2007 Ford Five Hundred SEL from North America - Comments

To all that insist on the pointless bantering.

OH man, can we stop all this nonsense!!!

Let's just talk about the car at hand. Meaning, problems, feel, comfort and driving impressions.

If you don't like so don't own said car then you should not be commenting on this thread. Why should you care if somebody else likes the ride, style etc of a car. IF the owner is happy with the car that is all that matters!!

Just look at the Fiero. Reliability problems etc and was killed because of slow sales. But now, they are sought after cars around here and have many clubs. People love those cars. If you think they are nuts for spending so much money on what you may think is junk is of no matter to you.

This is for owners/potential owners to hear from actual owners about there opinion of the car, discuss problems if any.

I.E. "I have this problem..." "I had the same thing, this is what is wrong"

If you don't like, thus don't own Ford, GM, Toyota etc then why are you commenting on such cars. I'm not only talking about domestic haters, but import haters commenting on reviews of cars they would never own.

If the owner is happy with the style etc of the car and feels they have a car better than a much more expensive model then good. They are the one that put the money down. If you would don't agree on all points, you don't think they are better or same than the "other model" and hate the style, then who the heck cares. You're not buying one. So why do you care that they think the car is the best ever made. There are cars out there that I think are wickedly ugly and way over priced to me so I would never buy one, but I see a number of them on the road. I would never tell them that they are stupid to buy the car or berate the car. If they like it that is ALL THAT MATTERS.

9:28 What the heck are you talking about??

Number one, <<I should go to a Ford Fusion Club to have glorious praised heaped upon the vehicle.>> Who is praising the Fusion? I never said anything like that. Also I thought we're talking about the Five Hundred. I guess I was wrong.

Number two, I don't remember saying that "I" like the car or didn't like it.

In a vacuum! Your commenting on a car you will never own, or care to and ONLY imports are good. No matter what. I wounder who is the one in a vacume. I made so statement that any car was better than another.

<< Another pro-domestic poster>> WOW the arrogance of some people. I never said that imports are crap or anything of the sort. For you to assume so and tag me as pro-domestic is crazy. I have owned all cars/trucks from most manufacturers and one of my most beloved trucks was a Toyota. I just wish they still made little diesel trucks. I would buy another.

If I like the style of a vehicle, can get the options I want and for the price I want, I will buy it. No matter what the make. I never bought Ford before cuz I hated the looks of them. Had Toyota and GM. But now I don't like the styling of most GM's and most Toyota's and like the new Ford's. Also like most of the new Honda's.

Since your on this Domestic VS Import thing, How bout this..

Say you like the looks of 1 Domestic (god forbid). But I think It is the most hideous thing to ever come out of Detroit. It is not my place to say to you that you are stupid for liking that vehicle. THAT is the point I was making.

As if you loved some new import and I thought It was ugly should that stop you from buying it. NO. And it shouldn't.

My update on 2007 Five Hundred SEL.

Just back from my first real break in trip. Round trip from San Diego to Palo Alto (490+ miles each way). Great route up the coast, over the mountains, acoss the valley and then into the rain.

My car traveled great, did 80 all day and returned 29.5 mpg! Did 490 miles on 17 gallons of regular great gas.

Handling is top notch - seat comfort is fantastic, and the ride was both comfortable and not sloppy.

Watching the other cars on the route I realized again that the Five Hundred is really in a class of one - THE cross-over sedan.

Would buy another in a heart beat. Best feature for travel, the great oversized side-view mirrors.

The six speed did a great job in the mountains, and with the cruise set we were traveling in full "first class" comfort.

I bought a Lowrance I WAY 250 GPS, for the trip and I will never not have mapping GPS with me again. This device is fantastic and priced very well, the windshield mount works great on the 500 and, well, I not only didn't get lost, but my passangers were happy I wasn't asking them to read the map.

You can pick one of these up for about $180.00 US, and I like it better than the other sub-$200.00 models.

Lowrance is based in Oklahoma and make great boat electronics also, as I have them on all three boats.

One note, for all you real American car fans, I just cannot tell you anything wrong with my Five Hundred: and right now you can make an amazing deal on one - would personally rather have this than the new Taurus - as it has more class and exclusivity.

The guys building these cars in Chicago deserve credit, and Ford deserves praise for making this car the ultimate full size american car that simply does everthing right.

To my eye it is every-bit a good looking as the big german sedans, and it simply dusts the Avalon and 300's. Now, I am not saying it is better or worse, but the styling is so European and un-adorned that it is like the perfect automobile, looks fine outside, drives like a dream and is inexpensive to own and operate.

