26th Mar 2007, 07:52

9:35 is just the type of customer Ford wants - one who doesn't do any research.

Sorry, but the health of an auto company is directly relating the vehicles they produce. A company in dire financial straits will cut corners on everything from production to aftersale service.

I have friends that own Fords and the dealerships near them kept closing since no dealer wants a Ford franchise anymore. They have to drive further to a new dealer everytime they want service. They vow to never buy Fords again since they don't even think the company will be around in a few years.

26th Mar 2007, 14:40

I completely agree with what the last reviewer said, how can you insult other vehicles if you do not even know what they are called? But anyway those vehicles that you talk about sure do sell well and do not depreciate as much, the Five Hundred is nothing more than a lame attempt by Ford to entice people to buy a car with a SUV driver's seat. Besides the Five Hundred looks like an oversized Focus, put them side by side if you do not believe me and you will see the striking similarities.

26th Mar 2007, 15:10

Let's see, the big Mercedes has 109 cubic feet of passenger space and a 14 cubic foot trunk, The big Ford has 108.2 and a 21 ft trunk. Hardly much larger and in a different class! That one cubic foot is like a 12 pack of Miller Genuine Draft, which, by the way is what all my German Mercedes driving friends like best.

I don't think reading about cars and research is the answer. Drive them, use them, travel in them and then decide.

This big Ford is really the best of the big sedans in the under $20,000.00 range (real world prices) and I like mine a lot.

As for the rental car thing, Ford purposely did not push the Five Hundred into the rental fleet to help keep value, and I appreciate it.

While I am not trying to say these Fords are clones of the big German cars that cost 4X more. Today a lady in a BMW 7 series, was admiring my Blue Ford and admitted she thought it was German.

If it keeps driving like this, and get 25+mpg, I will be happy and may buy another. If it acts up and starts to give me "ford" problems, I will make them buy it back faster than the Mustang GT can sprint to 60mph.

Can't believe how many people cannot see past the Blue Oval - but this Ford is everybit as nice as more costly cars (as long as you get a good one, which applies to every manufacturer out there.

Today I noticed that the express up and down window is quite handy at the drive through.

26th Mar 2007, 18:41

Hey, I want to clarify, I was not insulting any other car - actually you cannot insult an object. But in sharing my opinions I simply wanted to add some interest.

These other cars are fine machines, and if people own and drive them happily that is great.

What I don't understand is why so much Ford anger is on the site? If you don't like them, simply don't buy them or, if you have a bad one put in the details and facts and let those of us more knowledgeable help you out.

But it appears that a few "rap-sap" type people are trolling this site for the express purpose of trying to put down actual Ford owners as being somehow unaware of the financial conditions of the company or the products.

Look, every modern car company in the world is building cars the way Ford invented the manufacturing process. These products are not really all that different, and while the marketing machine has added many layers and prices levels, the bottom line is - a machine that consumes fuel and takes us to interesting places in style.

And the Ford machines are engineered and build to a better standard than ever. Sure, some are lemons, but that can be dealt with if you use your power as an informed consumer.

As for style, that is personal and I am glad others don't share my feelings and inclinations.

I have owned a model from almost every maker and with the exception of a very early Datsun, they are really all the same.

My latest Ford's are running and operating well and at low costs. This isn't a fashion game, if I wanted a fashion statement I would build my own custom car- and would most likely start with a Mustang frame and mechanicals, like my old Sunbeam Alpine GT did.

If any of the nay sayers here really have bad ford products and experiences then put the facts out and get some help.

Just don't expect that everyone has a bad experience. Not all cars are built on Monday.

26th Mar 2007, 23:51

These Ford Five Hundreds are showing up a lot over at Herts as far as rentals go. That is the only way ford can make money on them.

27th Mar 2007, 08:56

<<Look, every modern car company in the world is building cars the way Ford invented the manufacturing process.>>

No, every modern car company is building cars the way the JAPANESE build cars, using the techniques of American Dr. Deming, techniques REJECTED by Ford, GM, and other American manufacturers.

The assembly lines of today bear little resemblance to the early days of Ford.

27th Mar 2007, 09:04

<<I have owned a model from almost every maker and with the exception of a very early Datsun, they are really all the same.>.

Your validity as a poster went out the door with this comment.

Whether you're pro-domestic or pro-import, ALL will agree that not all cars are the same.

I have owned Chevys, Fords, BMWs, Mercedes, Toyotas, Hondas, Daewoos, Kias, Hyundais, Subarus and EACH car was distinct from the others, even within the same class.

27th Mar 2007, 10:21

No matter how good or bad the Five Hundred is, the reality is it is a failure in sales. Ford is giving away huge discounts to push the remaining stock, and then is renaming the car "Taurus" in hopes people won't notice.

28th Mar 2007, 16:56

I think the idea the people won't notice is all wrong. In fact I think it was really smart for Ford to test the model first as a Five Hundred.

Most likely the primary Down with Ford trolls lurking on this site have not even driven a Five Hundred or the New Mustang.

It must be a very dull life to be writing message without any first hand experience. The re-badging and rental car comments are off point. This is a Car Survey site and it would be nice to hear from people who own them.

One comment to my previous message said "I have friends who have Ford's and they can't get them fixed because the dealers are going out of business". Remember, as Ford goes so does our economy, I like the American products and supporting this company - let's get back on topic and talk about the cars, not the corporation.