Ford 500 - CEG Archives

Originally posted by ContourKev:
WTF!!!! Why does ford need to replace good cars?? Focus replaced Escort, I think escorts were better. Maybe this futura needs to be looked at before I judge it...

Here is a concept drawing:

Originally posted by Nighthawk:

Originally posted by ContourKev:
WTF!!!! Why does ford need to replace good cars?? Focus replaced Escort, I think escorts were better. Maybe this futura needs to be looked at before I judge it...

Here is a concept drawing:

I have to say, that despite the fact that some people like the Escort, the Focus still seems to be well liked by the people who review the car (the "experts"). Despite the fact that the Taurus may be a nice car, if the (still-to-be-named) Futura is the improvement it should be, maybe Ford can finally compete along with the 500 in the mid-sized market, where it is getting completely whipped by Honda and Toyota, which currently make superior products. I love my Contour, but if it hadn't been given to me, I never would have thought to look toward Ford for a car.

Besides, it looks like Ford is finally getting back on its styling feet and establishing a brand identity, which is nice to see, considering it's had one in Europe for ages.

1. The new 500 is a full sized car, bigger than Contours, about Avalon sized. All new and no relation to Mondeos. It's coming in 6 months.
2. For the 500th time,

the new CD338 car, formerly know as 'Futura', is coming in a year. It is Mazda 6 based and again, no relation to the Mondeo.
3. The Mondeo that most of CEG has been longing for is on its way out in Europe, so quit asking "When is it coming to the US??" and "Why..?"
4. "Escort was better than the Focus"???? Hardly, it was slow, boring, and did I mention slow?
5. "Taurus is one of Ford's good cars" ????? It is ready for the graveyard. Been virtually the same since 1986.
6, Finally, the 2000 model year was the last of the Con-tiques. And only the Contour SE was "fleet only". There were SVT's, SE Sports, and Mystiques available at dealers that year.

i saw the ford 500 in person at the New York auto show and its definetly bigger then the contour, im pretty sure its even bigger then the taurus. looked a little plain like most ford sedan's

Well, i woulda never bought a contour if i got it for cheap, now id pay more for a Contour, I love Contours now! Tho... I WISH ford would bring it back to production... Or at least give us Mondeos!!!

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
1. The new 500 is a full sized car, bigger than Contours, about Avalon sized. All new and no relation to Mondeos. It's coming in 6 months.
2. For the 500th time, the new CD338 car, formerly know as 'Futura', is coming in a year. It is Mazda 6 based and again, no relation to the Mondeo.
3. The Mondeo that most of CEG has been longing for is on its way out in Europe, so quit asking "When is it coming to the US??" and "Why..?"
4. "Escort was better than the Focus"???? Hardly, it was slow, boring, and did I mention slow?
5. "Taurus is one of Ford's good cars" ????? It is ready for the graveyard. Been virtually the same since 1986.
6, Finally, the 2000 model year was the last of the Con-tiques. And only the Contour SE was "fleet only". There were SVT's, SE Sports, and Mystiques available at dealers that year.

GRR!

Beat me to it!

#6 though, my 2000 SE was not a fleet vehicle. It's not a sport, just another ATX v6.

I also saw a 500 a couple weeks ago, and it is way bigger than my 2000 Contour and even dwarfs my mom's 2000 Taurus.

I read an aticle in the past weeks Houston Chronicle auto section about the 500. It is inbetween the size of the Taurus and the Crown Vic on the outside, nearly Crown Vic size on the inside, and a trunk the same size as the Town Car with a weight of about 5500 pounds. This article listed the 3.0L Duratec as the only engine for the car. That didn't seem right to offer a car of this weight with the 3.0 as the only engine, offering the 3.5 as an option makes more sense, but then again, it is Ford.

k, so the 500 is bigger than it looks...

btw, the new Mondeo (2001 or whatever +) is way bigger than the old mondeo/contour/mystique; well, maybe not a whole lot, but it´s about taurus sized.

someone claimed that the Mondeo/Contour/Mystique shares the same platform as the early nineties Mazda 626. is this a fact or just a rumor?

thx, c.