Good job Ford and to anyone interested in a true full size sedan - save your money on the over-rated Lexus, Mercedes and VW. You can save between $15,000 to $40,000.00 and get a car that is just as good - with enough change left over to operate the thing and go on a dozen or more major road trips with friends and family.

"Good job Ford and to anyone interested in a true full size sedan - save your money on the over-rated Lexus, Mercedes and VW. You can save between $15,000 to $40,000.00 and get a car that is just as good..."

Just some good natured advice. Please keep things in perspective. In the American market, comparing a Ford 500 to a S Class/Lexus isn't really in range. The S Class comes with a 5 litre engine, and is targeted at a completely different group of people. Maybe in Europe where the cars are engines more comparable and the prices too. But then again the 500 isn't in Europe. Comparing a 500 to a S-Class is like a Geo Metro to a Corolla.

And please. People. Don't go bashing cars because of looks. How something looks is a perception, its the same as taste or smell. Some people like spinach, some don't. The same for cars, some people like Five Hundreds, some would prefer an Avalon.

I do think it is very sad that this site gets hijacked by some unimaginative and combative car critics.

My Five Hundred is a great car. Does everything a car should and looks different. I can afford whatever I want, but I like Fords- they fit me and are, this one feels like a single block of finely machined steel.

In my real world I am an Lemon Law attorney and handle all types of "buy-backs" - no more Ford's than anyone. The Toyota is full of hype - the Honda does seem to have an slight edge in quality - but that is most likley because they sell such a low volume of cars compared to Toyota, Ford and GM.

The best car is the one you like and is put togeter well, which you cannot tell from the badge on the front.

The worst built cars tend to be Italian, French and English- but being out of the US market they are irrelevent on this board. Here in the US the worst are all

German - go figure, they are status and have 3 times as many defect when delivered than Fords.

The best? My five Hundred has been 100% trouble free and I am happy driving it.

Please do not waste time on this site just putting down stuff you don't really understand. No car is inherently good or bad and domestics are much better than most.

Note, I have not been brain washed by Ford, I take money from them all the time, just not as much as from Dodge and Toyota.

In late March and early April I was shopping for cars. I originally looking at Chevy Impalas, but due to the great Impala shortage in the Bay area at the time, I decided to check out the Ford Five Hundred. I stopped by the dealership, and they told me they were having a fantastic sale to clear them out, as they are being discontinued. They had 4 left. I looked at a beautiful black Five Hundred with grey leather interior. The thing was loaded with everything except navigation and moonroof. Asking price was $6k below MSRP, for $20k. My heart skipped a beat.

The salesman showed me all the features, a big roomy interior, a trunk big enough to throw 3 bodies in, moveable pedals, and all kinds of other stuff. I got in and noticed immediately how high you sit. The seat just swallowed me up. The interior was very stately looking. Then I took it for a test drive. What a disappointment. The thing was about as fun to drive as an oil tanker. Underpowered. The thing wallowed around. Still, I almost bought, simply because it was such a fantastic deal. If price comes down enough, you'll put up with a lot. At $20k, it provided a lot of value for the money.

In the end, I couldn't pull the trigger. I didn't want to drive an oil tanker. After I gave the sales manager my final "No," he said he agreed with me. He said "What was Ford thinking putting that small of an engine in that large of a car?"

I did notice walking out the door that the Fusion in the showroom was bigger than I expected. I had thought it was smaller. In the end, I did end up buying the Fusion, with the same engine as the Five Hundred. In the Fusion, it's not underpowered.

I'm glad the original reviewer is pleased with his purchase. The Five Hundred, especially right now, is a car with very interesting trade offs. Low price and packed with features, but not a very enjoyable drive.

14th Apr 2007, 10:36.

Agreed, you got it nailed 100%

What does Blue Book value have to do with anything? Unless you're one of those people that like buying a vehicle every 2-3 years.

The only thing I don't like about the 500 is that anti-shiftshock tranmission. IT does no gears in it except forward, and reverse. the belt that turns the wheels makes acceleration feel like nothing is happening. If they can get rid of the cheap tranny, then it would have caught on with the general public.

<If they can get rid of the cheap tranny, then it would have caught on with the general public.>

I think you are a little bit misinformed here. I guess that you are referring to the new electronically controlled CVT transmission that's actually much more expensive to manufacture than a traditionally 4/5 speed slush box. The CVT has better 0-60 figures and better mpg than a traditional automatic transmission, so what are you complaining about?

