BloodRoses
Gods lend wings to tainted hearts
Premium
join:2003-03-17
clubs:
1 edit | reply to UAW_30yr
Re: Well Done, Ford!!
Sure they're as reliable as Japanese cars, Duratec are Mazda blocks. Some of their platforms were designed by Mazda. They ARE Japanese cars. |
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WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
2 edits | reply to UAW_30yr
Ford has been on a roll lately. Their high-volume cars, especially the Ford Fusion, exceed Toyota's reliability levels and tie with Honda's according to Consumer Reports.
Not to mention the fact that Ford has been selling excellent vehicles in Europe for years, that they are now planning on bringing to America.
Next year will see the launch of the new Ford Focus, which will be sold in Europe and America. The current North American Focus always seemed like an also-ran to me; not a horrible car by any means, but it is eclipsed by its competitors.
However, the Focus currently sold in Europe is much better, I would argue the best in its segment, so there is a lot of hope for a great small car from Ford starting next year.
said by BloodRoses  :Sure they're as reliable as Japanese cars, Duratec are Mazda blocks. Some of their platforms were designed by Mazda. They ARE Japanese cars. To be fair, I believe only the 4 cylinder Duratecs are based off of Mazda designs. At any rate, the excellent Ecoboost 3.5L V6 is a Ford design that clearly demonstrates they're able to do great things.
And while the Ford Fusion is based off of the Mazda 6 platform, it is now the case that 90% of Ford's lineup score higher than the industry average for reliability.
And while it isn't a powerhouse, my 3.0L Vulcan V6 in my Sable has a pretty good reputation for durability. 
And don't forget the Ford Fiesta will also be arriving soon.
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I bought a Mac because I liked it. I didn't mind paying more for it. I don't care what you own - buy what makes you happy. |
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WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| reply to TearAbite
said by TearAbite :Here is my "perception" of ford: old technology and style/Junk. I'm guessing you haven't driven any recent-model Ford equipped with Microsoft Sync? Most reviews agree that it is easily, hands-down, the best voice-controlled vehicle technology available, in any car of any price range from any manufacturer.
Now, as for your perceptions based on previous experience... probably justified. 
But a lot has changed.
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I bought a Mac because I liked it. I didn't mind paying more for it. I don't care what you own - buy what makes you happy. |
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No_Strings
Premium,Mod
join:2001-11-22
The OC | That's just what I need - a car that needs to be rebooted when it gets a BSOD. |
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burgermeister
All Computers Are Junk
join:2000-10-23
Utica, MI
| said by No_Strings :That's just what I need - a car that needs to be rebooted when it gets a BSOD. Sync is quite reliable and stable; I haven't had any issues. Keep in mind, when you're referring to Windows, MS has to support a shit-load of different systems -- from Dell to one you build yourself. Not to mention the fact that you have everyone and their brother writing software for the OS.
It's much easier to write high quality software when you have limited hardware to support and have control over it. Apple is a good example as well.
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"I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County
| reply to No_Strings
I have zero use for Sync - I would far prefer a car without it. Just like I would ratter have a manual transmission and no electric door locks\windows. Even full power brakes and steering I do not care for.
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Brian
"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain |
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No_Strings
Premium,Mod
join:2001-11-22
The OC
Host:
Wireless Networking
All Things Unix
Cox HSI
Qwest
Efficient
| reply to burgermeister
It was tongue-in-cheek, mostly. I'm sure once you disable unnecessary services, limit user permissions and load a good anti-virus it would be fine. 
Sure, there's a difference between a bloated O/S and an embedded app, but they can't even make an MP3 player without issues (Google Zune freezing). My recent experience with a Windows-based phone convinced me they haven't figured out embedded devices any better than they have Vista.
I'm simply not a fan of Microsoft and the Sync system would be a net negative for me. |
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burgermeister
All Computers Are Junk
join:2000-10-23
Utica, MI
| said by No_Strings :I'm simply not a fan of Microsoft and the Sync system would be a net negative for me. You're not alone, that's for sure. Fortunately for the people who don't trust MS software, it doesn't actually control the car. The worst error here would be messing up your play list or calling the wrong person.
Hey, what's really strange is how well it works with my iPhone. It probably works better with the iPhone than it does with the Zune!
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"I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." |
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burgermeister
All Computers Are Junk
join:2000-10-23
Utica, MI
| reply to CylonRed
said by CylonRed :I have zero use for Sync - I would far prefer a car without it. Just like I would ratter have a manual transmission and no electric door locks\windows. Even full power brakes and steering I do not care for. Maybe something like this (fully manual) would be more to your liking! Great mileage too!
