Category Archives: Ford

Consumer Reports chooses Mustang over Camaro

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

It’s a rivalry that dates back to the golden age of automobiles, with two iconic muscle cars, the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang, battling it out on racetracks and highways nationwide. While both companies offer updated models of these classic cars, consumers might have a tough time choosing between the two.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2011 Mustang edges out its rival pony car, the Camaro.

"The Mustang is the more agile and enjoyable car to drive of the two," David Champion, senior director of the magazine’s Auto Test Center, said in a statement.

Both cars were tested in their V-8 and V-6 incarnations. The V-8 race was close but the magazine still gave the nod to the Mustang. But according to the news source, the V-6 engine saw a sharp decrease in quality for the Camaro while the Mustang remained relatively similar.

Thanks to a 305 horsepower engine that still gets 30 miles per gallon, Ford’s pony car still impresses in the cheaper V6 model. The Camaro also lost points for being nearly 300 pounds heavier than the Mustang.

Despite the win for Mustang in the press, the Camaro still holds a lead in sales figures by 7,000 units to date this year.

In the end, the choice comes down to personal taste. Those in the market for one of these vehicles can also save a bundle by shopping on the used car market.

Fiesta delays don’t dampen enthusiasm

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Posted in Ford

After massively hyping its new subcompact, the Fiesta, Ford‘s momentum was derailed somewhat after a parts issue and Hurricane Alex delayed delivery of vehicle pre-orders.

However, those who bought the car aren’t disappointed with the quality of the vehicle, according to customers interviewed by the Detroit Free Press.

“It doesn’t feel like a small car, and it drives like a sports car,” said Deborah Melvin, a teacher from North Carolina.

“It’s definitely worth the wait,” said Amy Spradlin, 19, who bought a black Fiesta hatchback with plum seats. “It’s a great college car, and it’s a great car if you are on the go.”

Ford’s heavy use of social media to promote the vehicle seems to have worked. On Facebook groups and other websites, drivers were able to join the “Fiesta Movement,” a community built around love for the car. And although many of the pre-order customers are frustrated, especially since their custom-built orders are taking longer than regular models, those who have received the car tell the others not to worry.

“I tell them just be patient. It’s worth waiting for,” said Sue Moon, of Pennsylvania, whose white Fiesta with custom graphics was delayed for months.

The Fiesta is already an economic option, but drivers may wish to wait for the car to hit the used auto market in order to take advantage of even more savings.

NHTSA orders recalls on used Fords

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Posted in Ford

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall on used Ford Windstar minivans because of a problem with the rear axle.

The New York Times reports that Ford will recall 462,750 vehicles from 1999-2003. The Windstar’s rear axle, which is U-shaped, acts as a repository for salt that can be kicked up off the road. The salt can then corrode the axle to the point that it gives way.

The NHTSA revealed that it had received 234 complaints about the problem that led to 2 accidents but no injuries. More than half of the reports said the axle had split completely.

Ford will fix the vehicles free of charge and issue refunds to anyone who has paid for them.

The Ford Windstar is a popular used minivan, but buyers have lots of other options when it comes to buying a used car. Those interested in a minivan may want to look at a used Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country or a Windstar that was made outside of the years mentioned. They should also know that drivers in states that don’t salt their roads as much have not reported as many issues.

BMW M3 Coupe vs. Ford Mustang GT

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Posted in BMW, Ford

When buying a new or used car, some of the most important information lies in the vehicle’s specifications. These numbers – things like horsepower, torque and ride height, ultimately determine how well a car will perform on the road.

Of course, a driver can research all the numbers they want, but it won’t mean anything until they get the car out on the road. Often, a car performs better or worse than the numbers initially indicate. The driving experience can also be highly subjective. One driver may want a smooth ride above all else, while another likes to feel the seat vibrate as they open up the engine. Many factors contribute to the right car.

American muscle car fans will contend that nothing beats sitting behind the wheel of a Mustang. BMW purists, meanwhile, will tout the blazing speeds and smooth rides of an M3 Coupe. For years, Ford‘s signature car couldn’t compete with its European rival. But now, with a complete redesign to the Mustang line, MotorTrend felt it was time to take a 2011 Mustang GT to the track and test it against the BMW M3 Coupe.

With both equipped with V8 engines, the Mustang slightly edges out the M3. While the Coupe boasts 2 more horsepower (414 to 412,) the Mustang has a better power-to-weight ratio (8.8 “pounds per pony” to the M3’s 8.6), meaning its horses do a bit more work and make it slightly faster. Although both cars posted a 4.4 second 0-60 time, the Mustang beat the M3 in longer straight races. Yet that means nothing on an actual track, with turns involved. This battle couldn’t be settled just yet.

