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Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego

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Comments

  • garandmangarandman Member Posts: 524
    Hre's what I don't get. Car writers fall all over themselves over the extraordinarily mundane Accord (I own one) and Camry. But the tasteful 500 gets clobbered. What gives?
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    It's fashionable and hip to bash American cars and like foreign cars, even if (some would say particularly if) you do not know what you are talking about....

    That's a good part of it, for sure...
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    Gmctruck - The very first time I sat in a Five Hundred, I tried to pull the steering wheel out. After sitting in and driving many of them, I finally gave up on them (Five Hundred, Montego, Freestyle) just because of the problem of obtaining a good seating position and the excessive noise from the drivetrain. I would like to have the better fuel mileage of the Freestyle, but have a 2006 Explorer on order. It would be a real surprise if Ford does not offer a telescoping steering column in 2007. The power pedals do not help, as they are more for short drivers, not tall drivers. I also visited a Ford dealer which offered to allow me to take a Freestyle for a long / overnight test drive.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    It is interesting to note that the Fusion/Milan, a smaller midsize to come from Ford this fall, DOES have a telescoping/tilt wheel....

    Perhaps Ford has learned a lesson and will indeed include it in the next reskin for the Five Hundred/Montego...
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    Come on over to Ford, they won't bite! I did in 1990 switching off from GM sedans and haven't gone back. GM just turned me off when my 1983 Chevy Celebrity had the same bugs that GM didn't fix from Citation of four years earlier which shared much of the same drive train, suspension and brakes, which I had hoped GM would have improved, but they did not.

    Seriously I know GM's quality has made leaps and bounds, just like all the domestics, but I have not had a good reason to go back from Ford for mainstream family sedans.
  • mschmalmschmal Member Posts: 1,757
    Mazda6 has a telescoping wheel, Ford probably found it cheaper to keep than to decontent.

    also ALL FWD Five Hundreds come with the Aisin 6 speed.
    ALL AWD Five Hundreds come with the ZF/Ford CVT

    Mark
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    That is not true, at least in the early production runs. I have checked inventory on line of local dealers and they have FWD versions with the CVT. Ford may have changed the mix due to availability issues of the CVT, but CVT front wheel only Five Hundreds are on some dealer lots.

    It is true however that all AWD versions have the CVT exclusively.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    If you get around to test driving a Dodge Charger with the 3.5, the same engine in the Dodge Magnum or the Chrysler 300, I'd be interested in your impressions.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Originally, the FWD SEL and Limited came with the 6 speed, while the FWD SE and all AWD's came with the CVT. I later heard that all FWD SE's were switched to the 6 speed, yet after that still saw newly produced FWD SE's come onto the lots with the CVT. Confused yet?

    The ONE thing I DO know is that there are indeed Limiteds built with either transmission..but in all the Limiteds, the CVTs are in the AWD and the 6 speeds in the FWD...
  • gmctruckgmctruck Member Posts: 186
    Well now... it's funny that you mentioned that! I did stop by our local Dodge dealer to ask about the charger. The dealer had sold the only one they had, but three more are on the way and will be in next week. I was promised a phone call when they hit the ground, so we'll see next week. :D:D
  • rjj60rjj60 Member Posts: 1
    Not true. Five Hundred FWD SE has CVT, the only FWD Five Hundred to have this. All other levels of FWD have 6-speed. ALL AWD models have CVT.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Newly built FWD SE's are now available with the 6 speed.... I know, I saw one today! Right beside it was another SE with a CVT. All other FWD models (SEL and Limited) have only the six speed. Originally, you could only get the FWD SE with a CVT....

    As you can see here, the FWD SE now is built with the 6 speed:

    http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/ford/fivehundred/100396387/prices.html

    BUT, click on options, and a CVT is a $0 option!!!!

    Haven't we about beat this horse to death?
  • jlsnmjlsnm Member Posts: 2
    johnclineii, I always appreciate your sensible posts, and those of ANT14. My wife and I recently test-drove a Five Hundred with the 6 speed. We found it comfortable, quiet, nimble for its size, and plenty powerful. The entry-level SE is an excellent value. Just one thing: I long for the return of interior colors beyond the ubiquitous gray, black, and tan.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Remember the "seafoam" green of the 90's...or the full blount red some Lincolns had? Or even the blue interior? Those were amusing then, but unfortunately they just add complexity to the build of a vehicle. The most you might get now is sort of a 2-tone (with a shocking color) like that of the Mustang. Available in red/black. But other than that, the selection is limited on all vehicles because of build complexity.

