Rodeo

DRL's should be mandatory here in the States I feel. They do help tremendously but they also need to tie in tail light too. Here in NJ it's a law that if your wipers are on (raining) then you must put your headlights on too. I cant tell you how many people drive around at highway speeds in downpours with no light on at all. Certainly, you don't want to be behind one of them because you just can't see them. Too many people riding around with zero common sense. But then too there's a fair amount of vehicles that do have DRL's and while that's great from the front of their car, you still cannot see the rear of it. Following one yields the same results and you have to either pass, change lanes or fall back. I really think that DRL's add greatly to Safety and by adding tail lights to that, would be even better. I do feel there should be an option to shut off the DRLs though, just as there is often an option to deactivate the auto headlights too. I myself like to make my own judgements and choices when it comes to lighting and I like to run my parking lights in combo with driving or fog lights (before headlights are really needed to see the road.) However there are just too many drivers who are seemingly brain-dead behind the wheel and do not care about being visible to others. This is also evident as evening approaches too and some people don't activate any lights until its almost completely dark. I say make the DRL's standard but do add some tail light to it as well.

I would have replied "No, but if you wouldn't mind I'd still like to see your socket!":hysterical2:

Here's a picture of the grey to help you decide. I would go with the grey over silver although I myself (IF I order a Fusion) will definitely go with Black w/ Black interior. I really dislike the two and three toned interiors but that's just me... Anyway, I think the grey definitely looks better then silver and the difference in heat retention between the two colors is probably negligible. - Here's an interestng article about colored cars and heat: http://www.tom-morrow-land.com/tests/cartemp/index.htm It demonstrates that while the painted surfaces themselves vary greatly by color, the glass and interiors showed a much lesser difference.

I'll betcha' CHINA could "ramp up quickly" send them over here by the boat load in short order. I've heard the excuse of a battery shortage for the past year if not longer. Personally, I don't buy that bunk. I think the delay is intentional. Heck, if we got into (yet another) WAR somewhere we'd be able to whip up some new armor and ships right? I think there's more behind this then you and many others are willing to acknowledge or even think about. It's like you need to know GOD in order to get a Hybrid in any reasonable time. Forget test driving one or seeing one at a dealer. Heck, that might scare up even more interest and business and god forbid that happens. It's Big Oil and Politicians married to the Car Companies, err' rather OWNING the Car Companies one way or another. Give me a gas guzzler and I'll shut up and get off my soapbox.

Just out of curiosity, what is the problem in ordering Hybrids? Doesn't FORD want to sell them? Are they intentionally keeping production low? Why can't they build them faster and get a few on the dealer lots as available? Sounds just like the gas shortage problems that were fabricated for someone's $$Political benefit. Can't we mass produce the car / battery? I haven't been following the hybrid situation so please enlighten me. Imagine how many Hybrids would have sold under the "Clunker" program if they were available. Thats the problem in this Country, we STILL have not made this technology "readily" available to everyone. If they ramp up and build them, they will become common on the streets. I don't think the Car Companies nor the Oil Companies and Politicians really want that to happen. They're all going to go "kicking and screaming" and drag this out another decade.

Most fairly new cars have a 9 volt battery plug to place a simple 9 volt radio battery to maintain your settings while you replace a battery. It can be placed into any interior cigar or accy plug port.

is your V6 the 3.5 or the 3.0? Looking to ask a few questions about the 3.0 with AWD

Well then is it "dishwasher" safe?? :hysterical2:

Ah Yes, I can envision that scenario and can relate to it too. Good point! That's certainly one of the reasons they have a button to allow you to turn it "off."

I would have thought that the "Traction Control" would be helpful in a slippery situation, no? Anyway, this car for me will be a leased Company Car but one that I end up owning for next to nothing at the end of the lease. So, I will be throwing some 'upgrade" money at it up front knowing I will end up owning it for no cost except income tax on the book value. But the car will be between 3 and 4 years old at that point and maybe AWD will be expensive to maintain in those later years, especially after it's mine to keep. Snow tires on all four corners (while it works good) is not really an option for me because I'd have to shell out of pocket to do that, (which I am at my limit just up front upgrading the car.) I figure that even with my current 4WD Ford Escape that I am using FWD about 90+% of the time and I am a very capable driver anyway. For sake of cheaper long term maintenance and better fuel economy (plus knowing how little the AWD is actually used) I am thinking seriously that FWD will be good enough for me and that allows me to spend the coin on the NAV system which I would also like to get in the car. I am resigned that should I choose the new Taurus instead that it will be a FWD version, so why not the Fusion too I say. I have allot to consider and think about. I know some guys up in New England who drive 500s / Tauruses for Co Cars year round and they are all FWD. One guy does use studded snow tires on 4 corners for winter but the others just use the standard tires on the car and they all seem to get along just fine through winter. Of course, their drives are more "daily" commutes around whereas my trips are generally 2-3 days up and back and it's easier to get caught out in bad weather.

I guess I'm getting old because I remember as a youngster when it used to stand for "Fix Or Repair Daily" Back then, it wasn't so much of a joke but today it certainly is as I myself am impressed with FORD in the past few years. My 07 escape is / was one of the best vehicles I have owned, dependable and solid with exception of being fairly noisy in the cabin due to tires and lack of cabin insulation. Plus there's NO lumbar adjustment and my back knows it after a 300-400 mile ride. (That's what I want to get away from!)

