Something new and different.... for me anyway

[supersuds]

Sadly, the Fusion/Milan are made at a Ford factory in Mexico. Everyone says they're very good and reliable cars, though. I'd like to have it.

By the way, I think the Grand Marquis was made in Canada, so it isn't like you gave up an American car for an import. You already had one.

 

[hoover1060]

yes

Grand Marquis was made in St Catherines...
Not sure where the Milan was made, but I do know the date, June 26...a Tuesday!

I can say this is like no other car I have ever had before, its tight, smooth, and lots of fun to drive!

 

[~sudsshane]

Jeff is...

a very easy going guy and I am certain he wouldn't mind us discussing this topic.This is not a "derailing" of his thread as you put it.

" One partner in a relationship has some right to dictate such things as the country of origin of vehicles simply does not jibe with my experience in relationships where equality and respect are valued".

trust me, equality and respect are greatly valued in our relationship. My partner does not dictate to me nor do I to him. Fact of the matter is, like most relationships,one partner may be more knowlegable in a particular area than the other partner.
My other half recently sold his 2003 BMW 745LI to upgrade to a new 750LI,he had 10k equity in his car. Most people,including myself are usually upside down. The point I am trying to make is simple,he is concerned if I buy domestic, the car will depreciate quicker than if I buy import.

 

[~sudsshane]

Jeffy~

in need of some Final Touch?

 

[hoover1060]

my 2 cents...

First, yes Shane, we are very much FINAL TOUCH deficient here...

2nd, I was on and off the phone with Michael when buying this car, I value his opinion first and foremost, and 2nd because we need a car big enough for the dogs to ride in together. Michael was more concerned that I was getting the best deal than he was with the brand of car I was buying.
I don't know that it occurred to me or to Michael that we would dictate(or even influence) what cars we have.

Thanks too for the nice words Shane!

 

[programcomputer]

My question is...

HI Jeff,

Well as you know I just got a "newer" for me 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis, with a shade few more miles on it then the one you traded in; nearly at the same time that you got your new Milan. The Milan is a wonderful car, and I did look at one on the showroom floor Monday afternoon, and out on the lot the Sunday before I bought my car, when I stopped to look at (what is now) mine.

Being a larger individual, and needing the utmost in space and comfort, I objected to it ( the Milan) on different grounds, mostly the fact that I like what I know, and that like old vacuums newer concepts are NOT as good as the older and more proven ones. Especially to the already convinced.

I could have gotten one for about $75.00 more a month and was actually seriously considering the option. I could have swung it if I wanted to, but unfortunately, I wasn't interested on paying for a car for seven years, I may wake up one morning and hate with a passion. And I am of the belief that, if you may end up hating something later that you think you love now, it's ALWAYS best to hold off and make a wiser or more well informed choice; then later still, begrudgingly making your higher payments every month for the balance of the terms you have set for you..

On the other hand I thought...WOW a brand new late model 2007 at a huge end of year discount.... and well mine would NOT have been as well optioned as your's is..i.e. , there was no leather, and less creature comforts and the like. But still a brand NEW car.....

And finally , the Crown/Grand/Town platform is WELL proven at this point, has an incredibly high loyalty rate, and one of the highest frontal crash rating in the USA, despite it's one glaring deficiency, which is higher fuel consumption; yet as I have stated it's No worse than all SUV's and sporty type cars in most cases, save hybrids and the fuel sippers.

Well my question is this: with so few miles , and a much better and solid track record of durability and build quality, and something that you obviously love so as you stated... why ( and you can tell me off here if you wish to) did you not just repair the "older" one.

Certainly that would have been a cheaper alternative.. And it's not as if your car was worn or even "well" worn out by any sense of the word. Most owners drive these cars anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 + miles...

I did have a issue with my Town Car cranking but not starting last summer. I found out thru my local L-M outlet, that it was the crank position sensor that was causing my pain. About three hundred dollars later I was on my way and drove my car another 15,000 miles before I smacked Bambi's mother to death with my Lincoln...

Anyway...i am just curious....

Chad

 

[toggleswitch]

Choose your battles! A tiny bit of sovereignty/autonomy is n

~We make all decisions together. What's his is mine and vice versa. It works for us...=)

Well sure! But in the case where there is an impasse each can safely do what he wants with his own car without it really impacting the other in a meaningful way!Are there really any horrific consequences to getting the "wrong" car? So I'd say "Do whatever makes you happy".

I have seen in some cases:
Ok you be in charge of A,B,C (cause it ain't my thing) and I'll handle X,Y,Z. Your way assumes there are two equally reasonable mentally-fit adult-like partners who are willing to bend, share and communicate and know how to think. That ain't always what you end up with!

I meant no disrespect, It's just that I would never assume to dictate to a partner what his car should be. (read: you have to deal with me in SO many other ways, here is free reign on this item.)

 

[toggleswitch]

So I'd say "Do whatever makes you happy".

TO MY PARTNER! I meant

 

[jaxsunst]

If it makes your other half feel better. The new Saturns are rebadged Opels (GM in Europe).

To be honest, I'm done with GM after this 2004 Malibu LT. Mechanically, it is OK (not the best I have ever owned), but the rest of it is falling apart.

