silver FFH

Well, if you had clicked on the link and read the last paragraph of your first post, you would see that I am in fact not a liar. But, you seem to prefer to call people names than to deal in facts.

Maybe you forgot about complaining about the dashboard lights or don't understand how the internet works. cmelchappy complaining about the dashboard lights There is one like you on every forum also. A whiner. And you seem to be the viscious one with the potty mouth. I just didn't want everyone to waste their time giving you suggestions when it is pretty obvious that you don't like the car and are trying to find a reason to get rid of it. Just the fact that you mention the lemon law when the car works exactly as designed and exactly the same as it did on your test drive makes that point obvious even to me with my kindergarten edjucation. Also, I like coolaid!! I mean the title of your thread is "How to complain!"

OP - Aren't you the same guy who wanted to sell his FFH because the dashboard lights were to bright? Now you are threatening the dealer with the lemon law because the suspension is too sporty. Of course the dealer pushed you out the door, you probably complain about something new every week and they are tired of hearing from you. Next you will complain that you can't hear the engine when you are at a complete stop. Take the hit and trade the car in for something else that you can complain about. At 83 years old, what are you saving your money for?

In early December I mounted 16" Michelin X-Ice Xi2 snow tires on my wife's FFH. These tires are mounted on steel rims without wheel covers. So they are not very aerodynamic. We have driven about 1500 to 2000 miles on this combination and although our MPG's have dropped it is less than 2 MPG overall. We drive the FFH like a regular car and were getting about 36 MPG overall before the snows went on. Currently we are getting 34 -35 MPG. I should also note that it has been below 20º F for the last 2-3 weeks and we do most of our FFH driving on surface roads, so aerodynamics will not be as much of a factor. If you are one of those annoying hypermilers you may see more of a differential than we do. As far as the ride, I really don't notice that much of a difference in handling or ride softness but the feel of this car is so muted compared to my Mazda3 that I probably just don't feel the difference.

Gotcha, I got the performance winter tires for my Mazda for the same reason. Good in the snow but great at highspeeds and in rain and dry conditions.

On our FFH you can turn the foglights on without the headlights. Just pull the switch that turns on the foglights and only turn it to the parking light indicator. The foglights and parking lights will then be on without the headlights.

Sorry, but right now the dealer where I bought my FFH has a fully loaded FFH w/nav listed at what you paid for your car new so I would be suprised if you can get more than 30k for your. Keep in mind that the 32.3k does not include the tax rebate of $850. Also in CT you don't pay sales tax on any new car that averages over 40 mpg on either the city or highway mileage. But you would have to pay the 6% sales tax on a used vehicle. link with inventory and price: Litchfield Ford The dealer bases his trade in allowance on what he can sell the car for minus his profit and any repairs he has to make.

I am curious as to why you feel the Pilot Alpin PA3 is safer than the X-ICE Xi2. Please share any information you have concerning the relative safety of the different tire models so I can cancel my order if necessary. I do know that the Alpin PA3 is a "performance" winter tire comparable to the Dunlop Wintersports that I run on my Mazda3. Those are great on the highway and in slush and light snow, but they can't compare to the Blizzak WS50's and other "ice and snow" tires in deep snow and ice because they are designed for highspeed winter driving with an occasional deep snow thrown in. I know I have trouble starting and stopping on hills in fresh or deep snow with my Wintersports. If you do most of your winter driving on the highway then a "performance" winter tire might be the way to go but if most of your winter driving is done around town and on hilly terrain then I would stick to "snow and ice" tires. Thanks, Chris

I always get dedicated wheels for my snow tires but that is personal choice. I prefer a larger sidewall in the winter to deal with the road irregularities so I run a 16" tire size in the winter. Also a 16" snow tire and steel rim combination is sometimes cheaper than just the 17" snow tire. I know the steel rims are heavier and less efficient than the alloy rims but I have destroyed some alloy rims in the winter before and feel the steel rim is better for my needs. I also don't mind the TPMS light being on so I don't buy extra sensors. I just invest in a nice digital tire gauge and check the tires manually. If you have a tire center near by that you trust to change over your tires twice a year, you can get buy with just buying tires and have them changed out at the tire center.

Michilen sells the X-Ice Xi2 Green X, Which they classify as a low rolling resistance winter tire. I just ordered a 16" set yesterday for the FFH. I will let you know in the spring if they don't work as claimed. They seem to be highly rated on Tire Rack and by Consumer Reports, Motor trend etc...

I find this webpage very helpful when comparing tire sizes. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Not only that but due to the road conditions in winter, I find it better to have a larger sidewall to compenstate for potholes and road heaving. I have had two 17" rims destroyed by one pothole at the same time with the low profile tires. I was only going 35 MPH at the time but both the front and back right side wheels hit the pothole square. I run 16" wheels on my Mazda3 in the winter and it makes the ride much more comfortable. Plus I am not as concerned about hitting any debris. Last year was driving through the woods in an ice storm and had to drive over a few 3" - 4" thick branches. Didn't hesitate for a minute and actually enjoyed it. As far as the question of performance winter tires. I drive mostly on the highway so I use the Dunlop wintersport tires. I find that for my needs highspeed performance is more important than low speed traction in the snow. My wife drives mostly on backroads so we will be putting blizzak W60's on the Fusion for the winter. You can order them in the 16" size on tirerack.com already mounted and balanced on steel rims for less than $600. If you want TPMS sensors installed it is another $150. I don't use the sensors on my Mazda in the winter. I get used to the light after the 2nd or 3rd time driving without them. I am not sure how distracting the light on the Fusion will be yet since we have only had the car for a week.

Our FFH came with the Michelins and we are in CT. I am pretty sure all of the Hybrids come with the Michelin energy tires to decrease rolling resistance. My Mazda6i had them also and I would get shocked everytime I got out of the vehicle. I wouldn't try to drive in the snow with them. I had Dunlop wintersports for the snow. The stability and traction control help alot when you hit a puddle with one side of the car. If you have never had it before you may be suprised at how much more control you have over the vehicle in foul weather.

Gotcha, there was only one at the dealer where we wanted to purchase. Luckily it was a color we wanted and had all of the options we would probably have chosen. I didn't realize they were so hard to find.

I have a question about these orders everyone is placing. Is the FFH that hard to get, or do all of you want very specific options and colors? We bought ours off of the dealer lot over the weekend and took delivery on Monday. Was this just luck?