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Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego

3623 messages,  Last post on Feb 13, 2011 at 9:08 AM

You are in the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, Sedan

Messages Page 163 of 363

#1620 of 3623 by buckwheat

Oct 20, 2004 (3:56 pm)

News
Surprise demand prompts Ford to build more Freestyles, fewer Five Hundreds
AMY WILSON | Automotive News
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101059
Posted Date: 10/20/04
DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. will build fewer Ford Five Hundreds and more Ford Freestyles at its assembly plant in Chicago, Ford Division President Steve Lyons said last week.
 
The market's surprise demand for the Freestyle is triggering the mix adjustment, Lyons said. "We thought it was going to be the other way," he said.
 
The Chicago plant began assembling the Five Hundred sedan, Freestyle sport wagon and 2005 Mercury Montego sedan in July. They went on sale in September. Initial production of the Ford models was split 60 percent to 40 percent in favor of the Five Hundred. Lyons said now the mix of the Ford vehicles will be at least 50-50.

#1621 of 3623 Re: Factory installed sirius... [mschmal] by johnclineii

Oct 20, 2004 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: mschmal (Oct 20, 2004 12:39 pm)
I currently have an Audiovox PNP3 for the Sirius Satellite Radio. It is a wonderful unit and I love it. Price was very affordable, too!

#1622 of 3623 Audiovox Sirius Mounting by fsmmcsi

Oct 20, 2004 (4:19 pm)

Johnclineii: I saw the Audiovox unit at Circuit City a few days ago and it looks nice - it also allows you to use it inside your home and/or office. Where did you mount it?

#1623 of 3623 Comparison to The Passat Interior.. by ederzawiec

Oct 20, 2004 (4:38 pm)

I have to disagree with savetheland's post.
savetheland Oct 19, 2004 6:05pm
The interior materials quality in a Passat are much better than a Five Hundred.
 
The interior materials (mostly plastic) is one of the things I like least about the Five hundred. I find them similar to what you'd find in a Taurus or Impala, not a "higher end" sedan.

#1624 of 3623 Re: Factory installed sirius... [johnclineii] by johnclineii

Oct 20, 2004 (4:44 pm)

Replying to: johnclineii (Oct 20, 2004 4:01 pm)
It is very nicely mounted to the right of the tuning button for the radio, on a clamp. I got it at Circuit City...the unit is VERY small. Be sure you get a 3, not a 2, if you are looking at Audiovox. They use much less power and are much smaller.

#1625 of 3623 by ANT14

Oct 20, 2004 (5:19 pm)

I agree the Passat has very good materials throughout the cabin, not just select spots like the 500. BUT as having had 12 friends with mildew smelling Passats, and burnt crayon smelling Jettas, the majority of those pleasing to the touch materials start falling off. I had to direct some to industrial apoxy glues to keep their trim from peeling and falling off.
 
BUT before my aggression towards VW starts coming out because of the nightmare experiences I had to deal with, through my friends. I'll just simply state that VW is a great illusionist. Beautiful interiors, in the most unreliable package this side of a Kia. And that's why VW has the highest "perceive quality" index in the industry... Interiors...

#1626 of 3623 VW interior quality by savetheland

Oct 20, 2004 (6:10 pm)

I tend to agree with ANT. I have friend with Jetta. After two years of commuting interior looks ugly. I mean it looks worn out, you cannot fix it, can just replace. And yes the smell is bad. Interior details also tend to fall apart. VW interior looks nice on the surface only, I would prefer better materials, not just nice looking materials. VW is not an Audi and never will be. I did not compare Montego with Audi.

#1627 of 3623 Passat vs Five Hundred Interior Quality by ederzawiec

Oct 20, 2004 (6:20 pm)

I've heard about mildew problems with the Passat. Apparently attributable to incorrectly replaced cabin pollen air filters. Not an issue with the Five Hundred which doesn't offer the feature. I haven't had this or any other quality issue with my 99 B5. Nor have I heard many complaints from friends who own them.
 
The Jetta is not in the same class. I've heard of many Jetta quality issues but have no personal knowledge.

#1628 of 3623 VW problems in Europe, cabin air filters & mold by fsmmcsi

Oct 20, 2004 (6:27 pm)

Our relatives in Europe who know cars there tell us the used VWs are worthfar less than the corresponding Audi models, as the VWs rust and deteriorate sooner. I learned this while looking at large used car sales areas in Eastern Europe during our visit in August.
 
I am a mold and otehr toxic materials consultant, and agree that cabin air filters which are not properly cleaned or replaced can become sources of mold.

#1629 of 3623 by ANT14

Oct 20, 2004 (6:48 pm)

The mold affected 2 Passat owning friends, 2-4 months into owning it. Since it's one of those "opinion" warranty claims, the dealership stated it was normal, and they didn't perceive it as having a smell of any kind, went on to spray something on the A/C coils, etc. but the issue kept coming. They couldn't lemon law because again, what is a foul smell to one, is perceived as normal to another. But that's ok, because one of them had A/C issues a year after and everything had to be replaced. The other got lucky, got into a car accident and the car was totalled, she bought something else.
 
And as for the other 6 Passat owning friends, never told them about the mold issue although everytime I would drive their cars in for repairs I would smell it, and rather not bring up something they aren't aware of..being ignorant is bliss I say.
 
Out of the original 12 VW friends, now it's 2 left who are waiting to pay it off (have one purposely leave his doors open so it gets stolen). So they can replace it.
 
No I'm not bitter, I just gotta deal with their headaches because I'm in the field

Messages Page 163 of 363

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