December Spotlight:
Aston Martin is no longer owned by Ford, but if you’re the classy type, or are like me, and enjoy just faking it, then you should be in love with the new Ford Fusion. I’m sure you’re wondering what my reference about Aston Martin is, or maybe you’re not if you’ve already seen pictures of the sexy new mid-sizer from Ford. The front end is a rip-off on the highest order from one of the closest things to Automotive Art we’ve seen since the 20’s or at least the 63-65 Buick Riviera’s Dashboard.
Ford should get kudos for styling their Camry-fighter in such sleek duds. In a day when Hyundai has fluid sculpture, KIA stole Audi’s former design boss, and Nissan just released a mini-Maxima in the 2013 Altima, it’s about time Ford stepped up. And they did, it’s a combination of power and class, and to have such design elements in a $22,000 car, well, you simply don’t have any other options (let’s be honest, the Accord and Camry are about as exciting as an evening filled with Nyquil and Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary reading).
So, it’s good looking enough to get you to open the door, so how the 2013 Fusion stack up where you spend the majority of your time? Quite well actually. Materials are a nice mix of plastic, cloth and rubber. While having soft touch materials mostly where your hand might fall, I have to say, I thought the all black interior was a bit too much of an ode to Darth Vader. The seats, while comfortable, could you a little more thigh support, but at 6’3”, it might just be my issue, and not everyone else’s.
Keeping with the interior, the steering wheel, adjustable for rack and reach, is a nice place to be behind. I was lucky enough to sample three different engine options, all with the 6spd automatic. I tend to fall closer to the sporting side of things, but this is a 4dr mid-sized sedan, and most people don’t buy them for sport. That all said, I really cannot see why someone would buy the base 2.5l motor. It is nice enough, but compared to the Ecoboost 1.6 and 2.0…well, that’s just it, you can’t. Both of the blown motors are just that much better. Heck, the 1.6l is quicker and better on fuel. So unless you are all about MAX POWER, buy the sweetest motor in the line-up with the 1.6l Ecoboost, you won’t regret it.
What doesn’t need to be turbocharged is the suspension, it’s just right. Good ride control, absorbs all but the worst of the road impacts, and does a good job finding the fine line between sport and family compliance. Everyone should be pleased.
And that’s how I can best sum up Ford’s new mid-sized offering…everyone should be pleased. It simply does everything well, looks great and should have a low cost of ownership. Best yet, it is one of those cars where you will never have to explain to a neighbor, friend or relative why you bought it over a competitor, one look and they will all know.
November Spotlight: Shelby GT500
With 662hp on tap fed through a stout 6spd manual to near race car tires, there is not much that hasn’t been written about the 2013 Shelby GT500. And that is not going to change here. You see, I haven’t driven it, and regardless of the cold weather, I’m going to tell you why I haven’t driven our Black on Black Track Pack. Shelby…
 I am not going to drive this slithering beast for one reason, and one reason alone; I might like it. Yup, I might like it. You see, I have sat in these ‘Stangs with the near-perfect Recaro seats, and I have driven a 2011 GT500 Convertible. And with just 550hp on tap, the 2011 was nearly perfect. Something about a comfortable 12 second ¼ mile car that gets 20mpg that just suits me.
And as such I finally bought the car I have wanted since I was a little kid, yes, I bought a Corvette. And having made my way through seven Japanese Corvettes—otherwise known as Datsun/Nissan Z-Cars, I made the leap to the plastic car with the old truck suspension, and I love it. I love enough not to ruin it by driving something with another 200hp for similar money. I consider each car I’ve owned to be a relationship, and I know when to tempt fate, and when not to, and I’m still in the honeymoon stage of Vette ownership.
So maybe this time next year I’ll man-up and plant my size 13 into the loud pedal, roast some Goodyears and then get yelled at by a General Manager for being abusive to a car that’s for sale, but until then, I will just keep reading (like you), and wondering if this will become car #47 or not.
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Coughlin Ford Of Johnstown is one over the select few Ford dealers in the country who qualified to sell one of the 50 2013 Ford Mustang FR500 Cobra Jet Drag Car, and ours has the options Ford Racing 2.9l Whipple Supercharger sitting atop the massaged 5.0l Coyote V8!
The Cobra Jet, our no. 39 car was designed to compete in the NHRA Stock and NHRA Super Stock racing series. The body has been lightened, all sound deadening material has been removed, the suspension has been set up for drag racing—note, the car is note street legal—and has a fully integrated roll cage for driver and passenger.
Enough about the car, you have to LISTEN to the sound it makes. Simply unreal that6 Ford could get their 5.0l to sound like this…oh, and did I mention that our is supercharged? If you want to compete with the best, you have to buy the best. This, folks, is the best Mustang, from the best Columbus, Ohio Ford Dealership—Coughlin Ford of Johnstown, Ohio!
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