[Shotimes] Drove the new Fusion

[Donald Mallinson]

Dave,

In my '96 SHO, the tranny is so slow to react that I don't use the other 
positions much, but it is nice to have the option, and I DO use them 
from time to time.  Especially on hills and mountains.  Also, for 
decades, Fords have had the "start in 2nd gear" feature for slick 
roads.  I do use that in the winter.  No such option on the Fusion, 
guess you have to buy the traction control option for that.

My 300C has the "autostick" feature, and I find I use it frequently.  No 
it isn't faster, it costs fuel probably, but it is fun.  And that is 
part of why I buy cars (don't most of us on the SHO lists?)....for fun.  
Having some control over the tranny, even an automatic is part of the 
fun.  Would cost them almost nothing to add an autostick area to the 
floor shifter, so why not do it?  Probably has more to do with warranty 
claims than anything maybe?

Don Mallinson

Dave Kegel wrote:

>I don't know, do people really use those "shifters" for their auto
>tranny cars?  I know when I'm driving an automatic trans-equipped car
>the last thing that comes to mind is "shifting" it.  If I wanted to
>shift, I'd be driving a stick.  So for me personally, I could care less
>about that feature.
>
>Dave
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
>[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of G Kerby Haltom
>Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 11:28 AM
>To: Donald Mallinson; 'v8sho'; Shotimes@autox. team. net
>Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Drove the new Fusion
>
>
>I've seen more Fusions here than 500s, and the 500  has been for sale a
>year longer.  It really isn't a bad looking  car, especially in darker
>colors.  I'm surprised they have no way  to shift the tranny.  It should
>be the same one that is in the  Mazda.  I wonder if they will put the
>3.5L V-6 in it when that  comes out.  The 500 really needs that engine
>just to compete with  the Camry.  Life is bad when a Camry will out run
>you...
>  
>  Kerby
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