Walt

My experience is more with cell phones than iPods. I know that there are two types of USB cables; 4 pin and 5 pin. If one uses a 4 pin with a device that expects/needs a 5 pin, it may not recharge. Unfortunately, 4 pin and 5 pin cables use the same connectors, and therefore, many people don't realize the difference. Also, some cell phones need "permission" to recharge, and don't simply do it automatically from the USB's +5v power source. Basically, when plugged in, the device will "ask" the radio "is it ok I charge?". If the radio doesn't reply at all, or doesn't reply "yes", then the device will not attempt to recharge itself. Basically, it is a data handshaking protocol.

So much for Ford's attempts to not allow any hybrids for dealer stock. Even Ford calling the "named" customer to verify, doesn't seem to have stopped some dealers. Unless those on cars.com are actually already sold, but listed anyway to generate showroom traffic. "Oh, you came in to buy that FEH. While I can't seem to find it right now, how about the Excursion XXL that does 3 point 4 MPG?"

While I think that is a really good idea, and I might even buy one, it does further the problem that Lincolns are simply re-badged Fords and thus Lincolns are no longer luxury vehicles. In other words, Lincolns are nothing more than optioned-out Ford. For example, a MKX is nothing more than an Edge with more standard features and options. A Navigator is an Expedition. An Aviator was an Explorer. GM does it so much better. For example, a Cadillac XLR is more than simply a Corvette with more options and a new nameplate.

Well, Ford proved me wrong. Ford just announced SYNC for the 2009 Mustang. I am still confused on who is installing it, the factory or the dealer. No mention of it being able to be retrofited into older (2005-2008?) Mustangs. Also, SYNC for the 2009 Mustang is noted as being incompatible with the Mustang's NAV system option. Honestly, I am not sure what SYNC really is, without the LCD display of a NAV system to display song titles, phone contacts, etc. I mean, without the LCD display, IMHO, a lot of the "gee whiz" disappears, no?

Very good point to remember! For X-plan, there is the limit of $75 for documentation fees, and that is it. Nothing else is allowed to be added (well, except for your state's own fees for tax, registration, title, etc). For a regular "invoice" sale, the dealer is free to then pad that price up all they want with all sorts of "required" extra fees. Well, they will keep padding it up and up, until you walk away.

Wow. Now that is something I would have never expected! However, I see SYNC is not available with the Nav system, which means the Mustang continues to offer the older generation system. KITT can actually talk with a Mustang, instead of only a Focus, when Knight Rider starts up in a few more weeks.

I read the article you referenced, and it does not claim that Sync is already available for the Mustang. It says "Next in line for a SYNC accessory kit will be the Mustang." Which would be interesting because Sync isn't even available for the 2009 Mustang from the factory (rumor has it that Ford is waiting for the early 2010 design freshening to bring out Sync for the Mustang). That article also mentions that not all 2008 Navigators will be able to be be updated. Only those built after December 4, 2007. I wonder if something similar might end up being true for the OP's 2008 Taurus? Also don't forget the other limitations for the retrofit. For Navigators, they MUST already be equipped with the Elite Package that includes the voice-activated navigation radio and rear seat DVD. In other words, all the extra hardware Sync requires. Again, I am not sure that the OP's Taurus has such hardware already.

Last week's published lead times for the FEH is now up to 30 weeks!

Now, if one doesn't like blue or red, there isn't much left. I am not too sure why we need multiple shades of blue and multiple shades of red, and not have even one shade of so many other colors. BTW, I ordered my '95 in Crystal White.

You make a very good point. There are applications where there is no good foreseeable replacement for oil. So, we might need to reserve our oil reserves for those applications. BTW, I would add medical to the list. We are pretty close to the peek of oil, if not already there. The end of the Oil Era is within our sights.

When was pink a standard color choice? Not even the "Warriors in Pink" Mustang is available in pink.

Is the dealer with the left-over '08 Bullitt still demanding sticker or more for it? I would think that as with any '08 left-over, a dealer will mark it down appropriately, making a rebate a moot point.

