fusion37

Apparently, a full Escape ST is not in the works, but any chance of an ST-Line that might not have all of the cheap looking black plastic panels of the 2020 Escapes?

Any chance of an Escape ST-Line? Apparently, a full ST is not in the works, but an ST-Line might not have all of the cheap looking black plastic panels of the 2020 Escapes.

I have a 2014 Fusion Titanium and I really like the technology offered in this vehicle; the "self park" is very handy when navigating downtown areas and parallel parking spaces (keeps rims from "curb rash.") My car has all options except 4WD. My wife has an Infiniti Q50, which is a nice vehicle with a bit more power, but when I drive it, it seems like a "step-down" from my Fusion. It has much more road noise than my car, and just doesn't have the refinement of my Titanium, IMHO.

Thanks for the info. I'm ordering the automatic. My dealer's last two Mustangs were held for weeks due to transport problems. Hopefully, it has a May allocation.

Ice-Capades, What's the current time between order and delivery these days? Placed an order for an Ecoboost Premium today.

I posted back in May about my experiences with the ST3. I've since had a Nav TV backup camera installed & I'm glad I did. Added some gray aftermarket wheels (OZ) that don't show brake dust as badly; like those too. (When time comes to replace the brake pads, I will go with something not as dusty, even if it means a bit of loss in efficiency. Agree with Boomer Sooner.) Just came back from a quick (and I mean quick) 400 mile interstate trip, mostly in the rain. More impressed than ever with this car, and I'm a old guy, (true 'boomer' way out of the demographic,) that's owned a lot of Mustangs and other "inexpensive" sport/performance cars. The is ST is the most fun, most drivable, most "planted" vehicle I've ever owned. Unbelievably stable at 80-90 - my average speed on aforementioned trip. Averaged about 27 mpg on the rainy interstate run. If available, I would consider an automatic or dual clutch transmission with true paddle shifters in an ST - mostly for the wife's convenience when he helps with driving. However, not the tranny in the regular Focus. Had a 2012 Focus Titanium sedan and traded it for the ST because the transmission was so clunky.

I've had my ST for a couple of months & I like it. I also have an 03 SVT Focus with the EAP package. Both have their strong points - the 03 is more old style/involving to drive; has a better gearbox (IMHO). The ST obviously has more power and is easier to drive in town because of the torque (3rd gear is very usable!). My only problem with the ST is that the downshift from 3rd to 2nd is clunky. Pull the shifter too far left and it misses the gate. Anybody else noticed that problem? Would like to have a backup camera....

Up to 500 miles on the Bridgestones, including 200-mile interstate trip this weekend. I certainly don't want to rip the Michelins, but the Bridgestones "feel" more stable and are quieter. They really have changed the dynamics of my car. That, however, is a subjective thing, but for me a positive May just be the cold weather factor and summer tires.

My Michelins went 18K but where getting very slipperly in the rain. Replaced them with Bridgestone RE970as all-season tires. So far, they are quieter and I can't tell any drop-off in handling, but I don't drive that aggressively.

Yes, I had mine "reflash" about 10 days ago. It changed the car greatly and not in a positive way. Shifts in S mode - both auto & manual - take longer. Also, it seems to have delayed the throttle tip in. Car sits for a second after applying the gas in first gear; then it "leaps" forward. Not as linear as before. This hesitation almost caused an accident while pulling out of an intersection. May be a little overstated, but the Focus seems now more responsive in D than S-mode. Based on my experience, if you aren't having major problems with your transmission, I'd think long and hard before doing the update.

It's late January. Anybody heard anything recently on the status of MFT fix? I thought word might come or leak from the Detroit auto show.

Not illuminated but they do look sharp. They have about four, narrow strips of doubled-sided tape that run the length of the plate. Instructions show you how to center the plate, pull off the protective plastic from the tape, and press down. They stick tightly, so you want to make sure they're in the right place, centered, etc. But no big deal. Still wondering why plates for the rear doors aren't offered.

