2008 Ford Five Hundred

[TheIntrepid]

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.

Ah I see. That sucks for Maxima buyers that the Altima [the smaller, more economical one] is more powerful. Seems like the Altima is pretty good value.

[Vinsanity]

I wonder if/when the Fusion will get this engine

[MX793]

I wonder if/when the Fusion will get this engine

Probably not until the MKZ gets the new 3.7L version that is supposed to be coming along in the next year or two.

[TheIntrepid]

I wonder if/when the Fusion will get this engine

Does the Fusion's 3.0 (221hp) have anything to do with the Ford classic 3.0?

[MX793]

Does the Fusion's 3.0 (221hp) have anything to do with the Ford classic 3.0?

What is the Ford classic 3.0?  The Fusion uses the Duratec30, which is the DOHC V6 found in a whole mess of FoMoCo products (Fords, Mercuries, Lincolns, Mazdas and even a couple of Jaguars) and which came out in the mid-90s.

The only other 3.0 that I know of is the older Vulcan, which is a pushrod motor from the mid 80s that was the base motor in the Taurus and is the mid-level motor in the Ranger and Mazda B-series.

[SVT666]

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.

You have a poster of a Maxima?

[Car Zeus]

Front looks a lot better.

Back looks blah.

Interior is pretty good.

Not bad for a FORD car.

[r0tor]

its extremely 'ing

[Raza]

It looks good.

[93JC]

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

The 2.7 L was never available here.

[Maxxum]

To answer your question in the Focus thread, HEMI666, this is one modern car whose radio can be changed without a lot of difficulty. 

[TheIntrepid]

You have a poster of a Maxima?

Yeah I got them from the Autoshow. I've got about 35 posters in my room... from WRX's to SLR McLaren.

The 2.7 L was never available here.

I didn't think so. Thanks for clarifying Mark.

[SVT666]

I think I'm losing it.

[USA_Idol]

In reference to all the comparisons about Five Hundred vs. Chrysler 300 design:  I think Five Hundred's quietly elegant Audi-esque body design is more attractive than the chubby-box-with-a-squished-roof-and-stumpy-tail Chrysler 300 body design.

Just my 2 cents.   

[SVT666]

I think I'm losing it.

Hold on.  No I'm not.  It may not have been available in the 300, but it was and is available in the Magnum.  So I was half right (at least give me that).

[93JC]

We weren't talking about the Magnum. Or the Charger, in which you can also get the 2.7.

[SVT666]

We weren't talking about the Magnum. Or the Charger, in which you can also get the 2.7.

Buddy, work with me here.  My ego is fragile, just let me be half right will you?

[93JC]

[gasoline]

[USA_Idol]

May I burn in the flames of an exploding Yugo for saying this...but damn if the Five Hundred doesn't look good in those photos!   

[Raghavan]

Wow, the latest pics look very good!

[mazda6er]

"Oh, Buddy Christ, Earl! Look what you did to the tail pipes."



"To hell with that Zeke, it's due on the floor in 5. Finish smoothing out them wood decals."

[AnotherVictim]

This looks much better than it previously did.

When I see it from the back, it almost makes me nervous.

This thing ever going to make it as a Police cruiser?

[Catman]

This looks much better than it previously did.

When I see it from the back, it almost makes me nervous.

This thing ever going to make it as a Police cruiser?

I know Walpole MA uses one for the supervisors car, it's AWD.  Cops don't like FWD cars. 

[AnotherVictim]

I know Walpole MA uses one for the supervisors car, it's AWD.  Cops don't like FWD cars. 

Yeah I noticed. I do see the occasional Impala running around here though. Maybe those guys get the Imps when they're in the Doghouse or something...  :P

I'd ask whether or not cops have feelings on AWD ( 500 offers that right? ) , but I imagine repairs on an awd system would be $$. Or is it that being trained on rwd vehicles and some of its performance advantages the main reason?

[Atomic]

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)

hmm, another sign that mercury may be on it's way out?

[nickdrinkwater]

Is there going to be a new Montego too?

[Catman]

Yeah I noticed. I do see the occasional Impala running around here though. Maybe those guys get the Imps when they're in the Doghouse or something...  :P

I'd ask whether or not cops have feelings on AWD ( 500 offers that right? ) , but I imagine repairs on an awd system would be $$. Or is it that being trained on rwd vehicles and some of its performance advantages the main reason?

Reliability, durabilty and handling.

[Morris Minor]

Grandpa: "Let's get this one, Mildred. The roofline is nice and high, not like these modern cars, perfect for my old Fedora.
Grandma: "Looks good to me, Alfred. See what he'll give us on the Grand Marquis"

[USA_Idol]

Is there going to be a new Montego too?

The updated 2008 Montego is set to debut in February.  I'm guessing that as the Five Hundred was Fusion-ized, the Montego will likely be Milan-ized.