King Riffle drives the 2006 Ford Five Hundred

[King Riffle]

So yesterday I decided to take a look at a Five Hundred sitting on a dealership's lot. It was a loaded Five Hundred SEL. My notes:

-The trunk is huge. Like, Canada huge.

-The interior materials were not as good as they could be. The door panels especially felt rather cheap. Everything looks good though, I did not notice any large or uneven gaps in the material.

-The interior is also huge. You feel somewhat insignificant compared to the car while sitting in it.

-The drivers seat was quite comfortable, and you sit in it as you would sit on a kitchen chair. The seat is quite high and can go higher than I had it.

-I'm convinced that the wing mirrors were a joke. They're, like many other parts of this car, huge. A little taller than the mirrors on Astro vans but not quite as wide.

-The guages are a bit small, which is odd considering the size of everything else in this car.

-The car feels underpowered. It also seemed to rev somewhat high to get what power it does have. I don't think that the car is as underpowered as it feels though, it got up to speed on the onramp pretty quickly.

-I hate automatic climate controls. I don't know what temperature I want the car. I just want it cold. Make it cold in here, you worthless #%#@)( of a machine.

I'll take knobs or sliders any day.

-No windnoise, rattles or squeaks. I didn't notice much roadnoise at all, the Five Hundred was pretty quiet on the freeway.

-The stereo didn't sound very good, but I didn't adjust it any on this short drive.

-Back seat legroom is plentiful. These seats are also quite high off of the floor. Spending a day back here would be no problem.


I thought it was a pretty nice car. The new engine and transmission in the Taurus will help tremendously. I would consider one to replace the Taurus if the price is right.

I would also Recommend it to anyone looking for a large car.

[Cabana Boy]

A tad late with your 500 review, as they are currently making the new Taurus that also fixes most of your complaints.

Oh, and autoclimate controls ROCK. You set the temp to 70 and let it do all the work. What's that you say? Your significant other is a tad colder? Then just set their dual climate zone temp to 75, or whatever stops them from complaining. try that with sliders

[King Riffle]

Yeah, a bit late I know. I don't think the Taurus is going to be that much different though.

If the passenger is too cold they should've worn a sweater.

[Buick61]

What's a Ford Five-Hundred? I can't remember ever seeing one on the road...

[Ach]

I too hate auto climate controls. I just treat it like manual anyway-60 when hot, 80 when cold, and adjust the fan as I see fit. What were your impressions, if any, of the steering and ride/handling?

[King Riffle]

The ride was much firmer than I expected. Not bone-jarring or anything though.

I can't really comment on the handling. I just took it through town a bit and then for a short drive on the freeway. So only a few corners at lower speeds. I expect with the firm ride it handles okay for a larger vehicle.

[likearock00]

Ford is so stupid. The 500 should've been the new Crown Vic, and the Fusion should've been the Taurus. The could have asked a bit more for the 500 and done very well. Just stupid.

My parents drive a Taurus now, and they want to replace it with a 500. I just don't understand why they would need that much space. I bet if they changed the name of the Fusion to Taurus, they'd want it!

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Ford is so stupid. The 500 should've been the new Crown Vic, and the Fusion should've been the Taurus. The could have asked a bit more for the 500 and done very well. Just stupid.

My parents drive a Taurus now, and they want to replace it with a 500. I just don't understand why they would need that much space. I bet if they changed the name of the Fusion to Taurus, they'd want it!

The Fusion is selling quite well though, to change it's name right now would be very risky. Plus I don't think the Taurus name would work as well since it's aimed at younger people.

The Five Hundred, on the other hand, is meant as Ford's family car. The Taurus name fits perfectly.

[HashiriyaS14]

The Fusion should keep it's name, it's a neat name.

The Crown Vic name will likely not resurface after the current model dies, unless it represents a new fleet-only model. There is almost zero demand for retail Vics, and the name doesn't have much equity in the retail marketplace anymore. It'd be more of a liability than an asset.

[likearock00]

It needs to keep it's name now....I agree. I'm saying Ford should've named these cars right from the get-go.

[Old Dood]

I liked the name 500 or is it FiveHundred? It reminded me of the Galaxy 500 which became the LTD.

My Brother in Law (sister's husband) owns a 2006 loaded 500 and it is not a bad car. It is a bit under powered but it does ride pretty nice. The NAV isn't bad except that will tell you to make a Legal U-turn. What is that? There is such an animal as a LEGAL U-turn?

I too enjoy having dual climate controls. It keeps Mrs Dood happy EXCEPT she will complain that the fan is too loud because I have mine set lower so I end up raising my temps to quiet the fan to shut...err...quiet her up....*sigh* Wives...

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

I liked the name 500 or is it FiveHundred? It reminded me of the Galaxy 500 which became the LTD.

It is technically the "Ford Five Hundred". It had to start with the letter "F" remember. Few people actually type that out though.

[CRBoyd91]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

It is technically the "Ford Five Hundred". It had to start with the letter "F" remember. Few people actually type that out though.

Exactly.

Pretty much on par with what I've read in most other reviews of it. An impressive vehicle indeed.

[mikmak]

+ how do you rate it vs. Impala for price/size?

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by mikmak

+ how do you rate it vs. Impala for price/size?

I'm sorry I didn't see your response sooner.

I haven't driven a current Impala so I'm not going to compare the two on road manners. From what I've read though I gather that the Impala has a softer ride.

I have sat in a new Impala though. The Five Hundred is much bigger and much more spacious than the Impala. You also have a much higher seating position in the Five Hundred.

I'd rate the Five Hundred's interior slightly above the Impala's. Other than the truck interiors (and a few other rare exceptions) GM interiors haven't impressed me since the very early 1990's.

Edit: I don't have any pictures of the one I drove. Here are some pictures from www.motorpoint.com.au to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Mine was a dark red.