Originally posted by Keith W:
I read an aticle in the past weeks Houston Chronicle auto section about the 500. It is inbetween the size of the Taurus and the Crown Vic on the outside, nearly Crown Vic size on the inside, and a trunk the same size as the Town Car with a weight of about 5500 pounds. This article listed the 3.0L Duratec as the only engine for the car. That didn't seem right to offer a car of this weight with the 3.0 as the only engine, offering the 3.5 as an option makes more sense, but then again, it is Ford.

I'm not too sure the Duratec 35 will be ready when Ford launches the 500 and Montego (Mercury version), I think rather then screw up a launch and rushing developement the company is dragging their feet (i.e. Ford Escape Hybrid).

Anyhow at least it will have a 6 Speed or CVT Transmission, and not that POS 4 Speed CD4E.

Originally posted by ContourKev:

Originally posted by Nighthawk:
The Futura (or whatever they are going to call it) is going to replace the Taurus in the next model year.

WTF!!!! Why does ford need to replace good cars?? Focus replaced Escort, I think escorts were better. Maybe this futura needs to be looked at before I judge it...

Wrong on both accounts. Granted the Escort was a reliable car, there was a change needed for safety and a more rigid platform. The Focus has both and it's reliability is going thru the roof.

The Taurus has less interior room than my Contour, a wallowing platform and is in dier need of a new look!

-Andy

Correct, the "good" cars mentioned above are outdated.

Ford 500 production begins July 12th here in Chicago for fall sales.

The CDW27 platform for our Contours is not related to the same year Mazda 626.

And officially 2000 Contour SE's were "fleet only", meaning fleet customers, from rentals to company cars. But dealers could order one for a retail customer if they wanted it.

Anf finally, the answer to "Why/when is the Euro Mondeo coming?" NEVER! Look for the Lincoln Zepher/Mercury M???/Ford F??? coming spring 2005!

guess I need to change my user name

the 500 has a very big trunk biggest in the industry it was mentioned at the auto show.

Biggest in the industry for a car of that size, is what it probably said. What I read is that it is exactly the same size as the Town Car trunk. Also, the CVT (transmission) has no shift points and will have more available power and torque through the entire range of rpm's and higher end models will be available in AWD.

Originally posted by Andy W.:
The Taurus has less interior room than my Contour

-Andy

u must have a stretch contour

The Taurus has less interior room than my Contour, a wallowing platform and is in dier need of a new look!

-Andy

You're wrong. Try fitting 3 full size adults abrest in the back seat of a Contour. *laughs*

Taurus is one of the safest sedans you can, or ever could buy from America. It also had a quite capable Duratec motor, and they are much more reliable than the Contour. My mom has a 2000 Taurus SE that is about to run 100K. Do I think my Contour is going to make 100K trouble-free? Yeah right.

The Taurus really is a great car, but Ford refused to update it. It is way bigger than the Contour though. The Montego/500 (Especally the Montego), now that's it's out, is superior to either one.

Holy old thread Batman!

You are master of the internet.

Originally posted by todras:
You are master of the internet.

ROFL!

I park my 99 'Tour next to my boss's 95 Mazda 626 every day, and the dimensions on almost everything are nearly identical. The Mazda even has the same ATX as my car. Coincidence maybe?

Originally posted by Montanaoffroader:
I park my 99 'Tour next to my boss's 95 Mazda 626 every day, and the dimensions on almost everything are nearly identical. The Mazda even has the same ATX as my car. Coincidence maybe?

Yes. Both products of the jelly bean school popular at the time.

I'm hoping the Fusion turns out to be the belated successor to the Contour.

Remember what Nissan did to the Altima? The budget-minded car grew up and gained a V6 option and a lot of refinement. Ford didn't want to challenge the Taurus back when they were still shooting for sedan sales figures, but imagine if the Contour gained just a little size (to more directly compete in the Accord/Camry market) and a larger engine, but kept the tight handling we all love? That's what I hope the Fusion turns into.

