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97 F350

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  1. We are looking at Excursions. Only 2003 and earlier because I want the 7.3 like in my truck. I was looking at the owners manuals online and the maximum trailer weight for the 2001 was 10,000 lbs. For 2003 it was 12,000 lbs. Same engine and axle ratio. So what was upgraded between those two model years? Also, yesterday went and looked at both a 2003 and a 2001. Both were Limiteds. But the 2001 interior (especially the rear seat leather) looked a LOT nicer. And the rear seat on the 2003 did not have the same style headrests the 2001 did - but a cheesier looking version. Did Ford go cheaper on the interiors during that time frame?
  2. Unfortunately, this was one of the stellar ones in the Houston area (from what I heard). This was all about a land deal since it was bought by Group 1 which owns about 1/2 of the dealerships right there in the auto row on the SW freeway. They are just shuffling the bigger ones around to better locations. Sounds like Lincoln lost the game of musical chairs.
  3. Huh. I had just come here today to ask if anybody knew what was happening to Southwest Lincoln. I pass by it everyday and have watched the inventory dwindle for the last couple of months. This explains it all. Shame. This store used to be closer in town on the same freeway. Had a big old store built in the 70's with a really neat exterior covered in round river-rock. Very Southwestern style. And world's coolest neon sign - it was a huge longhorn skull that really lit up the night. Right across the freeway is an *ahem* gentleman's club that put up their own enourmous neon sign. Between the two of them - it looked like a little Vegas on the Southwest Freeway. Alas, about 10 years ago, Southwest LM moved out to their present location and built their really nice, classy showroom in the middle of auto row. But they held on to their old property as it remained their body shop. The neon sign was badly damaged in a hurricane a few years back and finally taken down. I thought they would be one of the Lincoln dealers to survive. They always seemed strong - even after Mercury closed. From what I gather, they had a strong following among the Lincoln loyalists in the Houston area. And now there is a huge gap in coverage in the Houston area. The only competitor within probably 20 miles - Legacy Ford/Lincoln/Mercury in Rosenberg dropped L/M a couple years back - they weren't much of a competitor anyway. I think the next closest dealer would be near Katy on 1-10.
  4. We decided not to extend the warranty. (Not having the money laying around was a pretty strong decision maker) Most of the time I wouldn't even consider this - just with the horror stories I have heard of the the cost of a new CVT on the Freestyle. Hopefully we can get 150,000 or so miles out of the car before we need to replace anything major. Guess we will take the gamble.
  5. We have a 2006 Freestyle with an extended warranty that is about up. The car is in great shape and my wife loves it. We are at 95,000 miles or so and the warranty is good till about 98,000. Should I go for another extended one? At fordwarrantys.com I can get the Basecare warranty for $2075 or the PowertrainCare for $1675 (I can get addtional $190 off if I sign up before endo of month). This would be for additional 48,000 miles - putting us close to 150k. The two higher grade warranty's are not available at this mileage. We haven't used much on our present extended warranty - it's been a good car - but I am worried about the CVT, especially now that we are approaching 100k miles. I know if that goes, it's big bucks. Does anybody have any experience with these Ford ESP plans? Are they worth it?
  6. It's all part of their master plan. They think the UAW is going to strike against them - so they are building up their inventory in anticipation.
  7. Ford should have sold Lincoln and Mercury when they were worth BIG BUCKS. Then bought Saab from GM. They could have arranged a deal to import Opels and VOILA! Instant BMW/Lexus Fighter!!
  8. So do I have this straight now? Cadillac is the "BMW-killer" Now Buick is the "Mini-killer" I thought they were the "Lexus-fighter" Who will GMC fight? It seems they are fighting Chevy. In China, Buick is the "Chery and VW-killer" This is all so confusing. I need a drink.
  9. Hey - I live 2 miles from this dealer - sounds like you're a neighbor! Couple of corrections. NOT small business ownership. Part of Planet Ford/Randall Reed chain. Also own Texan Hyundai next door. Was hoping they were going to turn the empty Hyundai dealership into LM store - but no luck. They bought out the local owner (Dub Miller) about 5 years ago - a couple years after he moved the location from Highway 90. (Now United rentals store) Last year when we were looking at Taurus X/Flex's, we went in there. Only 1 Lincoln on the entire lot. No Mercs. So no big loss there. The local LM dealer they absorbed wasn't doing much better, they were combined with Toyota (moved up to 59 and 99) and maybe Mitsubishi? You are right about the upgrades needed. The store is in good shape - but it is entirely a Ford store that happens to have a couple of L-M vehicles on its lot. No differention at all and would have to build a new building to have room. Plus as you said Southwest LM up the freeway is an institution in the area and seems to be doing as well as possible with the lineup. They always have a complete full selection of new and do a healthy used business. I've often wondered if Legacy FLM has even sold enough L-M vehicles to pay for the signage they put up a couple of years ago.
  10. Definitely. They might have the same ratings now, but Ford has a clear path forward to improving their rating. GM - not so much.
  11. We were in the market for a new minivan. We drove the T&C, the Voyager and the VW version. All were full of acres of cheap, cheesy plastic. Even the Limited. There were some useful things about it, but some of the "features" were just useless. The rear seats were very fragile and we were afraid they would be broken right about the time the warranty expired. Not impressed with any of the engine choices at all. So basically after a lot of Chrysler mini-van driving, we bought a 4-year old Freestyle. And don't regret a minute of it.
  12. Ralphie: No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! Santa Claus: You'll shoot your eye out, kid.
  13. I think at some point - the wheels are going to fall off for VW. I don't know if this is the beginning or not - but they have what - 10 brands? And then they bought part of Subaru. Or was it Suzuki. I forget. It is going to be increasingly hard for their brands to avoid stepping on each others toes, ala GM. Even after killing 4 brands, GM is still having that problem - look at their SUV's. With 10 - the problem is only compounded. So in order for Audi to avoid stepping on Bentley's toes, Let's make it a VW. So now VW is stepping on Audi's toes. They should have make it a Seat - they could have used it to launch the brand in the US and made it a Mercedes-killer brand since their is no brand recognition for Seat here now.
  14. 100% agree. From someone who prepares corporate taxes for a living - the most onerous states to file in pretty much line up with the states in the worst fiscal shape. California, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, Louisiana. These states are all nasty, nasty returns with high tax rates. Yet they are still broke. I would. I've prepared returns for NBA and MLB players. They pay a butt-load of tax. In a lot of states + to the fed. In general, not very savvy on the ways you can legitimately reduce the tax burden. (Supporting your posse is not a charitable contribution although I'm sure a few posters on here will argue that being paid for not doing work is critical for society to function) And if anybody rich should not be taxed at a high rate, it is professional athletes. They are almost by definition one-man economic stimulus machines. Three or four cribs, plus one for mama, a garage full of Bentleys, Hummers, Escalades, Benzes, gallons of Dom and Hennessey, armful of Rolexes, stable of pit bulls and Rotties put more people to work than any jobs program ever dreamed of. Of course, five years after retirement, they are filing for bankruptcy - but by then they have already stimulated the economy.
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