Full Test: 2005 Ford Five Hundred

[NFS4]

http://www.edmunds.com/new/200...wkedmunds.roadtests.1g.*

And "better than average" pretty much sums up the car overall. Its clean but ultimately invisible styling combined with a rather deluxe interior make the car appealing. Despite the tame engine, the car handles well and provides a reasonably quiet cabin. The Five Hundred is not perfect, but with a starting price of about $23,000 the car is a fine choice for those in need of a competent, feature-laden family sedan. Just try not to cringe too much when you mash the gas from a dead stop.

 

[Rallispec]

given its market and target audience, i think it will do well. I test drove two of these (the auto and CVT model) and it seemed like a pretty solid car. If you can get over the un-natural feel of the CVT, it felt much quicker than the auto.

 

[vi edit]

Ford is in dire need of a flagship V6 to put in their cars. The Duratec 3.0 is just completely outclassed and outrefined by pretty much everyone else.

 

[ElFenix]

i think they're coming out with a bigger duratec soon

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Rallispec
given its market and target audience, i think it will do well. I test drove two of these (the auto and CVT model) and it seemed like a pretty solid car. If you can get over the un-natural feel of the CVT, it felt much quicker than the auto.

It'll do well...with heavy incentives and fleet sales. The problem is that Ford needs a knock out of the park to get people to even think twice about giving up their Accords and Camrys for a Ford. I mean, at least Hyundai has low prices, a long warranty, and surprisingly excellent quality and reliability here lately. Dodge and Chrysler have bold styling, Hemi V8's and RWD. Ford has...?????

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i think they're coming out with a bigger duratec soon

Duratec 35

 

[AmigaMan]

It sounds like another crappy Contour. I hate Ford Contours, so glad I traded mine in...

 

[acemcmac]

would be nice to see this idea of a tall sedan errode into the SUV market... after all.... it provides the main thing SUV'ers are looking for- command seating- without all of the nonsense of being an SUV....

doubt it'll happen though

 

[SuperTool]

Duratecs don't have the low end grunt, unfortunately. They are kinda like the last generation accord V6 in that sense. My 1996 Maxima has a lot more punch off the line than the Duratec mazda6 or the last gen accord v6, even thought they have the same displacement. It's kind of the wrong engine for the wrong car at the wrong time. That said, it forced Ford to develop better auto tranny and CVT to squeeze more power out of the engine, so when they do get the 3.5 duratec, they'll be in good shape.

 

[DougK62]

I saw one on the road today and it's surprisingly handsome. It looks much more masculine than an Accord/Camry. I like it.

 

[Adul]

now if they can throw in 260HP-280HP with some low end grunt, it would be more appealing

 

[woowoo]

I would stay away from the CVT
Just look at saturn.....