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Hope this helps!?!
The Focus did not receive this engine until the 2005 Model Year.
If the Focus you drove wasn't a 2005 or 2006 then it had either a 2.0L SPI engine which is from 1996 about 110hp and 127 lbft of torque. This engine was very unrefined but is adequate thanks to its descent torque rating.
The optional engine in the pre 05 Focus was the 2.0L Zetec engine putting out 130hp and 130 lbft of torque. This engine was from Ford of Europe but prolly built in Mexico or Brazil.
The current 2.0L Focus engine is a Mazda design from a clean sheet and not related to any previous Ford Engine.
The 2.3L in the Fusion is from the same engine family and is basically the bigger brother. Because this engine features variable valve timing among other enhancements, it puts out 160hp and 160 lbft of torque and should provide similar performance to the 2.5 Mystique that you drove. It may even be better thanks to the addition of the 5 speed automatic transmission.
Mark.
Typical Lincoln sedan is poor anyway. You will be better off with a Lexus or BMW or even a Honda if you have any cares concerning resale.
You will enjoy similar experience with the 2.3L, and it's actually quicker than the old 2.5L (mainly because of gearing in the transmissions, and quicker shift micro-processors). Actually the new 2.3L puts out the same power as the old 2.5L as someone mentioned above.
The Focus rental you probably had (as with most rental vehicles) was the base engine 2.0L.
Now the Fusion looks great
I don't see much Mazda6 influence in the new Camry. The front grilles look pretty different.
Our subject is pretty well defined here and it doesn't include the vehicles that aren't listed in the title...
Basically, yes. But it's the most advanced version with Variable Cam Timing. Some (most) of the other versions don't use the VCT.
Also, coolant resevoir had hairline crack on bottom, causing slow leak no one could ever find. Guy in town handles all the Taurus repairs for the local rental company and found it right off.
A co-worker drives a 2001 Sable. His car had exactly the same two problems.
The mechanic who repaired mine said the inside of all the Taurus's (in my year range) rust.
Also, the dash came unglued in my car and the black exterior trim cracked and faded. I found at the local rental, who rents 98 to 99 Taurus's, that they have the same problem. It doesnt affect how it runs, but hey, I paid for a car and took care of it. I don't think it should happen.
Checking the internet, I've found lots of Taurus owners had the same exact problems, not to mention the interior lights staying on and window motor problems. Also, now (just recently) the radio comes on and plays when it wants to, not when I want it to. When it comes on, I can't cut it off or adjust the volume. When it is off, I can't get it to turn on.
Keep in mind, I have always provided good maintenance to the inside and outside of this car.
That being said, the car performs well and has great acceleration for only a 145hp engine. And other than the head gaskets, the alternator and coolant tank, I've had no other mechanical problems. And I've always like the style over the imports.
Now I'm looking for a new car. I'm interested in the Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan. I test drove the Ford already and liked it. I truly wish to buy American. It's all I've ever owned. But now some Ford and Chevy's are made in Canada and Mexico, while more and more "imports" are made right here in the US, by US workers.
And, to me, if you take care of a car these days, they should run great and look great to well over 150,000 miles.
I'm really struggling here. Can anybody give me a clue on whether the Ford quality has genuinely increased? Is the Fusion or Milan made in the US?
I really would rather buy from a US company. I hate sending money overseas, but nowadays I can't just assume that US car companies want to make the best quality car and will take care of me when it fails.
The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, are assembled in Mexico using out sourced parts made just about anywhere, which is just about the same situation for any auto mfg..
Funny, the Taurus is still Ford's best selling car......
The Vulcan engine was has an alum. head, cast iron block. The different rates of expansion for these two metals when being heated can cause the head gasket to get squished out of the seam. This engine was designed in the early 80s.
The 3.0 Duratec is based on the 2.5 Duratec that was designed and premiered in Europe. It is all alum and uses several advanced manufacturring techniques. Although this engine was designed in the early 90s, it is very reliable.
Most people report problems with the Duratec 30 actually don't realize that they are talking about the Vulcan.
Mark
That subject line has carried forward in a couple of replies to agb's post.
When titles do not reflect the point of the message, it does get confusing to most members - even to your hosts!!
Funny, the Taurus is still Ford's best selling car..."
And the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis are still selling better than the new 500/Montego.
That should scare Ford.
