Just a side note -- I've had nothing but good luck with Fords -- the 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 I got from my grandfather and sold to someone up here when I married Phil is STILL on the road, as is the '86 Aerostar (you remember that one -- we went to Toronto in it) -- I still see them periodically (each having a couple of identifying characteristics) -- and the '96 is still going strong after over 260,000 miles and still gets an average of 20 mpg -- the Escort wagon we had to replace the little Mazda GLC that died when I was pregnant with Melissa (6 months pregnant and I had to push it off the road) was wonderful but we outgrew it -- sorry you had terrible luck with Fords -- isn't it weird how that sort of thing works out?