I have determined that most people, especially family guys with 2 or so kids, ought to have one of these in the stable.
It started when I started talking about getting a people-hauler of some sort, and my wife realized that contrary to my previous conviction, we really could afford something new. I can't remember exactly how I learned about this vehicle, but I do remember that it was one of two that looked favorable when my wife searched online the following day for 6+ seats, low price, and semi-OK fuel economy. When we went to the dealer I was prepared to think it was useful but not particularly interesting. Turned out we both REALLY liked it, enough that we bought the one from the showroom floor!
Power from the little 2.5L is adequate and pretty zippy through First gear, the 5-speed auto seems to have sensible ratios, and braking and handling are quite sharp. The ride's pretty stiff, but I'm finding it's really pretty cushy compared to other newer stuff with big-inch wheels (the Touring comes with 17 inchers). There are some annoyances and weirdnesses, especially for someone who's never dealt with a really modern car, but I'm finding they're pretty minor. My biggest real whine is probably the lack of surplus stowage compared to a Panther with all its wasted space.
What's most entertaining to me is how much a car can change someone's life. Not having a project as a DD has meant almost an infinite amount of additional time and brain power to dedicate to essential household neatening (important with a second kid on the way!) and generally being more of a proper family guy. Compared to the steady stream of tools and parts I was buying (which was still nothing like what the Fords actually needed), combined with a little less eating out, we're not at all worse off financially. The easier starting and good fuel economy mean I don't get hopping mad whenever someone suggests that I drive somewhere. And best of all, I finally have a DD my wife will drive, which means we can take it on trips without me having to drive all the way there and back. Now I'm almost thinking I should have swapped the Colony Park out for a fist-gen MPV way back in the day, and never stuck with Panthers at all!
Check out the pic of the Five parked between a DisAstro and a Malibu Max. It's entertaining how useful it is for its compact size.
It started when I started talking about getting a people-hauler of some sort, and my wife realized that contrary to my previous conviction, we really could afford something new. I can't remember exactly how I learned about this vehicle, but I do remember that it was one of two that looked favorable when my wife searched online the following day for 6+ seats, low price, and semi-OK fuel economy. When we went to the dealer I was prepared to think it was useful but not particularly interesting. Turned out we both REALLY liked it, enough that we bought the one from the showroom floor!
Power from the little 2.5L is adequate and pretty zippy through First gear, the 5-speed auto seems to have sensible ratios, and braking and handling are quite sharp. The ride's pretty stiff, but I'm finding it's really pretty cushy compared to other newer stuff with big-inch wheels (the Touring comes with 17 inchers). There are some annoyances and weirdnesses, especially for someone who's never dealt with a really modern car, but I'm finding they're pretty minor. My biggest real whine is probably the lack of surplus stowage compared to a Panther with all its wasted space.
What's most entertaining to me is how much a car can change someone's life. Not having a project as a DD has meant almost an infinite amount of additional time and brain power to dedicate to essential household neatening (important with a second kid on the way!) and generally being more of a proper family guy. Compared to the steady stream of tools and parts I was buying (which was still nothing like what the Fords actually needed), combined with a little less eating out, we're not at all worse off financially. The easier starting and good fuel economy mean I don't get hopping mad whenever someone suggests that I drive somewhere. And best of all, I finally have a DD my wife will drive, which means we can take it on trips without me having to drive all the way there and back. Now I'm almost thinking I should have swapped the Colony Park out for a fist-gen MPV way back in the day, and never stuck with Panthers at all!
Check out the pic of the Five parked between a DisAstro and a Malibu Max. It's entertaining how useful it is for its compact size.
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