With a hybrid, you have a choice. You can turn the A/C off. You can have it run only when the gas engine is otherwise needing to run. You can have the A/C run constantly by forcing the gas engine to run nearly constantly (it still shuts off when the A/C compressor cycles off). Basically, you can make the judgement call of saving gas vs. how hot and uncomfortable you are. There is no "free" A/C. If the A/C was driven by the battery, it would quickly drain down the battery resulting in the gas engine needing to run anyway just to recharge the battery.

I don't think that any of gas-only Escapes get anything close to "near-FEH mileage". Yea, some 'well driven' 4cyl Escapes get really good mileage, and some 'poorly driven' hybrids get really bad mileage. However, if you are the type that can drive their 4cyl Escape to get 30MPG around town, then I am quite sure that you can get 40MPG or more out of a hybrid around town. Like wise, if you are the type that gets only 15MPG out of your 4-cyl, you will probably get only 25MPG out of a hybrid. However, person-by-person, driving technique-by-driving technique, there is always a substantial improvement with a hybrid.

Yea, I stopped even reading Consumer Reports after finding numerous major errors in their evaluations. What is so interesting, is that all the errors I find them raging about in paragraph after paragraph, are really due to themselves. If they just bother to read the owner's manual, they would find out that they are either miss-using or miss-operating the feature. Yea, I know. Few of us read the owner's manual. However, one would think that Consumer Reports would, especially when they are too stupid to figure out how stuff is suppose to work.

You hit upon my pet peeve. My '07 MMH is the first new car I have ever ordered, where I had to settle for the color I hated least. With all my previous new car orders, many of them Fords, there has always been at least one exterior color that stood out and really caught my eye. Not this time. I am not sure why Ford is choosing such bad exterior colors lately. And why they feel they need to restrict the hybrids from some of the color offered on the gas-only models. I mean, it is not like any of the exterior colors are hybrid drive incompatible. :rolleyes: If anything, Ford should offer some additional, hybrid unique, colors. Colors that would help more easily ID the vehicle as being the hybrid. Like Kermit Green? :D

I think you are on the right path. I will also ask about "unlocking". I know that if you arm the system (ie, "lock") and then try to manually open/unlock something, it will set the alarm off. One has to disarm the system by using a button or the keyfob to "unlock". For example, you are detailing your car, and you had the driver's window open. If the door was previously electronically locked and armed, and you reached thru the open window and manually unlocked/opened the door, the alarm will sound. Like wise if you reached thru the open window and pulled the latch to open the hood, the alarm will sound. That's all normal operation.

Actually, I know the reason for the hitch. The hole in the back that is used to route the trailer wiring, is used to route the freon lines on the hybrid. Could Ford design/find a different routing for trailer wiring on the hybrid? Probably, but that would make it hybrid unique and I don't think there would be enough orders/sales of the option on hybrids to cover the cost to do that.

Orders for MMH's tend to filled faster.

I don't think very many FEH's sit on the lot, gathering dust.

Sync is an application which runs under Windows Automotive. However, it also needs some special hardware like a microphone, appropriate steering wheel buttons, and a hard disk drive. IMHO, retrofitting all that into an existing auto would be pretty cost prohibitive.

Ah, good point! I wonder if the reason why the Bullitts don't come with a spare, is that the factory mini-spare will not clear the brakes?

Would he not need a spare from a Mustang with 18" wheels?

One can certainly get 42 mpg, but one has to be driving in a "very hybrid" manor, and be on an idea road that allows exploiting the max use of the hybrid system. I don't think 31.3 is all that low either, for someone driving in a "very non-hybrid" manor, and be on a highway that just happens to not allow much, if any, use of the hybrid system. Basically, your mpg is simply the high efficiency of the Atkins cycle 4-cyl engine.

The dealer installed DVD headrest is even "incompatible" with hybrids. I am not too sure why. It not like the hybrids have a different headrest than the gas-only models.