Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego

a_l_hubcaps · July 2003

tecman4-

I believe it is a 2005 model, not 2004. So it will come out sometime during calendar year 2004.

-Andrew L

ANT14 · July 2003

I do not believe the Montego version will be available for Cananda. But let me question this, your local Ford dealership had NO idea what the Five-Hundred was? As in, they didn't have that much detail, or they just had no idea such a vehicle was being introduced by Ford??

nvbanker · July 2003

That's scary....

tomcat630 · July 2003

Dealers play "no nothing" on future models, so that they can sell what they got now. But also, they usually don't know that much to begin with.

libertycat · July 2003

especially with the first comment.

ANT14 · July 2003

Yes, "know nothing" is common, but if a dealer can't be honest with me, I personally would not stick around. BUT if that's not the issue, and they SERIOUSLY do not, or have not heard of the 500, I'm on that phone ASAP finding out why. Or get me the contact information, possible email as well so I can reach them.

tomcat630 · July 2003

Another thing with dealers, most salesmen are not into cars, it's just selling appliances. They couldn't care less about future models, manual transmissions, and driving characterisitics. Only thing is money, money, and money.

Ones that are into cars only care about flashiness, 0-60, and a smooth ride

nvbanker · August 2003

Not bad looking, ANT, thanks. Looks solidly Ford, but thoroughly up to date. Tall stance, I presume?

ANT14 · August 2003

Yes, tall stance, sort of masculine looking you might say.

nvbanker · August 2003

The boys and I agree.....

f111d · August 2003

Ford Motor Company and Chrysler going out of business in the near future. Ford can't seem to make money and Daimler drops their ball and chain.
Honda plants in Ohio moving to Mexico.
US goes to war with China and since all manufacturing is now in China, we lose.

bowke28 · August 2003

from what sources?!?! ford had their best years the last 2. chrysler has daimler to help them along, and honda already has a plant in mexico, but keeping the ohio plant. geez!!

nvbanker · August 2003

Oops, I don't think Daimler is helping Chrysler along at all. The long term JD POwer test for 3 year old cars showed Mercedes at the dead bottom, dragging DC's composite rating into the sewer..... I think Daimler is raping and pillaging Chrysler....

iwannamaxx · August 2003

Ford has finally relized they can't design a FWD transmission and have switched to RWD! Yay! I like RWD, it tends to be more reliable. I say this having worked on Ford's since the early 80's, although I stopped last year. They can't design a good FWD transmission. The Fairmont was a wonderful car, I had one for 2 years, I would've had it longer if it was an Automatic with the I-6. When I did replace, it was with an '82 Granada, a more refined version of the same car, which I had until '94. When they replaced it with the Tempo, it went downhill. We got our first one at our dealership and it's trans failed after 15 miles! The Contour is the biggest hunk of junk made by Ford, ever! The Escorts too, were bad at first, and only OK later. The Taurus is still crappy, thank god they're getting rid of it. The Ford LTD was much better. GM can make a good FWD transmission, Ford can't make one for their own sake. People, performance is great, and I like a well powered car, but quality is the most important thing in a car.

nvbanker · August 2003

On the whole, I would agree that the Ford FWD transmissions of the 80's don't hold up generally as long as some other competitors, (but not Chrysler). OTOH, my partner's 91 Oldsmobile had an engine fail and lock up in the first 6,000 miles of use too - that wasn't impressive. It can happen to anybody. They're machines, as you well know. It's a miracle they work at all.

I too prefer RWD for the handling advantages and precision.

johnclineii · September 2003

Okay, somebody out there no doubt knows.

When is job 1?

When can we expect to see the car at dealers in the USA and Canada? Is the vehicle even going to be sold in Canada?

And what does this thing mean to the long term viability of the civilian Crown Vic?

ANT14 · September 2003

No Job 1 date yet as been specified, that is still being worked out. Supplier's all need to concord and finalize their "JOB 1" dates as well, and while the vehicle is receiving some last minute details, it might alter Job 1 date. Look round of Auto Shows where Ford will make a formal unveiling and annoucement.

