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Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
Jalopnik Contributor To Pick Up Ford Fiesta
Scott Monty: Ford Social Media "Expert" A Bit Of A Twit

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engineerd
10/05/09

In reply to Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
Ford took a Bold Move in setting up the Fiesta Movement. Giving cars to people and then letting them talk about it on the web, where it can be viewed by millions of people, either shows they are Built for the Road Ahead, or crazy. Luckily, Ford was smart to give a great little car -- and one that the US market really needs -- to a vocal group of people to Feel the Difference. So, I ask you, Have You Driven a Ford Lately?
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Mad_Science
10/05/09

In reply to Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
Waitwaitwait...you're saying there are people out there who's job it is to encourage members of The Media at Large to write articles about their products or their marketing efforts?

I am shocked and dismayed to learn of such improprieties.

Seriously, Ray: drop this bitch fight with Scott Monty. It doesn't reflect well on you.
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Joe Valasek
10/05/09

In reply to Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
There are 4 steps to successfully selling a new car.

1. Design and build new car.
2. Make sure everyone knows about the car.
3. ????
4. Profit!
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PowerTryp, Starless wonder.
10/05/09

@Joe Valasek: I do believe step 3 is make sure the car does one thing better than it's competators.
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philibuster
10/05/09

@PowerTryp forever Minardi: How does Toyota sell cars then?
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Mad_Science
10/05/09

@philibuster: It capitalizes on a generation of superior reliability.
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mikedrawcar
10/05/09

In reply to Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
how do you judge a social media pissing contest? webcam?
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Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
10/05/09

@mikedrawcar: You go to Facebook and create a game called Flash Mafia Wars. You get everyone to show up in one place for a big slapfight. Then we post the video on YouTube. Finally, we wait 7 days and then count the YouTube comments that include the words "Dude" or "F*ck".

Odd number of comments, Ben Parr wins. Even, Scott Monty.
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Edited by Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig) at 10/05/09 10:48 AM

FTGDWolverineEdition'09
10/05/09

@Ash78 has 5 days left: You have only 5 days left? Sad.
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roaduscarnivorous
10/05/09

In reply to Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
in terms of marketing, ford is the only one that is not still scrambling to make oneself look not crappy. instead, in combination with actually desirable products that one won't feel ashamed about, ford actually seems modern and progressive and running w/ the real dogs. chrysler is still in the recoup stage; gm, on the other hand, is doing a slightly modernized twists of its old tricks, w/ a dash of outrageous exaggeration on a questionable product (volt)
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Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
10/05/09

In reply to Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
I can't parse that first sentence. I keep trying, but my eyes glaze over like reading about Valerie Plame or 9/11 conspiracies.
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snapoversteer 'bout to get told
10/05/09

@Ash78 has 5 days left: Save your eyesight. Even when you figure it out, it's still going to be about social media.
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Triborough
10/05/09

In reply to Commenters Moved To Smack Mashable Over Ford Fiesta Story
Ford is doing a lot better with the whole marketing thing than GM and I am not saying that as a Ford shareholder and someone who knows one of the Fiesta Movement people.
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
10/05/09

@Triborough:

If your statement is just saying "Ford didn't take any gov't money, so people love them" than I wholly agree.
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Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
10/05/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: I ask myself whether that factor plays into my admiration of Ford. It's a tiny portion, but largely its that they seem to be doing what enthusiasts have asked for over the past several years (ie domesticating the Euro models).

I'm actually really looking forward to the Grand C-Max. I can't imagine any other company offering a minivan that I'd actually look forward to.
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Triborough
10/05/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: I am saying basically, "Ford isn't GM and GM has to beg people to buy crappy cars."
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Timtoolman, sporadically speaking
10/05/09

@Triborough: I have to disagree. First, keep in mind that I have never owned a GM product, nor has my wife. I believe some of their cars have been crap, but you can say the same of Ford and really, just about all car manufacturers. You can't continue to sell millions of vehicles on propoganda. As someone noted earlier, US car buyers are the most demanding in the world. So what passes here, should be successful anywhere. (all except for the big barge, gas guzzler thing).