    Now the industry norm is really just 2 colors, black and tan. Next you have the black, tan, grey combo which is common with some automakers. Then you have luxury vehicles which have anything from "parchment" to "saddle".... then again, your paying the luxury sticker for that choice as well.
  • savethelandsavetheland Member Posts: 671
    I love Mercedes E class. It has blue interior. Very refreshing.
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    The GTO also offers various interior colors. I also remember cars with more interior color choices. Why would offering more interior colors be more complex now than in 1965?
  • kpevavkpevav Member Posts: 41
    I bought a 500 SEL about six weeks ago and have 900 miles on it. I find almost everything about it just fine, including the seating, power, handling, and construction. However, my left foot is never comfortable -- I cannot move it far enough to the left to make it so. I'm not tall, either, it just never rests correctly. I have seen several other posts about the cramped foot space and wonder why this is such an annoying problem. I have even priced trading it in on something else!
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    I think that it would not be too difficult to add some material, perhaps a shaped block of wood attached with double stick tape, to make the entire area at the left dead pedal even. You might even be able to place it under the carpet. Ford could and should obviously do something much nicer. A piece of plywood was very helpful in making our '94 Thunderbird (LX, so no dead pedal) comfortable for me to drive.

    The right side of the footwell also needs work, as the console is too wide, and for no good reason. The one in the Freestyle is narrower, and there is still plenty of room for the shifter and cup holders. It would also look better if it were not so wide and square, and the shifter would look less like something tacked on top of the console as an afterthought.

    I read that the console was redesigned by some guy in Europe at the last minute after the Ford market research people told him that the cup holders were not big enough.

    If you sit in a Volvo S-80, the left footwell problem and the too-wide console are both there.
  • kpevavkpevav Member Posts: 41
    I had thought that a triangle-shaped piece of wood might be useful, and so am glad to hear your solution. I will work out the measurements -- unless someone already has done so -- and see if I can get it cut for me.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Although primarily about Fusion, there are some interesting hints about the future of Five Hundred here (and perhaps even more so about Crown Vic/Grand Marquis):

    http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0507/03/A01-235800.htm
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    The article mentioned that the Contour failed because it was too close in size to the Taurus, which itself is incorrect. It was too close in size to the Focus, NOT the Taurus. (I wish journalist would cross-reference each other before posting there stories). geesh....
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Excuse me...but I think the article is correct. When people saw what a nicely equipped Taurus was, and that they could move up from a Contour for less than a thousand bucks or so, they didn't buy the Contour.

    For the most part, Contour buyers weren't even looking at Focus (or Escort...).

    Be aware that the Detroit News has some of the best automotive writers on the planet...

    And no, I don't work THERE...
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    The Contour failed because it was too close in size to the Focus (that is too small), and it failed because it was too close in price to the larger Taurus.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Yes, I should have added more information like FSM stated.

    A) Contour was similar in size to the Focus....while....
    B) Similar in price to a larger Taurus.

    Hence, it was squeezed out.

    Although luckily the Contour thrived as the Mondeo elsewhere where it's a highly acclaimed vehicle with european dynamics. Now enters the Fusion, which in essense has much of the attributes of the Mondeos (in the sense of drivability/responsiveness, etc.) while addressing the Contours biggest fault (interior size).

    So this begs the question of "Could the Fusion pick up where the Contour left off".... or "Was the Contour a bit too early for the party"... Hmm, Food for thought :) Happy 4th :)
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Whew! I virtually never disagree with you ANT.

    You had me scared there for a minute!

    Now, I just hope this somehow makes my choice between an AWD Fusion and a 3.5 Five Hundred a bit easier when the time comes! :)
  • mschmalmschmal Member Posts: 1,757
    You guys are forgetting that Focus wasn't sold in the States while Contour was except for perhaps the last year.

    Contour failed because a cramped back seat. The segment it was competing in was on a down turn. and because IT WASN'T an SUV. It was the late 90s, remember?

    Mark
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,204
    i saw a car that looked really good compared to the cars around it. it was again a black 500 limited. the cars around were not junkers.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Isn't it ironic how times have changed... I remember way back C&D gave a 2nd place rating to the Contour primarily because the back seat was cramp, which they receives much redicule over....and the fan-fare wrote in complaining over it because C&D didn't take the positive drivability factor of the vehicle.