The Crown Vic will be mostly pushed as fleet sales such as livery/rentals/police/taxis' etc. This is in NO means a vehicle to replace the Crown Vic since it's Body On Frame, RWD, and V8. The 500 is a vehicle to complement those who wish for a large FWD/AWD sedan, unibody, with V6 engines. And a vehicle that will be geared towards consumers, hence, they will not saturate the market (such as the Taurus), nor will the depreciation be as being this will not be such of a high volume product.

The 500/Freestyle/Montego will be built in a new assembly line that can easily switch from one vehicle production, to another. If there's more demand for the Freestyle, then more can easily be built. What this allows it to build JUST enough vehicles for consumer's demand, without having the need of pushing them onto consumer's with heavy discounts, that at the end can lower the depreciation of the vehicle. In this method, they can build what the market needs more of, while keeping the same worker's working.

The only worse case senario to this might be ALL 3 vehicles not meeting ANY of their sales targets and having to push them unto consumer's to keep the factories and worker's working, but that's highly unlikely.

ANT14 · September 2003

Nvbanker, Ironically just this past weekend, I met with someone (friend of a relative)who was interested in my work and asked numerous questions. He had this major Anti-RWD speech, using examples of "When horses pull a carriage", which my reverting of "I don't like being pulled, makes me want to throw up, Trucks luxury cars, sports cars are RWD, let that be a clue", then his "but it's so efficient" to my "maybe years ago, not anymore with advanced techonology"... Which moved into "I don't see how someone in your line of work would be seen in something as common as a Ford" to my "at least It goes to an american company and prefer not to drive an appliance and rather, something that actually is FUN and entertaining to drive".

All the while his wife looking back and forth at us, while my relative was raising her eyes at me in a clue-ish way of saying "be nice". While no one convinced one or the other, point was gained for me stating their were "choices" and there's a bit for everyone in this market depending what their needs are. While there's many vehicles I would recommend to others for their attributes, many of those I wouldn't drive myself because it just simply doesn't fit me. And FWD just happens to be one of them.

Funny part, was he (from what we spoke earlier, waayyyy before the automobile conversation) expected me to drive an Audi, he perceived me as being unique without following the crowd. I told him I was actually educated, well enough to know their reliability (along with VW) was a joke.

Luckily dinner was soon served.....

nvbanker · September 2003

Lucky indeed, ANT! I hearken back to 1992, when I had my Continental (a FWD car I actually sort of liked), and my best friend had a Cadillac DeVille, (also FWD). He thought FWD was just the finest invention since the clock! My Conti had a 3.8L six, his Caddy had a 4.1L eight, and the worst engine GM ever made, BTW. So one day, we had to do it. We raced from a stop-and I blew his doors off all the way with my 6! It was a great day! He became a convert. He drives Lincolns today. Oh, and we both prefer RWD. So sometimes, you can actually convince someone.

pat · November 2003

After a period of inactivity, this discussion automatically archived itself recently. Upon request I've reopened it.

Enjoy!

mohammed4 · November 2003

First of all id like to thank mr pat for reopenning the topic . I am very glad to see a car from ford company like ford 500 because alot of ford cars are really old models but ford 500 really beautifull and stylish what I hope from ford company is to care about the quality of their cars like the japanese cars and to be better than the Japanese cars .Many people in SA prefers the Japanese models so CAMRY is the largest number of the cars there midsize and LEXUS is the largest number of luxurious cars I hope ford to be like camry and lexus
thank you

ANT14 · December 2003

The transmission is being made by ZF-Batavia, and thoroughly tested. Much has changed since the days of the Eagle Premeire though.

"Will GM yet design a car for the masses with DOHC and V6 format."

This isn't an area that GM will concentrate on. They insist on using OHV designed engines, and try to save face stating publically that in the future they are able to implement (displacement on demand-cylinder deactivating for fuel efficiency). Then about a month later Honda stated it could do that with it's OHC engines.

