I will start by saying Fords just arent my cup of tea.... theyre good for filling in the need of a basic form of transportation and utility, but id rather let the Japanese fill that need for me. Fords could be better, but there are obviously lots of people buying them now for some reason or another.. maybe Ford doesnt see the need to improve.....

Im willing to give them the benefit of the doubt with the Fusion.... past Ford products in my eyes would otherwise point my opinion towards a big NO. However, if we can recall Hyundai and Kia.. both companies started out with mediocre offerings to say the least, and now offer VERY competitive cars that are built VERY well. Maybe just maybe Ford WILL get it right with the Fusion. Its sad to think that for the amount of time Ford has been producing cars that they are still having notable problems with their products, whereas relatively young companies that start out where Ford is now, "finally get it right" after a decade or less. Does that reflect Fords product design, engineering, care for safety of their consumers, and their image? ITS ALL A MATTER OF OPINION.

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

It's usually someone getting in the way of the engineers that's the problem, not necessarily the engineering itself.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Anyone for a cookout? I'll bring the beer and wienies, who'll bring the FORD??? http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20050128/lo_wesh/2556848

Wonder if one of the engineers is a Doors fan......

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

We were going to. Spent a lot of money creating the "baby diesel". But the program got scrapped. It was a real nice engine, but I guess they had real high noise/vibration goals that couldn't be reached.

It would have been out last year. I think they would have sold a lot of them. They were also to go in some SUV's/

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Any chance that they may revive it. I'd line up to buy one if Ford could get that Diesel into that F-150. You know I had a 1984 F-250, with a 6.9 liter, nice engine. I never had any problems whatsoever. If Ford could put duplicate the Diesel engine in the new MB CDI that would be sweet.

Great link you gave. Nothing there... Hmm... I did read your story though... how touching. http://www.rslevinson.com/gaylesissues/comingoutstories/blcomepaul.htm

IIRC, the Fusion is also supposed to be offered with a derivative of their Hybrid system that was introduced in the '05 Escapes. It'll get my attention.

Hey, that's the guy with the pistol fetish right?

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TXBill



Former owner of a few diesel MB cars
1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust

I had thought that the 420 SEL and Arizona seemed like too much of a conincidence but I didn't want to be the one to call him out on it because last time I did that it was a sp0ck abberation, and he denied it till the cows came home.

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TXBill



Former owner of a few diesel MB cars
1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust

I agree that Ford has made several bad moves. They have also, in my opinion based on personal research and ownership, attempted to correct poor engineering with either recalls/aftermarket repairs or hiding the problem in unwise operating recommendations to the consumer.

However, I own a 92 Explorer, I've driven it for six years and it has 150K on it and it is definitely reliable and durable from a day to day use and abuse standpoint. I've also fully "explored" its capabilities as a "utility" vehicle. Hauling loads approaching the limit over fairly long distances (300 miles +), taking it off-road (an activity it does not excel in, merely competent), and driving daily, often for short trips with several starts per day. I have not attempted to use it as a freeway racer or lane hopping go-cart, which many SUV drivers seem to enjoy. I tend to drive below the posted speed limit on the HWY. These cars are born to be unsafe at high speeds or at their cornering limits, especially with a lot of weight in them. Try hauling a vintage 1950's fridge in an SUV. Teetering...

I'm making no excuses for Ford's corporate irresponsibility, or the Crown Vic/fuel bladder issue. I will say that for the money you can have a vehicle that can do a lot and stick around for a while. Crash tests are important, and I'll bet the Mini is well engineered to tolerate one. I'd rather be in wreck like the example in my old MB than my Explorer. But, for those 25 mph wrecks that happen "within 5 miles of home", give me my Exploder. I've had two and was glad I was in it when it happenned.