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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 319 of 363

#3177 of 3623 Re: 300 vs 500 [badgerfan] by gregg_vw

Mar 08, 2006 (9:51 am)

Replying to: badgerfan (Mar 08, 2006 8:02 am)
Yes, the Fusion has some 427 cues, but very careful ones. It is edgier than the Five Hundred, but hardly a standout in the mid-size field.
 
The 500 is more like the length of the final Taurus, although many (not all) of its interior dimensions are larger. The Fusion is actually a few inches longer than the original Taurus. (Ford is still going for too much front overhang proportional to wheelbase in its designs, IMHO, like VW is doing with the Passat.)
 
Ford is commendably trying to replace the Taurus with several choices to better meet a wider set of preferences in the market. The 500 meets the needs of some people, but would have done even better by adding some intriguing style. The Fusion is less anonymous (mostly due to the new Ford face), but it doesn't have initial standout to the degree that some other fresh designs have fielded.
 
Does Ford need more wow factor? Not necessarily. Although the 2007 Camry is starting to show some style, the car has been a style bore since it was first conceived. However, Ford's successes have often hinged on style, so it cannot hurt, as long as it doesn't look weird like the 1996 Taurus guppy.
 
For myself, I hope they turn up the volume on the next iteration of the Zephyr/MTZ (circa 2010 maybe?). Then that is what I would buy.

#3178 of 3623 Front Overhang? by badgerfan

Mar 08, 2006 (10:54 am)

Fusion at 190.2" long is 1" longer than 2006 Camry, and 0.9" shorter than 2006 Accord, and wheelbase of all three is within a range of 0.8" with Fusion in the middle. Furthermore, headroom front and rear and legroom front and rear are all nearly identical with Fusion falling smack dab in between Camry and Accord, while Fusion trunk room at 15.8 cubic feet beats Accord at 14.0 and is less than Camry at 16.7 cubic feet.
 
If Fusion has more front overhang than either Camry or Accord, it does not seem to be hurting either passenger space or trunk space. It appears to me space efficiency is right on par with it's major competitors. And it is not because of height either. Fusion is 57.2" tall, Accord 57.3" and Camry 58.7".

#3179 of 3623 Re: 300 vs 500 [badgerfan] by 2zmax

Mar 08, 2006 (11:00 am)

Replying to: badgerfan (Mar 08, 2006 8:02 am)
Why get Fusion, if you can get the Mazda 6?
It has better warranty and reliability. In addition it is much more fun to drive and is better looking (IMO)
So what gives? Fusion is a mid size sedan, the 500 is a full size, so comparing to two is not appropriate.

#3180 of 3623 Re: Front Overhang? [badgerfan] by gregg_vw

Mar 08, 2006 (11:50 am)

Replying to: badgerfan (Mar 08, 2006 10:54 am)
I don't recall saying that Camry and Accord don't have as much front overhang as Fusion. The 2007 Camry has commendably increased the wheelbase a couple inches while keeping the length the same.
 
The 300 is about 3 inches shorter than the 500, with a wheelbase 8 inches longer. Strangely, the 500 initially looks like the shorter car. Granted being rear drive, it is easier to get the proportions the 300 did. Same with the Cadillac STS...it is 3 to 4 inches shorter than the 500. The 500 does have a huge trunk. Many of us, however, don't need quite that much booty back there.
 
Front drive doesn't dictate beaky front ends. The engine could be set back further (Acura used to do that) for better balance (less weight percentage over the front tires). More to the point, some companies (most Japanese included) install air space in front for styling purposes--apparently not noticing that abbreviated front overhang is a stylistic point selling very well on those cars offering it.