Now they revamping their OHV engines and improving it in other ways, YET there's no mistaking it for anything but a OHV, specially how they sound. Yet while they work this plan out, they are offering OHC engines on their Buick Rendezvous (previously had a OHV) stating that it's what their customer's want.

The Saturn VUE Redline will use Honda 3.5L OHC engine, in a deal with GM. Saturn has always used OHC designed engines. This a brand that they started to woo import lovers back to GM.

Is this to say their lower branded customer's actually want OHV while ALL the other competitors are offering OHC ? Or can we view this as other's could get a better engine offering at the competition ? Or is GM trying to say that they'll please those willing to pay for a Buick and Cadillac, but not those of the lower makes ?

ANT14 · December 2003

Here's a pre-released teaser pic.

http://www.chriszx3.com/f500.jpg

nvbanker · December 2003

Looks pretty good, ANT, thanks. Can't get a feel for the size of it. How much bigger than a Taurus is it? I assume it's FWD, right?

LOVE the Mustang!!

ANT14 · December 2003

It'll be classified as large sized. But what's important is that while it's exterior dimensions are trim, the interior will be rather large for what the exterior dimensions are.

Unlike the current Taurus which is about 200inches long, but the interior volume doesn't maximize that exterior potential.

It'll be FWD, Optional AWD. 6 Speed Auto and CVT.

I'm posting another link to it, since the previous one must have been bombarded with hits or taken offline...

http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/231203-106016541HjnnQE_ph.jpg

tomcat630 · December 2003

Impala/Avalon sized.

nvbanker · December 2003

Hmmmmm, well it all depends on the interior dimensions, doesn't it. With me it's all about the inside, and how it drives.

setzer · December 2003

I know someone who has an '03 Taurus SEL, and it is built very solid. It is also a well-built car as well. If Ford wants to suceed with this Five-Hundred and the Futura (coming in a few years) they don't only need good looks, they need the same kind of solidness that the current Taurus has.

fsmmcsi · January 2004

Car-data.com has photos of the actual Five Hundred and a long article. Wow! The car will be an instant success.

After the Thunderbird, I wondered about J. Mays, but the new Five Hundred, Freestyle, and Mustang show that Ford is staging a massive turn-around.

Ford has really done the difficult reaserch and design work to meet the needs of the marketplace. The easy entry, excellent visibility, and comfortable driving position, coupled with the interior space and large trunk will allow many people to buy the car they really want, rather than an SUV or minivan. The handsome Limited all wheel drive model will really appeal to people who can't or won't spend $50,000 on a car.

Chrysler is going down the road to ruin with high beltlines and lowered roofs. Toyota's Camry / Highlander do not have the advanced safety features, size, looks, or other advanced features of the Five Hundred / Freestyle.

buckwheat · January 2004

Thanks for the site listing, below is a link to the site and another link to a photo of J Mays..

http://www.car-data.com/xpage.preview/pre.template.asp?mfg=ford&a- mp;model=fivehundred

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047211

nvbanker · January 2004

After reading that, the 500 should make instant old news out of the Impala (not that it would be hard to do that), but it sure looks like an Avalon to me.

fsmmcsi · January 2004

The GM Midsize cars (Impala, Gran Prix, Regal) really are old news, since the basic design dates to 1986 or 1987. The new Five Hundred / Montego / Freestyle are vastly superior new designs. GM may try to deeply discount their old designs, but it should be obvious to all but rental fleet buyers that the new Ford products are the best value.

ANT14 · January 2004

The Five-Hundred sedan will surely turn heads. A Mercedes-like rear end, Passat like sides, and Audi-ish front. :-)

The final details aren't out yet, but this vehicle will simply outclass it's competition in the full-size class. You can't begin to imagine the techonology and engineering that's being placed upon this vehicle. More importantly, largest trunk of any passenger car (this beating Ford's own Crown Vic/Town Car/Grand Marquis). As well as a large interior for it's very small exterior porportions (3 inches larger than a Taurus). Just as how the Focus set an example in it's class, for this similar point.