And yeah, I realize that the format here is very different from most boards most folks are familiar with -- we all understand there can be some confusion and it's all good ... :P
Totally different from all the above. The 3.8L, which recently grew to 3.9L, and a cousin of it the 4.2L are another engine family which will die off in the next few years (about 2 years left). They are torquey units, but it's an older OHV design. The 3.8L suffered from head gasket issues in the mid 90's which was later rectified. Other than that, they were mostly bulletproof except it's just outdated and no longer competitive.
Not at all. The Taurus is mostly sold to fleets and rental-car agencies. I bet less than 10% are sold to the general public. I'm sure the Fusion is out-selling the Taurus to Joe Customer, but not to Avis or Hertz.
The Crown Victoria is the ONLY rear-drive full-size sedan that's used by police officers here (upstate NY). About 90% of the State Troopers I've seen drive CV's (with a few Tahoes and late-model Mustangs and Camaros). The local Sheriff's and Police Departments all have CV's. In fact, the Police Dept. next to my office just had 4 brand-new CV's delivered to the garage last week, waiting for light bars and decals. Municipal agencies also use them as company vehicles as well.
I'm sure the Five-Hundred is out-selling the CV to Joe Consumer as well, but law-enforcement agencies are probably the only reason why Ford still produces the CV. Cops love the V8 RWD full-size sedan.
That engine is basically TOTAL garbage compared to what else is available. That engine alot was responsible for massive amounts of problems with the head gasket. Supposedly these problems are fixed.
This engine still hobble on in the Freestar and is one of the reasons why the Freestar never had a chance. Why would anyone pay $30 to drive a van that had a motor that sounded like something from a 1970 Lawnboy when they could buy a Honda?
Mark.
Why, the 2005 Mustang, of course! :P
'05 and beyond is the 4.0L from the Explorer.
I find it amazing that a sports car gets a truck engine and rear axle, while a truck gets independent rear suspension... :P
It's also worth noting that that same truck, the Explorer, can be had with the Mustang's V8 now. Albeit a slightly detuned version.
As for the live axle, the customer supposedly dictated that one. I'm getting one in just about a year's time and wouldn't have it any other way.
Oh, and don't forget that the Ford GT uses a version of the F-150's 5.4L V8 too. But other manufacturers are guilty of the same thing. The Hemi comes to mind right off the bat.
One thing that won't make much sense, if it ever happens, is if the Fusion get's the new 250+ HP Duratec35 (In a non SE that is) and the Mustang doesn't. If that happens you'll see Fusions blowing the doors off of V6 Mustangs at stoplight races. Not so cool IMO.
My feelings are save it for the larger vehicles like the Montego, Freestyle, ect.. Maybe a special Ford Fusion GT with the 3.5??
What do you think?
The mustang's 4.0L V6 only has 210 hp but it has 240 lb ft of torque and it's mostly available at lower RPM. The 3.5L has the same peak torque but I'm sure it's at a higher RPM.
The 3.5L will eventually replace the 4.0L but not until production capacity is fully ramped up which will take a few years.
Upon the killing of the Freestar/Monterey in 2007, the engines will be discontinued as well. At that time a "people mover" will be introduced with the 3.5L V6, and there will be variations of that vehicle with a 4.4L V8.
The Mustang will be one of the last vehicles (if not the very last) that will implement the Duratec 3.5L. Mainly for logistics reasons. The engine will be surplanted in numerous other vehicles which REALLY need it such as the 500/Mtg/Freestyle. And as far as cost reasons, the 4.0L is far more inexpensive, than the Duratec35. Once the D35 ramps up and is economically viable, then it'll be placed in the Mustang.
The 4.2L in the F-150 will dropped after the 3.9L Essex as well. Their will be a more powerful standard engine that will replace it.
The Vulcan 3.0L will also die around this time. The last vehicle to carry it will be the Ranger, after the Taurus is laid to rest.
The new Duratec 35 is about the same size, and weight is the Duratec 3.0L, so expect it to replace those engines on vehicles with it. But again, it takes time to switch the factories from one engine, onto another..as well as the vehicles which you usually time at the redesign, or midlife cycle update.
The gasoline engine families will be kept to the 4 Cylinder varieties (which will carry the Duratec name)...the "Duratec" family of V6's as we know them, and the modular V8/10 (4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L Tritons in some forms). The Powerstroke Diesels are another, which grows to 6.4L next year (and another which might not carry the name), And 2 other engines will be introduced after.