Does anyone know anything about the Ford 500? I like the AWD and the look, and I really am trying to buy American.
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Mithrandir
One word about the 500: BORING. But, hey, if you want the best Buick Ford can build, then go ahead. ;-) Read Car and Driver reviews/previews:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9139&page_number=1
And
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=8533&page_number=1
For your $30K, you’d be better off in a Chrysler 300C w/ the 3.5L V6 (The Hemi starts @ $32K). The MB lineage actually makes it a better vehicle (it rides on the old E-class platform). Solid reliability – not known with the new 500 platform. It’s also available with AWD.
Don
Ford makes much of the 500’s “command seating” which is supposed to be more SUV in height than a regular sedan to allow a better view of the road along with ease of entry/exit. It’s actually a pretty sweet car.
Dave Straub
To me, the 500 looks like a warmed-over late-model VW Passat.
JKC
It’s a bit underpowered, if you care about such things. Power’s not an issue in day-to-day driving.* It’s also built on a Volvo platform, if that influences your thinking. All in all, not a bad car, if not as much fun as a Mustang.
* My wife owns a Freestyle, so I base this on personal experience, FWIW.
John Cole
For the record, I am a boring Buick kind of guy. I would buy a LeSabre if the milage werre better.
Angry Rationalist
Watch out. Drive a Ford, and you are supporting the homosexual agenda!
caleb
Found
On
Road
Dead
ppgaz
I have bought an average of one new Ford every two years since 1988. So at least I have some experience to puff up my claims ;-)
The Ford 500 is an excellent car. The Freestyle version (essentially a crossover, or if you prefer, a Ford 500 wagon) is even better. These cars are much bigger than they look in pictures; walk up to it and get in and you will be surprised at how huge they are inside. These are big-ass cars. The Freestyle has more interior space than the Explorer.
The Freestyle has the easiest seat-fold I’ve ever seen in a utility vehicle, so when you have to transition the back end from people to gear, it’s something your little missus can do with ease.
My wife really likes the slightly high seating position, but not enough for me to get the Freestyle and replace her current Ford ride. From the back of the second seat forward, the two vehicles are almost identical. Freestyle has a more modern look in the sheet metal, whereas the 500 looks to me like Aunt Nelly’s Car. Boring, like a Buick.
In 17 years of driving new Fords, I have had exactly one mechanical problem that required more than one visit to the service department; an airconditioning fitting in my 1992 Explorer that leaked. Covered under warranty and cost me nothing.
I’ve driven these vehicles literally from coast to coast and I drive hard … too fast, too much brake, hard cornering. I’m always in a hurry. The cars don’t break for me. I change the oil and do the recommended service and that’s about it.
Ford is pushing incentives to move iron right now, so I’d imagine that you could get a very good deal on these vehicles.
Mike
Just how many plants and employees does Ford still have in the US? Didn’t they move most of their manufacturing to Mexico? Toyota has many plants around the nation. I say buy a Toyota and you’ll be supporting many more working Americans. Global economy, remember?
Jay
John, the next car I am going to buy is a Ford 500. I don’t like first year model cars because it takes a year for them to get the kinks out.
That being said, I stand 6’2″. I got into a 500, set the drivers seat to my comfort level. I then climbed in the back and still had enough leg room to stretch out a little. Very roomy.
The Chysler 300 is a nice car, but isn’t the base price $30K? You can get the limited edition 500 with all the options for under 30K.
It’s a nice car. Ford did good.
I’m not one of those Ford vs. Chevy vs. Foreign people. I just want a car that is going to take me where I want to go and Ford does a good job. I own a Taurus and a Windstar and love both of them.
I also owned a Mercury Tracer for about 7 years. When we got it, it had 33K miles. When we sold it, it had 165K on it and the engine still ran great.
ppgaz
This is from
http://www.conway.com/ssinsider/bbdeal/bd031201.htm
regarding Ford’s operations in Mexico.
“The Hermosillo plant has a reputation as a high-quality, efficient facility, and with the addition of Futura, it will be a leader in flexible manufacturing and supplier innovation,” Scheele said of the Mexican plant’s selection for the project.
Opened in 1986, the northwestern Mexican operation has won a number of honors, including Ford’s President’s Global Quality Award in 2002 and the automaker’s Global Health and Safety Award in 2001.
“We have a great work force at Hermosillo,” said Ford Mexico President and CEO Marcos de Oliveira. “We are honored to be entrusted with building the Ford Futura.”
Project Ups Ford’s Paltry Mexican Production
Ford, too, is surely glad to see more building at the Mexican plant. Many auto industry analysts see the Hermosillo operation as significantly underutilized. The plant, which makes the Focus ZX3, ZX5 and SVT, in 2002 produced only 120,388 vehicles, most exported to the U.S. and Canada.
Similarly, Ford’s output from its two Mexican assembly operations has sagged dramatically during the economic downturn. Ford Mexico officials expect that the company will produce some 150,000 vehicles in the country this year. That marks a considerable drop-off from 185,874 units from 2002 – and an even sharper slump from the century’s first few years. Ford’s Mexican production totaled 280,585 units in 2000 and 239,690 units in 2001.
Mark
Mike is right – buy an Asian car made in a glorious southern state!
Maybe even a BMW courtesy of the fine folks of South Carolina :-)
Dave Ruddell
What happened to the Subaru?
Mithrandir
If you want a “Driver’s” comparison (as opposed to a “Consumer’s”), the latest issue of Car and Driver (July ’05) just came today with a comparison of $30K sedans. I’ll play spoiler, but pick it up if you want to read the pros/cons of each:
1. Toyota Avalon Touring Sedan
2. Chrysler 300 Touring
3. Nissan Maxima 3.5SE
4. Ford 500 Limited
5. Buick Lacrosse CXS
6. Kia Amanti
The comparison point was $30K; all cars came equipped priced below, except the Buick @$32K. The Ford has ONLY ONE engine choice, a paltry 203hp unit (only the Kia had 3hp less, the others had 40+ more). The Toyota has the best mileage numbers, too, with the most hp. (Ford a close 2nd.) All cars around 19/27 EPA city/highway.
I won’t babble on – pick up the July issue (it’s got the red Shelby GT500 on the cover) and use it as fodder for your decision. :)