Goodbye LS

[jinx8402]

Hey guys,

So I know I don't post here often, but just wanted to thank the community for the help over the years. I decided to trade in my car before some of the major issues (namely timing chain tensioners) became an issue. I bought an almost loaded '13 Fusion Titanium with adaptive cruise, lane keeping and parking assist. I know, I know, it's a FWD, but I absolutely love it so far.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Hey, at least you stayed in the family. She's a beaut though, good luck and enjoy it!


I don't know about that License plate cover though. :shifty:

 

[purevilpleasure]

The wife is looking at getting a Fusion soon...that's because I'm pushing her toward that....so I think it looks great.

 

[G-RELL]

could have done a lot worse... congrats, let us know (without starting a million threads on how its better) how you like it after a while ...hows the interior space?

 

[De-marko]

I like the new fusion! Isn't there supposed to be Aston Martin influence in this car? I think British racing green would look killer!

 

[LS4me]

Isn't there supposed to be Aston Martin influence in this car?

Uh, yea. Look at the grille opening.......

 

[mlara1129]

I have to admit i do like these new Fusions. Forgive the lack of knoledge, but no AWD option?

Congrats!

 

[De-marko]

Uh, yea. Look at the grille opening.......

I did....hence the question.

 

[Upstairs Chris]

Clearly the RWD, somewhat performace intent layout is profitable. More profitable than the extra 3-4 MPG that FWD brings. I don't know why more automakers don't adopt it.

You want to sell more cars than the camry? Well then get me excited about your car.


Congrats on the new purchase. I challenge you to paint it British racing green like the above poster. That would be cool.

 

[LSter]

I have to admit i do like these new Fusions. Forgive the lack of knoledge, but no AWD option?

Congrats!

The Fusion's are available with the 2.0L EcoBoost and both FWD and AWD as options.

 

[LS4me]

Clearly the RWD, somewhat performace intent layout is profitable. More profitable than the extra 3-4 MPG that FWD brings. I don't know why more automakers don't adopt it.

You want to sell more cars than the camry? Well then get me excited about your car.


Congrats on the new purchase. I challenge you to paint it British racing green like the above poster. That would be cool.

It's not as much about MPG as it's about ease of assembly. Ever watched a car being built? FWD allows manufacturers to load the whole front assembly as a single unit.

 

[LS4me]

I did....hence the question.

Welll...... That would be the ONLY influence.

 

[Upstairs Chris]

It's not as much about MPG as it's about ease of assembly. Ever watched a car being built? FWD allows manufacturers to load the whole front assembly as a single unit.

No, I didn't know that and figured it was purely for efficiency purposes. Some of today’s hot hatchbacks would be absolute killers if it weren’t for the FWD, torque steer from hell nonsense you have to endure to drive one.

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motora...rings-performance-wrong-wheels-171225807.html

 

[LSter]

It seems the order of the day is to reserve RWD for trucks/suvs, the true sports cars (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Charger, Corvette, Viper), or the big Euro brands (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, etc).

 

[G-RELL]

it all comes down to economy, and the fact that the average consumer shy's away from RWD cars because of drivability, not concerned about performance... Makers are forced to please the masses.

 

[LS4me]

It seems the order of the day is to reserve RWD for trucks/suvs, the true sports cars (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Charger, Corvette, Viper), or the big Euro brands (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, etc).

I wouldn't call a Charger a true sports car. As the Challenger is on the same platform (IIRC), calling that car a true sports car is also questionable.

it all comes down to economy, and the fact that the average consumer shy's away from RWD cars because of drivability, not concerned about performance... Makers are forced to please the masses.

Manufacturers scored a coup when they convinced consumers FWD was "better" than RWD. It's all about ease of manufacture; they couldn't care less what we think. Research what drive system is optimal.