No matter what you do, you can't get beyond the marketing. Either you get Steve McQueen (or whoever you consider your hero) hawking a product, and collecting a handsome paycheck -my fav is Gene Hackman doing Lowes commercials- or you get some No-Name. With the celebrity, you might have a bit of honesty and integrity. Think Bill Cosby and Jello. With the no-name, you're likley to ignore the endorsement altogether.

Bottom line, some of GM's stuff HAS to be good. Ford isn't GM, The powers-that-be at Ford were smart enough to recognize and react far in advance of GM. Cerberus, as someone put it, was day trading Chrysler, and it deservedly blew up in their face. I say, give GM an objective look, because as a long time Chrysler buyer, I am.
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pauljones
10/05/09

@Ash78 has 5 days left: The Mazda5 is awesome, if that's what you're in the market for. It's a little underpowered, but still adequate, and is fun to drive.
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Edited by pauljones at 10/05/09 10:52 AM pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred

Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
10/05/09

@pauljones: I consider that to be a "90% car"--I really like it, but can't pull the trigger. A wee bit too underpowered, and I'd like the seventh seat that Europe gets (middle row). Also, you can't get the stick with anything but the base model.

The C-Max will be the Focus platform, so in essence, the successor to the Mazda5. Hopefully the 2.0 turbo and stick will be an option. They're supposed to keep the 7th seat, too.
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pauljones
10/05/09

@Timtoolman, still looking for work.: Nicely said.

I am a GM guy, and I readily admit that their offerings have been crappy until recently. The new Malibu, Camaro, CTS, STS, XLR, SRX, Enclave, Astra, new Vue, etc. have all been great.
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duurtlang
10/05/09

@Timtoolman, still looking for work.:
[quote]
So what passes here, should be successful anywhere.
[/quote]

There isn't a single car I can think of that has been developed for the US market and is popular over here in Western-Europe (in 2009). There have been some examples in the past (Cherokee, Chrysler/Dodge Voyager come to mind), but now: none. I might be forgetting about a model or two, and some US cars sell in modest numbers, but still.
I don't think your claim holds up. The cars the US excels in are (to an European) ALL cheap plastic "big barge, gas guzzler thing"s, so they don't sell.
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Timtoolman, sporadically speaking
10/05/09

@duurtlang: Let me rephrase. The likes of Yugo, Opel, Peugeot, and soon to be Mitsu, as well as a number of others will support the claim that we are a fussy bunch. When Honda invaded in the 80's, it was a breath of fresh air to some. Finally, a bit of competition to the Big 3- quality over "Buy American". GM, et.al. always had problems with big payrolls which just translated to more costly vehicles and thus a marketing campaign of "support your home-town workers." Cars developed here, to be consumed here, are for all intents and purposes, made for here.

Ford is probably the best example of developing cars overseas, for overseas. they just haven't figured out a way to make it cost effective to get them here, until now. The Focus, C-Max and MAYBE Transit are examples. Holden could be successful here, if I'm not mistaken.
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Edited by Timtoolman, sporadically speaking at 10/05/09 11:49 AM

duurtlang
10/05/09

@Timtoolman, still looking for work.:
It's the same in other continents/countries. How successful are non-Japanese manufacturers in Japan? In the European market only European brands (incl. Opel and Euro-Ford) are traditionally succesful, plus the Japanese (since the seventies-eighties, like in the US) and recently the Koreans. All with cars designed specifically for the Euro market. Lexus tried to 'invade' with US models, and failed. Cadillac tried recently, and failed even harder. Infinity wants to try, but will fail too.
What I'm trying to say is: as a manufacturer you have to listen to your costumers. And costumers vary greatly between continents (and countries). You can't say US consumers are more critical for dismissing that POS Yugo, because it failed everywhere in the west. The Saturn Astra failed in the US because it wasn't what Americans want, Cadillac failed in Europe because it didn't offer what Europeans want.
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pauljones
10/05/09

@duurtlang: The Astra failed in the US because it was too expensive and placed in a brand that was already, for the most part, dead. Cadillac failed because it had no brand equity whatsoever, as opposed to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. From the standpoint of an average consumer, what are you going to buy: a car from an American company that has no brand equity in Europe, or a car from a German luxury brand that has almost a hundred years worth of brand equity behind it?
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area_educator
10/05/09

@Ash78 has 5 days left: My theory is that Ford was fortunate enough to near bottom back when the economy was still decent. So, they began their turn around-- had to-- with a head start and at a time when "near bottom" didn't mean "rock bottom".

