RichardJensen Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I know what you mean. Unfortunately in our modern age of glorious technology and political correctness we find ourselves living in some sort of almost sterilized, zombie like transe of a culture. It's a shame. Everything from cars, to TV shows, to music, to people. The whole thing. Lifeless, without soul or merit or any real zest. I spend a lot time wondering how the hell we got this way, and amazed at how detestable it can be. But alas I rant on. I know what you mean about the stick. A reminder of a better time when a man "drove" a car, was a part of the car, understood the car and neither had to make apologies or excuses for one another. OTOH, I find gear shifting to be like so much busywork except when pretending you're: A) Mario Andretti B) AJ Foyt C) Jackie Stewart D) Michael Schumacher I mean, 9-5 day in day out, it's like using a typewriter instead of a computer. Like saying, "Sure, we've got a washer and dryer, but I still go down to the river and beat my clothes against rocks." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 That's basically the impression I got from the article. I don't think Ford realized how important the 4 cylinder model is in this class. The new 2.5/6SP that's coming should do wonders for this car.The 4 cyl Fusion had a 5 speed auto, is the CD4E a 5 speed? No, I think the Fusion's is an off the shelf unit from somebody. The Escape has the CD4E, I think. A 4-speed anyway, like the Focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackHorse Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 Now that sure is middle-age grumpy. You need an attitude adjustment. LOL, Yeah, sometimes I think it is just me. Just getting to be an old grump. But honestly, Seinfeld is the number 1 show? It's a snoozer, every episode, I didn't find it funny at all. Survivor? Oprah? MTV? I remember when MTV actually played music and you turned it on for that purpose. Now it's one moronic contest show after another. Everytime Britney cuts her hair or some hollywood actor takes dirt nap it's the lead story on the news for 3 days. As if the world is somehow a lesser place and we should all be crying in our beer over Heath Ledger. Ok, he was a talented actor but good grief he's not that important in the everyday life of the vast majority of people and if he is you need to get a life. I don't have to tell most of you that the workplace has become so politically correct that most of us probably just show up, do our job, don't talk to anyone and go home. God forbid you should have a little bit of a good time while you're there because you might say something that someone else doesn't like. Then you'll be hauled on the carpet for it. So we've become drones. On top of that our culture has pounded into everyones head that you have to be ultra-devoted to your job. Did you know a recent study shows that well over 90% of Americans derive no real satisfaction from their job? But if you watch TV or read our magazines you would think just the opposite is true and if you don't feel that way there must be something wrong with you. What's really important? What really gives you satisfaction in life? Your job? If you answered your job you are indeed a drone. A souless, useless drone. It's about your friends and family. It's about those bonds you form. There in lies the things that will really bring you happiness and satisfaction in life. Ironically it's the very thing we neglect the most sometimes. So maybe I need my attitude adjusted by the little cartoon cutie there. Or maybe I've just reached an age where I finally see how full of shit we all are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I know what you mean. Unfortunately in our modern age of glorious technology and political correctness we find ourselves living in some sort of almost sterilized, zombie like transe of a culture. It's a shame. Everything from cars, to TV shows, to music, to people. The whole thing. Lifeless, without soul or merit or any real zest. I spend a lot time wondering how the hell we got this way, and amazed at how detestable it can be. But alas I rant on. I know what you mean about the stick. A reminder of a better time when a man "drove" a car, was a part of the car, understood the car and neither had to make apologies or excuses for one another. This post, sir, inspires me to go out, buy a stick, and learn how to drive it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P71_CrownVic Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I know. I'm in denial, just like the Panther Mafia. Sticks are going the way of the four-barrel and the CV. They've been dying slowly in this country for decades. And yes, today's new automatics shift quicker than I ever could, are more efficient, CHEAPER to build and make the cars faster, but they just aint got no soul. It's sad when I go to a media event and the valet parking my car has to call someone else on the radio because he CAN'T drive a stick. It's a tragedy in my book. For me, few things are as satisfying as a perfectly rev-matched five-three down shift right before flawlessly carving an apex. I made the shift. I made it perfect. No computer controlled it, no computer timed it. I did. And for the record, I don't hate anything American, except maybe the Panther cars. Who's the one in denial????? YOU are the one who insists on bringing them up in almost every thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P71_CrownVic Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 (edited) Getting back on topic, I love this quote: Second, it's transmission acted like some sort of steroidal homing pigeon, drawn perpetually to high gear. The car would step off smoothly, but if you didn't summon full throttle ASAP, the trans was in fifth gear about 10 feet later. Because the shifter offers only drive and low, our pilots had little choice but to mash the throttle to summon donkey-slow two-or three-gear kickdowns that would snap your neck. "Its like the engine is either on or off", wrote one editor Edited January 29, 2008 by P71_CrownVic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Getting back on topic, I love this quote: Fixed it for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P71_CrownVic Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Fixed it for you! And the beauty is no one will ever know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 (edited) And the beauty is no one will ever know... Except me! (insert sound clip of evil meniacal laugh) :devil2: Edited January 29, 2008 by rmc523 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVT_MAN Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 (edited) BMW uses a system like that also. It's pretty slick. Ford has a hill-assist on the Mondeo. I was freaked out when I got my first hill in the Mustang, but after I had the self-efficacy about being able to do a hill-start, it was no big deal. The rolling back is what freaked me out the most though so I can see why people get bothered by it. You'd be amazed at how few people can drive stick who are my age. I'd say only about 5% of my graduating class could drive stick. (And that didn't include me because I didn't learn until I was 20 - I didn't have a car to learn on. By the way, if you want to learn stick - don't learn on a Mustang. I was constantly worried about wrapping the thing around a tree, or