Igor2

CTS is better than this - BUT CTS is way more expensive ... this is ES / Acura TL competitor and will do perfectly well agains both. Ford's CTS competitor is the MKR - but that program is on hold - Ford is investing more into more proximal and crucial launches - namely: the april 2010 launch of the ne Focus platform with all its models (Focus, C-Max, Kuga/Escape, CC, Capri - all coming to US) and the 2012 launch of the new Fusion platform (Fusion/Mondeo, MKZ, Edge/MKX, S-Max, Galaxy, and some others - most will come to US, Edge will cross over to Europe). these two are #1 priorities for Ford Global - and everything else got pushed to the back burner - including the new GRWDP which is to span the new Mustang, and the MKR (and Mustang's Lincoln brother) and the Falcon. Igor

I wrote about that in the piece linked to this piece - the one announcing in more detail the XFE cobalt - it was also a thread here "Suddenly Cobalt Beats its Competition" Igor

MUCH MORE HERE Igor

MUCH MORE HERE Igor

MUCH MORE HERE Igor

the 5door hatch and the sedan are confirmed for US - 3door hatch is more and more of a possibility every day as well (Farley is pushing for it). Igor

what US is getting is the LWB, high roof version - for now the little Transit Connect will not be offered. Also the 7 seat Tourneo Connect (or the Tourneo Connect in general are not that popular - the heavy duty underpinnings of this van make it less space efficient and less smooth-driving than the IRS equipped competition. For commercial business owners that is not an issue, but for retail family hauling customers, it is .. Igor

The large transit is coming, but not yet Igor

those are amazing for drawings in Paint the most I did with MS Paint is a chop of a G5 into a much nicer little RWD coupe (original: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/iho...opyofc112or.jpg ) all done in MS Paint. Igor

most likely Ford will just do the 2 seater, maybe in both wheelbases and both roof heights .. but at this point everything is just a rumor or flat out speculation. Igor

Mustang will have a new interior within 2 months of Camaro going on sale. Expect new F150/Flex/Focus switchgear as well as the new SONY system (and faceplate): http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...c=22355&hl= Also expect SYNC and the new Next-gen Navigation. Finally, as with all recent Ford releases - expect vastly improved material quality. Igor

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120164387492426355.html After prolonged speculation and official denial from Ford in December, Ford will release US version of the small urban runabout commercial van called Transit Connect. Pictures of the current EU Version Embargo on this vehicle is over at 12:01am on Wednesday February 6th Igor

thanks to you all - We will probably go look at one of them today or tomorrow .. Igor

Dear all. My better half LOVES Saab - and she is trying to find a suitable SUV to replace her aging (180k miles) Expedition. We recently found out that there is up to $7,000 rebate on the 9-7x, which puts the car SMACK in the middle of Explorer and Equinox price range. It also allows her to have the best of both worlds - an SUV that can tow and is a real BOF SUV and a Saab (she is a Texan - do not question her on her love for BOF ) We have been looking around and all the models available are the 4.2l I6 models ... but that engine is fine as far as reliability and such goes - I had the impression that it is a bulletproof and smooth engine ... anyone wants to weigh on that? Should I look for the V8 as a better option? Anyone knows enough to point to options and features to make sure we have and options to stay away from? I am definitely looking for the "prestige" package - add Xenons and other little bits. Otherwise I have not cared much. Third, anyone has a sense of a fair price for the 97x? I though invoice less discount would be fine, but love to be able to go lower if I can. Anyone here could hook me up with a pin for the GM "family and friends" discount? (I know how it goes with Ford, and could get a pin easily, but am at loss with GM ... ) At this point I have 2 cars lined up for a drive one silver and one red 4.2i with the xenon package. Both for $32-$33k - as MSRP less rebate .. the red one is a former loaner car with 4,00 miles - how much rebate should I ask for for the mileage and the use? I would love to be able to get under 30k - that would make the deal perfect. Thanks Igor

yes - Ford revealed it too early - but this is not a CONCEPT .. this is the finished deal . .. there are no changes planned anymore ..Igor