SVX vs. Ford 500

[yesmar]

So today I got to drive my mom's Ford 500 and i wondered how it matched up to a SVX. I have not driven a SVX so the only thing I can compare with is the 500. I liked the 500, so a SVX with more power and less weight would be more fun, right?

[AppStateSVX]

hate to bust it to ya kid, but the Ford 500 is nothing more than the new generation - Taurus. Family Sedan VS. Touring Coupe.....no challenge...... (kind of a strange question to ask on an SVX enthusiasts page though........ )

[yesmar]

It's not like there are a bunch of SVX's around that i can test drive. Both of these cars have similar power and weight so if i liked the ford 500 then i really would like the SVX. i know the SVX isnt' a car for my mom but its the closet thing i have to the SVX right now.

dictaded not read

[Rotorflyr]

Originally posted by MidnightBlack92
the Ford 500 is nothing more than the new generation - Taurus. Family Sedan VS. Touring Coupe.....no challenge...... (kind of a strange question to ask on an SVX enthusiasts page though........ )

Not really as strange a question as you might think, as he stated, the 500 is similar in weight/power and the 500 does come with AWD the main difference being Domestic Sedan/Foreign Coupe
His question was more towards the line of AWD vs AWD and how they would feel drive wise. Im pretty sure he realizes one is more sporty then the other.....LOL

My mom's got a Sable, 2001, with the Duratec V6. It actually has a decent amount of power.

I loathe that car. It's just close enough to the SVX to remind me how different it is. I get in and my ass hits the seat way too high. I throw the console shifter into gear and reach for the parking brake that's in the wrong place. I pull out, punch it, and feel absolutely nothing. It goes, sure, but there's no bond with the car. It completely isolates one from the road. The interior is completely uninspiring. Gray plastic wraps around generic curves. The leather seats offer no support. The seatbelts lock at the slightest tug, and this drives me completely nuts.

This is what I hate about Ford. They build vehicles for commuters, not drivers.

[Seraph]

Originally posted by MidnightBlack92
hate to bust it to ya kid, but the Ford 500 is nothing more than the new generation - Taurus. Family Sedan VS. Touring Coupe.....no challenge...... (kind of a strange question to ask on an SVX enthusiasts page though........ )

Uh... yes and yet a huge resounding no...

Ford 500 is bigger than Taurus. It is. It has more interior room (cubic inch wise) than a crown vic.

I've driven a few of them. They feel like there is something wrong with the trans. I mean it feels like it's slipping all the time but they are made that way.

What I do like (as in what I heard from the dealers)is that if the trans goes out on them, ford will replace a whole new car for you since the tranny maker can only redo the trans. So ford will have to ship it (yes the whole car) back to them.

When Motor Trend tested the 500, I remember them noting that the transmission is CVT... Thus the strange slipping feel.

New Ford cars... blech. CVT gone wrong... blech. Floaty suspension design, typical of all Ford cars, that's very similar to a truck... blech.

If you drive an SVX, you'll feel an obvious and amazing difference in drivability (aside from the fact that the SVX is more than 1.5 seconds quicker to 60mph).

[lhopp77]

I thought I read somewhere that the tranny and AWD system were from Volvo which Ford owns or did I just dream this??

Guess they could have used a Land Rover system if they wanted since they own that too.

Lee

[SVX-FF]

The Ford 500 is a Volvo S80. The 500 uses the same chassis as the S80. The AWD comes from the S60 AWD system. When Ford bought Volvo they stole a lot of Volvo stuff.

[Chiketkd]

If I remember correctly, either MotorTrend or Car & Driver got a 0-60mph of 8.0 and a 1/4 mile of around 16.3 @ 88mph for the 500...

The CVT transmission definitely takes a big 'bite' out of the engine's power.

-Chike

not to mention how long its taken Ford to bring an AWD sedan to the US market..only to know its a dumbed down Volvo..ahh CVT reminds me of the Justy..they should call it the 450..rolls off the tounge four-fifty..fo-fifteeee

Originally posted by Chiketkd
If I remember correctly, either MotorTrend or Car & Driver got a 0-60mph of 8.0 and a 1/4 mile of around 16.3 @ 88mph for the 500...

The CVT transmission definitely takes a big 'bite' out of the engine's power.

-Chike

I thought that Motor Trend gave it a 0-60 of 8.8, but perhaps I am sort ofmixing that up with the 1/4-mile trap speed... Oh well.

I hate the fact that, from my understanding, the original purpose of the CVT was to keep the engine at or near peak output most of the time, resulting in better fuel mileage and performance... But, when the public complained that it "felt wierd" without the shifting, manufacturers started installing "steps" in the CVT to simulate shifting - thus negating it's original purpose.

[Seraph]

I thought it felt weird. But it was different weird. Not like SVX tranny slipping feeling weird. Its a different feeling.

[Chiketkd]

Originally posted by deruvian
I thought that Motor Trend gave it a 0-60 of 8.8, but perhaps I am sort ofmixing that up with the 1/4-mile trap speed... Oh well.

I checked, MotorTrend got 0-60 in 8.6 with a 16.4 1/4 mile. C&D got the times I posted - I guess they got a faster awd launch outta it!

-Chike

[Matthewmongan]

i drove a suv with a cvt. its definately odd, when you gun it the engine hist 3000 rpm and stays there while the car accelorates, but it had a "shift option where you could auto stick it like the manual button in the svx. personaly i wouldnt mind a cvt in a daily driver but since their complex and havent been used widely until recently i imagine that its a drain on the funds when it breaks, and i doubt your local W T tranny shop has the equipment to fix it. kindof like the svx in that way how it leaves mechanics scratching their heads and scrambling for the chilton's manual every time i bring it in.