Itsfrom Click wrote:
> I bought an '06 Five-Hundred Limited AWD in August '07 (from the Ford
> dealer I have bought several new cars from, including my '06 Mustang
> GT). The dealer had leased it new to a customer who takes a 1 year
> lease every year......the dealer provided full Carfax re****t and
> history. Had 16,000 miles on it.....paid $18,400 before trade-in.
>
> I was looking for a Five Hundred for the room......I wanted the AWD
> despite rumors about the transmission.
>
> It has exceeded all expectations: a really great, comfortable, roomy
> car.......doesn't handle like a s****ts car around town (the wheelbase is
> long for the size of the car) but is a real pleasure on the highway:
> very stable and not affected by blast from passing trucks, etc. Just
> great for vacations with that huge trunk and fold-down rear seat.
>
> both the AWD and the CVT are supposed to reduce gas mileage........I
> get 18-22 around town.
The CVT increases gas milage. With the CVT, you can have any gear ratio
between the highest and lowest ratio. So the engine can be running as
efficiently as possible.
> Took a 3200 mile vacation and AVERAGED 25 mpg
> gallon with up to 28 mpg on the highway (this on regular gas as
> recommended......I tried mid-range and premium and it made no difference
> in performance or mileage).
>
> The AWD is amazing: completely "seamless": you never know it's
> working, but in ice and snow this winter, it acted like the pavement was
> dry, while other people were sliding all over.
However, don't drive that way. While it goes like it is on drive
pavement, it stops like it so snow or ice.
> The new Taurus still offers the AWD but I understand they have
> replaced the CVT with a conventional automatic. The CVT was supposed to
> be troublesome and "lethargic". I think that's mostly perception
> because it is so smooth......if you want to go fast and put your foot
> down it will fly. I believe the AWD and CVT are straight from Volvo:
> hard to believe that Volvo would make anything fragile (they've owned
> the CVT patents since they bought-out DAF many years ago). The Owners
> Manual says the transmission/drive unit should be flushed and refilled
> with the unique fluid every 30,000 miles. That will be a dealer-only
> proposition and will be suitably overpriced, I'm sure, but I will have
> it done on schedule to keep the warranty (36,000 miles) in effect and to
> hopefully prolong the life of the unit if it is a weak link.
>
> Great car - I have 3 friends with them (although not AWD) and they are
> similarly pleased.
I know others who love their 500, too.
Jeff
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