Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General AutoWEEK mag: Mercury Div. to get 2005 Mondeo

Not only that, but I'm sure you save some money as well. Delivery charge would be waived, and maybe just maybe tax? Not sure, but I read the details on this somewhere. Everyone recommends it. But you gotta stay for a bit, gotta get through that break-in period before leaving back to the States. Or better yet, stay in Europe.

John

I don't think you save money, since you then just have to pay to have the car transported stateside. The advantage is the experience you get, which I think is a glorious idea.

You may save sales taxes, but I'd think the government would find some way to get those. I know if a car crosses state lines in a sale, they find a way to collect sales taxes at registration.

I still think it's awesome, and I hope the NASDAQ does really good for you, java, and then you can be thinking M5.

You pay sales taxes.

The cost of the car is basically US Invoice.

IIRC, shipping is essentially the same cost as the destination charges, certainly under $1K.

BMW and their dealers like it because the car arrives in the US as a used car, and I guess there are some advantages for them. Dealers like it because a EuroDelivery doesn't cut into their allocation.

Checkout www.eurobuyers.com for a few more details.

TB

I would think of an '05 Mercury Mondeo as a replacement for the current Sable, not a return of the venerable Ford Contour to US shores.

And nevermind current Euro prices. By the time you meet US crash and emissions regulations, price will go up even more, forcing lower content and performance.

I hope I'm wrong, but then again I've given up really caring about this. The Mondeo/Contour that we all fell in love with is no longer produced. The current Mondeo, while a great car in Europe, is bigger, heavier, and more expensive. In the US, where cars are marketed as appliances, expect it to be bigger, heavier, and less cool.

How about a G35 sedan then? According to the latest Car & Driver, it out-accelerates (0-60 in 6.2s, and thats with an automatic - wait till next year for the 6-speed manual!), out-skidpads, and out-brakes the RSX-S reviewed in the same issue. And it does so while being quieter than a Jag S-Type! All this for a starting price of $27k.

Or, if you don't need 4 doors, check out the gorgeous G35 coupe with 275hp and 6-speed manual:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t38657.html

I won't have any problem waiting until 2005 to buy a new car. Just look at the crap that passes the manufacturer's tests these days: Chevy Avalanche, Pontiac Aztec, Isuzu Axiom, The new Camry & Civic (Civic hatch is the worst), The new SUVs are coming with unpainted fenders! WTF.

I would much rather get the Z350 (formerly the Nissan Z Concept) than the infinity. You can't have a luxurious sports car without tons of dead weight. I am happy that they are trying to bring most fot he Skyline over to the US (in the form of the Infiniti Q35 and the Z350)

I am waiting to see a TT vers of the WRX and the newest Lancer Evo. Too bad American's can't handle great cars (Remember the woman who crashed her Audi in her garage in the 1980s cause the gas and the brake were too close together...)

Yah - and if any of the nice cars from overseas come stateside, they will likely end up with an auto tranny (P.S. - the new trannies that imitate manual/sequential are crap too - Porsche/Audi/VW excluded). The only nice auto tranny I've ridden in was the 2002 E55 - and for $85k it better be nice. Anything $50k and under blows donkeys.

I want the SUV crowd and the Motor Manufacturers to start living under Darwin's theory and dieing off when they do stupid shiz. It's easier than ever for a little old woman in a SUV to run over a little toddler without even knowing it and sueing the manufacturer because she couldn't tell the pedals apart.

It's time we as drivers and as people started to fess up and admit that we suck at driving. Maybe if we made all manual cars, we could eliminate the ability to use the cell phone, change the radio station, read the paper, shave, and put on lipstick while we are driving.

That's my 4 cents for today and tomorrow.

mazda 6 looks awesome.

but it has the dreaded clear tail lights!!!!


EDIT: The clear tail lenses will not be avail in the US, thankfully.

also, the 6 will use a 218 HP Duratec V6 with "S-VT" (Sequential Valve Timing)

a 5-door hatch will come in 2003!!!!!! FINALLY!

Actually, the brochures show a Mazda 6 with clear tail lights, but the model I saw at the Auto Show here in Minneapolis had red lenses instead!

Even better, don't you think?

edit: Baco and I think alike... I want a 5-door as well!

I am excited about the new Z but there are a couple of issues that are important to me. Firstly, judging by the pictures the new Z has very similar gauge "pods" and dash styling as the new Altima, which I cannot stand. I realize that this is something I'll have to see for myself in person but right now pictures are all I've got to go buy. And secondly, the Z has no rear seat whereas the G35-C is a 2+2.

As for the weight issue, correct me if I'm wrong, but they are estimating ~3200lbs for the new Z, which is only 200lbs less than the G35 sedan. I am willing to accept a bit more weight as a tradeoff for some luxury and utility. Yes, this old man needs his pampering.

Hopefully Ford has learned from its past and the Mondeo will be undiluted European product instead of the "adjusted for American ride and handling needs" variety... Gee... what am I saying? Ford never learns from its mistake...

Three things I see will need work:

1. The garden variety Mondeo in Europe have Duratec HE 4 banger and 2.5 Duratec V6. The competitive environment in the US will require minimum 3.0 Duratec. That was the mistake Ford made the first time with Contique and Cougar... had they started with 3.0, these cars would have been 100 times better and more competitive. Will Ford learn from the past?

2. The ST 220 sounds ideal for the US market but it's a limited production model. Regular 3.0 Duratec is not used in any European Ford model and is a US only engine so far. The ST220 Mondeo does have 3.0 Duratec but no one knows what has been changed, so may not work for the US. Will Ford spend money to reengineer the Mondeo to have the regular 3.0 Duratec in the US version? European car, American engine... sounds a lot like Mercur XR4Ti... Good idea, bad execution. Will Ford learn from the past?

3. What about the hatchback? If you are going thru the trouble of Federalizing the Mondeo, please bring the wagon and hatchback as well... Ford didn't bring the 5 door Focus when it first started making Focus... then it was surprised when people keep asking for a "4 door" ZX3... Will Ford learn from the past?