What would you change?
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 105
What would you change?
There mighta been a thread like this awhile back but I can't find it. It's good to touch base with newer people and again with more experience on the car anyway. I'm going on 3 weeks now so...
I'll start by saying I love it. Still, as with everything, I'm hyper picky so here's what I would change...
1) How are you supposed to use the shifter on the 5spd if anything is in the cupholder? Totally in the way. I never had a problem on my 2000. I like to keep my arm resting on the arm rest while/inbetween shifting, which happens to be (the armrest) a little too far from the shifter as well.
2) Compartment storage space. Man, my 2000 had a nice big space on the bottom of the doors to hold stuff. Not you can barely fit anything there. And these days there should be a little cell phone cutout for cars. Digging through the armrest to get my phone out everytime is annoying.
3)When reading reviews about the car I kept reading mention of the "cheap plasticky interior." Now I think it looks fine. And I usually mark stuff like that up to picky editors who have to say something negative. But couldn't Ford just have softened the areas your legs come into contact with? I've heard a "soft" interior is an option on the '07. While there no way I coulda waited, a soft touch interior woulda been nice, and a dark Green color would've given me a number of sleepless nights trying to choose between Torch or Green. I know Ford is aiming at keeping this car affordable to the common man, and they do a great job of it, but the option of a better grade interior material would keep it affordable while giving the finicky the choice.
So far that's all I can come up with. So close to being the absolute perfect vehicle. Still amazing, and still has me looking forward to the ride to work ever day. Can't beat that.
I'll start by saying I love it. Still, as with everything, I'm hyper picky so here's what I would change...
1) How are you supposed to use the shifter on the 5spd if anything is in the cupholder? Totally in the way. I never had a problem on my 2000. I like to keep my arm resting on the arm rest while/inbetween shifting, which happens to be (the armrest) a little too far from the shifter as well.
2) Compartment storage space. Man, my 2000 had a nice big space on the bottom of the doors to hold stuff. Not you can barely fit anything there. And these days there should be a little cell phone cutout for cars. Digging through the armrest to get my phone out everytime is annoying.
3)When reading reviews about the car I kept reading mention of the "cheap plasticky interior." Now I think it looks fine. And I usually mark stuff like that up to picky editors who have to say something negative. But couldn't Ford just have softened the areas your legs come into contact with? I've heard a "soft" interior is an option on the '07. While there no way I coulda waited, a soft touch interior woulda been nice, and a dark Green color would've given me a number of sleepless nights trying to choose between Torch or Green. I know Ford is aiming at keeping this car affordable to the common man, and they do a great job of it, but the option of a better grade interior material would keep it affordable while giving the finicky the choice.
So far that's all I can come up with. So close to being the absolute perfect vehicle. Still amazing, and still has me looking forward to the ride to work ever day. Can't beat that.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 222
From: Houston TX
RE: What would you change?
did you take the insert out of the larger cupholder? makes a huge difference! And I was thinking about mounting the upper part of my steeda tri-ax backwards so the shifter is closer...dunno if it'll work though.
My phone stays in the afformentioned cupholder or on the shift boot...but I agree...I would like more storage space. A place for loose change would be nice...the cange holders in the armrest are a joke
The interior is comfortable enough. I think too many ppl sweat the small stuff... It's a muscle car for gawds sake...be happy there's 300 HP and an AC!
I wouldn't change a thing... except for the shifter, and wheels, and intake, and exhaust, and headers, and springs, and cams, and LCAs, and stereo, and this, and that, and the other thing. There will never be a perfect car...
My phone stays in the afformentioned cupholder or on the shift boot...but I agree...I would like more storage space. A place for loose change would be nice...the cange holders in the armrest are a joke
The interior is comfortable enough. I think too many ppl sweat the small stuff... It's a muscle car for gawds sake...be happy there's 300 HP and an AC!
I wouldn't change a thing... except for the shifter, and wheels, and intake, and exhaust, and headers, and springs, and cams, and LCAs, and stereo, and this, and that, and the other thing. There will never be a perfect car...
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 105
RE: What would you change?
Muscle, true. But I'm a vert owning "cruiser" driving enthusiast so I'm looking for a certain comfort level for my hundred mile jaunts. 
Forgot to mention a biggie. Painted sideviews! Getting mine done wednesday. I don't think in the year 2006 on a 30k car comfort issues are totally negated by the fact that the car has 300 HP. Ford has done an incredible job, I'm not knocking them in the least. It's a ton of bang for the buck, I don't think you can beat it. But some small relatively cheap and very doable tweaks woulda rounded it out nicely. It's sounding like for '07 a coupel of the issues might be resolved.
