2007 Ford Five Hundred SEL from North America - Comments

Nothing.

I love this car. The more I drive it the bigger my smile. No one else in the world offers a Cross-over sedan. Feels large, drives solid and looks expensive.

The ideal car to use for business and pleasure.

My Pearl Blue car looks like an expensive German model, but fits americans better, because it is.

The build quality from Chicago is great, not a single build issue - and I love the Continintal tires. I don't know why anyone would be critical of how fast it is, it is fast and cruises great. Whoever wants to drive a big sedan like a sports car simply doesn't know what driving is about. Want speed, buy a Mustang. What the best sedan you can get for the money, buy a 500.

Is it perfect, no, nothing is - but the seating position alone is worth the price.

It sounds like you really are enjoying your new Five Hundred! Perhaps you wouldn't mind coming back after you have a few more miles on the car for an update.

Thanks.

I will try to update. Also want to mention that the door key pad is great. Some reviewers try to downplay it as only for 'forgetting your keys", actually it is great when you are out running or around the dock and don't want to keep keys in the pocket. Also, we leave the car at the airport for friends and family to pick up, and they simply use the code to enter and find the keys in a safe place.

Lastly, right now you can make a great deal on an 07, Ford is offering $2,000.00 + you can get another $1,000.00. I was able to negotiate a total of $6,500.00 off the already reasonable $23,000 on the window. It is like a Fusion on steroids - and is a really well made machine. Ford deserves more credit than criticism for the engine choice - and all around modern approach to this great family sedan.

My family, even the teens like it, because it is low key and looks expensive.

Hey, "losing a Mustang a Minute", I like that. That is the next Ford I see myself buying for my Wife, when her 1997 V-* T-Bird with 170,000 trouble free miles get a bit older.

I don't however think much is accomplished on these great web site, by having "negative nay sayers, trolling around just taking shots at the Company. Most of us are here to get details and share experiences.

While it may be fun to banter about Ford's corporate decisions, I certainly don't need anyone to tell me I was "wrong" or should feel bad about my informed decision to purchase a 07 Five Hundred (or any product).

Let's keep on task here - if you want information about a certain model car then offer or ask.

Want to get on a soapbox and attach something you don't really understand - then start your own Blog.

My Five Hundred is a return to Ford for me, they targeted me and gave me a product I could see owning.

The plain look appeals to me - and, so far, the build quality is as I hoped. My mileage is not as high as I expected - but this is only the second tank of gas.

At the end of the day, the true cost of owning a vehicle is of great importance, and the lower the up-front cost (discounts) the better.

I do agree that Ford has some real dragons to slay. But I would jump at the chance to drive and own a new Mustang.

Update.

I will only do this again at about 5k miles. But for now this car is still really new and I am discovering things that I will share.

Yesterday, on a 200 mile round trip on the I-5, from San Diego to Irvine I really had my first chance to drive in traffic. The six-speed transmission is really great. Never having more than 4 speeds before I really did not know what to expect.

Well, it is like always having a kick down, and with the first push on the pedal the car accelerates just enough to move crisply from lane to lane, the second move provides more punch. For real world driving I find this really great.

Also had a chance to try out the passenger seat, and my big 6’3” frame was really at home, like sitting in a lounge chair in front of HD TV.

Another observation, while I passes a dozen Camry’s, Mercedes S types, and a load of Lexus 400’s and Chrysler 300’s, my 500 seemed just right and not “common”. This is personal for me, but I like the fact that it does not have a rental car volume on the road.

Since I was in traffic on the way home I had the opportunity to compare my new car to the other that were going slow nearby.

The following cars (for me) offer no advantage over this big Ford.

Chrysler 300, base. Already dated in style and design, common.

Lexus 400, overpriced, saw two broken down and waiting for roadside assistance!

Toyota Avalon, the official Pace Care of the AARP. Floats like a boat and has Gold trim! I think I would need white loafers to drive one.

Mercedes S type, a bit smaller than the 500, and about the same amount of style and shape for a whole lot more money.

Nissan Maxima – Old and with a funny butt.

Buick, Regal, Looks like a make over from the 70’s

VW Passat, Looks almost identical to the 500, don’t really like 4 cylinder turbo, need Premium fuel for $0.50 per gallon more right now.

So the point is that I did not see a single other car I would really rather have and, for some reason the very plain and classic lines of this 500 make my eye happy.

Lastly, I think on paper the new Taurus drive train is an improvement that I would gladly welcome, but right Ford has created an opportunity for knowledgeable buyers to make a Great deal on a really good car. One shopping note, in 06 the SEL had automatic climate, it does not in 07. I really did not notice this, and would have considered the Limited had my deal not been so great. The only items I wish I had were the climate and auto headlights – but they are not worth the $2,000.00 difference. Didn’t want leather, too hot.

Let's see, the big Mercedes has 109 Cubic feet of passenger space and a 14 cubit foot trunk, The big Ford has 108.2 and a 21 ft trunk. Hardly much larger and in a different class! That one cubic foot is like a 12 pack of Miller Genuine Draft, which, by the way is what all my German Mercedes driving friends like best.

