I think I found my car...

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Emil

I tend to agree with you on this one.

Sad to say it is one of the things that got in the way of good management/employee cooperation. Recognition of individual performance for dollar earned and work performed. Instead, like most unions that have outlived their usefulness, it puts everyone equal. Both good and bad workers.

[oblioman]

Coming from a first tier Toyota supplier, the only thing un-American about their cars is the engineering. The labor, raw materials, plants, etc. are pure American - without the unions. That is what makes them successful. We also supply parts to Honda, Nissan and GM. The only parts we export are to GM,,,,,,and they go to our good neighbors in the north, Canada. IMO, two things that brought on the demise of the US auto industry 1) Entrenched management unwilling or unable to recognize and communicate customers wants. 2) Unions unwilling or unable to recognize managements unwillingness to recognize number 1. oops,,,almost forgot,,,,we are in a depression, who the hell can afford these overpriced machines?

[junehhan]

Cyg, have you considered looking at the new Ford Fusion? I just took one for a test drive and it is one incredible piece of machinery. I've been a Ford nut my entire life and I couldn't believe I was driving a Ford. The level of refinement in that car was incredible, and I was only driving the I4 model, but it felt so much more powerful than a I4 usually feels.

I was so impressed with it that I just sold my highly modified 06 Trailblazer SS and placed an order for a 2010 Fusion Hybrid which will take 10-12 weeks to build.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by junehhan

Cyg, have you considered looking at the new Ford Fusion? I just took one for a test drive and it is one incredible piece of machinery. I've been a Ford nut my entire life and I couldn't believe I was driving a Ford. The level of refinement in that car was incredible, and I was only driving the I4 model, but it felt so much more powerful than a I4 usually feels.

My daughter bought a 2009 Escape last year with the 2.5l I4. I agree the engine runs very well and is surprisingly powerful.

Originally Posted by junehhan

I was so impressed with it that I just sold my highly modified 06 Trailblazer SS and placed an order for a 2010 Fusion Hybrid which will take 10-12 weeks to build.

Congrats on the purchase!

[Emil]

Interesting article from Consumer Reports, here's a quote:

"Two more pluses: Not only does the Fusion have excellent crash-test results but it’s also one of the more reliable cars in our annual auto survey. It is more reliable than the ubiquitous Toyota Camry, an honor it’s held since the Camry’s 2007 redesign. "

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...now-about.html

[junehhan]

Ford as a general rule does not tune for max hp numbers, but tends to tune for max usable torque numbers. This new I4 engine was just damn impressive. Coupled with the standard 6 speed automatic, it was surprisingly powerful and refined off the line. As I said, I have driven mostly Fords my life and even I couldn't believe the new Fusion was a Ford. If you couldn't hear the engine, you'd almost swear that it drives more like a V6.

It is absolutely amazing how far Ford has gone. Not only have they not needed bailout money yet, but they have changed the game on what people will now expect from a Hybrid vehicle. Arguably, it has the most advanced hybrid system on the market, and some magazines have claimed that it performs even better than the hybrid system on a $104k Lexus.

As both a Ford fan and shareholder, I have intense pride knowing that all it takes is good leadership, and that at least one American manufacturer will still be out there slugging it out in an increasing crowded market, and winning at the game.

Originally Posted by Emil

My daughter bought a 2009 Escape last year with the 2.5l I4. I agree the engine runs very well and is surprisingly powerful.



Congrats on the purchase!

[daleb]

Originally Posted by junehhan

As both a Ford fan and shareholder, I have intense pride knowing that all it takes is good leadership, and that at least one American manufacturer will still be out there slugging it out in an increasing crowded market, and winning at the game.

I'm glad to hear that. And hope we never have a repeat of the 80's with poor reliability and questionable dealer service.
I've liked most of what Ford has done this last decade, or so. Let's hope for continued success.

[Cygnus]

Tho I thought of buying a toy, my pragmatic side prevailed. I bought a 2K10 V6 honda accord coupe. It is black with black leather interior, moon roof, etc. The sticker claimed that 70% of parts came from U$/canada about 20% from japan. I bought american!

