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Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego
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Comments
Wow, FSV- you like how the Accord looks, but think the Fusion is idiotic? What do you do for work? I'm ready to put you into a classification with that evaluation.....
Sorry FSV, but I think that the tail lights, especially the LED units on the Montego, look really good. Having seen the European Fords on the roads there, I can see the common design trend.
I wonder why Ford is not selling the Five Hundred and Freestyle in Europe? With the AWD and one of their diesel engines, they would be a nice step up from the Mondeo.
Why not Europe? Size. The cars are too long, too wide and too heavy, as I understand it that would put them into a hihger tax and insurance category in most European countries, where they'd co,mpete with the Audi A8 and Mercede S calss etc., and since the cars are aimed at a lower price point here it would mean redesigning and upgrading the interior, as well as developing or adapting new engines, e.g. a diesel, an I4 or I5 turbo, turbo 6 or V8, etc They might be able to find a market for them in the former Soviet republeics and Russia where there are different tax and insurance laws.
This explains brand strategy.
nvbanker -- ??? I never said I like Accord. As the matter of fact I said in one of the forums, I feel like driving it in the wall. "What do you do for work? I'm ready to put you into a classification with that evaluation....." - I don't think I will say anything here, since I will not say anything you'll like.
Again, I think, that square lights will make Montego look much more distinguished and sophisticated.
500 in Eastern Europe. In Poland, Russia and some other countries they tax you on the size of the engine (allegedly the bigger the engine, the more gas it burns - should be really important in Russia, No. 1-2 oil producer in the world), something like $2.5 per cubic cm. Now, do the math... Therefore, 500, with it's balance of size/relatively low import taxes will be quite attractive. There is only one problem - it must overcome the very bad taste in the mouth left by Taurus imported by grey-market. Right add campaign, though, will take care of that, and if they gonna build it there, (meaning $2.5 X 3,000 gone), 500's chances will increase. Middle-class market (if we can define it as such) they have there is value-driven. It explains why they have to wait in Russia for more than 6 month for Focus (built locally), Corolla (Toyota closing on a place to build a factory). For whatever reason, Civic just doesn't sell well at all. And Subaru, being No 1. seller on huge territories, still doesn't have an assembly line - I can not explain this to myself... Size - Eastern Europe was built starting from 1945 with quite generous road dimensions in mind, though each of these countries has historical districts where two horses will go into a fist (whatever) fight for the right to pass, since backing up is not really an option. But there are not really too many places like these. Any of these countries could use a bigger car for their cabbies. In Hungary they drove me in something French with my head between my knees....
Over in Europe, the Ford Mondeo, Focus, Fiesta are considered one of the benchmarks in their respected categories.
But the market there is totally different from that of the U.S., than that of Australia or even South America. And before we all get in the topic of "Why not ship them here?"... again, different market, different demographics and needs. Even some asian manufacturer's have had to learn up until recently that what they build in the U.S. might have to stay here since it might not be accepted elsewhere, and vice-versa.
(J. Mays, speaking of Ford Five Hundred customers)
http://www.detnews.com/2004/insiders/0412/19/B01-36514.htm
Europe. In London I saw so many Grand Cherokies on the streets - and gas is 7.50 a gallon! With these prices i'd switch to a bycicle. Go figure the tastes abroad.
My Russian friend just came over for a visit. Is considering to buy a car & ship over there. Size and convenience American cars offer for the price of 20-25G's is unbeatable, they love them. Problem is quality and service, even more than quality. Also, don't forget, Euro is expensive now, Dollar is - well, you all know. BTW, cops over there love Crown Vic and prefer it to Mercedes and others - what a surprise.
1) There is no escaping the unusually narrow footwells, which force me to sit with my legs closer together, like a woman. It is an uncomfortable position, and it also leaves no wiggle room to stay comfortable on drives over an hour long.
2) At 6' 1" there is no position in which I can reach the steering wheel and not be looking out through the upper 1/4 of the windshield. - the seat just does not go down low enough, and the steering wheel does not telescope.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to everyone. It has been enlightening being here and I am glad that some others are comfortable with the Five Hundred/ Montgego.
I'm 5' 10", male and have plenty of room in my Five Hundred in any seat, from driver to left rear and anywhere in between. I have not noted in my nearly 50 years on this orb that women sit any differently in cars than men.
Sheesh.
What did you hear?
Barra 182 - 4.0L, 24-valve, DOHC, in-line six with variable valve timing.
Barra 220 - 5.4L, 24-valve, OHC, V-8 with variable valve timing
Barra 240 - 4.0L, Turbo, 24-valve, DOHC, in-line six.
Boss 260 - 5.4L, 32-valve, DOHC, V-8 with drive-by-wire throttle.