I don't think reading about cars and research is the answer. Drive them, use them, travel in them and then decide.

This big Ford is really the best of the big sedans in the under $20,000.00 range (real world prices) and I like mine a lot.

As for the rental car thing, Ford purposely did not push the Five Hundred into the rental fleet to help keep value, and I appreciate it.

While I am not trying to say these Fords are clones of the big German cars that cost 4X more. Today a lady in a BMW 7 series, was admiring my Blue Ford and admitted she thought it was German.

If it keeps driving like this, and get 25+mpg, I will be happy and may buy another. If it acts up and starts to give me "ford" problems, I will make them buy it back faster than the Mustang GT can sprint to 60mph.

Can't believe how many people cannot see past the Blue Oval - but this Ford is everybit as nice as more costly cars (as long as you get a good one, which applies to every manufacturer out there.

Today I noticed that the express up and down window is quite handy at the drive through.

I upgraded to a 2006 Ford 500 from a Taurus because of back problems that made entering and exiting most cars difficult. One test ride in a 500 convinced me to trade my year-old Taurus in for the 500 and it has proved to be the best, by far, car I have ever owned. I work part time for a car rental agency moving cars from city to city and have driven about every auto made and the Ford 500 matches or surpasses any one of them. Seventeen thousand miles later (after 9 months) absolutely no problems and my girlfriend just traded her Toyota for a 07 ford 500 and is completely satisfied.

I certainly agree, the five hundred is the most back friendly vehicle I have ever driven. The overwhelmingly superior Command Seating really delivers.

I also think the six speed is great, you can just squeeze off a nice bit of power for lane change and yet avoid the drama of a full kick down.

Looking at the new line of Fords, I think they really have a great line up, now to get the public to drive and buy - and make sure the service is a match for the cars.

Today I hand washed my car for the first time and noticed just how big it is. I'm 6'3" and reaching the middle of the roof to wax it was not possible.

I am hoping that the new Taurus will be a big hit and my Ford continues to feel and drive like a Volvo at a Ford price. The sedan is back and this is one of the best.

I think time will show that the Ford Five Hundred (and now the new Taurus) make the beginning of a entirely new class of revolutionary "world" cars.

In one article it states that Ford "reinvented" the classic Family car by crossing traditional sedan design with an SUV.

For me, my 07 Five Hundred Sel FWD has so much comfort and is so solidly build that I find it hard to believe I am in a "base" American car that cost me about as much as a Honda Civic.

I get in and drive, that is what I do, and the car simply delivers. With no reason to be hot-rodding, and wasting gas to show off, the drivetrain on this great car delivers exactly what I want, when I want.

Ford is criticized for being bland in this car, but it simply takes using it to appreciate how fresh and honest they approached this car. No frills, no design drama and no nonsense!.

This is the car that 90% of the families in the World would be happy with.

Drive one, buy the new Big Ford (no matter what name they stick on the trunk)and open your eyes to the remarkable reality that Ford delivered the goods. Driving is fun and you are in a car that is at the pinacle of automobile design change.

<<This is the car that 90% of the families in the World would be happy with.>>

You can't be serious! No matter how good the Ford Five Hundred is, it is a LARGE or EXTREMELY LARGE car by world standards, and it is also a gas guzzler by world standards. It is ONLY appropriate for North America and select foreign countries.

Having been to Europe many times I can tell you that even the Ford Focus is a relatively large car compared to what most people drive, especially in the cities.

I am glad that someone is reading these message and is interested enough to really respond. As for the last comment about the Ford Five Hundred not being a world car, I need to clarify that I said 90% of the world would be happy with it. That is very different than saying the car was the correct car for 90% of the world.

This is a large, luxury car and one does needs to have some wealth to purchase and operate a car of this size. Of course, it is not an ego car with a price that makes it unavailable to even upper middle class buyers.

The assumption was that it competes with the big Mercedes S, Audi's A-8 and BMW 700 series - and for a third of the price. Of course this is what the big American car has always been and why the Germany and Japan copy it so. A true world car, that is another story and I don't think anyone is building it yet. Maybe the new stretched 4 door Mini?

Whatever, I very much enjoy driving and owing the Five Hundred and will keep up to date on my experiences. For right now with about 1,100 miles, the mileage is really coming up (average of 25.5MPG) - but it does prefer the highway.

"The assumption was that it competes with the big Mercedes S, Audi's A-8 and BMW 700 series - and for a third of the price."

You lost all your credibility with that line. Seriously no Ford can compete with any of those vehicles regardless of its price. The Five Hundred is just another failure for the Ford Motor Company and that is why they are renaming the car Taurus. I guess you Ford Fanboys and employees really do not car what crap Ford sells you. I personally do not understand why someone would pick a Five hundred over a Chrysler 300 or other vehicles in its class like the Accord.

