I've got an '11 Explorer Limited and I had to have the A-pillar trim replaced right away as it was warped when I got it. The weird thing was that they replaced it when I had an oil change done but the second one was literally just as bad. I figured that they didn't replace it because they were waiting for a part on a new vehicle and there was a delay. A month later I called to learn the status of the part order and I found out they had in fact replaced it. I brought it back in and the service rep was amazed that his guy installed the newer one since it was clearly as warped as the first. A week later a third one came in and it was fine so it was installed. The interior was nice and tight and never rattled for the first 10k or so miles. Then at about 11k miles, I began hearing a buzz/rattle from the passenger side of the top of the dash/windshield area any time I hit a blemish in the road. I can't pin it down by pressing on anything when it's occurring. A couple of weeks ago at 14K, I began hearing a different kind of rattle on the driver's side of the dash. Between these issues and the tempermental MyFord Touch system, I'm having some regrets and I don't like this feeling at all. I've read that you should never buy the first model year of a vehicle but figured that was an old man's way of thinking especially since Ford's quality has improved so much and the Explorer is based on a platform that has been around for several years at Ford and Volvo before it. But now I'm wondering despite my years as a Ford Man. I didn't think I'd find myself saying this at first, but maybe I should've looked more seriously at the Durango. It's also a first year vehicle but it's also based on a modified existing platform.

I like the SUV (Aviator?). And the big coupe. Beautiful!

The next day, I started up the Explorer and SYNC performed a routine scheduled maintenance. Moments later it was fine and I've had no problems since. I'm more confused than ever.

I had a 2003 Marauder for two years and loved it. It sucked in the snow, though. I traded it in for a loaded 4WD Mariner for my wife to get her something nice that would get her through our bad winters and I took over her old car. Two months ago my son called me from a used car lot about 5 miles from our house saying my car was there and for sale. I checked the next day and he was right. They were asking for more than what I traded it for three years before. It was tempting. As with others here, I had a very positive experience with my Panther. It was an excellent vehicle: part luxury car, part performance sedan, and part safe/roomy family car. It was the best sounding car I've ever owned, too. I am so tempted to pick up a used CV, CVPI, or GM, through some 18" Mustang wheels on it, a pair of Flowmasters, perhaps a stiffer gear (3.73), and maybe some buckets and a console. How do you beat that for fun?

Call it whatever you want, I need it NOW. I stopped for gas a couple of days ago and when I started the car after filling up, the main screen was black and didn't come on until I disconnected the battery the next day. It keeps warning me to go to the dealer for a NAV system problem. This is getting worse...

Looking forward to the big update in January... I've had the screen go blank, too. After several moments, the screens displays that SYNC is performing a scheduled maintenance, which takes about three minutes or so. I wish it would ask if I cared to conduct the maintenance first. There are many little annoyances that I hope will be cleared up soon.

I have a real prejudice against the getting the V6 model with stick. I know it's a bit quicker but it just seems so low rent. Oddly, If I bought the GT, I'd get the stick because it's a performance car and I'd want the best performance for that model, not to mention the greater driver involvement and the terrific sounds eminating from the exhaust when you leave it in lower gears. But if I bought a V6 model I would get the automatic as I know I'm not buying the hi-perf model. Still, I'd want the stiffer gearing for improved acceleration and better braking of the Performance Package and would order that if it was available. The 3.7L is a great engine making more HP than the old 5.0s from the 80s/90s. They're quicker than many of them too, despite the increase in weight and size of the newer models.

I think it would be an outstanding idea to build a Mach1 with a 351 as the next special Mustang. We've had the Shelby, the Bullitt, and the Boss 302 so the Mach1 would fit right in for 2013 & 2014 before the big change in the Mustang away from retro styling. Make mine Race Red with a black leather iunterior and a six speed.

Are these blue renderings based on the Mercury Messenger Concept from a handful of years back? They are beautiful and worthy of a new Mustang's styling.

I liked the LTD LX with the 185 HP FI 5.0L and automatic from the Mustang. It was sorta like a four door Mustang GT. My friend's father had one and it was relatively quick. There was also a police package using that drivetrain, Ford's answer to the Malibu 9C1 with the 305 V8.

While I haven't driven the new PIs, I have sat in and examined closely a mock up of each. The Taurus-based PI Sedan feels small and cramped inside and the Explorer-based PI Utility was much better offering more head, foot, and cargo room. The fastback design of the Sedan necessitates an angled rear door window frame hindering entry to the the prisoner area. I applaud Ford for making AWD standard but question why they didn't make the 3.7L V6 standard in both if only from engineering and production standpoints. Who wouldn't want 25 or so more HP in the Sedan? While the new Taurus looks good, the 2008 & 2009 offered lots more passenger and cargo space. Too bad Ford didn't continue to use that as the basis for the PI.