Here's a picture of the new Fusion. I found it through http://www.blueovalnews.com, which references an AutoWeek article here: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101385

But AutoWeek's web site seems to be having problems today, so here's my copy:

Originally posted by Nighthawk:
The 500 is going to be about Contique size and is offered with a 3.0L or 3.5L Duratech. Also optional will be AWD. But there is no MTX . The Futura (or whatever they are going to call it) is going to replace the Taurus in the next model year.

There is a lot of misinformation in this post.

One, the 500 is a LOT bigger than a Contique.
Two, their is no 3.5L option.

Current rumors I've heard claim a Duratec 3.5 will be available for 2007 production, but will probably show up in Lincoln/Mercury or upscale Ford models before making to run-of-the-mill 500 models. Learn more at http://www.myford500.com

I've seen a 500; think of it as a Ford knock-off of an Avalon. Personally, I think that's a good idea; Oldsmobile might have a future if they had simply copied the Avalon five years ago. When my in-laws (who have owned Oldsmobiles for years) bought an Avalon, my first impression was "Hmmm - A Toyota Oldsmobile!".

Interesting: Ford gets beat up for bland 500 styling. The Avalon is just a bland, but no one chastises Toyota. If Ford can keep quality up and prices reasonable, I think they'll have a winner on their hands, no matter what the auto press says.

As I mentioned earlier, think of the Fusion as more direct competition for Camry/Accord than the Taurus ever was. Again, if Ford does a decent job with quality and keeps a lid on price, I think they'll sell quickly. Please, Ford - offer a Fusion with three pedals!

Originally posted by phil:
Current rumors I've heard claim a Duratec 3.5 will be available for 2007 production, but will probably show up in Lincoln/Mercury or upscale Ford models before making to run-of-the-mill 500 models. Learn more at http://www.myford500.com

I've seen a 500; think of it as a Ford knock-off of an Avalon. Personally, I think that's a good idea; Oldsmobile might have a future if they had simply copied the Avalon five years ago. When my in-laws (who have owned Oldsmobiles for years) bought an Avalon, my first impression was "Hmmm - A Toyota Oldsmobile!".

Interesting: Ford gets beat up for bland 500 styling. The Avalon is just a bland, but no one chastises Toyota. If Ford can keep quality up and prices reasonable, I think they'll have a winner on their hands, no matter what the auto press says.

As I mentioned earlier, think of the Fusion as more direct competition for Camry/Accord than the Taurus ever was. Again, if Ford does a decent job with quality and keeps a lid on price, I think they'll sell quickly. Please, Ford - offer a Fusion with three pedals!

The 500 looks like the current 2001-2005 VW Passat. A former member of the Passat team designed the 500 for Ford. The Passat got bad ratings for having a bland design and the 500 gets the same knocks. I happen to see one the other day and it did not look special at all. The front end nor the rear goes with the carbon copy Passat's sides.

By the way the AWD model is way overpriced for what you get.

I dunno... but doesn't the fusion look VERY SIMILAR to the new 2005 Cadilac STS? Especially if the STS and the Focus got it on...

Originally posted by LilRedRocket:
I dunno... but doesn't the fusion look VERY SIMILAR to the new 2005 Cadilac STS? Especially if the STS and the Focus got it on...

Is that "car sex"?

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
1. The new 500 is a full sized car, bigger than Contours, about Avalon sized. All new and no relation to Mondeos. It's coming in 6 months.

Actually, it's here now. I saw one last week up close and personal. 'Bout the size of a Taurus....which it replaces....

Linky

Yeah, three pedals and 4 wheel disks. Unlike the Taurus Sedan...(and my Contour)!

Originally posted by gearhead:

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
1. The new 500 is a full sized car, bigger than Contours, about Avalon sized. All new and no relation to Mondeos. It's coming in 6 months.

Actually, it's here now. I saw one last week up close and personal. 'Bout the size of a Taurus....which it replaces....

Linky

I test drove one the other day, my ex has a taurus, had a 96 and a 2002, the ford 500 is by far different in height, and if i am not mistaken has a longer wheel base. and longer all together, not sure on width. Interior looks cheap.

