Ford CEO, Mullaly drives a lexus LS430 because, "It's the finest car in the world"

[jagec]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
This car gets 18mpg in town...that's not much better than an SUV that can tow, fit more people, haul more stuff, and go more places. Why isn't the anti-SUV brigade calling foul on this?

'cuz it's not trendy. There's room in the world for some waste, it's just when EVERYONE is wasting that it becomes a problem. Believe me, if everyone who would have bought a Corolla buys a Lexus instead, I'd cry foul.

Same with sports cars...if thousands of people started using Corvettes to drive to work every morning, we'd be in trouble.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
This car gets 18mpg in town...that's not much better than an SUV that can tow, fit more people, haul more stuff, and go more places. Why isn't the anti-SUV brigade calling foul on this?

'cuz it's not trendy. There's room in the world for some waste, it's just when EVERYONE is wasting that it becomes a problem. Believe me, if everyone who would have bought a Corolla buys a Lexus instead, I'd cry foul.

If everyone buys a Corolla, no one would get laid, because, you know, girls go for guys with nice cars.

 

[CFster]

I've driven literally hundreds of different kinds of cars (both new and old) since I'm in the business, and the LS430 may very well be "the finest car in the world".

There's a quality to that car that doesn't show up in road test reports. It's so smooth that it doesn't even qualify as an automobile IMO - it's something else. You cannot feel or hear it shift. It's so quiet that you get the impression that you're sitting on your living room couch surrounded by flat screen TVs displaying a moving landscape. The ergonomics, comfort, tactile quality of the interior is second to none.

Absolutely blows away any BMW or Mercedes I've driven (and that's quite a few).

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: CFster
I've driven literally hundreds of different kinds of cars (both new and old) since I'm in the business, and the LS430 may very well be "the finest car in the world".

There's a quality to that car that doesn't show up in road test reports. It's so smooth that it doesn't even qualify as an automobile IMO - it's something else. You cannot feel or hear it shift. It's so quiet that you get the impression that you're sitting on your living room couch surrounded by flat screen TVs displaying a moving landscape. The ergonomics, comfort, tactile quality of the interior is second to none.

Absolutely blows away any BMW or Mercedes I've driven (and that's quite a few).

Yeah the best part is riding in the back. My boss has one with the Ultra Luxury package and people actually jump in the back seats (instead of the normal people fighting to ride shotgun). The back seats recline, have vibrating massage and and heating. You can also control the radio and A/C from the back seat too.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: jagec


Same with sports cars...if thousands of people started using Corvettes to drive to work every morning, we'd be in trouble.

if everyone who drove an SUV or other large light truck to work everyday by themselves traded in for a 'vette we'd be a lot better off, actually.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Nothing will bring Ford out of debt until they do something about the unions.

Dream on. You think you're gonna get someone to work quality when execs are making 200x thier wage. Most feel underpaid and for good reason. Not only to the Japs making those lexus make more thier CEO's make only about 200K.

Not only that the designs and engineering come from managment not unions and that sucks too.

 

[Bob151]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
hehe, interesting. First order of business should be to get rid of the union contracts and stuff?

You can't blame the union for the ugly design of most Ford vehicle and trucks. (Mustang front is very good) Otherwise, their cars are ugly. Even the previous F-150 design was not very manly looking for a truck. Maybe the first order of business is to fire their designers, or the managers that steer them to design ugly vehicles.

You can't blame the union for the management decision to hitch Ford's future on SUVs and Trucks, via the presumption of everlasting low fuel prices.

Of course there will be no accountability for these actions.

Let Ford die, it will be a lesson for the survivors. Death or not, I'll bet the taxpayers will be taking over there underfunded defined pension to.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Nothing will bring Ford out of debt until they do something about the unions.

Dream on. You think you're gonna get someone to work quality when execs are making 200x thier wage. Most feel underpaid and for good reason. Not only to the Japs making those lexus make more thier CEO's make only about 200K.