 

[G-RELL]

if consumers purchased RWD cars at a greater rate they did FWD cars (assuming both were just as available). I assure you manufacturers would alter how they manufactured cars. now, have they force-fed the (american) masses into believing they want FWD, probably. But would they change if the market shifted, absolutely. will that ever happen... NO

 

[chocolat1701]

great car I was going to get the exact same one until I found my new 06 LS

 

[LS4me]

if consumers purchased RWD cars at a greater rate they did FWD cars (assuming both were just as available). I assure you manufacturers would alter how they manufactured cars. now, have they force-fed the (american) masses into believing they want FWD, probably. But would they change if the market shifted, absolutely. will that ever happen... NO

Try to buy a RWD car from an American manufacturer. Lincoln? Nada. Ford? Mustang only. Chevy? Camaro and Vette. Cadillac? All except the XTS. Chrysler? Nothing until the 300 and it's relatives. As for foreign marques Honda, nada; Toyota? Nada.

The reason consumers (think they) want FWD is because the manufacturers have convinced (brainwashed) the masses that FWD is better in bad weather. NOTHING is further from truth.

 

[G-RELL]

Try to buy a RWD car from an American manufacturer. Lincoln? Nada. Ford? Mustang only. Chevy? Camaro and Vette. Cadillac? All except the XTS. Chrysler? Nothing until the 300 and it's relatives. As for foreign marques Honda, nada; Toyota? Nada.

true... but i dont believe thats because makers would rather produce FWD because logistically its easier... Its because it's what america wants...

The reason consumers (think they) want FWD is because the manufacturers have convinced (brainwashed) the masses that FWD is better in bad weather. NOTHING is further from truth.

I believe we're now in a chicken or the egg scenario...


Why is it that every goodbye thread go's so far off topic....

 

[hinzy]

The reason consumers (think they) want FWD is because the manufacturers have convinced (brainwashed) the masses that FWD is better in bad weather. NOTHING is further from truth.

Have you ever tried driving a RWD 5-7 months a year in the snow?

 

[LS4me]

Have you ever tried driving a RWD 5-7 months a year in the snow?

No, but I drove a nose-heavy FWD appliance in those conditions for 5 years. I also drove from SLC to OKC twice with a RWD car in January. Then I bought into the FWD thing (early 80's). Search for the RWD vs. FWD study. It is quite enlightening. Once FWD loses traction you're just along for the ride. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. A well-balanced RWD (LS, BMW, MB) with proper snow tires will out handle a nose-heavy FWD appliance any day. Will the LS plow through snow? No, but neither will a FWDer with the same ground clearance.

Just read the study (google). I'm not here to convince anyone FWD is better than RWD. I just know I've owned my last nose-heavy, wrong-way mounted engined car. That's why at this point I will not own another Lincoln; and as of now my next car will be of foreign manufacture.

 

[LSter]

and as of now my next car will be of foreign manufacture.

Considering that most of the features that turned me onto the LS can be found in a loaded Mustang, that will probably be my next rig.

 

[hinzy]

Once FWD loses traction you're just along for the ride. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. A well-balanced RWD (LS, BMW, MB) with proper snow tires will out handle a nose-heavy FWD appliance any day. Will the LS plow through snow? No, but neither will a FWDer with the same ground clearance.

Try convincing everyone that they need to buy extra tires just for winter and also fill the trunk with sand bags, see how that goes over.

I agree, once a FWD loses traction you pretty much just slide into the ditch. Lose traction in a RWD and you are doing 360's taking everyone else around you out. It's only easier to control if you know how to drive, which a lot of people don't

I'm not trying to argue one way or the other. I live in MN and drive both FWD and RWD. My LS will not move from a dead stop let alone go around a corner safely without added equipment. FWD is not a problem getting around.

 

[jinx8402]

Thanks for the compliments (for those that did and are not talking FWD vs RWD ). I decided I didn't really want the AWD, because apparently it is still FWD biased. The Titanium comes with the 2.0 ecoboost, which puts out 240HP and 270 lbs of torque. nearly similar output to my 2000 V8, but it is around 200 lbs lighter. I do miss the LS though, it was such a nice car.