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Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego
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Comments
Yes, more power is coming. When is the question. Mercury spokesman Paul Wood said: "We haven't announced what we're going to do in terms of engine enhancements, but it's safe to say stay tuned because we may have something to say in the next several months."
This is too bad because I'm a Ford guy. I own two collector Ford cars and hope to buy a Super Duty in the next few years. Ford, if you're listening, lose the center console!
As I mentioned several posts ago, if the hump in the floor to the left of the dead pedal also bothers you, a little work with a block of wood should solve the problem.
I still could not sit comfortable due to the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, and didn't like the noises emitted by the engine/CVT combination, and the ride witht he 18" wheels, but if those are not problems for you, the Freestyle is very nice (and the SEL has 17" wheels)..
You might also consider what I have on order - a 2006 Explorer, since you like full frame rear wheel drive vehicles. It will have many improvements and features (Roll stability control, 292/300 V8 with the Jaguar/Navigator 6-speed automatic (fuel economy should really improve), a new frame, a quieter and smoother ride, side and curtain air bags, seats for 5 or 7, an all new interior, and fancy sound systems and so forth, making it a very good value for the price.
The FreeSTAR will also be dropped shortly thereafter..
All this from this morning's Automotive News, (registration required to read...)
See also: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102793
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/longterm/
I can't imagine anyone getting that mileage overall...
Besides, wouldn't the runt eat a lot less than the pick of the litter?
I generally get about 19-22 mph around town and 28-30 on the road. SEL with 6 speed.
Note: Doesn't work if you have the Entertainment System installed. But if you have that, you already have RCA inputs on the DVD-player you can use.
This will provide a pair of RCA inputs that will work when you select the AUX input button on the radio.
Just ordered one for my Five Hundred (my Freestyle has the Entertainment System).
Note: supply is limited!
PS: Not affilliated with LogJamElectronics in any way. Just saw this today, and thought I'd pass it along
Also I did not like the design of the Sonata's center stack. The radio controls are too high and the heating and A/C controls are mounted on a "block" that protrudes from the dash - it looks awful. BMW has a similar design and I find it extremely unattractive. I prefer a smooth, flat, waterfall design. I also felt the Sonata's armrest was too small and too low. The 500's center armrest is huge and comfortable and the storage area beneath is cavernous!
The price of my 500 SE AWD was cheaper than the quote I got on a GLS Sonata (after incentives, including owner loyalty bonus) and I traded in a Hyundai Elantra. Sonata doesn't offer AWD, so this was a no-brainer for me. Front legroom is better in the 500 as well. The 500's trunkroom is enormous!
I'm thrilled with my purchase and I feel I made the right decision. I get a ton of compliments. So many think it's a luxury car.
Hope this helps!
I got a quote for a 500 LTD AWD with the employee discount, and it's a few thousands more than the top of the line Sonata... what to do... what to do... :shades:
1. When I did my shopping it was last fall and the new Sonata wasn't available for comparison.
2. I really didn't cross shop any other sedans, I looked mostly at wagons, like the Volvo V70 & V50, Taurus,and the Mazda 6, hatchbacks like the Malibu Maxx, and again Mazda 6, and crossovers, like the Escape, Forester, Freestyle, as well as a few minivans, which I really didn't want.
I need more cargo flexibility than most sedans can deliver, but a minivan seemed like overkill as I'm usually driving solo. I also like the fact that as a sedan the Montego has a trunk where stuff can be stashed out of sight, unlike in many wagons or crossovers
I did get a good look at the Sonata at the Detroit auto show after I bought the Montego, I'd rather keep the Montego for the aforementioned reasons but I'd go with Sonata over an Accord in a heartbeat, don't know about it v. the Camry though.
most of the time i drive solo here myself, therefore not sure if the 500 will be too big. but from what i am hearing, the 500 gets pretty good gas mileage too.
