I am one week in to owning my 2011 Ford SEL...and I love it! So far I have made a couple changes and reviews:
1. I did not like the tilted headrest...so thanks to this forum I flipped the headrests around and voila...perfect comfort and I am not at all compromising the interior look. It looks great!
2. I installed the update on MyFordTouch myself...simply visit the syncmyride site and download to usb. It takes a while, but don't interupt it. Let it do it's thing...it takes like 45 min. I admit that the technology of Microsoft Sync was a big factor in making this purchase. Although I see alot of negative reviews, I really love it! And I know that I have only had it for a week. But it is a 2011...it's a year old...I figure if it's going to show it's issues...it would. The update definitely helped make the touchscreen more sensitive which is a plus. I love climate memory, the reading of text messages (which I am doing with an HTC Evo Design 4g), the wallpaper feature, the presets for radio/sirius, and the quickdial phone feature. I also love that you can see the album art on the music your playing, That you can download a playlist to a USB and play it straight from there...that is a very nice convenience...no cords, charging, etc. Also, I am always running around with iPad in tow...so having the car connected to the internet and creating a hub for users in the car is a nice feature...although my phone does that on it's own. I can see how people with kids could plug in a wifi adapter and enjoy that option. I love the handsfree voice commands...once you get that down that has to be one of the best features...to dial without using your hands...just say Dial....say the number...then say Dial. It is really great and safer then dialing and driving.
- To connect your bluetooth phone...google your phone and see if it has MAP on it. That is what I did. And luckily I do. So when you go to your bluetooth options there is choice to enable the MAP. Just hit that button and voila. Reconnect your phone and text messaging appears. It's kinda funny that the signature on the texts say: "Sent from My Ford". lol...reminds me of Kit on Night Rider. (Showing my age now!)
3. I connected Sirius - I like the commercial freeness of listening to music and that it's not the same songs over and over...I went with the $17.99 a month plan. Love the presets and that is gives you the song name/artist info. Also love that it's all able to be controlled with your right hand on steering.
4. I paid the $60/year fee for the Syncmyride features - This I am going to cancel...I have not really found the value in this. Turn by turn directions are not a navigation system...I can just use the one on my phone for free and it's a nice user experience. If you have some great tips, apps, etc that you think this is worth keeping let me know! I would love to know what I am missing out on.
Overall I think that you have to take some time parked to get to know all the technology...it will not interfere with your driving. I could see how if my parents bought this car they may hate it and not use half the features. I used to work for Saturn when I was in High School and we had a new owner orientation demo we held every Saturday morning. I think Ford could avoid alot of bad reviews if they actually took the time to teach people how to use it and answer all the questions that they had. I did not get a demo....I am a hands on learner and the last thing I need is a saleman talking to me in laymens terms about technology...I am tech savvy so I skipped the demo.
Lastly, I have been a bit obnoxious about the scratches and upkeep on this Tuxedo Black exterior. I bought the Turtle Wax Detailer for Black Cars and it works great! I bought the Maquiars one too but have not tried it.
My next purchase for the car is the Edge floor mats...the rubber ones...these carpet ones are a joke...also I would like to have cargo cover but so far the one that I saw online looked like junk...so I am not sure if I would like it. Oh and I would have loved to have the cover for the consoles false bottom...whats up with that not being there?!?
Other than that...the ride is very nice and quiet. The seats are very confortable, in the front and back seats. The Edge feels larger than it is...and parking has been really great...it's not too much truck so it handles nicely. The blindspot mirrors take some getting used to but once you get used to it...it's great having them.
That's all folks...I just spent some time on this forum parusing reviews and alot of complaints so I thought I would add my review...to balance out the forum. My car is a year old, with 12,000 miles on it...drives like a dream...and the features completely take the car to the next level. Everyone that has seen it, sat in it and rode in it...tells me I should sell these! hahahaha!
Thanks for reading!