Forgot to mention a biggie. Painted sideviews! Getting mine done wednesday. I don't think in the year 2006 on a 30k car comfort issues are totally negated by the fact that the car has 300 HP. Ford has done an incredible job, I'm not knocking them in the least. It's a ton of bang for the buck, I don't think you can beat it. But some small relatively cheap and very doable tweaks woulda rounded it out nicely. It's sounding like for '07 a coupel of the issues might be resolved.
I ♥ Acer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 782
From:
RE: What would you change?
Some valid points there. Ford tried to cover all bases, and did a good job. But, always room for improvement. I'm considering some padded upholstery on the right side drivers side of the console area where the knee rubs. Not alot maybe a 1/2" of foam with some bl leather over it, glued, not sewn.
For more storage. There are some aftermarket storage consoles that fit over the dr shaft hump. If you shop around, you can find one that fits nicely in the rear, yet reachable from the front, they actually look like an extension of the console, (if you find the right one) and also, provide a clean looking separation of the backseat.
For more storage. There are some aftermarket storage consoles that fit over the dr shaft hump. If you shop around, you can find one that fits nicely in the rear, yet reachable from the front, they actually look like an extension of the console, (if you find the right one) and also, provide a clean looking separation of the backseat.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 378
From:
RE: What would you change?
I wish my steering wheel would do more than just tilt, I need the in and out extenstion as we have our seats all the way back for our long legs but that makes one fully stretch the arms to the steering wheel in that position. Leg room in the backseats area is a joke even if the front seats were set fully forward none of my long legged kids can fit in there But luckly they are all out of the house and on their own so we were able to tolorate that design.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 198
From: Little Rock, AR
RE: What would you change?
A trunk release someplace other then just the keychain.
Just a side note, would not give up the "mycolor" for anything, it is one of the sweetest option to show off to women when you give them a ride.
Just a side note, would not give up the "mycolor" for anything, it is one of the sweetest option to show off to women when you give them a ride.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 231
From: United States
RE: What would you change?
Trunk release inside the car.
-E
-E
ORIGINAL: AirForceGeorge
There mighta been a thread like this awhile back but I can't find it. It's good to touch base with newer people and again with more experience on the car anyway. I'm going on 3 weeks now so...
I'll start by saying I love it. Still, as with everything, I'm hyper picky so here's what I would change...
1) How are you supposed to use the shifter on the 5spd if anything is in the cupholder? Totally in the way. I never had a problem on my 2000. I like to keep my arm resting on the arm rest while/inbetween shifting, which happens to be (the armrest) a little too far from the shifter as well.
2) Compartment storage space. Man, my 2000 had a nice big space on the bottom of the doors to hold stuff. Not you can barely fit anything there. And these days there should be a little cell phone cutout for cars. Digging through the armrest to get my phone out everytime is annoying.
3)When reading reviews about the car I kept reading mention of the "cheap plasticky interior." Now I think it looks fine. And I usually mark stuff like that up to picky editors who have to say something negative. But couldn't Ford just have softened the areas your legs come into contact with? I've heard a "soft" interior is an option on the '07. While there no way I coulda waited, a soft touch interior woulda been nice, and a dark Green color would've given me a number of sleepless nights trying to choose between Torch or Green. I know Ford is aiming at keeping this car affordable to the common man, and they do a great job of it, but the option of a better grade interior material would keep it affordable while giving the finicky the choice.
So far that's all I can come up with. So close to being the absolute perfect vehicle. Still amazing, and still has me looking forward to the ride to work ever day. Can't beat that.
There mighta been a thread like this awhile back but I can't find it. It's good to touch base with newer people and again with more experience on the car anyway. I'm going on 3 weeks now so...
I'll start by saying I love it. Still, as with everything, I'm hyper picky so here's what I would change...
1) How are you supposed to use the shifter on the 5spd if anything is in the cupholder? Totally in the way. I never had a problem on my 2000. I like to keep my arm resting on the arm rest while/inbetween shifting, which happens to be (the armrest) a little too far from the shifter as well.
2) Compartment storage space. Man, my 2000 had a nice big space on the bottom of the doors to hold stuff. Not you can barely fit anything there. And these days there should be a little cell phone cutout for cars. Digging through the armrest to get my phone out everytime is annoying.
3)When reading reviews about the car I kept reading mention of the "cheap plasticky interior." Now I think it looks fine. And I usually mark stuff like that up to picky editors who have to say something negative. But couldn't Ford just have softened the areas your legs come into contact with? I've heard a "soft" interior is an option on the '07. While there no way I coulda waited, a soft touch interior woulda been nice, and a dark Green color would've given me a number of sleepless nights trying to choose between Torch or Green. I know Ford is aiming at keeping this car affordable to the common man, and they do a great job of it, but the option of a better grade interior material would keep it affordable while giving the finicky the choice.
So far that's all I can come up with. So close to being the absolute perfect vehicle. Still amazing, and still has me looking forward to the ride to work ever day. Can't beat that.