There are really a lot of good reasons to pick the Five Hundred over the cars you mentioned. The most obvious are the reasons for Consumer Reports recommending the car. The Chrysler 300 rates low, has poor reviews and is like a coffin inside. I understand why people are attracted to the look, Chrysler is great at this - for the first year or two- the cars seems fresh and special. Then after a short time it is simply revealed as a re-skined K car.

You see the Ford Five Hundred is really in a class of its own, none of the other cars in this segment are really cross-overs based on high level engineering and build.

Sure, you can get a bad car from Ford, and any mfg, but I can tell you first hand, this car is like a great Brook Brothers suit, it doesn't need labels or frills to be elegant and high class.

I have owned many and, if this one stays trouble free I will continue to compare it to the overprived cars driven by the NY marketing machine. I simply do not need or want an ego car - I want a car that is fun, safe and "this part is really amazing for a Ford" somewhat different and unique.

I could not be more happpy that the Five Hundred is being rebaged as a Taurus - owning one of these classics make me happy. I am also really glad to see that Ford is not having a garage sale on the Five Hundreds, like they are on the Mustangs, Fusions and Escapes.

The engineering and build quality of the ego names is really a waste of money. I have the ability to buy or lease anything I want, and I chose to pay cash and get great prices on cars I use.

Rememebr, autos are not investments like real property. In reality they are more like razor blades - you use them while they are sharp and then dispose of them.

For me the Five Hundred handles sharply enough to be fun and give me a seat like no other as I drive around. Mileage is not fantastic - but I am getting 29 on long freeway runs and averaging 24-25 in overall driving. Lots of stop and go does hit the mileage hard, but that is part of the price for a couple of tons of steel.

Just want to clarify some of my opinions here. First, I think it is important to note that the Five Hundred completes in the premium 5 seat, full size sedan catagory.

While it is a surpemely nice sedan, it is not a Sports Sedan, as those cars with a bit better acceleration and weaker gas mileage have become known. For me the idea of a sedan that has a Hemi, is counter intuitive. If I want a sports car, it will not be carrying 5 people.

The idea that more speed is always better - is like a computer chip, it is not true that Duo Cores are always better than single bus chips. If your Celeron or AMD chip works for you, so what if someone can load faster or re-draw a page in a few seconds sooner.

The marketing machines behind the higher price have to make it seem superior - but real world driving is kind of a chore, full of traffic.

For me, and I must say Ford has been very honest about this in the brochures and ads, the Five Hundred is about Comfort. Coupled with its command seating it really has few equals.

I like the way the big Ford appears from the inside, looking out going someplace. I don't need to admire a car in the drive or in the parking lot.

This is the best value in a Full size 5 seat sedan, and if you are clever enough to negotiate a price, you will not be disappointed.

Of course if you want speed, by the AMG mercedes - or big Lexus. But it would be better to lease because all that technology gets really expensive to maintain. The fancy dash lights in a lexus will set you back $1,200.00 to repair, when a typical dash bulb is about fifty-cents. That is technology I can live without.

Build a good driving, roomy car with timeless lines and hope people are smart enough to appreciate the value.

The current generation Fords are the best build ever - and I for one am not impressed with most of the European Sports Sedans that have lesser warranties, cost more than $50,000.00, get worse mileage and will be maintaince nightmares in the future.

The current Fusion is a very nice car, the Five Hundred is a very nice car and the Mustang is a very nice car.

Each of which can be purchased for around $17,000.00 brand new, with 5 year 60,000 miles warranties. This means you can have pick two of the above for the price of a single Chrysler Hemi powered 300?

<<First, I think it is important to note that the Five Hundred completes in the premium 5 seat, full size sedan catagory.>.

First of all, it does not. It competes in the midsize category along with the Camry and the Accord. This is NOT the premium end of the market, otherwise they would have renamed this car a Lincoln instead of a Taurus.

Whoever the person is who thinks the Five Hundred competes in the Mid-size car category has obviously never driven one.

The whole beauty of this car is comfort and, try as you may to argue that the if it doesn't say Lincoln it isn't a premium vehilce, you could not be more wrong.

In essence the Five Hundred is a made over Volvo s80, a car that sells for over %50,000.00 and completes at the high end of the european sedan market.

I feel sorry for anyone who cannot judge quality without being brainwashed by the label. I like Sony TV's, but I buy Vizio's from Costco because they offer premium quality for a better price. Ford is really on the way to doing this in the car market - and people with the imagination and self assurance to see that will profit and enjoy.

I do hope the new Taurus is the success it should be and Ford get the credit it deserves.

Interesting note, Consumer Reports did an in depth survey of car ownership experiences and (after all the data was in) the real world Ford owners were much happier and had better experiences and quality than Nissan, Mitubishi and almost all the other domestic makes. It was noted that the Fusion and Five Hundred had high quality and great road manners (almost as good as the over-rated Honda and Toyota).

I love the heavy German style driving feel of the Five Hundred and really think many people will find the new Taurus a very good value and a pleasure to drive.

Dare I suggest you try the new, Taurus, A Premium Domestic Family Sedan that drives like an import and is priced like a bargin.