Not only that the designs and engineering come from managment not unions and that sucks too.

dont UAW workers get something like $60k/year + benefits? that's a $hitload of money for labor.

my brothers, both engineers, definitely didnt get that when they got out of college.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Nothing will bring Ford out of debt until they do something about the unions.

Dream on. You think you're gonna get someone to work quality when execs are making 200x thier wage. Most feel underpaid and for good reason. Not only to the Japs making those lexus make more thier CEO's make only about 200K.

Not only that the designs and engineering come from managment not unions and that sucks too.

dont UAW workers get something like $60k/year + benefits? that's a $hitload of money for labor.

my brothers, both engineers, definitely didnt get that when they got out of college.

Maybe they should have taken a job at the big three if it's so good? I've heard it is'nt what it's cracked up to be.. Lots of injuries, industrial accidents, hot among other things.. Oil rig workers make 2x that amount but you would'nt catch me on rig. There's something to be said for coming home clean and with all my fingers.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: Aimster
http://familycar.com/RoadTests/LincolnZephyr/Photos2006.htm

Does that car make anyone else want to vomit?

Save your money and get the Mazda6. Same car.

1. 2007 MKZ (Zephyr) gets the 3.5L V6
2. Optional AWD
3. Optional Navi system
4. Completely different exterior and interior
5. Different suspension tuning
6. Longer wheelbase - remember this is a stretched, updated Mazda6 platform

"Same car." :roll: Sure they are sparky, because they both share some chassis hard-points on the assembly line.

Originally posted by: UNCjigga
I think it looks quite nice on the outside. But the minute you step inside...ugghh that fake teak/maple wood and garish instrumentation do make me want to vomit.

You can get the Zeph interior in black with silver trim. The pic on the far right shows the black interior.

MKZ gallery

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Oh, and shame on you guys for making me defend the Zephyr (MKZ). I'm still pissed that Ford nuetered the more aggressive Zephyr concept when it went to production.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: Aimster
http://familycar.com/RoadTests/LincolnZephyr/Photos2006.htm

Does that car make anyone else want to vomit?

Save your money and get the Mazda6. Same car.

1. 2007 MKZ (Zephyr) gets the 3.5L V6
2. Optional AWD
3. Optional Navi system
4. Completely different exterior and interior
5. Different suspension tuning
6. Longer wheelbase - remember this is a stretched, updated Mazda6 platform

"Same car." :roll: Sure they are sparky, because they both share some chassis hard-points on the assembly line.

I guess you would say the Mustang and Mustang GT aren't the same because they have different options as well. Pfft.

 

[Mucho]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
that guy's idea of the finest car in the world isn't very spectacular.

Looks like GM yet again made another mistake ElFenix for CEO.

 

[archiloco]

i guess he's trying to make a point.....i drive lexus now, but after i am done with you guys i will be proud to drive a ford....lol hope it works.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
I guess you would say the Mustang and Mustang GT aren't the same because they have different options as well. Pfft.

The Mustang V6 and GT are identical inside and out. The primary difference is the engine and transmission.

In the case of the Mazda6 and Zephyr, they look different, drive differently, have different options and engines. How can you call them the same vehicle? Because they have similar chassis hard points and suspension bits? C'mon, be serious.

If you were to have said: "Just by a Ford Fusion. Same car." Then you would have a legitimate complaint.

 

[Pocatello]

As much as I like the Ford GT, Ford should had put money into rebuilding the Lincoln brand. Lincoln needs a RWD car that people get excited about, something to compete against the infinity G35 for example. The FWD Zephyr isn't cutting it.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Nothing will bring Ford out of debt until they do something about the unions.

Yep, Americans should be making $3hr to build a car with no health insurance or retirement.

Put your union bullcrap elsewhere. I used to work for a company that made some of Ford and Chryslers mills and lathes.... You don't think union hurts these companies? Let me pull up a few examples...

