2008 Ford Five Hundred

[USA_Idol]

The Good:
1.? 3.5L Duratec V-6.?
2.? The new face is more distinctive than the old.
3.? Side "vents" are more tasteful than the ones on the new Focus.
4.? It's way better-looking than the similarly-priced Impala.

The Bad:
1.? Cabin is still a little too bland.
2.? It didn't actually need those side vents.
3.? The new "wood" actually looks more artificial than before.

[SaltyDog]

Have you seen the latest Accord and Camrys? Styling has NOTHING to with those high sales numbers. The fundamentals are what matter to midsize mainstream buyers (other than perceived reputation for quality) and the Five Hundred is much improved there (thanks to the 3.5).

I was pretty much alluding to GM's situation in the late 90s, paticularly the statment "It's not as cost effective to fix the things you're complaining about."  But maybe I took it out of context.

[TBR]

Styling shouldn't be a major priority here. If they can make it look fresh without spending much then that is definitely a good thing. I would certainly rather have the development dollars go to the mechanicals.

[SVT666]

Hmmm.  I don't know what it is, but I'm not liking it so much anymore.  I feel pretty indiferent to it.  Although, if I was looking for a full size sedan, I would definitely look at one.

[El Barto]

I don't like the chrome front grill, it doesn't appeal to me on the Fusion of new Focus either.  The side vents don't look bad, but they seem out of place on this car.  The interior looks like it was lifted right out of the Montego.  The only major changes were in the front end design, everything else they changed looks like it came right off the Montego.  Overall I like the changes they've made (except for the grill, hopefully the Merc doesn't get it)

[MX793]

I don't like the chrome front grill, it doesn't appeal to me on the Fusion of new Focus either.  The side vents don't look bad, but they seem out of place on this car.  The interior looks like it was lifted right out of the Montego.  The only major changes were in the front end design, everything else they changed looks like it came right off the Montego.  Overall I like the changes they've made (except for the grill, hopefully the Merc doesn't get it)

Apparently Ford's cutting costs by making even fewer visual distinctions between Mercs and Fords.  Kinda makes you question how long Mercury will be around when it comes to the point where the only difference is literally the badge.

[USA_Idol]

Apparently Ford's cutting costs by making even fewer visual distinctions between Mercs and Fords.? Kinda makes you question how long Mercury will be around when it comes to the point where the only difference is literally the badge.

I would like to see Mercury be a bridge between inexpensive Ford and super-luxury Lincoln.  But that would require a significant and costly overhaul of both Mercury AND Lincoln.  Ford just doesn't have the cash to do that.  So, unfortunately, the demise of Mercury is more likely than a complete rejuvenation of the brand.

Then again, stranger things have happened...
 

[omicron]

Do you know how much I would like a Five Hundred AWD Turbo? Give me quad exhausts at the rear, the 4.0 litre turbo six from the Falcon, the ZF 6-speed automatic, and a black dash over beige leather, and suddenly this car becomes one hell of a desirable vehicle.

[ChrisV]

Why in a the day of electronic do dads with the time on the face of everything did this car need a 80's style clock on the dash?  YUK- who are they putting that on there for?  The console really looked nice until I noticed that hanging above it - and I like the wood - it amost looks real.

And I'm just the opposite. The analog clock doesn't look like a 50 cent digital bought at the discount store. Why do you think high end watches aren't LED digitals? Gives it an air of class.

I love the redesign, the grillework, etc. Classy alternative to Camcords.

[SJ_GTI]

Hm, I like it, though it isn't too much of a change. Its still a little on the bland side, but classy nonetheless.

What is its competition really? I would think:

Avalon
300C
Maxima?
Impala

I think I would take a 500 AWD w/ the 3.5L over all of those.

[TheIntrepid]

300C

I think I would take a 500 AWD w/ the 3.5L over all of those.

Really? Over the legendary Hemi MDS and the street presence of a Roller?

[SVT666]

I would take the 300C first and then the Five Hundred out of that group.

[SJ_GTI]

Really? Over the legendary Hemi MDS and the street presence of a Roller?

The 300C with the Hemi would be much more expensive (over 30k I believe). I was thinking more in terms of the 300C with the 3.5L V6.

[omicron]

The 300C with the Hemi would be much more expensive (over 30k I believe). I was thinking more in terms of the 300C with the 3.5L V6.