I did, but now the headlights of cars behind me cause a series of horizontal bars (aligned vertically). Apparently this is due to how the film goes over the defroster lines and the slope of the back window.
Short of removing the film, is there any "cure" for this? Could one possibly apply the film in "strips" that fit between the defroster lines instead of one continuous sheet to fix this problem?
My only reservation with it is it's performance. Although, at just a tick over 200 hp, it's not bad. However, speaking as a former owner of a '96 SHO (w/V8) I wish the 500 had a little more punch.
Even so, I had seriously planned to buy a 500 during the month of August. In fact, I was absolutely set to buy a new Ford Five Hundred... until last Thursday.
On Thursday morning, I happened to see a segment on The Today Show where Matt Lauer was talking about "The Aging of America" and the development of new products that many companies are making to attract the "older consumer."
Unfortunatley, the featured product in this segment was the Ford 500!
I just stood there and thought...Oh crap! No wonder that car is so "easy" to get in and out of! No wonder it isn't a barn stormer of a performer! It's an old man's car! It was built for the retirement crowd! I'm only 45! What was I thinking?!?!
It's true that I need a conservative 4 dr sedan for my work, and it's also true that I am now middle aged...but I'm not ready to settle into pre-retirement mode!
As a result, I've shifted my sights over to the new 2006 Impala SS. It's still a mid-priced, mid-sized Amercian sedan, and perfect for my work needs, but it also has a small block V8 in it!
Don't get me wrong, I still like the Ford 500, but after seeing that TV segment, I think I'd like it better in my dad's driveway!
Sounds like you'd like to retire at 45, to me. :P
I guess, then, I would have to agree somewhat with you. You aren't mature enough to make up your own mind on just what you want. Just email Matt Lauer as to what he wants you to buy and go with that. (By the way I wouldn't hang around waiting for a personal answer from him. He just may want you to go for the Maybach!!)
Gene
And even within some vehicles, certain items are integrated for a specific market. Case in point, last generation Mountaineer (over the Explorer) had a driver's seat tailored to women, to make it easier to enter/exit. Ever wonder why some Mercury vehicles have leather side bolsters, suade middle inserts?.... Keeps women from exposing themselves when exiting a vehicle by letting the fabric of their dress slide over the leather.
On some vehicles, you will notice a plastic edge/clip trim piece on the "B" pillar. Thats to help someone "slide" into their vehicles without damaging/tearing their clothing. Notice how some vehicles have it in felt (lessens it), while some have it in cloth (will dirty in a few months)... This trick is reserved for the vehicles that have a tighter entry/exit point where the driver/passenger are liable of rubbing against that part... And this is used by many manufacturers.
As for trucks, they are tested to make sure that the driver is able to use all dials, buttons wearing the thickest gloves, since most of them will use their SuperDuty for work...
And this is just a VERY small example of the numerous thinking that takes place in interior design.
I use my car for business. My colleagues all drive flashy image cars and say I should too. Believe it or not, I'm the rebel in the group! I'm the one trying to have an original thought! I think a little tasteful conservatism is in order! I don't like to put on a showy facade, so that's why I wanted the 500in the first place.
To me, it looks good, rides good, and again...it's very comfortable! However, Matt Lauer figuratively just pee'd in my pool! He killed my enthuasm and caused me to consider the perception my clients will have of me, my car, and my professional accumen. Love it or hate it, professional image is a real issue.
So, accurate or not, Matt Lauer's segment sent a message to millions of Americans about that car and the message simply conflicts with my objectives.
Now, if Ford were to build a Five Hundred to compete with the new Impala SS, or the Chrysler 300C, now...that would be cool!
me and my gf were going to the movies when we saw just that outside. the chrome around the grille and mirrors looks very classy. the black interrior with the wood trim looks very tasteful, and there is so much room style and comfort built into this car that in person, it totally blows away the pics. I laughed at his car earlier in the forums, but the black on black sample we saw was very nice.
the only problem for me is the lack of power that will be addressed, and i would have liked to see some wood trim on the door panels, and a nav system, but at least the nav is already here. I'd like the HID's from the montego too. She said the seats look very comfortable.
