IS SYNC A TOTAL WASTE FOR ME?

[Beachboy]

I bought my new 2010 Milan off the dealership lot and wanted a sunroof, so it came bundled with the SYNC option. Since I'm a middle age guy and not into techie toys (I don't use cell phones, Ipods, or downloaded music), I'm wondering in my case if SYNC is a total waste of money and something that will never get utilized? In all honesty, I'd trade SYNC in a heartbeat for the remote start option if I had it to do over again. But is there anything remotely useful about SYNC for those of us that don't use cellphones, Ipods, etc?

Edited September 14, 2010 by Beachboy

[Moosehead]

If you don't use a cellphone or music player... hmm well you can still transfer your CDs of music onto a USB memory key and then you won't have to manipulate the CDs. Of course if you have a CD changer you might not care much.

 

If nothing else, you can get a very basic cell phone plan - just make sure your phone has bluetooth - and Sync will call 911 for you if you crash the car.

 

Sorry I guess this is all I could come up with. It's kind of designed for the stuff you said you wouldn't use.

[DaveM]

Or just maybe you could join the rest of the world and come in out of the cold and get just a tad tech smart. You may just like it.

[Beachboy]

Or just maybe you could join the rest of the world and come in out of the cold and get just a tad tech smart. You may just like it.

 

Sorry, that's never gonna happen. No use for either a cell phone or Ipod. Don't even want or have HD TV.

[akirby]

Sorry, that's never gonna happen. No use for either a cell phone or Ipod. Don't even want or have HD TV.

 

So if you're driving by yourself at night and the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and you don't have a cell phone to call for help - what do you do?

 

Seems to me you'd want one just for emergencies if nothing else. Especially when they're so cheap and easy to get.

 

If you don't listen to recorded music at all in the car then that's understandable.

[Blizzard35]

I bought my new 2010 Milan off the dealership lot and wanted a sunroof, so it came bundled with the SYNC option. Since I'm a middle age guy and not into techie toys (I don't use cell phones, Ipods, or downloaded music), I'm wondering in my case if SYNC is a total waste of money and something that will never get utilized? In all honesty, I'd trade SYNC in a heartbeat for the remote start option if I had it to do over again. But is there anything remotely useful about SYNC for those of us that don't use cellphones, Ipods, etc?

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "middle-age"? I'm 48 and I use all aspects of SYNC. My parents are in their 70's. My Mom drives a Lincoln MKX with SYNC and my father drives a Ford F150-Platinum truck with SYNC. Now, trust me my parents are as "technophobic" as anyone BUT, they love SYNC...they use it for the voice activated Navigation, cell phone calls, and yes they both got ipods for Christmas last year and they love that they can access the music via SYNC. I understand that it's personal preference whether to embrace new technology or not, but look at it this way. If you don't use SYNC and all it's wonderful features, then it will most definitely be an added selling feature when you sell/trade the car in and the lucky person you gets your car will thank you for it! IMO.

[hondaconvert]

I bought my new 2010 Milan off the dealership lot and wanted a sunroof, so it came bundled with the SYNC option. Since I'm a middle age guy and not into techie toys (I don't use cell phones, Ipods, or downloaded music), I'm wondering in my case if SYNC is a total waste of money and something that will never get utilized? In all honesty, I'd trade SYNC in a heartbeat for the remote start option if I had it to do over again. But is there anything remotely useful about SYNC for those of us that don't use cellphones, Ipods, etc?

 

 

You already have Sync, so why not use it? Get a tracfone w/bluetooth, and be safe in an emergency. The phone is cheap (no contracts or monthly fees) and it works. You might find yourself using some of the other features (like FREE traffic, weather, and directions for 3 years).

[Upstream]

If you don't use any of the features that Sync supports, then Sync adds no value to you. My mom is hard of hearing, so she doesn't listen to CDs. The CD player in her car is a waste. So is the radio.

[Beachboy]

So if you're driving by yourself at night and the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and you don't have a cell phone to call for help - what do you do?

 

Seems to me you'd want one just for emergencies if nothing else. Especially when they're so cheap and easy to get.

 

If you don't listen to recorded music at all in the car then that's understandable.

 

I don't drive at night -- period. My poor eyesight limits me to daylight hours only. Even with my landline phone, I receive one phone call a week and I maybe dial out once a month. I use my office phone for 99% of my phone calls. I just don't have the need to communicate with humankind like the youngsters do. I used to carry a Trac Fone for emergencies, but whenever I tried to use it, the battery was dead or the time had expired, so I threw it out. I had something like 2,500 minutes on it, because I had to keep buying the airtime cards every 90 days, but never used any minutes. In my 45 years of driving, I've never broken down on the road -- just lucky I guess.

