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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 318 of 363

#3167 of 3623 Re: Noise vs Acceleration [2zmax] by w9cw

Mar 07, 2006 (9:22 pm)

Replying to: 2zmax (Mar 07, 2006 9:13 am)
2zmax wrote: "Even Hyundai is offering better vehicles than Ford (Azera, Sonata)and since their reliability is as spotty as the one of Fords, they at least offer the best warranty around. What does Ford offer for a Focus with 12 major recalls? a 3/36 warranty. What a joke."
 
I would have thought the same regarding the phrase "Even Hyundai . . ." until I bought one. I've been buying new cars since 1968 from Domestics (Buick, Dodge, Ford, Olds), European (SAAB, Triumph, Volvo), Japanese (Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota), and now Korean (Hyundai). Although my 2006 Elantra GLS is only a few months old, this is the "only" new car I've owned that has been perfect out-of-the-box. Absolutely no defects - aesthetically or mechanically. Everything simply works!
 
Only time will tell on the reliability, but I've looked this vehicle over from stem to stern and everything is really well executed. My wife and I originally were planning to buy a new Ford Five Hundred or Sonata, but decided that we'd really prefer not to finance a car at the moment, hence we went downsize and downmarket, and paid cash. For a delivered price of $13,700, including TTL, we couldn't be happier with this car. And, most items that Detroit considers options (A/C, cruise control, keyless entry, power windows/locks, alarm, AM/FM/CD, etc.) are standard equipment. The powertrain is a 2 liter DOHC 16-valve engine with VVT cams, cast iron block and aluminum head, and a 4-speed automatic.
 
Since we normally keep a car for at least 10 years, depreciation is rather moot negative. And, with a 5 year/60K limited warranty, a 10 year/100K powertrain warranty and a 5 year/unlimited mileage free roadside assistance, we're willing to take a "gamble" on Hyundai. As one who lived through the time when Japanese cars first hit these shores, it's my opinion that Hyundai may be mirroring the Japanese success story.
 
It's only a matter of time when Hyundai will no longer be the brunt of jokes, just as the Japanese cars were when they first appeared here in the USA.

#3168 of 3623 Even Hyundai is offering better vehicles by victorydave

Mar 08, 2006 (12:55 am)

Hyundai is in no way as good as a Ford, The warranty is a joke (just read the fine print). A friends hyundai has cost her almost 2,000 bucks in 66 k miles, as she said "you wouldn't believe whatz not covered and how easy the warranty is voided or doesn't cover that"! OH! by the by the Hyundai steeler in Ann Arbor Michigan is full of hacks!

#3169 of 3623 Re: STEEP GRADE AHEAD [2zmax] by mschmal

Mar 08, 2006 (6:07 am)

Replying to: 2zmax (Mar 06, 2006 12:22 pm)
I think it depends what you compare it to:
if you compare a 500 to a semi, then it is pretty lively
however if you compare it to Azera, Avalon, Maxima, Altima 3.5SE, Accord V6 or Camry V6 – it is a dog.
The Five hundred feels like the engine is going to blow up on ya, every time you push the gas pedal.
Never understood the principle of flooring it! I want my car to have smooth and
powerful engine, and I only need to tap on the accelerator to get it to “GO”.
What is the point of driving this clunker, if to get it to accelerate decently I need to floor it every time?
  
Fortunately for this poster, in the interest of Consumer Choice, Ford does build a car with on demand torque at any RPM. Its called the Ford Crown Victory and is now playing with a bubble gum machine at a speed trap near you.
 
Mark.

#3170 of 3623 300 vs 500 by mschmal

Mar 08, 2006 (6:23 am)

In 2005 Chrysler sold just over 144,000 Chrysler 300s.
 
Ford sould about 108,000 Five Hundreds and about 27,000 Milans.
 
Fords target was 125,000 combined which Ford clearly beat.
 
Just because you wouldn't buy a specific car, doesn't mean that everone else won't.
 
Ford sold over 901,000 F-Series. Ram P/U sales were 400,000.
 
NOW that is a difference.
 
Mark.

#3171 of 3623 Re: STEEP GRADE AHEAD [mschmal] by 2zmax

Mar 08, 2006 (6:39 am)

Replying to: mschmal (Mar 08, 2006 6:07 am)
"Crown Victory and is now playing with a bubble gum machine at a speed trap near you. "
 
He-He-He,
As long as his name is not Ivory Webb, I'll be Ok

#3172 of 3623 Re: 300 vs 500 [mschmal] by gregg_vw

Mar 08, 2006 (7:33 am)

Replying to: mschmal (Mar 08, 2006 6:23 am)
Yes, the F150 is a great success story. It was completely revamped in 2004 and continues to lead the field. However, Ford's overall truck sales are down, even with this mammoth success.
 
In 2005 Chrysler sold 189,500 300s and Chargers. Ford sold 135,000 500s and Montegos. Not a huge difference, but still Chrysler moved nearly 55,000 more units where traditionally Ford products had been the big sellers.
 
Also, Chrysler's transaction price per unit was higher. They discounted their cars less, and of course with several larger engine choices, the Chrysler products should command more money, regardless.
 