I'm surprised that the two in-line six engines above aren't common in Ford's North American products.
In the rear seats our heads grazed the roof.
On the plus side, we both enjoyed the high seating
and legroom in both the front and rear. We have tried every large sedan, crossover vehicle, and minivan available, and the AWD 500/montego came closest to meeting our needs. We did order one recently.
That's an interesting article on Mays. I've been a design director myself (totally different industry) and I can attest to how difficult it is to build a great team and create a cohesive design language. It takes a long time for it all to come together. As Mays has stated in the past, the current 500 is somewhat of a transitional design; and was probably a project that was dropped into his lap right off the bat. Unfortunately, in those cases there's not enough time to begin a new, comprehensive design direction that will work across the whole line of cars. His comments about the conservative nature of 500 buyers is telling. I'm 34 and I find the 500 design too bland and conservative, but my parents just ordered one and they found the car to be very attractive and classy looking. I think he's right that the car will sell well despite not pleasing the majority of auto critics in the design area. His line about "not getting American enough fast enough" is telling. I think Chrysler beat them to that punch with the 300. That 427 concept would have made a great Ford sedan...
The Fusion appears to be a more well thought out design, still somewhat conservative but with enough style to make it stand out. This seems like a better foundation for a Ford design direction, and it has been stated often that this will be the case. I look forward to seeing what they do with that.
This survey from JD Powers is recommended reading:
<http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=860&CatID=1>
And I have even more headroom in the backseat than in the front.
Are these the only difference?
The HIDs and LEDs are not available on the Ford at any price. The Mercury also has a different colour scheme inside, more two-toney and darker wood.
Johnclineii - men and women do sit differently - women sit with their legs closer together, men don't like their gonads (small or large, makes no difference) to be squeezed. How many men do you see sitting with their legs crossed like women? By the way, at 6' 1" and 190 Lbs., I need to loose 20 Lbs, but am not some fat tub trying to squeeze into the car.
ANT14 - the strong frame is good, but they needed to build the car on top of the frame, rather than drop part of the floor below the edge of the frame. I agree with the comment above that the car is perhaps a transitional product, given to the new team too late for them to change things like the footwell. I have owned small and large cars and driven all kinds of others, and can not remember ever sitting in a vehicle with such a narrow footwell.
Yes, you will see the new Sport Trac concept at the new round of auto shows in the next few weeks. It'll have a 4.6L 3V V8, same being used in the Mustang. And be a bit more car-like than the current version. It's also migrating into the current and soon to be modified Explorer platform (current one rides in the last generation Explorer platform).
Can't build the car above the frame since it's unibody. That method is reserves for most SUV's and trunks, hence Body ON Frame. If the floor wasn't lowered below the side rails then A) Less leg room Less leg/feet protection C) Less Hip protection... The higher the side rail is, the greater your chances on a side impact since it bypasses energy forces onto the rest of the platform and pillar members.
Or in other words, get a truck. IN there case your able to place the flooring higher, or aligned with the side rails since it's a truck and true body-on-frame.
CheifJS,
To add to the list of differences, the Montego also receives memory driver's seat, for up to 3 settings.
In any case, if you're looking for a large powerful near lux vehicle for 30 grand and have a few months... check out the new Avalon XLS. I have very few doubts that it will Trump the Montego in many if not all respects. The only thing it wont offer is AWD.
~alpha
But Montego/500 is bigger car for same money and most important has better handling
Sigh.
I'm doing my best to try and implement the new 4.6L 3V into that vehicle.
The Duratec35 shares the same mounting points as the Duratec30, therefore it's easier to just drop in since it was build with that in mind.
However, I will be retiring soon and am considering either the 500 or Montego. I took a 500 for a test drive and while it certainly does not have the acceleration of my CV, it is very adequate for regular driving. Besides, I have to learn to slow down.
I have been considering an Accord, LaCrosse, 500 or Montego. While the Accord is still a consideration, I think I need to decide between the 500 or Montego.
Good luck in your choice!
Not yet, that's still some time away....
If the post 2114 was addressed to me - no, I don't care for neck-snapping acceleration in this particular vehicle. And there is plenty of choices now, I guess, I could figure out myself what car could give me this adrenaline rush... All my emotion ever expressed re. Montego - it doesn't ride, handle and accelerate to my expectations; it's disapponting comparing to cam-cord (even Tauras feels much faster); and I wanted an American car size of Montego with all that parameters. That's all.
with a MSRP of $24,795 but discounted to $18,771.
One only, dealer discount $3274, RTCM $1000, RCLRCO $750, FRP $500, Military $500. Anybody know what the various initials stand for?