Anyone bought the new 500?

My wife and I are looking to get one. We test drove one last weekend, and I have to say....nice car. The options and the price is amazing.

If you have one, can you fill me in on Pro's and Con's

 

I've been real interested to hear someone who's driven an AWD 500 with the Continuously Variable Transmission. CVT fascinates me...

 

Check out http://www.myford500.com the first enthusiast community for Ford 500 fans that I am aware of. It was started by Kelly Swanson, who also runs fordf150.net.

 

Dont know exactly what all that is your talking about (I'm no gear head, but I can fish and hunt).....BUT it handles great, and drives smooth. When you "floor" it, that lil 3.0 V6 SCREAMS...it's very loud, and its pretty quick.

I tried it with/without the AWD, and you can feel a tremdous differtence in the handling....I like it.

What is CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)?

 

Thanks

 

Sweet car wrapped in a ho-hum package.

 

Not sure how it works in this thing, but in smaller engines there are two pulleys for transfering power from engine to wheels. The pulleys are two piece and form a deep V. They also have clutches built into the pulleys, or at least one, so that as they speed up one pulley gets narrowing squeezing the belt up (larger diameter), changing the gear ratio... That's basically what's happening here, just not sure how they go about it...

no shifting.

 

Agreed. I've been eyeing them, since I'm eventually going to have to lose the '95 Mustang GT (family guy now) .

I just wish that they would add some options to make it look less like a cheap rental car. Just look at what Ford offers with the Mondeo in the UK...

Basic Mondeo
Mondeo Ghia
Modeo Titanium X
Mondeo ST220

 

Basically, it's a tranny with no shifting......but they are all 6 spd automatics.

 

My wife keeps askign me about that darn thing.. (Ford 500), I want the Chrysler 300 or a Dodge Magnum. I get corporate discounts on both, so it's no biggie.

I think Ford could've done better on the body. It looks like a big Jetta or Passat or something. (Wrong European target). Right idea, wrong package- right idea- wrong engine.

The Taurus' V-6, while adequate, is just no match for the 3.5L V-6's offered from Nissan and Honda, or the 3.0L in the Camry. Ford seems poised to move this car upscale, but it won't be warmly received with a bland engine. Ford needs to put the 4.6L V-8 in there, or perhaps the 252 HP engine from the LS-6.

In an era when Accords have 240 HP, Altima's have 250 HP, and Maxima's have 265 HP; 200 HP just won't do.... And, considering AWD- and near $30K, that's getting into Acura TL and Infiniti G35 territory; with 270 and 280 - 298 HP respectively. If you're gonna go there blue, don't go half-@$$.

Also: if Ford plans to drop the Taurus and replace it with the 500: I say good choice. However, if the rumors are true and this is being considered as a Crown Victoria replacement; I only have three words....

Don't do it.

You have a loyal, if older following with Big Vicky. No need in screwing that up with a fiesty/asthmatic new comer.

 

More power is on tap for '06. Just wait a few more months.

 

The Ford CVT unit uses chains instead of belts like most other CVTs do. That's why GM dumped theirs, durability problems. There's a standard 6 speed auto, then there's the CVT, which really can't be called a <enter number here> speed transmission, since there aren't any set ratios. All AWD versions have the CVT, and the CVT is optional on the FWD cars.

 

i dont understand this

 

They are also planning on updating the front end design next year on the 500. Nothing major just a styling change.

Couple that with the hp boost another poster mentioned and I might wait a year. Plus it gives Ford time to work out any bugs that come with totally new vehicles.

I have my eye on one for a replacement for my Taurus in a couple of years. I would also check out the new Fusion due out next year,(I think). I like the 500, they look better in person than in pics. I look forward to the slight redesign.

 

because of the CVT, the 500 doesnt feel like its accelerating very fast.

tests have shown that the 500 will spank a V6 Magnum. V8 is a different story.

Every review I've read has only been able to slam power and looks. Ride, NVH, handling, interior room, etc no one can find fault with. As far as power, this car wont be bought by people that want a 300hp sedan (they already bought a Magnum) The looks are maybe bland... but what do you want? Nissan styling? No thanks.

Me personally, if we were to get a car I would think about the Fusion (little smaller but a nicer package for my likes/dislikes)