To keep things fair, the cars can be driven in two different styles. Inexperienced drivers will opt for electronic stability control and other assisted driving implements on, while pros will turn all those off and do things manually. So the news source had two different drivers attempt lap times at the track – the unprofessional automotive writer and a racing champ, Randy Pobst.

In the end, the cars were evenly matched. The “average” driver posted a faster time with the Mustang by about half a second, while the pro favored the M3 by .09 seconds. The M3 costs a fair bit more, but preference ultimately comes down to what a driver is looking for from a vehicle – both are mean machines capable of handling any track.

Either way, the prices on these bad boys will set drivers back a bit, so they may want to wait a few years until the models hit the used car market before making a decision. But if drivers want to get behind the wheel now, they can likely find a late-model used Ford or BMW at their local dealer today.

Ford’s Lincoln brand tops customer satisfaction survey

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Posted in Buick- DO NOT USE, Ford, General Auto News, Lincoln, Nissan

As the domestic car brands reinvent their vehicles, consumers are slowly taking notice of improvements. This is evidenced by the results of a new consumer satisfaction survey, which saw domestic brands take the top spots for the first time ever.

Ford‘s Lincoln and GM’s Buick lines took the top two spots in the American Customer Satisfaction Index. GM remained unchanged from the last survey with 88 percent of consumers satisfied, while Lincoln posted a 1 percent increase to take the top spot at 89 percent.

While the results were good news for Detroit’s automakers, the rest of the auto industry was not as lucky. Customer satisfaction scores fell by 2.4 percent on average overall, with fourteen of the nineteen ranked brands declining in satisfaction. While the American brands remained unchanged for the most part, they were able to take the top spot thanks to sharp fall by Toyota‘s previously top-ranked Lexus brand.

“No doubt they’re benefiting from [the recalls], but they’re also doing more things right,” said Claes Fornel, the founder of the index.

Nissan, meanwhile, posted the biggest gain with a 5 percent increase, with an overall satisfaction rating of 82 percent.

Customers in the market for a vehicle may want to heed these or previous results, then shop the used car market in order to get the best deal.

Four hatchbacks that won’t break the bank

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Posted in Ford, Honda - DO NOT USE, Nissan, Toyota

Drivers shopping for a vehicle have many options to consider in deciding on a used car. But with such a wide variety of cars for sale, it’s difficult to choose just one.

One way to narrow down a buyer’s options is to select a particular class or style that’s suitable. Many drivers, for example, won’t be caught dead in anything other than a pickup truck. Others prefer the sleek stylings of two-seaters, or the off-roading capabilities of SUVs.

Hatchbacks are popular with many consumers because of their great fuel economy, low price and surprising amount of cargo and passenger space. For city dwellers, especially in Europe, these cars provide the additional benefit of being easy to maneuver and park.

Top Speed recently profiled four of the most popular hatchbacks, pitting them against each other in order to determine which truly rules the road. The four competitors were the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit.

While the Toyota Yaris was the news sources’ least favorite, the reviewer did admit the car was a great deal, considering it was $2,605 cheaper than the next cheapest hatchback. Drivers could use those savings to upgrade the Yaris with something like the Power Package, which retails for $1,705. The vehicle also has plenty of safety features and was as powerful as any of the other vehicles featured. Although the reviewer didn’t like the driving dynamics, such an experience is often subjective and potential buyers should probably test the car for themselves before making a decision.

Next up was the Nissan Versa. While coming in third place overall, was close to or even surpassed the other vehicles in many areas. The blog writes that Nissan must have used “some sort of engineering voodoo” in order to make the car so roomy. Four people will comfortably fit inside with plenty of leg room and head space, yet the car is no bigger than its competitors. The Versa was also praised for providing a quiet and easy ride. It lost points for power and an overall lack of style.

The Ford Fiesta, in second place overall, was considered the best looking car of the bunch, with one reviewer claiming it looked “like a work of art.” Unfortunately, the sleek design sacrifices some roominess and cargo space on the inside. The Fiesta provided the best ride quality and maneuvering and was the second fastest in the 0 to 60 test. The car can also be equipped with an optional dual-clutch Powershift transmission that significantly upgrades the driving experience – for a price.

While all of the other vehicles had flaws, the Honda Fit took top marks for really having none. The Fit is the classic jack-of-all-trades, good at everything but excelling in nothing. The news source found that it was suitably stylish, powerful, maneuverable and roomy, making it the top choice for a hatchback.