If they put a V8 into this car it would be nice i agree, especially with AWD to prevent torque steer but the v6 thats comming should be enough IMO.
the black on black was very very classy. We liked it, but had to go in the theater to stop making the car blush :P
Mat lauer can go shove himself, those meaty 18 inch tires are not for reirees!
by the way bigjay we are both just into our 20's.
So again, it's not WHAT the car might say, it's how you present it. Just like when I see a Corvette going 5 under the speed limit, I just think to myself, "Hmm, old man in midlife crsis driving it"... And sure enough, I pass, look...confirmed... As well as the balding guy in the Porsche convertible, when chances are your expecting otherwise....
I have an AWD SEL, get about 22-23 in town, 30-31 on the road.
I am told this is somewhat higher than what most get.
I love the CVT!
Im my previous post I described the fact that I like the Ford 500. WIth the exception of underwhelming performance, I had seriously intended to buy one.
According to Matt Lauer, since the departure of the Crown Vic is eminenet, the over 60 crowd has to drive something! Now, they can drive anything they want, and just because I might see a older man driving a S 500 or a Lexus LS 430, doesn't mean I'm going to ignore those cars or write them off as too old for me.
But, when the highest rated national morning TV show builds a segment around the "aging of Amercia and a representative from AARP spends 5 minutes of NBC's expensive air time describing a multi industry thrust to develop products that are market specific, and features a particular car as a specific example of American Industry's response to the aging of America, then at some point one has to ask himself: Is that me? In my case, the answer was "no."
When the Impala SS is priced so close to the 500 Limited and has superior image, performance and comfort, then unfortuantely the Ford has lost my business...for now.
As far as insecurities go... it would seem that my ability to recognize a mismatch in my autmotive needs verses Ford deliberate target market for their current full size car is important, accurate and a point of "logical vulnerability" for you.
Oh, and to the 20 something kid that said: Put some 18" wheels on the 500 and tint the windows and it's cool!
I have one thing to say to you... Styling cues do not make a car perform better or elevate it to an artificially higher staus. In fact, Ford made this mistake once before...but you're probably too young to remember The Edsel.
Performance: yes. Image and comfort? Impala says rental car. If that is the image you want, then go ahead. Comfort to me is average in the Impala and above average in the 500. One out of three ain't bad for the Impala. How many years old is this Impala design? You just about have to be a senior citizen to remember when this old design got its start. The only reason the Impala was not on with Matt Lauer is that seniors thought it wasn't cool enough for them since there parents had one.
I hope you aren't expecting automatic climate control in the Impala. There isn't any. At any price.
I also hope you aren't expecting all wheel drive. Also, to me, the new Impala looks much more boring than the older ones. And this is even compared to the relatively staid Five Hundred. Where are the large round tail lights? The new Impala looks so...generic.
I have the street cred to speak to this issue, by the way. You see, I OWN a 05 AWD SEL Five Hundred. I traded an 00 Impala LS with 173,000 faithful miles on it (no unscheduled repairs other than an airbag sensor and a headlight switch!).
Virtually all my passengers remark what a nicer car the Ford is than the Chevy was. And there is no way I would want to go back.
I miss some of the power of the 3800 (and even more the supercharged Grand Prix GTP I had before the Impala) and would love to have the V8 in the Impala, but give me the Ford's body, AWD and safety package from Volvo.
As a matter of fact, when the 3.5L becomes available in the Five Hundred, I will probably trade...or I might get a Lincoln Zephyr with AWD and that engine, which is due slightly before that, I am told.
But I want my automatic climate control....and I want virtually every other option but NO sunroof and NO leather. Ford did that for me. If it is like past models, the new Impala will NOT be available with virtually all the toys but sunroof and leather.