Thanks for the experience and opinion. Whatever I decide on I will be ordering it from scratch, so it's not a matter of 'finding" it on a lot somewhere. If I get the Fusion Sport, I will get the elecrtronics package to include BLIS, Back up camera and back up alarm. If I get the FWD then I will definitely get the NAV too. I'm thinking that because of where I drive (up northeast) that maybe I really should get the AWD as a priority, even if I have to forgo the NAV. But I'm glad to hear from current owners and their experience with the car. What State do you live in? I'm in NJ but as I said do travel the snow belt in winter (year round).

Yea I know and that's how I'm looking at it too. The Taurus will be a bit more refined and comfy, plus I really like the new styling of the 10 Taurus better then the FF. But the Fusion has some things going for it too, small things like I saw a youtube video made by a Dealer and he flipped the front passenger seat flat forward and suggested you could use that for a laptop computer (I liked that) and dollar for dollar, I can get "more car" in the Fusion with more options. I've got time to decide but do like to gather all the info. Sorry for getting off topic here.

If you get the stripe, please post some pics of it after its on the car. Congrats by the way! I'm thinking of a Black on Black Sport.

I know on the 3.5 it has a belt driven power steering pump. The other engines do not have that system but have electric power steering instead. That's one of the reasons I really want the 3.5 for the better steering feedback. I don't have a clue whats on the hybrid though.

Reminds me of my new Buick Regal years back. Car didn't have 100 miles on the ODO and the morning after getting it I was entering a highway at the end of the ramp when a tractor trailer shed a tire and all that steel embedded heavy rubber shrapnel flew across all the lanes and under my brand new car. It damaged the front bumper cover and ripped out the exhaust, catalytic converter and muffler in a flash. Car was drivable but sounded like a bomb. Stuff happens. Dont worry, yours can also be fixed too.

I agree, the "Garmin Girl" just doesn't shut up at times... Sheesh! Having the feet count down sounds like a good feature as I've been in the Boston area a few times and missed turns because the garmin was too slow to prompt me. It's gonna be a tough choice, I can see that coming now...

I value your opinion. I heard that in Canada the Sport 3.5 is only available with AWD and that led me to further believe that the 3.5 was spinning the front wheels too much. It's a question I will have months to ponder and should I choose the Taurus, that will be a FWD car for sure. I'd really like to have both features but then again I'd also like the slightly better fuel economy of the FWD version too. "Decisions- decisions" I do travel the Notheast to Buffalo, NY, upstate NY, New England at all times of year so the AWD would not be wasted yet I am a very capable driver and with a heavy motor over the top of FWD wheels, should manage ok. The NAV screen would also be useful (in place of a portable GPS unit, but am tired of those dangling power cords and having to hide the unit from possible theft too.) I guess the AWD question will come down to another "test drive" when I find a Sport with FWD to try out. I really would prefer the 3.5 over the 3.0, although that could be an option for me too. Anyway, thanks for your great first hand input. I really think that the benefit of AWD will prove to be quite useful at times and while the NAV could also, I could still have NAV via a portable less expensive unit (such as the great one I currently own.) Maybe the prices will be less and I can get both as we get "supplier" prices, although I don't know what the plan is called as I am locked into it. Certanly it has got to be better prices then as shown on the "build it" web program Ford has. With a little luck, maybe I can get both options.

I have to admit, the molding looks pretty good and almost looks like a factory piece, not aftermarket (or worse, after-thought.) I'm not sure I'd put it on a "Sport" but it will serve a purpose and could save you some "dings." Nice job and thanks for sharing!

I'm not talking about snow etc, just every day driving. I've read several web reviews that state the car is overpowered for FWD (3.5 Sport) and almost requires AWD. The reviews all applaud the AWD in the car though and I know it's advantages too but that's not my question. I'd like to hear from those that own and drive a Sport and don't have AWD in them. What's your experience and opinions? In hindsight would you now have purchased the AWD version? Or are you happy and content driving the car without AWD? I myself would like to buy AWD but then again I'd also really like to have the NAV screen too and I don't think I will go for both. (I have to draw the line somewhere.) Appreciate responses, Thanks! (I'm really 50/50 between the FF and Taurus and in the Taurus I can't afford AWD or the NAV.)

mlwavernr, On your NAV system, is the brighness adjustable? Does the background change from white to black at night? Does it say street names or only generic turn by turn (turn left etc.) I'm still thinking about getting the NAV.

I think it's "chopstix" set to a bunch of actors lying through their teeth. Check the kidde section when you go looking for it at the music store or on itunes. It comes with a free kazoo and pixie stick too.

Excellent point plus a real possibility, and I agree it's unusual for brand new tires of the correct size and type to be THAT noisy.

I agree fully with BBF, Firestone by far is not your best choice and besides, brand new tires should be very very quiet and only get worse with wear. Tires are expensive today, we know but buying on price alone could lead to great disappointments. I myself would stick to either Michelin or Goodyears and then aim for the better or best high quality at that. Glad you're on the way to getting this answered and rectified too. Don't rule out a bent rim though and ask all who drove your car if they ever remember hitting anything. You could swap out each tire as you suggested but I am inclined to believe it is (the problem) associated with all four wheels, ala Firestone.

Would you be interested in buying a bridge my friend? And a sky crane to go with it?? Seriously, is this your first ever new car purchase? Manager's cars ARE ALL demo vehicles. Oil changes every other week?? Do you honestly believe that? You're lucky if it's had any. But, good luck with it. :happy feet: