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Sedans Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego
3617 messages, Last post on Sep 21, 2008 at 8:07 AM
You are in the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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The Edge interior looks better in person than in photos. Ford is moving away from the "brick" style interiors. Check out the new Escape and the new Focus. The MKX and MKZ have great looking interiors with real wood. The Fusion interior is very nice as well. (If i had to choose between a Top of Dash display and a storage compartment as in the Fusion, I would rather have the storage.) Mark. |
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Let's take note, we are comparing a vehicle that was imagined in 2001, using 1990's/2000 administration decisions/mindset, to debut in 2004 as a 2005, and we are comparing it to a 2008 vehicle? IN this regard, every vehicle being introduced each and every year will start to outdo one another, as they are redesigned. And it's very unlikely that a manufacturer will improve certain materials on the 2-3 year refresh cycle. Suppliers build to spec that the manufacturer has, and within all that legalities the only leverage they might have is IF a vehicle is released, and people critic materials for example, the contract might NOT allow for a change till it's renewed 4-5 years after, unless a hefty penalty is paid. Those are the little things that can slow things up. Also, VW/Audi are known for having some of the best interior materials in the industry. They actually are rated as having the highest "Perceived quality" index, but reality is, it's one of the most unreliable brands out there. Having known 12 friends that HAD (and will never own) another VW, I can tell you how well (or lack thereof) those materials held up 4-5 years after the fact. The rubbery door interior grab handles which fade. The door surround felt trim pieces that sags. Airbag cover corners starting to lift. Cupholders that broke earlier on. Footwell panels that won't clip into place correctly and pop out with slight kick. Turn signal stalk which looses it's texture and fades. Headliner starting to drop. And my personal favorite "The A/C doesn't smell mildewy Sir, it's just the outside air", next to the "I dont understand why you think the Jettas interior smell like burnt crayons, they smell perfectly fine to us". But anyhow, moving on...that is a sore topic for me being I was USED each time they needed my help at the dealership ever other week.
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Replying to: frizz2112 (Jan 16, 2007 12:47 pm) In my case, an in-law called recently to ask what my Freestyle was, she had looked at similar cars recently, and couldn't find any she thought were even close to the interior of my '05LTD. And her family isn't Ford oriented. |
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I wonder if Ford ever looked into applying a soft rubber to the switch surfaces similar to what is used on the soft grip pens. I just don't think that symbols printed on this type of material would resist fading. Mark. |
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Let me explain, step by step: The stereo controls and LCD are so dated, all the competitions have way better and more intuitive controls. This stereo system (from the Five Hundred), with some tiny uncomfortable controls was first used in the F150 (if I remember correctly), which was praised all over for the beautiful cockpit (a first for Ford in recent years), and so was the climate controls. Since then, Ford applied the same controls into most new Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles. While the overall appearance in the F150 was very good and light years ahead of the previous generation, if you look part by part, you can see that not everything is perfect. The LCD on the radio with old kind of green clock-like letters is so outdated compared to other vehicles. And just adding an AUX/IN plug will not help much for the design. The controls itself is also not so clever. And so are the temperature controls. Especially the automatic, which is needlessly overly complicated. Of course it's nice & organized, and looks good when you see it first, the Fusion, for example, looks very nice with the analog clock and other gadgets, but start using the controls and you see it's not easy, and not well designed. The new 2007 Camry is much better designed (despite their quality problems recently). Every vehicle needs a change after many years, and especially if all brands are using the same parts (OK, Lincoln have it in silver instead of black). It's not a good idea to have just one kind of stereo system or temperature controls and using them across the board. There should be different for the trucks, vans and cars. The new Focus looks much more promising, and shows that Fords know how to build a nice executed interior. And what's about the gauges? Most competitors using already the optitron which is beautiful. The white-background also must go. It's not practical for day driving, and not adding anything tonight, and are just distracting at evening hours. I also don't like the rotated letters (numbers) on the gauges, and the way-too tiny dials for the fuel and engine temperature. The steering wheel controls is very nice, but also too much in such a small space. It could be designed better. Just look at other manufacturers how they do it. They are all easier to use than Fords. I’m sorry for the long post; I just wanted to clarify myself.
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Replying to: samnoe (Jan 17, 2007 9:10 am) They seem pretty intuitive to me. Can't imagine how anybody would have any problem figuring them out. The LCD on the radio with old kind of green clock-like letters is so outdated compared to other vehicles Works for me. And so are the temperature controls. Especially the automatic, which is needlessly overly complicated. I have the automatic. And it's extremely simple to use. At least until you want to use it in MANUAL mode . . then it's a bit more difficult to locate the correct knobs (while you're driving, anyway). And what's about the gauges? Most competitors using already the optitron which is beautiful. The white-background also must go. It's not practical for day driving, and not adding anything tonight, and are just distracting at evening hours. I find the gauges on my LTD version just fine. It's the standard BLACK background versions (on anything but the LTD) that I can't stand. |
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other than being more expensive to repair.. Please keep in mind that a Ford Fusion AWD fully equipped with every option but navigation has an MSRP of $27,500. The similarly equipped Nissan Altima has an MSRP of $29,500. For the extra $2,000, you get "intelligent key", bluetooth, 50hp, and a more expensive to maintain CVT. but you loose AWD and give up substantial ride quality. The 500 is not suppose to aToyotas, Nissans, or Honda, its a Ford and it is competitive and will be more so when stability control and the 3.5L is added this spring. Personally, I know for a fact that people have purchased Fords from my dealer over supposedly "better competitors" BECAUSE of the way they were treated! There are many reasons to buy a specific care over another and I don't believe to may people make that decision based on "optitron" gauges. Mark
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Replying to: mschmal (Jan 18, 2007 5:26 am) Actually, it's more Volvo than Ford. 
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When can we expect to see 2008's on the dealer lots? What is the EPA on the 3.5L engine? Does the the 3.5L engine use hydraulic or mechanical lifters? Were any changes made to the rear seat? What is towing capacity with the new engine and tranny? Did Ford put the courtesy lights back in the cabin. |
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Replying to: mschmal (Jan 18, 2007 5:26 am) Judging by the sales numbers, the 500 is somewhat less than competitive. I think the new additions will help, but there was a large missed opportunity with the 500's styling. You may not be able to out Toyota Toyota or out Honda Honda, but you can certainly beat them on styling. The Camry and Accord have never been styling standouts. With so much ground to make up in consumer perception (even though we know Ford's latest efforts have matched the Japanese on quality) the 500 really needs to be a knockout to get people to step out of the Toyota/Honda comfort zone. Part of the reason I run my mouth about this is that I think there's a really good car somewhere in there. The 500 is well built, now has a competitive engine, has amazing rear seat and trunk room, is very safe, etc. But I think by missing the styling boat Ford coughed up a bunch of sales, and the 500 already has somewhat of a stodgy reputation if people know about it at all. Ford seems to be getting incrementally better with each new car launch, hopefully when a major refresh of the 500 comes along it will be restyled from the ground up.
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