 

As for SYNC being a selling point when I go to sell the car, I really doubt it. My cars are usually ready for the junkyard when I get rid of them, and the dealer only allowed me $300 trade on my 1999 Mercury I traded in. Doubt if SYNC would have increased its value. From what I read in the SYNC owners manual, it only works for the first three years after the car is purchased anyway.

 

I'm just surprised Ford would include such a complicated, high tech thing like SYNC in a car brand marketed primarily towards senior citizens.

[akirby]

I'm just surprised Ford would include such a complicated, high tech thing like SYNC in a car brand marketed primarily towards senior citizens.

 

Are you sure you're in the right forum? This is the Fusion forum, not the Town Car forum.

 

Given your description yes, Sync would be a TOTAL waste for you.

[drolds1]

I don't drive at night -- period. My poor eyesight limits me to daylight hours only. Even with my landline phone, I receive one phone call a week and I maybe dial out once a month. I use my office phone for 99% of my phone calls. I just don't have the need to communicate with humankind like the youngsters do. I used to carry a Trac Fone for emergencies, but whenever I tried to use it, the battery was dead or the time had expired, so I threw it out. I had something like 2,500 minutes on it, because I had to keep buying the airtime cards every 90 days, but never used any minutes. In my 45 years of driving, I've never broken down on the road -- just lucky I guess.

 

As for SYNC being a selling point when I go to sell the car, I really doubt it. My cars are usually ready for the junkyard when I get rid of them, and the dealer only allowed me $300 trade on my 1999 Mercury I traded in. Doubt if SYNC would have increased its value. From what I read in the SYNC owners manual, it only works for the first three years after the car is purchased anyway.

 

I'm just surprised Ford would include such a complicated, high tech thing like SYNC in a car brand marketed primarily towards senior citizens.

 

You seem to be laboring under a number of misconceptions. Sync is integrated into the electronics of the car. It's not a subscription service that expires or stops working any more than your air conditioning does after three years. I think you're confused with Sirius satellite radio. The two have nothing to do with each other.

 

WRT your statement about being surprised that Ford would include "such a complicated a high-tech thing like Sync in a car brand marketed primarily towards senior citizens," That makes no sense. First of all Ford does not market primarily to senior citizens and Sync has proven to be popular with all age brackets and has helped Ford's sales numbers. Sync may be considered high- tech by you , but it's the opposite of complicated. it's been commended for its ease of use. It's been reported that cars equipped with Sync move off dealer lots twice as fast than those without it.

 

You can't find a use for it? That's fine, but you're in the minority. Don't question what has proved to be a resounding success for Ford and the majority of the car-buying public.

 

In your first post, you said you were a middle- aged guy. Now you say you've been driving for 45 years. So have I and I'm 63. I got my license at 18. So unless you got your license at birth, you're roughly my age.

The US Census lists middle age as including both the age categories 35 to 44 and 45 to 54

So, which do you want to be? You consider yourself middle- aged, but then you question why Ford would include Sync in a car for senior citizens. Which category are you in?

 

Ford the record I and my 60 year-old wife love Sync. Aside from the Bluetooth capabilities, we connect an ipod, listen to music that we downloaded to USB thumb drives and record CDs onto the jukebox. Sync was one of the many Ford/Lincoln features that influenced these two "old farts" to stay with FoMoCo

[FFHdriver]

You seem to be laboring under a number of misconceptions. Sync is integrated into the electronics of the car. It's not a subscription service that expires or stops working any more than your air conditioning does after three years. I think you're confused with Sirius satellite radio. The two have nothing to do with each other.

 

WRT your statement about being surprised that Ford would include "such a complicated a high-tech thing like Sync in a car brand marketed primarily towards senior citizens," That makes no sense. First of all Ford does not market primarily to senior citizens and Sync has proven to be popular with all age brackets and has helped Ford's sales numbers. Sync may be considered high- tech by you , but it's the opposite of complicated. it's been commended for its ease of use. It's been reported that cars equipped with Sync move off dealer lots twice as fast than those without it.

 

You can't find a use for it? That's fine, but you're in the minority. Don't question what has proved to be a resounding success for Ford and the majority of the car-buying public.

 

In your first post, you said you were a middle- aged guy. Now you say you've been driving for 45 years. So have I and I'm 63. I got my license at 18. So unless you got your license at birth, you're roughly my age. So, which do you want to be? You consider yourself middle- aged, but then you question why Ford would include Sync in a car for senior citizens. Which category are you in?