The next gen Escape looks too much like a Hyundai Tuscon to me. It's not ugly. It's just looks too much like a CUV and the current one looks much more like an SUV, which I clearly prefer. I'm sure the new one will sell well. The Tuscon is...um...cute

Dear Ford, Please hire this man. Fondly, T'Cal

When I look at the current and older Escape/Mariner, I see a small SUV. By that I mean something that looks traditional, rugged, and truck-like. When I see the new design, I see a small crossover that looks like most Asian compact crossovers, meaning it looks like a tall hatchback or wagon that is softer in all the wrong ways. I know the current models aren't heavy duty tanks but their image is a strong one and the next gen is not. I wish it kept the Ford family look, especially the new one that is on display in the new Edge and Explorer. That would make more sense to me.

They actually list in the contract a specific engine and its displacement? Interesting. Is that common?

Motor Trend is reporting that the 2015 will use the 3.7L V6 and 5.0L V8 for its mainstream models as these plants aren't that old. The latter may get direct injection for a boost in both fuel economy and performance, a wise move for both engines IMHO. The Ecoboost 3.5L is too close in performance to the cheaper to build 5.0L so why offer it, reports MT and I agree. An EB 2.3L I4 could make it for a new SVO model, which would be cool, and other sources are saying the same thing. An IRS is just about guaranteed. The Shelby Cobra will likely get bored out to 5.8L (351 cubic inches!) and a power boost to 600 HP or so. Over all, the magazines say the Mustang will lose some weight due to shorter overhangs front and rear but it probably won't be a huge amount; my guess is 100-200 lbs. Maybe. The convertible will return, of course, and the over all styling of it and the sedan will move away from the retro look. Cues from the EVOS will certainly make it but I sincerely doubt that it will look all that much like the new concept. Look for an EVOS shaped grille and its slim headlights, which will be Ford's new trademark front end across the board. Watch for the next gen MyFord/SYNC to be the focal point of the new interior. We'll see!

I always liked the styling of the Freestyle since it looked like a more modern take on the Explorer but I found the name to be wimpy; Taurus X was a better name but not a great one. While the Freestyle offered only the CVT, the 500 sedan for 2005-2007 offered an Aisin 6 speed automatic with FWD and the CVT with AWD. Both transmissions were replaced with a Ford-built 6 speed auto box when the Freestyle was completely revamped, along with the 500 and Montego, and it was renamed Taurus X and the sedans were renamed Taurus and Sable. I always liked the name Montego better than Sable as the latter sounds too feminine. I remember seeing a concept version of the wagon/crossover at the auto shows called Mercury Meta One, which was diesel powered but that obviously never made it to production. Too bad, too, as I always felt the Taurus X/Meta One worked better for Mercury as long as Ford had the Flex. I bought an '11 Explorer several months ago and love it but it was expensive. I seriously considered finding a late model, low mileage used Taurus X instead. Ford sold that as a crossover and the new Explorer as an SUV. Who cares? In the end it's all marketing!

I bought four Mustang 5.0s in the '80s - '82 GT hatchback 4 speed, '84 GT convertible 5 speed, '85 GT convertible 5 speed, and '89 LX hatchback automatic. The '85 with its 210 HP, its Holley 4 bbl, and its true dual exhaust was by far the best with the best performance, sound, ride, and handling.

Aaarrrrrrgh! While I can see a NA I4 (2.5L or so with about 200 HP) as standard and an EB I4 (2.0L or so with about 250 HP) as optional, a sport model needs better and a 300 HP V6 would be just right.

I would be surprised if someone else at Ford didn't have a CV Sport with the Ecoboost engine and transmission from the F150. Do you think they'd ever admit it?? No way! BTW, the new Caprice PPV has its air intake mounted low and in front right behind the small grill on the driver's side where a fog light might go. That's just perfect for sucking water into the engine in mild flooding.

I thought I had a body rattle in my '11 Explorer and it was driving me nuts since the truck has only 10k miles on it. I sat in back while my wife drove and recognized the noise immediately as the license plate vibrating. I tightened the top two bolts and added two bottom ones and the rattle was gone. Just sayin... In case it comes up... Is there any talk of the updated 3.5L making it into the Fusion? Any discussion of a coupe version of the next gen Fusion as there was a few years back regarding the current model? I would seriously consider a Sport Coupe with 290HP and AWD if they ever made one.

With the Crown Vic dying a slow and painful death recently, I got to thinking the other day: I'll bet real money that someone around Ford Motor Company is driving a Crown Vic Sport with the Mustang GT's 5.0L DOHC V8 backed by the 6 speed automatic. It probably has nice sounding pipes. 3.73 gears, and bigger wheels and tires from the Mustang as well. What a send off that would've been!

The grey one above looks like it's not shortened but it's very, very good. And the copper ones are great as well. I believe the production Challenger has a 4" shorter wheelbase than the Charger/300. Like I said, I love the current Challenger and would buy a new one if I could afford it. I wish Chrysler hadn't dropped my two favorite colors: ToRed and B5 Blue.

Ford could spread out some of the R&D costs by building a few vehicles off of the next version of the Mustang platform. I'd love to see them include a Ranchero ute, a Torino 5 passenger coupe, and a Lincoln sedan and convertible.

Can someone here start with the 2011 Charger and make that a coupe? I lack two important things to do it myself: the tools and the talent.