- #2732 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [bigt]
by gregg_vw
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Dec 08, 2008 (1:53 pm)
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Replying to: bigt (Dec 08, 2008 11:31 am)
Yes, it is safe. I've owned 28 vehicles and first models are nothing I shy away from. Car companies no longer "work out the bugs" on hapless consumers. I know cars often used to be that way, but I haven't had a bad experience with a first model since the 1970s, with the exception of a 1991 GM product that was awful.
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- #2733 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [bigt]
by tiger16
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Dec 09, 2008 (4:11 am)
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Replying to: bigt (Dec 08, 2008 11:31 am)
I bought my 06 Zephyr new in February 2006. In terms of durability and reliability, it's simply the best car I've ever owned. I now have 65K miles on it and it has NEVER been in the shop for repair or warranty issues. Only the basic maintenance has been needed.
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- #2734 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [tiger16]
by bigt
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Dec 09, 2008 (7:38 am)
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Replying to: tiger16 (Dec 09, 2008 4:11 am)
Yes, I agree, purchased the 06 Zephyr new, sold it to a friend and purchased an 07 MKZ. She has 50k on her car and I have 25k on my car. The only issue was the Radio had to be replaced in the 06 Zephyr.
I was a little concerned on the Hybrid with all that new technology. I also cannot grasp what is going to be really different between the Fusion and Milan hybrid besides the console screens. Not sure if the extra 5k for the Milan would be worth it. Now 35+ mpg does sound good!
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- #2735 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [bigt]
by akirby
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Dec 09, 2008 (8:07 am)
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Replying to: bigt (Dec 09, 2008 7:38 am)
Where do you see that the Milan is 5K more? If it is then it's probably just a difference in the base trim levels and equipment. Similarly equipped Fusions and Milans should not be more than a few hundred dollars different. Unless something drastically changed.
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- #2736 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [bigt]
by gregg_vw
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Dec 09, 2008 (8:07 am)
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Replying to: bigt (Dec 09, 2008 7:38 am)
I cannot imagine that similarly equipped Fusion and Milan hybrids will not sell for essentially the same amount in the real world.
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- #2737 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [gregg_vw]
by akirby
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Dec 09, 2008 (8:08 am)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Dec 09, 2008 8:07 am)
Beat you by 2 seconds.....
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- #2738 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [akirby]
by gregg_vw
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Dec 09, 2008 (8:17 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Dec 09, 2008 8:08 am)
Yes, well, you are probably younger than me too...
Did you see that autoblog got 43+ mpg in a Fusion Hybrid? I am really considering a Milan Hybrid purchase for fall. See what the economy does first...
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- #2739 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [gregg_vw]
by akirby
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Dec 09, 2008 (8:42 am)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Dec 09, 2008 8:17 am)
Did not see that but it's great news. It's nice to see Ford ahead of the technology curve for a change.
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- #2740 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [akirby]
by gregg_vw
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Dec 09, 2008 (2:23 pm)
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Replying to: akirby (Dec 09, 2008 8:42 am)
It's too bad Ford doesn't have the resources right now to make an MKZ hybrid, by either adding some hp to the Fusion 4 cylinder setup or hybridizing the 3 liter. The only way Lincoln is really going to come back is by providing vehicles that really stand out from the crowd some way. The MKS and MKZ are decent efforts, but so are most of the competitive models out there. For example, the CTS really stands out for Cadillac (in a way the more conservative STS does not), and/or the BMW 3 series does so much so well that it stays on the top of most recommended lists. The next MKZ (after the 2010 re-do) ought to stand out the way the Euro Fords do when compared to the competition (Fiesta and Ka and Focus and Kuga and Mondeo). Caution gets you competent cars like the Taurus/Sable (and MKZ) that do not sell.
On a side note, why is the Impala, one of the top ten sellers now, selling so many times the number of cars as Taurus? The Impala is plain looking, nondescript, though it does offer three engine choices. Some of the difference has to be marketing. Or maybe the Taurus is even way more dowdy than most of us already think! 
I could see myself in a Milan ( a fancified Ford), but not an MKZ. The MKZ needs more attributes from the MKR concept and much less of the shape of the Fusion. Then it will stand out...and sell.
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- #2741 of 2865
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Re: Hybrid [gregg_vw]
by akirby
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Dec 09, 2008 (3:39 pm)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Dec 09, 2008 2:23 pm)
I think a lot of Malibu sales are still fleet. This article says for the 1st quarter of this year Fusion sold 40K retail units and Malibu only 37K. Given the last few months it wouldn't surprise me if Malibu's retail sales were way down and fleet sales back up. Ford appears to have gotten off that wagon and is content to cut back production to meet demand. Finally.....
http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/04/chevrolet-malibu-ford-fusion-pontiac-g6-gain- -traction-in-crucial-c-segment.html
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