Update from my original post: Found a set of plates on Ebay for about $40 + $3 shipping. They came from Indiana in the original Ford packaging, with part number, etc. Took all of about 5 minutes to install. If you are considering sill plates, check the Internet,. You can certainly install them yourself. Now, does anybody want to buy a set of installed sill plates, with a fully loaded Titanium sedan thrown in for good measure.? I'm about done with MyFord Touch. Great concept. Not so much on functionality. Have my eye on the upcoming 2013 Mustang.

In addition to the gunmetal rims, the black ST in "Sweeney" also has red calipers. The blue car at the LA Auto show does not.

Are there new photos, color choices, ordering information on the ST? Since the LA Auto Show info, I've looked for photos other than the Tangerine (?) that we've seen now for a year and did recently see the black ST that's in the British film production. Wondering if I've missed other colors that might be somewhere on the web. Anyone know when Ford will release the order guide?

Eastern TN, near Knoxville

After I finished my post, I remembered that I did the first oil change, going to Castrol Edge, full synthetic, just before leaving on the trip. Don't think that would make much difference, and weather here in Tennessee wasn't much cooler last weekend than before. Probably my perception (wishful thinking?), but I certainly went from thinking this car "needs more power" to "yeah, this is OK."

As my Focus just turned 4K miles, my perception of its power has increased markedly. Over the years, some of my cars, mostly Fords, have experienced an increase in power after what seems to be a long "break in" period. None more so than the 2012 Focus. On a 400-mile Interstate trip this week, driving north of 75 MPH, the car just seemed a lot more responsive, particularly in the mountains. Thought it was just the fact I was driving late at night on a mostly deserted I-40. However, the next morning, I noticed the same thing in city driving. The change is very pronounced. A bit OT: call me lucky, but my car has had none of the serious MFT or transmission problems. I did the MFT download and since then, I'd call the Titanium sedan near perfect. Your comments?

Three weeks or so after upgrading MFT, I can report it is working much, much better. I think I've only seen the black "updating" screen a couple of times (and the first one fixed a minor bug). The response to voice commands, etc., is much better. If you are having MFT problems, I highly recommend the update. Just remember the car has to be running for about 30 minutes!

Did a successful update of the latest version of SYNC. However, the station frequency/SIRIUS channel number that appeared in the vertical tabs at the right of the MFT doesn't display. Channel selections are there but no information as to what they are. And the logos for SIRIUS no longer appear on the screen. Fix? System maintenance fixed it.

I'm considering ordering sill plates for my Titanium. Do they come as a set or one each for $95? While know they can be had for less than MSRP, I don't think I want to go more than $100 for two. Appreciate the info from someone who has bought and installed them.

Yeah, I knew it was down a 100hp. Just doesn't feel like 160. Most of that is probably in the gearing. Let's see, did I mention the transmission...?

Having been one of several on this board who jumped from a Fusion (the Sport in my case), it has been an adjustment. There are lots of things I really like about the Focus; some that the jury is is out on. Other than the occasion "black screen' for MFT, it's working fairly well. My biggest adjustments are the power, or lack thereof, and the transmission. The shift button works OK but the downshift and lack of feedback on when to upshift are much different than the manual/clutch of the 03 Focus SVT. Probably the bottom line is: the Fusion Sport was my daily driver and the SVT the weekend, "fun" ride. Now, the Focus is the "weekday garage queen."

Not a frequent visitor to Mustang forums, although I've owned several 'stangs in my time. Just wondering if the Mustang loyalists think there are clues in the Ford Evos for the next generation Mustang? Certainly, the gull wings doors won't fly but the general body shape?

Agree. My car has 3K and occasionally shudders when coming to a stop. Another problem, which is pilot error on my part, is when I shift too soon at low RPM. It "stalls" just like a manual shift without sufficient engine speed. Neither is a big deal to me but I hope you get a better response if this concerns you.