akirby

I just buy the motorcraft filters wherever I happen to find them. It's not worth the hassle to me to save $10/year.

They are to some extent, but that's just it - regardless of whether you target one county or a metropolitan community like Metro Atlanta or even a multi-state area - there will always be dealers in the next county over that doesn't have the same rebate and without this rule all of that dealer's potential buyers could just drive 30 minutes and get the higher incentives. Basing it on the buyer's zip code levels the playing field for all of the dealers in that area. Note that most rebates are national and would not have any zip code restrictions.

My Michelins are extremely quiet. If they're not then there is probably a defect in one or more of the tires.

I noticed that the rear vents only work with the front vents (A/C only in automatic mode). I have not researched to see if there is an additional floor vent in the back. Otherwise, if you select the dash vents in heating mode you'll get heat out of the rear vents too.

It's done that way to prevent buyers from choosing the dealer based on the incentives for that dealer's zip code. This way you always get the same incentives no matter which dealer you use. In GA that's also how our state sales tax works. Not sure what they use for Canadian customers.

It depends entirely on how much you're financing and for how long and the amount of the rebates. You need to calculate the total cost of each option (rebate with regular financing, 0% financing, etc.) to see which one is cheaper. It's always cheaper to pay cash.

I still don't understand. You think product mfrs are somehow giving money to CR in return for better reviews?

There is only one plant making Edges and MKXs - Oakville.

Fixed it for ya.

Blah, blah, blah.........

Of course! And so does Ford. Unfortunately the auto dealers lobbied their state legislatures decades ago and most (if not all) passed state legislation that makes it ILLEGAL for Ford to interfere with how their dealerships operate. Ford is not allowed to sell vehicles directly to the public and they can't dictate how the dealers sell the vehicles (e.g. dealer markups on hot selling vehicles) nor can they dictate how the service department operates. Ford tried to get some control by withholding money on each vehicle and giving it back to dealers that were "blue oval certified" - meaning they have great customer service. What happened? The dealers sued Ford and won. In other words, Ford has NO control whatsoever on what the dealer does (within legal limits of course) or doesn't do. Dealership employees are not Ford employees. Yes, it sucks and yes, it's stupid but that's the law and I don't see the states repealing those laws anytime soon. Do a google on "state auto franchise laws" - you might be surprised.

Of course not, because CR doesn't accept advertising. I have issues with CR's survey and their vehicle reviews but advertising is not part of the equation.

You do understand that Ford dealers are not Ford employees and Ford has no say in how Ford dealers perform service - right?

The U.S. will be getting the European Fiesta this summer and the Euro (global actually) Focus next January. Ford management finally agreed with you that the Euro models were nice and they're coming over virtually unchanged except for minor details.

That's correct. LPG is only used in a very small number of commercial fleets. I think Ford sold a few LPG powered Rangers. LPG in the states is usually limited to home heating and bbq grills.

I brought home a 52" Sony LCD a couple of months ago - no problem.

I think they'll show the Edge in Chicago next month and production is this summer but not 100% sure on that.

I think the Edge will be introduced in Chicago next month. Rumor is the 3.5L engine gets an upgrade also. If so expect the Edge to have around 280 hp. An upgrade but below the MKX.

Raise the headlights first - they're way too low from the factory. Use a medium phillips head screwdriver in what looks like a white plastic hex hole on top of each light. You can also try Sylvania Silverstars or other replacements.

Only if there are a lot of leftover 2010s when the 2011s come out. With Ford more tightly controlling inventory levels I don't expect that to be the case. But yes, there will probably be slighly higher rebates on the old ones - if there are any left.

You might need to register with a separate account for each subscription. FAQs aren't clear.

Yeah, buy a subscription for each phone just like it says on syncmyride.com. The subscription is for the phone, so if you want both to have access at any time you have to buy 2 subscriptions. It says that clearly in the FAQs.

For me it would be a no-brainer - do whatever you have to do to get the 2011. You can extend your lease by 2 or 3 months with no issues unless they've changed that policy. You can still order a 2011 as soon as the order banks open, but you won't have a guarantee as to when it will arrive. And Ford doesn't know what the incentives will be on the 2010 leftovers - depends on how many there are - and even if they did they don't tell ANYBODY, EVER. You need to talk to your dealer about how long you can extend your current lease.

There were manufacturing defects in *some* wheels that caused the noise and flaking. I have the 18" version with no problems whatsoever. They look great and I couldn't care less whether they're real chrome or not. Real chrome wheels can easily pit and cannot be easily fixed once that happens. You may not like them but this is not a case of Ford "cheaping out". The manufacturing defects were unfortunate which made the perception even worse, but that wasn't even Ford's fault - they use an outside supplier.

You should have done your homework and secured your own financing ahead of time. This way you're not dependent on the rate they quoted you initially and you don't have to deal with the finance dept. at all if you don't want to. Let's say you can get 3.99% from the credit union - you tell them to beat 3.99% or no deal. Or just take the 3.99% and tell the finance guy to take a hike.