And the big difference was in bottom line: Chrysler made money and Ford lost money (on their US operations). Ford cannot sustain profits alone on a couple successes like the Mustang and F150. Too many other lines that absolutely used to be best sellers are either tanking or shrinking (Ranger, Explorer, Expedition, Focus). The 500 has received a lukewarm response for a mainstream Ford. The Freestyle crossover could not even manage to outsell the Freestar last year...and the Freestar is not doing at all well against the competition.
 
Sure Ford's sales projections are conservative. It has been their policy. But they lost the sense of what made the original Taurus such a hit. Belatedly in 1996, they finally updated it, apparently thinking weird was what made the original one a success. Realizing that was a goof, they added anonymity to it in 2000. Then, in a clean sheet design, they took the attractive 500 concept drawings and rendered the car as plain, innocuous and dowdy as an Audi copy could possibly be.
 
The 500 is a good car, but with its lack of styling and lack of engine choices, it cannot reach the volume Ford could really use. If it had been styled more like the 427 concept, they would have had a winner, even with late introduction of the 3.5. But if wishes were fishes, we'd all be frying, or something like that.

#3173 of 3623 Re: 300 vs 500 [mschmal] by barnstormer64

Mar 08, 2006 (7:47 am)

Replying to: mschmal (Mar 08, 2006 6:23 am)
In 2005 Chrysler sold just over 144,000 Chrysler 300s.
 
Thanks for the numbers. And I wnoder how many of those 300's were the Hemi's, 3.5L's, and the smaller engine?
 
I was tempted to post that I knew the 500 had sold more than the Hemi300, and I was fairly sure it sold about as many as with the Hemi and 3.5L combined. But, I just wasn't sure of the numbers.

#3174 of 3623 Re: 300 vs 500 [gregg_vw] by badgerfan

Mar 08, 2006 (8:02 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Mar 08, 2006 7:33 am)
The car styled more like the 427 concept is the Fusion, available right now at any Ford dealer near you. Actually, Fusion is likely closer to being the Taurus replacement in interior spaciousness and trunk size. It is almost dead on in length dimensions with the original Taurus. The original Taurus grew a few inches in length from its initial generation, and now Fusion shrinks it back a bit dimensionally to go head on with the Camcords.
So, if 500 is too boring for you the Fusion is your better choice, along with a few less pounds of weight to haul around and a few more horses due to the VVT application of the 3.0 Duratech.

#3175 of 3623 Re: Even Hyundai is offering better vehicles [victorydave] by w9cw

Mar 08, 2006 (9:38 am)

Replying to: victorydave (Mar 08, 2006 12:55 am)
victorydave wrote: "Hyundai is in no way as good as a Ford, The warranty is a joke (just read the fine print). A friends hyundai has cost her almost 2,000 bucks in 66 k miles, as she said "you wouldn't believe whatz not covered and how easy the warranty is voided or doesn't cover that"! OH! by the by the Hyundai steeler in Ann Arbor Michigan is full of hacks!"
 
You may be right - or wrong - as for me, it is far too early to tell. All I can say is that the dealer is excellent, both in the sales and service departments, and they are very pro-customer, as is Hyundai. I've received more post-sale contact from the dealer and Hyundai, than I ever did with any other new car purchase. They want to ensure that I'm satisfied with the purchase and car.
 
I've read the fine print in the warranty, and it's no different than most warranties. They expect you to adhere to the maintenance schedules, but they allow you to perform normal routine maintenance yourself, as long as you provide receipts for parts, supplies, etc. There is an extensive section in the Owner's Manual on "Do-It-Yourself" maintenance. And, their website allows registerd owners full access to all corporate TSB's, shop, parts, and technical manuals. You can even place an online order through Hyundai's website for any part or accessory for delivery to your local dealer.
 
Actually, I find their warranty written in plain English and very easy to understand, plus they are very specific at what they cover and don't cover. I could care less if they don't cover windshield wiper blades after 12 months.
 
Our local Ford dealer does everything it can to "not" cover items under warranty. I initially wanted to buy a Ford product (Five Hundred SEL), but the pushy salespeople and their terrible service department forced me elsewhere.
 
From the latest IIHS tests, its looks like the Fusion is not as good as it should be in terms of "standard" safety features. Granted, the Five Hundred is a very safety-oriented vehicle, simply because it was based on a Volvo platform. The Fusion, on the other hand, is not one of Ford's better ideas . . . Most people here in the USA "want" to buy from the Big 3, but they don't offer what I want, or need, at a price I can afford. I fully realize this is a Ford Five Hundred forum, and I think it's a nice car. I just wish the dealer network was more customer-oriented.
 
I will check back with you in a few years on this car's reliability, but from what my experience tells me based upon its initial quality, I'm not going to worry.

#3176 of 3623 Re: Even Hyundai is offering better vehicles [w9cw] by barnstormer64

Mar 08, 2006 (9:44 am)

Replying to: w9cw (Mar 08, 2006 9:38 am)
I've received more post-sale contact from the dealer and Hyundai, than I ever did with any other new car purchase.
 
I get enough from Ford as it is. If Hyundai sends out even MORE, add that to the list of why I wouldn't want to buy one.

Messages Page 318 of 363

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