I'd take a 500 AWD over a 300 V6, too.

[Raghavan]

Well, the full on front view looks great, but from other angles, it looks ugly, and those chrome wheels are very cheap looking.

[S204STi]

They managed not to ruin it like they did the Focus.

[TheIntrepid]

The 300C with the Hemi would be much more expensive (over 30k I believe). I was thinking more in terms of the 300C with the 3.5L V6.

Ah, then you don't mean 300C, you mean 300 (Touring or Limited). C means Hemi .



If we're comparing these then, here is my revised order

1) Nissan Maxima 3.5SE
2) Ford Five Hundred Limited AWD 3.5
3) Chrysler 300 Limited 3.5
4) Chev Impala 3.5

[omicron]

Interestingly, the whole range is called 300C in Australia - 300C V6, 300C diesel, and 300C V8.

[TheIntrepid]

Interestingly, the whole range is called 300C in Australia - 300C V6, 300C diesel, and 300C V8.

Here it's 300, 300 Touring, 300 Limited, 300C, SRT-8.

I think in the US there is a 2.7L V6 190hp offered... but in Canada it's just 3.5L 250hp, 5.7L 340hp, and 6.1L 425hp.

[omicron]

Here it's 300, 300 Touring, 300 Limited, 300C, SRT-8.

I think in the US there is a 2.7L V6 190hp offered... but in Canada it's just 3.5L 250hp, 5.7L 340hp, and 6.1L 425hp.

We get the Canadian line-up, plus the diesel.

[TheIntrepid]

I see. Why do you guys think the Five Hundred triumphs the Maxima? I think the 3.5 270hp and the CVT plus the Nissan reliability rep puts the Maxima in first.

[omicron]

I see. Why do you guys think the Five Hundred triumphs the Maxima? I think the 3.5 270hp and the CVT plus the Nissan reliability rep puts the Maxima in first.

Well, I'd take a 500 over an equivalent 300, but our Maxima is quite different to yours.

[nickdrinkwater]

Interestingly, the whole range is called 300C in Australia - 300C V6, 300C diesel, and 300C V8.

300C here too.  Sounds better than just '300'.

The AU/NZ Maxima is sold in Japan as the Teana (sp?) IIRC.

[omicron]

300C here too. Sounds better than just '300'.

The AU/NZ Maxima is sold in Japan as the Teana (sp?) IIRC.

Yes, I think so too. The interior is probably better than the 500, but I wouldn't have a clue how they drive in comparison to each other.

[SVT666]

Here it's 300, 300 Touring, 300 Limited, 300C, SRT-8.

I think in the US there is a 2.7L V6 190hp offered... but in Canada it's just 3.5L 250hp, 5.7L 340hp, and 6.1L 425hp.

The 2.7L used to be available here, but they dropped it.

[SJ_GTI]

I see. Why do you guys think the Five Hundred triumphs the Maxima? I think the 3.5 270hp and the CVT plus the Nissan reliability rep puts the Maxima in first.

For me its looks + AWD. The 500 is not a beauty queen, but I don't like the Maxima much at all.

[Vinsanity]

glad the car finally got the better engine, but I'd definitely still take a Maxima and then a 300 Touring over it

[MX793]

I see. Why do you guys think the Five Hundred triumphs the Maxima? I think the 3.5 270hp and the CVT plus the Nissan reliability rep puts the Maxima in first.

The Maxima is only 255 hp.  The Ford 3.5 is 265 hp.  Ford offers a CVT in the current 500 and they may continue to offer it after the refresh.

[TheIntrepid]

The Maxima is only 255 hp. The Ford 3.5 is 265 hp. Ford offers a CVT in the current 500 and they may continue to offer it after the refresh.

I have a poster on my wall that says "THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA...265 HORSEPOWER etc." The VQ in the Altima has been boosted to 270hp with the 2007 facelift so I presume at least 270 for the Maxima as well.

[MX793]

I have a poster on my wall that says "THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA...265 HORSEPOWER etc." The VQ in the Altima has been boosted to 270hp with the 2007 facelift so I presume at least 270 for the Maxima as well.

The Maxima did not get the same power boost that the Altima got (making the Altima the more powerful car, oddly enough).  The '05 Max was rated at 265 hp, but horsepower ratings dropped a bit as Nissan moved to the updated SAE ratings, so the 265 hp motor was re-rated at 255.