And if you don't like this you one can opt for the 6 speeder automatic.

All this chit chat is useless... I only come here to see facts and experiences with the cars not personal taste in cars. I will see you guys in 3 years and if the car is still running strong without breaking all the time great. I am glad you are enjoying your cars, but take a look at the rest of the domestic cars reviews and you will see that you are the exception.

Exception to what? According to Consumer Reports the current Ford's are as reliable as Toyota. I like my 500 a lot, and it is a great driving car. No tradeoffs that I can find and the most comfort in the class. Apparently Ford is to be punished for building an "honest" sedan. Lots of room, great safety and timeless utility.

The fusion is just for main stream buyers, to all of us who saw, appreciated and bought this great big Ford - congrats - and as for Trade In Value, in about another year I will bet the 500 prices will bounce back up. These are great cars, but with $3000 rebate and about $4,000 in discounts - you cannot go wrong. Drives like a Lexus, looks like a VW and drives like a Volvo S80. My SEL cost me $15,999. and it worth a lot more to me. I absolutely love the fact that they are not "hot sellers" - leave that to the car mags to pick on. These cars do it all, and are really well made.

The engine is fine and if the reviewers actually lived with the car for a month they would realize the engine was a good choice (20+mpg, urban, 30+ hwy) great comfort and everyone who rides with me feels safe and secure as we cruise at 80+.

Take a chance and check this out, they won't be around long and the Taurus has "boy racer" looks that I find phony.

I've always liked the look of the Ford Five Hundred, because it still looks like a full-sized car. I don't want to be forced into a cheap, boring, cramped Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.

I was just looking at a 2007 Ford Five Hundred today on the lot, and still think it's a really nice car. It is still one of my top picks when it comes time to buy a sedan.

On the other hand, I also really like the 2008 Taurus, which gets slightly better gas mileage in spite of its larger engine.

I really like the interiors on both cars -- very comfortable, well apportioned and tasteful -- something that I don't see in the utilitarian Camry.

After wading through all of the (mostly useless) comments, I see that those bashing Ford don't really have anything to say specifically about problems with Ford cars; they just hate Ford for being an American company, or rather for not being a Japanese company. They are missing out on great cars by being so closed-minded. But not me, the '07 Five Hundred and '08 Taurus are at the top of my list.

The 6-7 cars in my family used to all be Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth for nearly 20 years, but in the last five years, half of those slots have gone to Ford/Mercury when it came time for vehicle replacement.

I am a business traveler and have the opportunity to drive many different rental cars. I just drove a 2007 Ford 500 SEL for 3 days and 400 miles. The 6 speed tranny was very smooth and cooperative, the seating was very comfortable, the stereo was awesome, and there is lots of power for passing when needed. Unlike many cars nowadays, it was very easy to see out all windows, the trunk is huge, and the interior is roomy and classy looking. Highway driving was smooth and the steering is just right.

The car had low profile sidewall tires and therefore potholes were felt at city speeds. The tires did not seem to transfer a rough ride from bumps at highway speeds. The engine was silent at idle, but exhaust noise was a little louder than I prefer at 40 to 50mph.

This car was the base model and I suppose the LTD would be smoother and quieter.

Overall, it felt like a good family sedan.

I started searching for a used car recently that would replace my 1989 4 cyl Dodge Spirit with 323k on it. I bought the Dodge used back in 1994 and put 210k on it since then. For those of you who aren't familiar with a Dodge Spirit, it's quite roomy and very comfortable to drive.

My son and I have looked at just about every make and model imaginable. They all seem the same to me, I can't tell them apart. We test drove a variety of cars import and domestics but I couldn't find one as comfortable as my Spirit at a reasonable price.

Yesterday, I was on my way to a friends house when I spotted a white Ford 500 on a used car dealers lot while I was stopped at a light. I immediately drove in and took a look at the car. It was a 2005 SE model with 56k on it. The second I sat in it I knew this was the one I wanted. The salesman arranged a test drive and I drove directly to my friends house. It is huge inside and much more comfortable than any of the other cars I looked at.

Needless to say, I bought it that day. I'm very happy with the deal I made even though the dealer didn't want to take my Spirit on trade initially. He said it wasn't worth his while but he relented and gave me a far price for it any way.

I'm very impressed with the Five Hundred and would recommend to anyone who wants a similar car at a reasonable price. I take good care of my cars and expect this one to be every bit as good as the Spirit.