»americanpedalcar.com/65_mustang_shelby.html
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"I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." |
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TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
 ·surpasshosting
 ·Charter Pipeline
| reply to WALL_E
You're right WallE, i havnt gone near any new Fords because my PERCEPTION from years of experience is that they are trash - that is my whole point.
Ford has a lot of perception rebuilding to do.
PS - i couldn't give a rats a-- about Sync.. it's just a gimmick to me.. two of my cars have voice control, and neither my wife nor I ever use it. I care more about build quality, fit & finish of the entire car.
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Don't hate OS X users because of YOUR poor choice in operating systems. |
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WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| said by TearAbite :You're right WallE, i havnt gone near any new Fords because my PERCEPTION from years of experience is that they are trash - that is my whole point. Ford has a lot of perception rebuilding to do. PS - i couldn't give a rats a-- about Sync.. it's just a gimmick to me.. two of my cars have voice control, and neither my wife nor I ever use it. I care more about build quality, fit & finish of the entire car. Oh OK, didn't mean to offend.
I understand being hesitant (or unwilling) to look at brands because of past experience.
My only point is that current Fords are very competitive, and absent any past biases, people really should check them out.
But I'm not out to change your mind or anything, buy what you want and if its your decision to look past Ford because of past problems, that's your decision.
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I bought a Mac because I liked it. I didn't mind paying more for it. I don't care what you own - buy what makes you happy. |
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TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
·surpasshosting
·Charter Pipeline
| no offense taken.. But now i'll probably go check out a new Ford just to see how it compares - although like i already posted previously, my friend's '08 Mustang GT was trash on the interior, just like the '95 Tbird, and '85 GT.. So i'm not confident that much has changed from 2008 to 2009.. |
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Lurch77
Stop looking at me.
Premium
join:2001-11-22
+44.88-87.89
| It's been brought up, but funny coming from a guy that swoons after a car built by Ford and now by an Indian company. Remember the joke British cars were as far as reliability? You got over that somehow. I can't see you or many others ever getting past the domestic nameplate on a Ford though, no matter what Ford accomplishes.
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"On a motorcycle, you're penetrating distance right along with the machine. In a car you're just a spectator; the windshield's like a TV." ~ Kenny "Von Dutch" Howard |
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TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
·surpasshosting
·Charter Pipeline
| remember, just because a company (Jaguar) is owned by Ford, or some lame Indian company, it does not "make" it a ford.. Take a ride in an XF or an XK and you'll know what i mean.. if after taking a ride in one of these you still think "it's a Ford", i'd call you a liar to your face.
aside from my previous perceptions, i dont really care what nameplate is on a car.. If i was car-shopping today and a Ford had the build, fit & finish as the Japanese or German (or, "Indian") cars, and the price was right, i would by it - but, based on my past experience (up thru last year), the Ford products were nowhere close to the competition.
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Don't hate OS X users because of YOUR poor choice in operating systems. |
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PrntRhd
join:2004-11-03
Fairfield, CA
·Comcast
·Comcast Formerly ..
| reply to Lurch77
The reputation of British cars was primarily laid at the door of unreliable Lucas electrical systems that would leave you stranded at night in the rain. And can you say "positive ground ignition"?
Of course Lucas blames evil outsourcers who had bad quality control and put Lucas' name on the components. In any case Lucas is now known as "the prince of darkness". When Ford bought Jaguar they got rid of all Lucas components for quality reasons.
British spotty build quality of course also did not help. |
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TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Hey! Lucas invented the intermittant windshield-wiper.. |
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No_Strings
Premium,Mod
join:2001-11-22
The OC | Not on purpose, though. |
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uber69er
join:2009-03-19
North of You
| reply to TearAbite
said by TearAbite :Hey! Lucas invented the intermittant windshield-wiper.. Wasn't that Professor Robert Kearns? |
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PrntRhd
join:2004-11-03
Fairfield, CA
·Comcast
·Comcast Formerly ..
1 edit | said by uber69er :said by TearAbite :Hey! Lucas invented the intermittant windshield-wiper.. Wasn't that Professor Robert Kearns? I think you missed the joke.
»www.hermit.cc/mania/tmc/articles/lucas.htm |
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Thislilfishy
join:2008-10-28
Orangeville, ON
 ·TekSavvy Solutions..
| reply to UAW_30yr
Been driving Ford trucks for quite a while, they are hands, feets, arms, heads above anything comming off a GM assembly line (we use GM trucks at work becuase they are cheaper).
At the end of the day...which of the big three decided they didn't need your tax dollars to survive?
Ian |
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