Drew Dowdell

Well, I'm all done configuring the new server and we're ready to move into our new garage. I have to spent most of the day tomorrow on the road, so I'll run the migration tomorrow night overnight. We will be listed as offline during the migration.

in other news, the new server is coming along quite well. We'll be on to the new server by Sept 10th.

You will be issued full refund on the amount you've already paid. promptly.

Sorry about the recent site outage guys. Our server had a RAID array failure and needed to have some of the hardware replaced. I plan to move us to a new server in the next 30 days, so watch for announcements on planned downtime. Drew

The server was in bed for 2 days, sick of all the downvoting. Now see what you did!?

Materials are top notch, and typical in it's segment. When you go top shelf BL, that much more so. And the 2.0L in my Fusion is very smooth and quiet and gutsy. It is even smoother and quieter in my bro's new MKZ. I would hardly say it drooooones. In fact, he raves about how smooth it is......for an I4. But that's what turbos do, they drastically reduce NVH due to routing through cast stainless turbos and fewer rpms as well. Anyway, there are many entry level luxury cars with worst entry level engines. Disagree. In the Black-Line, the materials that are changed over are top notch, however, the materials that carry over from the lesser trims are not. I have 5 primary objections in the interior which aren't addressed even in the BL trim because they aren't changed. 1. The huge flat black plastic center stack. 2. The switchgear - primarily the stalks on the column 3. The dash cover - I know it is supposed to look like stitched leather, but it come off looking like a giant rubber pad instead. 4. The buttons on either side of the center stack for transmission control etc. This may seem a bit picky, but they don't have a high end tactile quality when pressed. Transmission controls done this way are unique to the Lincoln brand and Lincoln must make it a more memorable experience somehow. 5. The Nintendo gameboy chime when starting up that plagues all Fords products. I don't mind it so much in a Fiesta or Focus, but for god sake, it is the single easiest thing to change in a car... give the Lincoln a classier sound.

I like my overhangs. (not my car, but a fantastic picture of an identical one)

My issues with the MKZ are primarily with the interior material quality and in any of the ones with the 4-cylinder power trains. That 4-cylinder just drooooones...

Quite true

So actually, if the rumors are true, it would be both a Prius fighter and a Leaf fighter.

Not in the least. If nothing else, MKC and MKX are currently enough to preserve Lincoln. A new aluminum Navigator is coming (none too soon), and a refreshed MKZ (also a bit past due). That puts Lincoln at least on par with Acura and Acura isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

It's not going to suddenly become the best selling car in the segment, whatever segment that may be. It doesn't need to be though, it just needs to convince enough people at a growing rate that it is gobs better than the MKS (not a very high bar).

Average age of cars is also increasing though, even after cash for clunkers too a chunk of older vehicles off the road.

The "C" part of FCA is actually doing pretty well. It's the "F" part that is pretty well Effed. Their hail-Mary will be this new RWD platform.

I don't know, I would say that the 'net end' would actually be the fact that there is far more involved than just power ratings in achieving that. No... again... you aren't listening. Two cars: 140hp @ 2,000 rpm 140hp @ 6300 rpm Which car is going to get to use all 140 horses most often?

So, an extreme example of the benefits of low RPM HP v. high RPM hp. My old Oldsmobile 307 - Horsepower is about 140, torque is about 240 lb-ft. However, you get about 90% of max torque from 700 rpm - 3500 rpm. This is from a 35 year old V8 with a 4-barrel carb. Comparison - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 - 138 horsepower and 125 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm. I have a 3-speed auto while the Cruze has a 6-speed. The Cruze gets to its peak hp at 6300rpm. I'll get my 140 hp at around 2000 rpm. While I'm absolutely hampered by having only a 3-speed auto, I can easily keep up with a 1.8 liter Cruze without my 35 year old car breaking a sweat while the Cruze's 1.8 liter will be screaming. Why? Because I get my horsepower much much lower in the RPM band. There's a whole list of apples and oranges between these two cars, but the net end is that they both produce about the same amount of horsepower at their peak. But I get to use my 140 horsepower much more often than a Cruze driver ever does.

That's probably the best description of the Continental's intentions out there. Out LS the LS. Keep it close to concept in appearance and it will also look better doing it.

Interesting design direction. Getting away from the huge gaping mouth of pretty much every crossover these days.

Consumer Reports' rating system has been broken for decades...... they're only just now getting around to reporting the fact.

That's true of all cars, not just pony cars

If any muscle/pony car goes with an electric powertrain, it should be the Charger. what?

It will really depend on the balance in the car. Much like in the ATS where the 2.0T is the best choice for those who want a blend of power and driving dynamics (without going to the V-series), I think the 2.0T in the Camaro will be an excellent handler, probably the best of the non-SS cars. Younger buyers are also familiar with Turbo-4s, so I don't think that will be a huge issue for them.

I have found the "error" and have rectified it. The server has been set to recalculate everyone's reputation again. Some people may see theirs go up or down based due to posts being deleted since the last tabulation. Gotcha'. Just seemed a little strange. Glitches happen though. This wasn't a glitch, it was an error, and I'm addressing the cause. I am being vague intentionally on this one.

Make sure you have enough refrigerant in the system, if it is low, the compressor has to work harder and longer just to keep the same level of cool. It could be as simple as that.

I have found the "error" and have rectified it. The server has been set to recalculate everyone's reputation again. Some people may see theirs go up or down based due to posts being deleted since the last tabulation.