AS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP SAYING THE FORD CONTOUR'S PRODUCTION ENDED IN 2000. YOUR WRONG Only the Mystique and did.

2000
Public production of SVT, and Mystique, sport end.

2001
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2002
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2003
nope, nothing.

Originally posted by Kane:

Originally posted by LilRedRocket:
I dunno... but doesn't the fusion look VERY SIMILAR to the new 2005 Cadilac STS? Especially if the STS and the Focus got it on...

Is that "car sex"?

oh yeah..... you know whats up. *sing it barry*

It should be:
"2001, 2002, 2003
nope, nothing. "

And there was no LX in 2000, so you really don't know it all. You are getting the 2001-02 four door Escort mixed up with the fleet only Contour.

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
It should be:
"2001, 2002, 2003
nope, nothing. "

And there was no LX in 2000, so you really don't know it all. You are getting the 2001-02 four door Escort mixed up with the fleet only Contour.

i love saying this YOUR WRONG AND IGNORANT YOU FOOL!

A simple search for 2002 ford contoru fleet manual on google will bring you to this link from ford's fleet car web site.
Link for my ignorant friend.

Also maybe you should read what I typed above. ahh yes here it is.

Originally posted by auiotour:
2000
Public production of SVT, and Mystique, sport end.

2001
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2002
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2003
nope, nothing.

Where does it say they made an LX for the public? tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. times up. NOWHERE.

Sad.

This has been discussed on ceg several times. Just cause something is stopped being publicly sold doesn't mean its not sold or made anymore.

Originally posted by auiotour:

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
It should be:
"2001, 2002, 2003
nope, nothing. "

And there was no LX in 2000, so you really don't know it all. You are getting the 2001-02 four door Escort mixed up with the fleet only Contour.

i love saying this YOUR WRONG AND IGNORANT YOU FOOL!

A simple search for 2002 ford contoru fleet manual on google will bring you to this link from ford's fleet car web site.
Link for my ignorant friend.

Also maybe you should read what I typed above. ahh yes here it is.

Originally posted by auiotour:
2000
Public production of SVT, and Mystique, sport end.

2001
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2002
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2003
nope, nothing.

Where does it say they made an LX for the public? tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. times up. NOWHERE.

Sad.

This has been discussed on ceg several times. Just cause something is stopped being publicly sold doesn't mean its not sold or made anymore.

I clicked on the above link and it only showed generic general maintainance guides.

You'd think that after three or four years one of these '01 or '02 Contours would show up, especially on eBay. I guess we all need to see one to believe it.

Originally posted by auiotour:

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
It should be:
"2001, 2002, 2003
nope, nothing. "

And there was no LX in 2000, so you really don't know it all. You are getting the 2001-02 four door Escort mixed up with the fleet only Contour.

i love saying this YOUR WRONG AND IGNORANT YOU FOOL!

A simple search for 2002 ford contoru fleet manual on google will bring you to this link from ford's fleet car web site.
Link for my ignorant friend.

Also maybe you should read what I typed above. ahh yes here it is.

Originally posted by auiotour:
2000
Public production of SVT, and Mystique, sport end.

2001
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2002
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2003
nope, nothing.

Where does it say they made an LX for the public? tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. times up. NOWHERE.

Sad.

This has been discussed on ceg several times. Just cause something is stopped being publicly sold doesn't mean its not sold or made anymore.

Well my parts catalog only shows the Tour going to 2000 only! If there were other years it would HAVE to be listed. They list every year for every car made.

Back in 2002 they showed a 2002 contour also that had used that wierd tank, cant think of what it was called. they no longer have it on their site.

I am aware it shows generic ones. None the less why would they show 2001, and 2002. But not 2003, 2004, if it was just used to keep track of your maitence, you would think it would keep going if it was more the same old 95-00 car.

Originally posted by auiotour:

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
It should be:
"2001, 2002, 2003
nope, nothing. "

And there was no LX in 2000, so you really don't know it all. You are getting the 2001-02 four door Escort mixed up with the fleet only Contour.

i love saying this YOUR WRONG AND IGNORANT YOU FOOL!