#3181 of 3623 Re: Noise vs Acceleration [gene_v] by bruneau1

Mar 08, 2006 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: gene_v (Mar 07, 2006 2:30 pm)
Well, all rears and legs are different. The Azera's driver's seat has a limited range of adjustment and was not very good for me. Of course, I has just driven a v8 Lucerne which has terrific seats. Then i checked out the passenger seat in the Azera- no height or tilt adjustment and very flatly oriented. No way would I want to travel in that seat. I was very happy to get back into my freestyle which has the same seats as the 500 only they are even higher.

#3182 of 3623 What Ford's Warranty DOESN'T cover. by mschmal

Mar 08, 2006 (12:29 pm)

New Fords only exclude the following items from Warranty
WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Damage Caused By:
• accidents, collision or objects striking the vehicle (including driving
through a car wash)
• theft, vandalism, or riot
• fire or explosion
• using contaminated or improper fuel/fluids
• customer-applied chemicals or accidental spills
• driving through water deep enough to cause water to be ingested into
the engine
• misuse of the vehicle, such a driving over curbs, overloading, racing or
using the vehicle as a stationary power source
 
This is what is said about maintenance:
MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE PROPERLY
Your glove compartment contains an Owner Guide and a Scheduled
Maintenance Guide which indicate the scheduled maintenance required
for your vehicle. Proper maintenance guards against major repair expenses
resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance, may help increase the
value you receive when you sell or trade your vehicle, and is important in
allowing your vehicle to comply with applicable emissions standards.
It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the scheduled maintenance
is performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering specifications.
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance as specified in the Service
Guide will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of
maintenance. Make sure that receipts for completed maintenance work are
retained with the vehicle and confirmation of maintenance work is always
entered in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
 
Notice that failure to maintain only invalidates coverage for effected parts. Not doing an oil change will not invalidate converage if your transmission blows.
 
https://web.msslib.dealerconnection.com/RightSite/getcontent/myfile.pdf?DMW_OBJE- - CTID=09000c5880520d32
 
Mark

#3183 of 3623 Re: Noise vs Acceleration [bruneau1] by gene_v

Mar 08, 2006 (8:41 pm)

Replying to: bruneau1 (Mar 08, 2006 12:13 pm)
I love the fact that the Five hundred has a seat with hip height 4 inches higher than most cars. I like the looks of the car, the size of the car, back seat leg room and trunk size.
Here is the problem. You say all rears and legs are different. I have the build of a middle linebacker.
Five feet ten, 260 pounds, a 50 inch chest and 46 inch waiste. I need a telescoping steering wheel, adjustable pedals and A SMALLER CONSOLE. I feel stuffed in the Five Hundred. Ford IMHO made a great car with great size everwhere but the drivers seat. Peace!

#3184 of 3623 Re: Noise vs Acceleration [gene_v] by b111111

Mar 09, 2006 (7:43 am)

Replying to: gene_v (Mar 08, 2006 8:41 pm)
I agree with you. The Five Hundred has many positives, but ironically - for all the talk about how roomy the car is - it feels small when I sit in the driver's seat. The car I test drove did have adjustable pedals, which helped but my feet seemed cramped and it seemed like there wasn't enough room for the driver.

#3185 of 3623 Re: Noise vs Acceleration [b111111] by barnstormer64

Mar 09, 2006 (7:53 am)

Replying to: b111111 (Mar 09, 2006 7:43 am)
I'm not exactly tiny (5'11", 210 lb, 38 waist), but I find the 500/Freestyle to have PLENTY of room for the driver.

#3186 of 3623 Nothing Personal by 2zmax

Mar 09, 2006 (8:39 am)

But some of ya need to get back in shape!
5' 10" 260 lbs with a 46" waist, 5'11" 210 with 38" waist ??? Hit the gym guys.
You need to be at 180, with 33" waist and 46 " chest.
maybe then you wont complain about the accomodation on the driver's side of the 500
No harm intended, if I hurt your feelings, I'll call an ambulance for ya!
Just look at it this way: if Dr. Phill told you that on national TV, you'd probably agree and thank him as well.

Messages Page 319 of 363

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