So yeah, I think Ford's incompetence caught up with them conveniently early. They're doing great things now, but they did awful things for some time before.
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drewdrawshashtags
10/05/09

@pauljones: I think the Astra, and many of the other Euro imports have failed because they were "Americanized", and the Americans tend to fail in Europe for the opposite reason. Find your personality and stick to it and buyers will come. I think that Ze Chermans have proven that point many times over.
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Duncan David
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
I really want to get a manual transmission in my first car so I'm really excited to see this post. But, I do have one question. Why, in the downshifting section, do you say not to go into first at the stop?
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Wes Siler
04/28/09

@Duncan David: Sorry if its unclear, it can be hard to remember how to explain these things after years of just doing it. Don't use first for engine braking. While slowing down, engine brake in first to the bottom of the gear, which will be single digit speeds, then just put in the clutch and brake to a halt. Once you're stopped, you can shift into first. There's just no need to engine brake in first since you're going below walking pace by that point anyways.
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something_unique_and_descriptive
04/28/09

@Duncan David: Because there's no point. If you're going slow enough that you need to be in first, chances are you're sitting still.

My experience has been that first is good for getting started from a stop, idleing along at sub walking pace... and that's about it. You shift up to 2nd @~15mph but unless you're slowed down to <5mph you can stay in 2nd without problem, and if you're going <5mph you can easily stop in less time than it'll take you to shift.
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Novaload
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
WES! Get out of the car NOW! There's a creepy guy in the backseat!!! RUN!!!
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MushyHeirloom
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
"Is this just an excuse for a handjob joke?"

Always.

So, who has the nicer ass?
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pauljones
04/28/09

@FuzzyPlushroomanyte: I totally tried to make that comparison when I first watched the video. The fact that she was dressed like an eskimo because of the cold weather killed that one, though.
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MushyHeirloom
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
All you need to know: Push in the clutch before turning the key. Clutch goes in before you shift. Don't rev it too hard.

Get in and go 'till you got it.

(Easy for me to say, as I got in, was able to get around just well enough to save my life, and got out. I need access to a beater car with a stick.)

Also: Most anything with fewer than six cylinders and/or any sporting credentials needs a stick-shift.
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something_unique_and_descriptive
04/28/09

@FuzzyPlushroomanyte:

I'd say rental but I've never seen one with a manual in the US. That leaves car lots, find a car with a 5sp that would never be purchased by anyone you could give a rats ass about (Anything based on the Cavalier would be a good bet, Aveo, Versa or anything from Kia is also acceptable), practice launching in 2nd or 3rd gear. Find a hill, use the clutch to keep the car stationary. Heel toe, 5th to 2nd.

Watch the salesman weep.
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something_unique_and_descriptive
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
My method for teaching stick is much less risky.

First they are forced to watch ~8 hours of Best Motoring with pedal box footage (Clockwork Orange style).

They must complete at least 50% of Gran Turismo 4 using nothing but manual transmissions.

Then they can get in the car.
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Turboner
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
Nicely done, Wes. I especially liked, "all the way in, all the way out." You didn't, however, go over proper seating position so as to be able to fully depress the clutch without locking the knee...

I taught my high school GF how to drive stick in a 3-on-the-tree equipped ChevyII Nova wagon. It was more difficult than you show in the video. I can't wait to see video from Jill's first track day. She looks like a natural.
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Wes Siler
04/28/09

@Turboner: Yeah, we felt that an extreme level of detail would only detract from learning the basics. We'll cover more advanced techniques and more complicated ideas in the future. Correct seating position is about much more than just being able to push the clutch in fully without fully extending your left leg.
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Zandr
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
Is the lift-collar for reverse just a Saab thing? I haven't seen it on anything else.
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Mad_Science
04/28/09

@Zandr: Volvo, IIRC.
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Skunky
04/28/09

In reply to How To Drive A Stick Shift In Ten Easy Steps
Which step is heel-toe?
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something_unique_and_descriptive
04/28/09

@Skunky: Was just going to ask that.
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