    Now we flash forward 10 years, and we have the opposite senario. C&D places engine performance and acceleration as top criteria, while the interior accruments take little precedence (as the case of the 500) hehe....
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    C/D hasnt changed at all, performance and acceleration have always been paramount. The particular comparo you cite, in which the Contour placed 2nd, was actually a comparison test that it squeaked into in base trim with a low price- the other competitors were mostly small cars, such as the Saturn SL, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, etc. Against those cars, the rear seat wasnt an issue, and the 2.0L 125 horse 4 and 5M were a strength, as was the chassis. (C/D Feb 96)

    Maybe the Five Hundred doesnt do well because other cars offer as nice an interior (or better), similar dimensions, and better power and performance.

    :)

    ~alpha

    PS- drove a Montego Premier 6A FWD in the Rolling Showroom event (or whatever its called). The car felt slow and I couldnt stand the instrumentation, but I was again impressed at the vehicles room and ergonomic cleanliness, if lack of any type of excitement.
  • duanekaufmanduanekaufman Member Posts: 2
    Hi,

    A few months ago, I test-drove a 2005 Mercury Montego. I was impressed by the interior room, the instrumentation seemed nice, and I was intrigued by the CVT transmission (I am an engineer by trade).

    I was pretty disappointed by the off-the-line performance of the vehicle however. In the group's estimation, what is responsible for this? Is the starting gearing too tall? The tach would jump to 2k or so if I stomped on the gas from a stop, but at 2k, the car didn't seem to want to _move_.

    Given this, I am still interested in the car. Are their any after-market add-ons to the 3.0L Duratec that will help with low-end torque (it seemed that after it wound up, it was pretty peppy)

    Thanks,
    Duane
  • exalteddragon1exalteddragon1 Member Posts: 729
    For the Duritech 35, it will have much more power and torque. The problem is not with the gearing IMO, though i am not an engineer. Its just that the little engine is asked to do alot with this car.

    You can also buy one now, and then trade in when the 35 comes out. The car is otherwise really good and a great value. The Size of the car versus the price you pay and the features you get is really compelling.
  • duanekaufmanduanekaufman Member Posts: 2
    Hi,

    Well, I can't buy a Duratech 3.5 can I? When is this cure going to be available?

    I felt the car to be very near unsafe when trying to cross a busy set of four-lanes.

    Duane
  • frasierdogfrasierdog Member Posts: 128
    When the 2007 Freestyle arrives with the new 3.5L, will it be available with the current 6sp or the new Ford/GM 6sp?
  • kpevavkpevav Member Posts: 41
    Low end torque is perhaps not optimal, but I find the acceleration on the SEL with the six-speed transmission to be fine. Is the CVT slower?
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    "When the 2007 Freestyle arrives with the new 3.5L, will it be available with the current 6sp or the new Ford/GM 6sp? "

    It'll be the new JV transmission which will be available in about 2 specifications, one for lower powered V6's, the other for higher powered V6's. I can give a bit more specific but currently I'm not on my computre (or my house) for that matter... Although my contractor swears "2 More weeks"....
  • garandmangarandman Member Posts: 524
    I see Ford has now joined GM in the employee pricing event. Is there really a svaings over the street prices for these cars?

    We're going to look at the 500 versus another Accord or a Camry V6 as a company car.
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    There should be a savings since it is usually below dealer invoice with Ford making up the difference and there is no haggling involved. They should be able to produce an "invoice" with msrp, dealer invoice, X-plan and A-plan prices. The downside is that there is no room for a higher than book value appraisal on your trade-in, if any. Of course knowledgeable and unscrupilous dealers will be able to manipulate the system by adding other fees so be careful.
  • sj6sj6 Member Posts: 13
    I've got a May '05 build SE FWD CVT. We drove ten 500's before buying this one. In my experience, the CVT's are about a 1/2 second quicker 0-60. The CVT is also more fun to drive because of the responsiveness of the engine/transmission (it gets into the power band quicker). I might have a rare one, but this sucker runs.

    On a side note, I installed an aftermarket radio and speakers. While the door panels were off, I added B-Quiet Extreme sound deadening to the doors. It was also put under the rear seat, into the spare tire well and underneath the rear deck. The rest of the trunk will be done shortly. This made an already quiet car quieter. Well worth the effort.
  • mschmalmschmal Member Posts: 1,757
    Should be a good savings. they only took $500 off of the rebate. It would still make much more sense to take the low financing though unless you are putting alot of $ down.