Hatchbacks are already easier on the wallet than many vehicles. Yet by shopping the used car market, drivers can get an even better deal on a great car.

Car dealers face inventory shortages

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Posted in Chevrolet, Chrysler - DO NOT USE, Ford, General Auto News

Car dealers across the country are facing inventory shortages on some of the hottest models, as automakers struggle to meet the rising demands of consumers.

During the downturn, many dealership owners were left with an overabundance of cars for sale on their lots, as automakers still had vehicles left over from before the recession, yet few buyers interested in them. Since the car companies have slashed production at many factories, however, dealers are now facing the opposite problem – not enough vehicles to quench Americans’ increasing thirst for cars.

According to Bloomberg, car supply among the Big Three is down 30 percent at Ford, 43 percent at GM and 53 percent at Chrysler as compared to 2008. Yet analysts surveyed by the news source predict that auto sales will rise to 11.9 million vehicles this year from 10.4 in 2009.

That can only happen, however, if the automakers make enough vehicles to achieve that. Already, the major auto companies have added shifts to factories that produce the most popular models.

One dealer interviewed by the news source said he had requested 100 Ford Fusions in July and received just seven – and he owned the best-selling Ford dealership in the country.

The laws of supply and demand dictate that an inventory shortage for new cars means that prices may soon rise. Those in the market for a vehicle might be better off shopping the used car market, where they’ll also find a wider selection.

Ford tops Kelley Blue Book’s most-considered list

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Posted in Chevrolet, Ford, General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Hyundai, Toyota

In a consumer survey to find what brands buyers are looking at when considering cars for sale, Ford has come out on top.

According to Kelley Blue Book, best known for providing values for used cars, Ford topped the list with 29 percent of buyers considering the automaker when purchasing a vehicle. Ford’s turnaround, bolstered by a redesign of its lineup, has clearly resonated with consumers, as it supplanted Toyota in the previous quarter and increased its lead in this one. Much of its strength comes in the SUV/Crossover segment, where nearly half of all buyers consider the brand, at 46 percent.

Toyota held on to the second spot by a slim margin, with its 22 percent share just edging out Chevy’s 21 percent. The automaker has lost its top position due to quality concerns stemming from the company’s unintended acceleration debacle.

Rounding out the top five was Honda, at 20 percent, and Hyundai, a surprise in the fifth spot with 13 percent.

Those in the market for a used car should do a bit of research in order to narrow down their own list of brands. They might even want to consider using Kelley Blue Book values to get a good price for their current car.

Mustang helps Ford post sales increase

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Strong sales of Ford‘s mustang and other models have helped the automaker post a rise in July sales as compared to 2009.

Ford is reporting a 3.1 percent rise in auto sales for the month of July. Ford’s main brand was up 8.1 percent while its luxury Lincoln line bounced back 16.3 percent. The company’s Volvo brand, which it recently sold to China’s Geely, was down 33 percent. The soon-to-be phased out Mercury brand dragged the numbers down with a 31 percent loss. Overall, Ford has proven to be one of the brands heading in the right direction as the recession recedes, with an increase of 24 percent total as compared to the first seven months of 2009.

Though the automaker struggled through 2009, July’s numbers were slightly inflated by the government’s Cash for Clunkers program.

Ford’s new Mustang, introduced this year, posted a 12 percent increase in sales. In addition, its redesigned Taurus doubled sales over the model’s previous iteration.

One of the reasons to buy a used Ford Mustang is that the car may end up appreciating if drivers keep it in good condition. There are a slew of auto enthusiasts who specifically value Mustangs, so investing in one is never a bad purchase.

Used Ford owners get engine boost

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

Many drivers opt to increase their car’s power through aftermarket parts and accessories. But few get an offer from the dealer to come back and get their car upgraded for free.

That’s exactly what Ford is offering owners who bought the Ford Super Duty pickup truck this year. The current engine in the Super Duty is a 6.7-liter Powerstroke V-8 turbocharged diesel, but its numbers were just below the best in its class.

However, Ford engineers have figured out a way to upgrade the engine in order to give it class-leading numbers. Now, Ford is thanking customers that bought the vehicle by offering that upgrade free of charge, according to USA Today.

By dropping the car off at the dealer, drivers will get 65 more foot-pounds of torque and 10 extra horsepower, pushing the car up over 400. The upgrade offers will start this month and continue into the next year.

The upgrade also affects any unsold Ford Super Duty cars for sale that dealers have on the lots, as well as trucks currently in production.

Drivers who buy a late-model used Ford Super Duty without the upgrade can know that they’ll have a bit more power once they take it by a dealer.