doing something stupid.) Oh, but that's right, you can't text message, drink a latte and change gears at the same time so Americans just opt for the auto. I'm somewhat embarassed to say this, but try telling what you just said to my girlfriend. She does all of that and more while driving. Let's just say, it's an .. experience. I hate that her Probe has a low steering wheel because she likes to steer it with her knee sometimes when she is drinking, cell-phoning, or what have you ... :blink: Edited January 29, 2008 by SVT_MAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Ford should adopt something that Studebaker originated and copied by Subaru, called a "Hill Holder"... I can't wait to see what the American driving public will think of the PowerShift "automatic" transmission coming out on the Verve/Fiesta. Because it use a true clutch on 1st gear, it will not hold a hill for more than a few seconds. Lots of Verves will be rolling backward at the top of hills with the engines screaming ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 This post, sir, inspires me to go out, buy a stick, and learn how to drive it. I understood the concept so well at 17, I asked if I could drive my sisters brand new Beetle. To her retort of. "You don't know how to drive a stick", I got in, stalled once, maybe twice and then just drove away. My son learned to drive a stick before he got his license. He actually took the driving test in old 1.8L DOHC Escort GT. The tester said he was the first person in over 5 years of testing that used a stick. (Of course his other choice was a Econoline !) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 How much of the 2.5L is based on the 2.3L? The impressions around here was that it was a new engine or much improved upon, since both FNA and FOE didn't care for it all that much, since it sucked down gas pretty bad... The 2.5L is a "direct descendant" of the 2.3L. I don't know what they really changed. This engine will be going "back under the knife" because they need to fit another hole in the combustion chamber for the direct injector for EcoBoost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project-Fairmont Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 All Ford products except the EDGE and maybe the Fusion.........Yes. Prey tell, what do you own? And why do you get off trolling here in the lame attempt to offend ford enthusiasts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Prey tell, what do you own? And why do you get off trolling here in the lame attempt to offend ford enthusiasts? Probably a disgruntled Tundra owner miffed at Ford's fantastic performance in recent quality studies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Probably a disgruntled Tundra owner miffed at Ford's fantastic performance in recent quality studies.... ....and Toyota's horrible performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_spaniard Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 I know. I'm in denial, just like the Panther Mafia. Sticks are going the way of the four-barrel and the CV. They've been dying slowly in this country for decades. And yes, today's new automatics shift quicker than I ever could, are more efficient, CHEAPER to build and make the cars faster, but they just aint got no soul. It's sad when I go to a media event and the valet parking my car has to call someone else on the radio because he CAN'T drive a stick. It's a tragedy in my book. For me, few things are as satisfying as a perfectly rev-matched five-three down shift right before flawlessly carving an apex. I made the shift. I made it perfect. No computer controlled it, no computer timed it. I did. And for the record, I don't hate anything American, except maybe the Panther cars. I too, agree about the manual thing. I have a manual in my Honda and considered holding out until I found a six-speed manual equipped Xterra, but it took too long to find one (and at the time I needed to quickly grab a rig to make cross-country trips out in the wild) so I got an automatic. My Dad had a 97 F150 with the 5-speed mated to the 4.6L, and even that thing was more fun to drive. Hell, I would have definitely gotten a 5-speed if it were available for the 5.4L in my Lariat. I would hope a manual would always be available, but it doesn't look like that will be the case. I was browsing Nissan's site today, and it looks as if they are going to be shoving a CVT in almost everything except the Z. <sigh> I will miss the control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efy Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Ya know, its funny how they said that the Fusion takes a full 9.5 seconds to reach 60, but, in April 2007 when they tested it, they said 8.1. What's up with that?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Ya know, its funny how they said that the Fusion takes a full 9.5 seconds to reach 60, but, in April 2007 when they tested it, they said 8.1. What's up with that?!?! I'm guessing the difference between automatic and manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I'm guessing the difference between automatic and manual. That's quite a difference for just a change in transmissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Uh was it the V6 or I4? Thats way too big of a difference for a stick vs an auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinb120 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 (edited) I've read of a lot of blown Duratecs on Focus and Mazda 3 forums. Seems they like to suck oil through the PCV until the crankcase is dry. Not to mention they have fragile connecting rods that snap with as little as eight pounds of boost. Stock Zetecs, when PROPERLY TUNED, can handle (from what I've read) up to 15 pounds of boost. They must not be bringing them into dealers for new engines??? I like the Ztec as well, but the displacement is too small. I think Ford underestimated the 4-banger market a bit as the V6 is only a hair more expensive then the Camry/Accord 4cyl models. We stock about 70% V6 models here as they are definitely the better seller in this area. I don't think the 4 is horrible, but the manual version is awful with that clunky shifter. Although the D35 would be nice. I drove a MKZ and its MUCH better. I think those use the newer 6A(6F??) from the Edge/MKZ as it seemed smoother and faster to downshift?? Edited February 7, 2008 by kevinb120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I think those use the newer 6A(6F??) from the Edge/MKZ as it seemed smoother and faster to downshift?? AFAIK, its using an Asisan unit, not the 6F...yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efy Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Uh was it the V6 or I4? Thats way too big of a difference for a stick vs an auto It was the I4 that they tested in April also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 (edited) Sonata is a POS. Real world experience, coworker got one since it was an import. Let's see, ABS died, and couldn't drive it, brakes were locked. Oil leaked from motor. And this week, hood latch broke, so cant open hood! All in one year. So I would say they suck, and the resale, dumping into fleets, and high rebates are more evidence that Hyundai is NOT the "next Toyota that 'magazine racers' love to say! Edited February 9, 2008 by 630land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.