I also get much better in town mileage on the AWD Five Hundred than I did on the FWD Impala. Even though the Five Hundred is a larger, heavier and more substantial feeling car. On the road, I do almost, but not quite, as well as I did in the Chevy.
The thing I miss most on the Chevy is my dealer. It's sad, but there isn't anything from Chevrolet that I want that I can buy from him. Why? I've driven a Ford.....lately!
Yes, I'm sure that the "old folks" love the higher seating and easier in/out that it provides . . . but so do I. And I imagine MOST people would. Excluding those who want to sit low because they love low-slung sports cars, that is.
Personally, I wish the salesmen I go to lunch with would ditch their Crown Vics for the Five Hundred!
My only concerns are the these two facts: In my opinion, Ford still needs to put a serious engine in it (like they used to put in the SHO's). Second, Matt Lauer's AARP segment jolted me! In fact, Matt Lauer's comments weren't that bad, but the guy from AARP made the car sound like a geritaric golf cart with rool up windows! That segment caused me to pause on my purchase of a new 500.
In fact, it was while I was pausing, that I discovered the Impala SS, drove it, and liked it better! It's fast compared to an Accord, a Camry, an Avalon, and certainly faster than a 500! It's more comfortable (to me) than a Maxima, an A4, or a Passat. But, I agree, there is no way the Impala is MORE comfortable than a 500. In my opinion, the 500 is WAY more comforatble than my boss's new Jaguar XJ8 or my buddy's 2002 Bentley Arnage!
The counterpoints in this recent thread are well thought out and well articulated, however, at this point, they aren't strong enough arguments for me to reverse my opinion about the 500.
In fact, I wish I hadn't seen the Today Show segment because it shattered my enthusiasm. So far, it appears that I am the only one in this forum that saw it and heard the tone of the segment.
For example: I live in Southern California. We don't have snow or black ice so the advantages of AWD are minimal. The traction gains on dry pavement are barely perceptable. Even if it were, the added grip of the AWD 500 can't compare to the heavy punch of the Impala SS 5.3 V8!
As a car guy, and as an owner of a couple of big horsepower street rods, there is a lot to be said for the ooomphfff of that V8! If Ford had put the engine they are using in the Lincoln LS in the 500 Limited, this would be a totally different discussion. But they didn't.
Your main counterpoint to my postings was centered on Automatic Climate Control. Ummm, that's certainly a nice feature, but again, it doesn't quite compete with a powerful engine.
The bottom line is this: The big three are back in the car business. Each is building a very high quality product offering that can compete with the best stuff coming out of Japan or Germany! I don't care if it's a Ford, a Chevy or a Chrysler, as long as it's American!
On Interstate driving at 75 or so mph, I consistently show 27-28 mpg. At 80 or 85, I drop to around 24 mpg. On the other hand, at constant 50, 55, or 60 (as you must in some secondary roads in many eastern states), the trip computer is showing 32, 33, 34 or higher mpg. A nice sight with the higher cost of gasoline!
I recently talked briefly with a guy who had traveled from Oklahoma to Kentucky in a Freestyle with CVT, and he claimed he was getting 27-28 mpg on Interstate driving at 75 mph, or about the roughly the same as my 500.
Additionally, my wife and I both love our 500. I am 77 years old and have had numerous new cars over the years, but this one has me more excited than any previous one...regardless of brand. For the life of me, I cannot understand why I don't see more of them on the road. The gentleman with the Freestyle felt exactly the same way. On the way from Florida to Indiana, we saw only one 500...period! I can only wonder why Ford is not really pushing this car in it's ads.
As to power, I am not interested in a hot rod, and I don't think the 500 is that much underpowered. After three Windstars with the 3.6 liter, I can notice a slight less oomph in the 500 by comparison. BUT, when I want it to go, it goes...and it goes with avengence--if you don't mind screaming rpms.
Ford did their homework with this car, and it is a great one. I have almost no complaints, and those that I do have are too minor to talk about.