Went to ford, they asked if I was union and when I said no they told me I can't come in. Of course their machine is broken so I just laughed and left. Now of course they need the machine working so one of their bosses called back later and asked us to come back, I had to go back outside of normal hours because of their crap so they got charged for the first trip, and then 3x normal labor hours when I went back. $100s down the toilet for nothing.

I went to chrysler and had to fix a lathe of theirs.... they wouldnt let me replace the oil they needed to use theirs which cost nearly 3x the cost of mine and I worked for the manufacturer so it wasn't crap either. A guy was required to sit there and watch me do the work on the machine for 5 hours.... just to WATCH and their paying this guy $30 an hour. I asked him isnt there something else you should be doing? He responded... Nope I don't really do much anyways, easy job.

I understand people wanting to fight for what they have and that is what union people are doing. But it is short sighted also, there will be more layoffs and eventually a company will go under if they can't make a profit. And you can't tell me most people at these places deserve what they earn, most people do alot more skilled work for equal or less money.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Nothing will bring Ford out of debt until they do something about the unions.

Yep, Americans should be making $3hr to build a car with no health insurance or retirement.

Put your union bullcrap elsewhere. I used to work for a company that made some of Ford and Chryslers mills and lathes.... You don't think union hurts these companies? Let me pull up a few examples...

Went to ford, they asked if I was union and when I said no they told me I can't come in. Of course their machine is broken so I just laughed and left. Now of course they need the machine working so one of their bosses called back later and asked us to come back, I had to go back outside of normal hours because of their crap so they got charged for the first trip, and then 3x normal labor hours when I went back. $100s down the toilet for nothing.

I went to chrysler and had to fix a lathe of theirs.... they wouldnt let me replace the oil they needed to use theirs which cost nearly 3x the cost of mine and I worked for the manufacturer so it wasn't crap either. A guy was required to sit there and watch me do the work on the machine for 5 hours.... just to WATCH and their paying this guy $30 an hour. I asked him isnt there something else you should be doing? He responded... Nope I don't really do much anyways, easy job.

I understand people wanting to fight for what they have and that is what union people are doing. But it is short sighted also, there will be more layoffs and eventually a company will go under if they can't make a profit. And you can't tell me most people at these places deserve what they earn, most people do alot more skilled work for equal or less money.

Exactly! They need to phase out unions. Clinging to a failed system isn't going to help the progress of American ingenuity, which is a great thing but restrained by stupid cowboys.

Ex.

GM:
White collar: 36,000
Production: 106,000.
Retirees: 460,000

Toyota:
White collar: 17,000
Production: 21,000
Retirees: 1,600

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Nothing will bring Ford out of debt until they do something about the unions.

Yep, Americans should be making $3hr to build a car with no health insurance or retirement.

Put your union bullcrap elsewhere. I used to work for a company that made some of Ford and Chryslers mills and lathes.... You don't think union hurts these companies? Let me pull up a few examples...

Went to ford, they asked if I was union and when I said no they told me I can't come in. Of course their machine is broken so I just laughed and left. Now of course they need the machine working so one of their bosses called back later and asked us to come back, I had to go back outside of normal hours because of their crap so they got charged for the first trip, and then 3x normal labor hours when I went back. $100s down the toilet for nothing.

I went to chrysler and had to fix a lathe of theirs.... they wouldnt let me replace the oil they needed to use theirs which cost nearly 3x the cost of mine and I worked for the manufacturer so it wasn't crap either. A guy was required to sit there and watch me do the work on the machine for 5 hours.... just to WATCH and their paying this guy $30 an hour. I asked him isnt there something else you should be doing? He responded... Nope I don't really do much anyways, easy job.

I understand people wanting to fight for what they have and that is what union people are doing. But it is short sighted also, there will be more layoffs and eventually a company will go under if they can't make a profit. And you can't tell me most people at these places deserve what they earn, most people do alot more skilled work for equal or less money.

QFT. People who are against outsourcing jobs to other areas and to machines are only thinking of their jobs and not about consumers or the company that employed them. It's selfish.