The rear seat has twice the kneeroom that of Ford's own CV/GM/TC, even more than Rolls Royce Phantom, while the truck at around 21cu.ft can fit about 8 golf bags.

The official unveiling will reveal more information/specifics, pertaining to this.

As for the Montego, it'll feature items standard, that might be an option over the 500, as well as different trim pieces. Just as most Mercury's have been, in the Ford family.

fsmmcsi · January 2004

The Detroit auto show opened to the press this morning, and the Car Connection at

http://www.thecarconenction.com

has more real photos and reviews of the Five Hundred / Montego / Freestyle, plus the new Mustang.

ANT14 - I agree with you that the Five Hundred rear end look very similar to the latest Mercedes-Benz E class, and is very handsome. However, I think that the front end looks far better than any of the overly-rounded Audi models, and the whole car looks far better than any of the Volvos.

deerlake7 · January 2004

Both the 500 & Freestyle look great. They may entice me to move away from my Passat & Pilot. Is the 3.5 litre engine going to be available before the fall of 2005?

pat · January 2004

By request, I added the Mercury Montego to this discussion ...

ANT14 · January 2004

"Both the 500 & Freestyle look great. They may entice me to move away from my Passat & Pilot. Is the 3.5 litre engine going to be available before the fall of 2005?"

I'm not sure about that at this time. Although don't let the regular 3.0L Duratec 30 full you, it's acceleration will be aided by the transmissions which will/can be geared up to 6:1 ratio, much higher than the currently high 4:1.

ANT14 · January 2004

"By request, I added the Mercury Montego to this discussion ... "

There was already a 2005 mercury Montego discussion which is READ_ONLY, why not just open that one up?

ANT14 · January 2004

Here's the media kit pertaining to the 500, with more information.

http://media.ford.com/products/model.cfm?vehicle_id=1051

Source: Ford Media

pat · January 2004

Don't you think we should talk about both of these vehicles in the same place? That's what we do with the Taurus and Sable, so it made sense to me.

What does everyone else think?

ANT14 · January 2004

Either one, doesn't matter to me. I just remembered there being a Montego forum as well, in case some might do a search for just that vehicle and find the forum closed.

fsmmcsi · January 2004

ANT14 & Pat - The two are the same car, so it makes good sense to have one forum, but to have two links - Five Hundred / Montego under Ford, and Montego / Five Hundred under Mercury.

pat · January 2004

It does show up in a search for either using the Make/Model search feature.

:-)

buckwheat · January 2004

I think what fsmmcsi wanted members to see is the following:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6727

buckwheat · January 2004

http://www.thecarconnection.com/zoom-image.asp?/images/gallery/75- 85_image.jpg

beer47 · January 2004

What will the new "500" cost? Anybody have an idea?

ehaase · January 2004

Latest reports indicate that the base price will be around $22,000. I am sure that well equipped versions will be $30,000 or more.

buckwheat · January 2004

The first 8 pages of the link below will display about 62 photos of the Five Hundred or parts related to same. If your a first time visitor to Wieck simply click on each photo to enlarge and if you want larger click again.

http://www.wieck.com/public/*wieck_search?ws4d_nav=true&opera- tor=and&source=wik&source=wka&source=wkt&Page=1&a- mp;operator=and&search_criteria=hundred&operator=and&- search_criteria=&keyword=&Sort=import_date&submit_but- ton=Search&URL=index.html

biggie2 · January 2004

Thank for the many pics...

It is crazy how much VW influence J Mays has put into this vehicle. The window up/down buttons are almost exactly like the ones in my Jetta...

Fine by me...

biggie2 · January 2004

When will the 3.5 being to be introduced into Ford cars/vans/trucks or whatever else they are planning to do with this engine?

Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego

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