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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 97
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Joined: Nov 2001
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I was looking through the July issues of Motor Trend and Car & Driver, and both mentioned Ford bringing out a new car--based on the CrossTrainer SUV, of course--due in '04, same time as the CrossTrainer. Called (for now) the FiveHundred, it's Taurus-sized, Duratec 3.0-powered, and will have either a 6-speed AT or a CVT. They don't say if it's FWD or RWD. But both mags showed pics of it, and OH MY GOD! It's BOOORRRIIIINNNNGGGG!!!!! This retro crap has got to GO!!! It looks good for the T-Bird (which is out of reach of most of us anyway), but this thing tries to look '60s--somehow--and flunks horribly. Of course, I'm peeved that not only is it a car based on a sport-ute, there ain't no STICK! 6-speed MANUALS aren't even in wide circulation yet, and Ford's going to shoehorn a 6-speed AT between cheek and gum?  BTW, the CVT is being sourced by ZF, the same wonderful people who brought us the ATX used in the Eagle Premier (yes, that's the one; the tranny that spits its gears out every 70-100K).
Black/tan early '98 Contour SE Sport; V6, MTX, loaded
Kenwood KDC 316S CD deck; aux. dome light mod; trunk popper spring; resonator bypass; hood strut mod; SVT grille; Continental tires
Mom also has black/tan '98 Mystique LS; V6, ATX, Alpine CD deck
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,847
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I wish they would bring the Fourty Nine to market. That is one sweet looking vehicle. http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=12086
"When I take action, I'm not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be decisive." - President George W. Bush
95 Contour SE ATX V6
"Cracked" Secondaries
DMD Installed
SVT Brakes
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 704
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98.5 SVT Black/Blue
As Thomas Jefferson was fond of saying, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
If you're driving 60 in the left lane do us all a favor, GTFOOTW..
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,899
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Joined: Mar 2001
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The Fourty Nine was badass. Looks even better in person.
Dan Parmelee
1999 Acura Integra SiR-G coupe
"I heard Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms"
"Word, bitch! Phantoms like a muhfuka"
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 417
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Where can I see a pic of this FiveHundred???
99 Ford Contour SE Sport
Manual V6
SVT front/ rear bumper /w Aussie grille
Jet black
Premier DEH-P740MP head unit
matrix display, plays Mp3s!!
800 watt Kenwood amp
2 12" Polk Audio subs
Blue "euro" headlights
Eibach Pro-Kit springs
17" Enkei RS-5
White Indiglow gages
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,087
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I hope Ford just stops producing vehicles...
nah, just kidding...
49 is awesome, seen the concept in person...droooooooooooooooooolllllllll....
This new one though, never heard of it...
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 816
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"Wow, that sank fast." "Yeah, like a rock." 96 Contour GL ATX 9mm Ford Racing Wires; 2 Resonators down, 1 to go;"Special airbox"; many mods planned Sony CD player: 50wattsx4;remote; Speakers=50 watt Pioneer 6x8s Ross Evans 
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,493
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First of all, the 500 isn't meant to be a Contour replacement. It's actaully going to be bigger than the Taurus, almost a full size car. Also, where do you see "retro" looks?
It is NOT "based on an SUV", it is a real car platform, the X-Trainer is a crosss over vehicle, not a truck.
A manual tranny full sized car would never be ordered by dealers. CVT's are supposedly designed to replace all transmissions in the future.
For a mid size car, the next generation Mondeo is coming, but no date has been set. The Mazda 6 is related and has an MTX.
Relying on Motor Trend for car news is like reading the Enquirer for World events. They get "future car news" wrong 75% of the time! :p
2000 SE fleet, V6, ATX, ABS, no spoiler, T-Green/tan. Built 01/2000 in MO.
Added 12 spoke factory SE rims, K&N. Biggest mod: ESP Plan!
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 816
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I have found that Motor Trend gets much of its information correct. Pay attention to the fact that concept cars are just concept cars, and because a magazine features them it doesn't mean they're going to be made. Motor Trend also gets you information sooner than you would ever get it from a manufacturer. Car makers also have a habit of changing plans. I have rarely seen wrong information in Motor Trend. You just need to read it right. Future=not now=not known for sure=be happy with what you get and don't expect anything
"Wow, that sank fast." "Yeah, like a rock." 96 Contour GL ATX 9mm Ford Racing Wires; 2 Resonators down, 1 to go;"Special airbox"; many mods planned Sony CD player: 50wattsx4;remote; Speakers=50 watt Pioneer 6x8s Ross Evans
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,770
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The 500's been discussed a few times here.
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