[Emil]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

The sticker claimed that 70% of parts came from U$/canada about 20% from japan. I bought american!

Don't kid yourself, you did not buy American, the final check went to Japan!

Nonetheless, gl with your purchase.

Just curious, did you try a Fusion?

[Cygnus]

No, I am skeptical buying 1.0 of any car, esp from the big 3, err 2. I want to see if they stand the test of time. I don't want to be victim of a product recall.

Originally Posted by Emil

Just curious, did you try a Fusion?

[sjt1985]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

No, I am skeptical buying 1.0 of any car, esp from the big 3, err 2. I want to see if they stand the test of time. I don't want to be victim of a product recall.

I am considering a Ford, but not until they put the ecoboost in (2-3 years) I'm talking about the 1.6 L turbocharged engine. I drive a 1.6 L engine now (98 civic) which gets fantastic gas mileage (37 combined avg). Ford claims to get 180 hp out of the new Focus with the new engine. It probably won't be as good mileage as the civic (especially if you have fun with the turbo) but it will be a great combo of fun and fuel economy. I'm just saying, if you can wait it out a few years, the ecoboost is very enticing.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

No, I am skeptical buying 1.0 of any car, esp from the big 3, err 2.

Fusions have been out a for a few years I think.

Hey, the Honda is a fine car.
I hope you have good luck with it since it's reliability is slightly less than that of the Fusion according to CR’s Annual Car Reliability Survey.

[junehhan]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

No, I am skeptical buying 1.0 of any car, esp from the big 3, err 2. I want to see if they stand the test of time. I don't want to be victim of a product recall.

I believe the Ford Fusion has been around since 2005 or so. This is the first complete redesign since this vehicle went on sale, but the latest quality studies are coming out to be more impressive than ever. Even if the 2010's are all new, they have been in production since early spring and thus there has been enough time to get the initial production bugs worked out.

Originally Posted by sjt1985

I am considering a Ford, but not until they put the ecoboost in (2-3 years) I'm talking about the 1.6 L turbocharged engine. I drive a 1.6 L engine now (98 civic) which gets fantastic gas mileage (37 combined avg). Ford claims to get 180 hp out of the new Focus with the new engine. It probably won't be as good mileage as the civic (especially if you have fun with the turbo) but it will be a great combo of fun and fuel economy. I'm just saying, if you can wait it out a few years, the ecoboost is very enticing.

The Ecoboost option is indeed a very exciting feature that I can't wait to see. So long as you stay out of boost, this is a motor that is going to be getting very good fuel economy. Look at the Ecoboost used in the new Taurus SHO! It gets the same fuel economy as the standard Taurus AWD models. On top of that, Ford has managed to effectively eliminate turbo lag.

Originally Posted by Emil

Fusions have been out a for a few years I think.

Hey, the Honda is a fine car.
I hope you have good luck with it since it's reliability is slightly less than that of the Fusion according to CR’s Annual Car Reliability Survey.

The new Honda Accord is a great car that was on my list of vehicles to consider. I test drove one and it just didn't seem very exciting. Almost like they are trying to "Camry-fy" the accord at the same time Toyota is trying to "Buick-fy" their cars. However when I test drove the I4 Fusion SE, it was just amazing. It must be one of the slickest shifting automatics i've ever driven.

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

No, I am skeptical buying 1.0 of any car, esp from the big 3, err 2. I want to see if they stand the test of time. I don't want to be victim of a product recall.

Exactly...I thought I was safe buying a '91 Tortoise 5 years after introduction but 2 transmissions and leaky power steering lines later with less than 47K miles....
I eventually ended up donating it to charity. Barely made it to 80K with a blown head gasket.

In all fairness it would have been only 1 new transmission if a dealer had not misdiagnosed the symptoms.

I want to believe things are much better now.

I would buy a Honda or Toyota without blinking an eye. The big boys got a ways to go to win me over, but I always keep an option open.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

No, I am skeptical buying 1.0 of any car, esp from the big 3, err 2. I want to see if they stand the test of time. I don't want to be victim of a product recall.

Just do a google search for "honda recall" and see how you won't be victimized.