 

Ford the record I and my 60 year-old wife love Sync. Aside from the Bluetooth capabilities, we connect an ipod, listen to music that we downloaded to USB thumb drives and record CDs onto the jukebox. Sync was one of the many Ford/Lincoln features that influenced these two "old farts" to stay with FoMoCo

IIRC you do start paying for Sync after three years. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[drolds1]

IIRC you do start paying for Sync after three years. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Only for Sync Services, for which you need a cell phone: a device the OP doesn't own. So it's a moot point for him.

 

Is there a monthly fee to use SYNC?

There are no monthly fees to use SYNC's hands-free features, 911 Assist, and Vehicle Health Report, aside from the regular fees you already pay your wireless phone provider for your particular calling plan.

 

SYNC's Traffic, Directions and Information service is available as a complimentary 3-year subscription* for owners of new vehicles equipped with the service.

 

Renewal subscriptions and subscriptions for second owners, or owners who wish to add an additional phone to the service cost $60/year.

 

*Message and Data Rates May Apply.

[Beachboy]

Well, thanks for the suggestions. This whole SYNC thing is bugging me to death and it drives me up a wall having options that won't work for me. That, coupled with a couple of other major concerns with the car, are prompting me towards looking into trading it for something else. Thanks anyway for the help.

[Upstream]

Well, thanks for the suggestions. This whole SYNC thing is bugging me to death and it drives me up a wall having options that won't work for me. That, coupled with a couple of other major concerns with the car, are prompting me towards looking into trading it for something else. Thanks anyway for the help.

 

 

Suggesstions? What suggestions?

 

If you have no use for Sync features, then you have no use for them. Just like my hard-of-hearing mom has no use for a CD player or radio. I suppose she could be "driven up the wall" having features she doesn't use. But she isn't bothered by the radio. She just doesn't use it.

 

If you have no reason to use Sync, then just don't use it. What's the big deal?

[Beachboy]

Suggesstions? What suggestions?

 

If you have no use for Sync features, then you have no use for them. Just like my hard-of-hearing mom has no use for a CD player or radio. I suppose she could be "driven up the wall" having features she doesn't use. But she isn't bothered by the radio. She just doesn't use it.

 

If you have no reason to use Sync, then just don't use it. What's the big deal?

 

For me, its a "big deal" having to pay the $400 for SYNC only to find out it won't do a thing for me. When I bought the car, the salesman assured me it worked just like ONSTAR does in my wife's Buick LaCrosse. I wanted a "stand alone" type device like ONSTAR that doesn't require a cell phone or ipod to be useful. I wish car manufacturers would go back to the days of "ala carte" options rather than the packages that bundle multiple items together. Anybody know why Mercury forces you to buy SYNC if you want a sunroof, while with a Ford Fusion, they bundle the upgraded sound system with the sunroof? I would have greatly preferred to have the Sony upgraded stereo, since going to an aftermarket stereo appears to be impossible considering how integrated the radio is into these cars.

[akirby]

For me, its a "big deal" having to pay the $400 for SYNC only to find out it won't do a thing for me. When I bought the car, the salesman assured me it worked just like ONSTAR does in my wife's Buick LaCrosse. I wanted a "stand alone" type device like ONSTAR that doesn't require a cell phone or ipod to be useful. I wish car manufacturers would go back to the days of "ala carte" options rather than the packages that bundle multiple items together. Anybody know why Mercury forces you to buy SYNC if you want a sunroof, while with a Ford Fusion, they bundle the upgraded sound system with the sunroof? I would have greatly preferred to have the Sony upgraded stereo, since going to an aftermarket stereo appears to be impossible considering how integrated the radio is into these cars.

 

You do understand that ONSTAR includes a built in cell phone in the vehicle and you have to pay a subscription fee. So you need a cellphone either way, but with Sync you can use any cell phone and switch it out anytime you want at no additional fee for vehicle use. Just get a cheap, free cell phone on a limited plan and keep it on a charger in the car. Now you're just like on-star.........

[jazztrumpet216]

For me, its a "big deal" having to pay the $400 for SYNC only to find out it won't do a thing for me

 

But... you already paid it. You think you're going to get that $400 back on a trade? I don't think so, it doesn't work like that.

[timwil56]

You must have really wanted that sun roof to put up with having to purchase a SYNC system along with it. If it makes you feel any better think of the sun roof costing $400.

 

If a SYNC system is never used, does it still exist?