    Mark
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    As I look over the list of added features for the Zephyr (the Lincoln version of the coming Fusion/Milan)--thicker window glass, additional insulation, mucho upgraded interior--for starters--I am led to wonder...

    Will there soon be a Lincoln version of the Five Hundred/Montego? If not, why not?

    I bet there are more than a few who would prefer it to the current Town Car, or at least would upgrade from the Montego/Five Hundred.

    I might even be interested, once the 3.5L and AWD are available....heck, I am a wee bit tempted by Zephyr now, but I want a stronger engine and AWD....

    Before I was torn between an AWD Fusion and a 3.5 L Five Hundred. Now, do I have another possibility to throw in the mix?
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    "Will there soon be a Lincoln version of the Five Hundred/Montego? If not, why not?
    "

    Yes, the LS and Town Car replacements will be based on the same P2 platform. Although in there case, it'll feature V8 engines and AWD. The interior of those vehicles will be very luxurious and the quality impecable. Quite a bit of investment is going into the interior of those vehicles. The LS replacement (not yet named) will be the sportier of the 2, and larger than the current LS. And the Town Car (complement- but eventual replacement) will be even larger in interior dimension than the current 500/Montego, while keeping trim exterior dimensions as well.

    As for V6 variations of those vehicles are highly doubtful (unless our oil issues continue to worsen). The Duratec35 is coming for summer of 2007 into the 500 upon it's redesign, therefore Lincoln wouldn't need to offer a V6 in these new P2 based vehicles.
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    Thanks for the updates - you are a better source of information than most other places. I sure hope that the interiors of the new Lincolns, as well as the updated 500/Montego address the footwell / leg space / steering column problems in addition to providing the new engine and transmission.

    It will be interesting to see if the V8 is the three valve 4.6 or the Yamaha-built engine now in the XC90, and if there will be an SVT 500.

    It is nice to see Ford getting back to building cars.

    Good luck on the new house, and I hope that the hurricanes leave you alone.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    "It will be interesting to see if the V8 is the three valve 4.6 or the Yamaha-built engine now in the XC90"

    Actually both are being considered, while the LS takes a bit more of a sportier flair with the 4.6L, while the 4.4L Yamaha is quiet in nature, and better suited to the higher segment offering.

    "Good luck on the new house, and I hope that the hurricanes leave you alone."

    Actually I'm morbid, I do want a hurricane, the house is hurricane/tornado proof, so it would be fun to test it. BUT there's quite many trees in the neighborhood...would be a shame if they blew away.
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    Well, it looks as if the Volvo acquisition is really beginning to pay off. It also seems that Ford will be unique in offering AWD on most every car line, while Toyota and Honda think it is something just for the super-expensive models (new Lexus GS and Honda RL). To me, AWD takes away my concerns that FWD is inferior to RWD, people in areas with snowy winters will like it, and I agree with your assessment that AWD is a safety feature.

    At the time of the last huricane season, the internet maps made if appear that both of our houses in Florida were dead center in the paths, but we did not have any damage. We now have three (Lakeland, Minneola, and Palm Coast). Where are you?
  • frasierdogfrasierdog Member Posts: 128
    "The Duratec35 is coming for summer of 2007 into the 500 upon it's redesign"

    Will this be a 2008 model year?

    Will the 3.5L be standard or an upgrade?
  • gened1gened1 Member Posts: 256
    I just purchased an SEL AWD 500 with Continental tires. Can someone who has driven on these tell me what to expect? Living in upstate NY I am particularly interested in their winter performance.
    Thanks for any information.
    Gene
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    This article says Volvos get a newer Haldex system for 2006.

    I wonder, will the Five Hundred/Montego also get this?

    The Fusion/Milan/Zephyr when they get AWD?
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    I was in Miami, just moved up to Orlando (WinterPark). I actually drove thru Minneola a few days ago scouting for land in that region. Lake and Sumter county booming.

    John,

    Yes, it's an upgraded system for higher capacity engines, or more so, it's like a "next generation" AWD system. Ford will implement these systems as well, although Volvo gets it first.

    Frasier,

    I'll look at some paperwork and get back to you, I believe it's for model year 2008, introduced July/August of 2006.
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    Anthony - did you mean to write model year 2008 coming out July/August 2007 or model year 2007 coming out July/August of 2006?
This discussion has been closed.