A simple search for 2002 ford contoru fleet manual on google will bring you to this link from ford's fleet car web site.
Link for my ignorant friend.

Also maybe you should read what I typed above. ahh yes here it is.

Originally posted by auiotour:
2000
Public production of SVT, and Mystique, sport end.

2001
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2002
Contour LX & SE Fleet cars

2003
nope, nothing.

Where does it say they made an LX for the public? tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. times up. NOWHERE.

Sad.

This has been discussed on ceg several times. Just cause something is stopped being publicly sold doesn't mean its not sold or made anymore.

Your proof doesn't mean anything. Did you actaully read that link? That link is to a general maintanance guide book. It's for fleet customers who may bought a leftover 2000 Contour for their fleet. No where does it say anything that proves that there were 2001-2002 Contours.

Some leftovers can sit on a dealer lot for up to two years, doesn't mean it is suddenly a 2001 or 2002, thats illegal.

The internet is not the "be all end all" Mr. or Ms. Newbie. teenager. IN fact as Bill Mahr says "The internet is a bathroom wall".

Ask any Ford dealer, look in Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds, Cars.com, etc. Don't just think one little book page is "it".

If you can find a 2001 or 2002 Contour, with the 10th digit in the VIN # a "1" or a "2" and take some real pictures with a factory build sheet, I will personally give you $500.

Where does it say they made an LX for the public? CEG, Edmunds, Cars.com, KBB, Ford Motor Co brochures. 1995-1999.

As your grade school teacher would say "Do your homework".

I did my homework on your "proof":

Here is what comes up on year 2000:

2000 Contour Owner Guide 03/06/01 07:04:53 2279k
2000 Contour SVT Supplement 02/07/01 07:48:50 170k
2000 Model Year Car & Lt. Truck Warranty Guide 03/25/02 17:12:32 129k
2000 Scheduled Maintenance Guide 09/20/03 07:45:19 904k

For your "Loch Ness Monsters" 2001 and 2002:

2001 Scheduled Maintenance Guide, 5th Edition 09/13/03 09:33:18 895k

2002 Scheduled Maintenance Guide, 5th Edition 09/20/03 07:48:05 913k

Hmm, notice how there is NO 2001 and 2002 Contour Owner's guide??

Thus the website designer F'ed up with the labels for the links!!!!!
And we all know that they never make mistake do they????

got ya!!!!!!!!!!!

I will send an email to Ford Fleet and ask them to clarify this too. If that isn't enough proof, then keep believing in Big Foot.

Originally posted by Ignorant Thug:
By the way the AWD model is way overpriced for what you get.

AWD is only $1700 extra from the FWD, including the CVT.

If the quality can be there, the Five Hundred is a bargain. A loaded AWD SEL is $28,880. A comparable RWD Chrysler 300 is over $30,000. Even the Kia Amanti is $29,510.

I think the car misses some finer points in execution (like double layer storage under the armrest) and I don't like the driving position... but it's a solid hit...

A couple of non-car friends thought it looked like the original Taurus more than anything else... putting two side by side... I agree.

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
Where does it say they made an LX for the public? tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. times up. NOWHERE.

For that part I was refering to my post, i never said they did or didn't you, came with that out of nowhere it had nothing to do with my post. I wasn't refering to web sites or anything like that but my post. I never said they didn't make them.

As for the other stuff, yes, i was going off the other stuff. Sorry to be so harsh, or shall we say ignorant. thats all from me in this thread.

Originally posted by auiotour:

Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
Where does it say they made an LX for the public? tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. times up. NOWHERE.

For that part I was refering to my post, i never said they did or didn't you, came with that out of nowhere it had nothing to do with my post. I wasn't refering to web sites or anything like that but my post. I never said they didn't make them.

As for the other stuff, yes, i was going off the other stuff. Sorry to be so harsh, or shall we say ignorant. thats all from me in this thread.

Anybody besides me having trouble making heads or tails outta what he just said?

Originally posted by Blk560:

Anybody besides me having trouble making heads or tails outta what he just said?

Nope. My head hurts. Almost as mcuh from reading that Contours were made for fleets from 01-03.