The best car I have ever owned was a 1986 Subaru. I drove it for 7 years and almost 200K miles. It is the standard from which I have judged all cars I have owned since. Also, our Dodge Grand Caravan lasted 205K miles with only one unscheduled repair. We replaced it with a Chrysler Town and Country. I'm sticking with Chrysler or Subaru from now on.

 

[toggleswitch]

~Only if he is paying for any part of it does he have ANY input, IMHO

REPHRASED, with the above-posted caveats in mind.

~Only if he is paying for any part of it does he have any FINAL input, IMHO

Better?

 

[toggleswitch]

my other half is insisting I buy import. *INSISTING* is what

My Saturn suits me, being American-made with a foreign look and feel and ride.

The Subarus are cool in that they have AWD and are available in 6-cylinders. the hatch backs would allow me to move appliances!

If I were to get a Subaru does that make me, offically, a lesbian? Heavy marketing to the gay community!

 

[63getelevision]

After our mom died, I bought out my brother and sister's shares of Mom's '95 Olds Cutlass Ciera 4 cylinder 4 door. I loved that car until the head on collision with a BMW in June '06. In April of this year, I bought my brother's 2000 Nissan XTerra, 6 cylinder, with 83,000 some miles. I never thought I would love this thing as much as I do! I still love my big boats, I still have what's left of a '66 Chrysler sedan.

 

[2drumsallergy]

Congratulations

Hi Jeff,
I wish you good health and happy safe motoring in your new car, it's just beautiful.
It looks like the Ford Mondeo in the UK even the dash look almost identical, the Mondeo is a great car and one of the highest rated, safest and most reliable cars in the UK.

David

http://www.ford.co.uk/allnewmondeo/

 

[petek]

Alan, is that a Chrysler Windsor? with the big honkin ashtray under the centre dash?

 

[63getelevision]

This is the Newport, I know that the Windsor was the Canadian offering of the same car, so yes, it is a Windsor in a sense. And the big honkin ashtray and all! The original options on my car were air conditioning, power steering, brakes, automatic. Some boob put in a non factory radio, and disconnected the speakers! If I keep the car, I want a '66 AM FM unit.

 

[washertalk]

Don't worry about your Silver Grand Marquis sitting at the used car lot Jeff. I'm sure some partially blind, 75 year old senior citizen on a fixed income will find it perfect for their 5'-2" (and shrinking) frame.

Now, I can say this because my first car was a 1983 Grand Marquis LS in white with Blue leather interior. Bought it used in 1987. That was a really nice car. Then bought a new gold one in 1997, a GS trim level, and had it for a short time. This was at the start of my relationship with a guy 10 years older than me. LOL. He also bought a new car. He replaced his gray Buick Riviera with a pearl white newer model from the dealer that had 4000 miles on it. We would laugh at each other claiming each others cars were 'old peoples' cars. when in fact they both are. lol.

Of course I would have preferred the Buick Estate Wagon if they still had made it, but that is just me.

Remember in the early 90's the Buick BoatMaster sedan and wagons. now that is funny. It was just this bloated sheet metal on wheels with cheap plastic trim.

Well good luck with your new car. Hopefully your getting better gas mileage with that.

 

[hoover1060]

Um Mr. Washertalk...

funny you mention the Buick Wagon, as that was the LAST new car I had, bought new in 1988, Electra Estate Wagon, almost identical to the one pictured above. Mine had the chrome Buick mag wheels...
I loved that car and drove it for almost 10 years.

 

[westie2]

When the Fusion/Milans first came out in 2005 as the 2006 I was looking to trade in my 93 Town Car that had 225,000 miles on it. Was looking at the new town cars, 500's and such wanted a big car still. One day during lunch I drove by the dealership and saw the Fusion. Was the first in the area. Talked to salesman and said wanted to test drive after work. Called my wife and we both test drove after work. Signed the papers then picked up the next day. It is the SEL so has everything leather seats heated and all. It is much more roomy than one would think. Yes I miss the Town Car but love this one. Later in June 2006 my mother traded her 95 town car for a Fusion. My wife has driven Saturns since they first came out and is now looking at the MKX for her next car. Enjoy your new Milan.

 

[hoover1060]

I have to admit

this Milan is a very UN-FORD-Like car, its solid, tight, and the fit/finish is excellent. I am very pleased with it so far, and look forward to a long time with it.

Mr Washertalk, here's my old Buick Electra wagon, I loved this car and hated to part with it, but it did serve me well for the almost 10 years I owned it.

In front of the wagon is my mom's '85 Buick LeSabre Collectors Edition. She drove that for 20 years, and after all that it was un-ceremoniously traded in for a 2005 Mercury Sable.
{{sigh}}

 

[washertalk]

Wow, amazing the pic I have almost matches your car. What are the chances.
I like your moms car. And it served her 20 YEARS. Wow. Those were good designs. I think, that was the last year of that design. After that they went with the shorter "T type" if I am not mistaken. Everything from Cadillac to Chevrolet. Yet for some reason it seems they switched to that earlier. Someone would know better than me.

So Jeff, I like your car, your moms car, your neighborhood, the avacodo house with the 12" aluminum siding behind that looks like it was once a ranch and they added a second story, and.. the apparent White Grand Marquis accross the street. I looks like mine. It looks like the type neighborhood I grew up in.