Thinking of SYNCing (Microsoft SYNC)

[Foxbat]

I'm in the market for a new car and one of the vehicles I'm considering is the Mercury Milan I4 Premier. It comes with the Microsoft SYNC system which allows voice-control of the major MP3 players (there's a USB port in the center armrest as well as a mini-stereo jack) and Bluetooth integration with most phones on the market. It sounds like a pretty nifty system, so I was wondering if anyone here has it and what they think of it.

I'm also looking at the Honda Accord EX-L M5sp and the Toyota Camry SE. Bluetooth is a pretty pricey addition to the Accord and the Camry. The SYNC system is less than the others' upgrades.

 

[yourbeliefs]

I'm in the market for a new car and one of the vehicles I'm considering is the Mercury Milan I4 Premier. It comes with the Microsoft SYNC system which allows voice-control of the major MP3 players (there's a USB port in the center armrest as well as a mini-stereo jack) and Bluetooth integration with most phones on the market. It sounds like a pretty nifty system, so I was wondering if anyone here has it and what they think of it.

I'm also looking at the Honda Accord EX-L M5sp and the Toyota Camry SE. Bluetooth is a pretty pricey addition to the Accord and the Camry. The SYNC system is less than the others' upgrades.

First off I would not get it for the main fact that you need to get a Found On Roadside Disabled car. Secondly, how exactly does that sync system work? What I mean is, I know the MP3 thing is voice activated, but I doubt it works the way it looks in the ads. If you say, "Play Smashing Pumpkins"and you have multiple SP songs, how does it know which one to play? Also, how does it even know what your voice sounds like? Does it require you teaching it or does it allow any jerk to just yell out what song they want? Can you imagine how annoying that could be if you're in the car with a guy who wants to be a jerk? Finally, how does it even know how the voice matches up with the song? I mean does it know how to recognize weird names like Flo'Rida, Xzibit, Alanis Morissette, etc? Or what if you have a song from a foreign artist? If you have music from an Asian group or something, those names get pretty complex.

I say you should look into this stuff if you're really serious about it. Of course if you want my opinion on music and communications I'd say you get a bluetooth headset and a Sirius Satellite Radio.

 

[DSpud]

First off I would not get it for the main fact that you need to get a Found On Roadside Disabled car. Secondly, how exactly does that sync system work? What I mean is, I know the MP3 thing is voice activated, but I doubt it works the way it looks in the ads. If you say, "Play Smashing Pumpkins"and you have multiple SP songs, how does it know which one to play? Also, how does it even know what your voice sounds like? Does it require you teaching it or does it allow any jerk to just yell out what song they want? Can you imagine how annoying that could be if you're in the car with a guy who wants to be a jerk? Finally, how does it even know how the voice matches up with the song? I mean does it know how to recognize weird names like Flo'Rida, Xzibit, Alanis Morissette, etc? Or what if you have a song from a foreign artist? If you have music from an Asian group or something, those names get pretty complex.

I say you should look into this stuff if you're really serious about it. Of course if you want my opinion on music and communications I'd say you get a bluetooth headset and a Sirius Satellite Radio.

Dude, you obviously have no idea how the system works, its a great system. Modern Voice activation systems do not need to learn your voice in most cases. You push a button on the steering wheel, it chimes, and you give it a command, and the system does what you tell it too.

I do not have the Sync system but have played with it while test driving a Fusion and loved it. My wifes nissan has a intergrated bluetooth system in her car which is all voice activated. You can set up phonebook entries or just tell it to dial a certain number and it does it! Its wonderful!

On an unrelated note, FORD is a great car, just like GM, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, etc, etc, etc. I have seen as many shotty Chevy's as I have seen Fords. Every brand car will have a very long, useful life as long as you treat it right. Your comment stating you would not have the sync system because its on a "Found On Roadside Disabled" comment was narrowminded and childish. It also had no place in this thread. The OP was asking how the system worked. If you don't know, I can only assume the only reason you did was to give your own little definition to the acronym FORD. How old are you, 18?

 

[LER]

I have a 2007 Ford Five Hundred. I love it. I think Ford makes a great car, and I've been real pleased with it. I've had it since last August.

They renamed the Five Hundred for 2008 as the Taurus. This is a MUCH different car than the 2002 Taurus it replaced.

Feel free to ask questions.

I don't have the SYNC system.

 

[Foxbat]

I wanted to go car shopping last weekend, but we have this silly little Blue Law in Indiana about car dealers and Sundays... Saturday was filled up with Little League Opening Day (45? and 20 mph winds!), so nothing happened car-wise.

 

[DSpud]

We have that in Illinois as well, does anyone understand why its like that?

 

[Neutron]

Texas is the same way.

 

[LER]

But here in Austin, some of the dealerships have Sales open on Sunday, but closed on Saturday (Covert Ford, for one).

 

[mike123abc]

Texas used to have blue laws limiting what could be sold on Sunday. They used to rope off aisles in the grocery stores, and nothing else was open. Now the only prohibition I know of is hard Liquor on Sundays.

 

[thecristman]

Funny how you would consider a piece of crap car over 2 seriously superior products all because of SYNC. That is all Ford has to talk about anymore, Sync. It has nothing else to offer. Poor resale value, high maintenence and yet you consider it because it has sync.
Sad state of affairs.

 

[philhu]

I have ha d a Fusion for 2 years, I love it

No problems.

I traded a Grand Marquis that was 2 yrs old and got a credit higher than the fusion price the resale was so high

So, you gotta understand what you say before you squirt off, ok?

 

[DSpud]

A Milan is not a piece of crap car. Neither is the Toyota or the Honda. They are very nice cars, although I would rate the Milan a little higher than the other too. Ford has come a long way in the last few years.

 

[mdntblu]

I've had nothing but Ford's practically and never had any of them in the shop except for maybe a simple recall.

I had :

1991 Ford Ranger with 165,000 miles and only had to change the clutch once time.
1994 F-150 with 125,000 miles no issues
1993 Ford Escort with 125,000 miles (changed exhaust gasket at 110,000 miles)
1998 Ford Escort with 75,000 miles and no issues
2001 Ford Escape which we bought new and had it for 85,000 miles and never had it in the shop once.
Now we have a 2003 Ford Expedition with 58,000 miles and never in the shop.
I have a company work truck (2004 F-150) with 85,000 miles and I have had it since it was new and never had it in the shop.

So no one can say Ford sucks. I've got over 700,000 miles on my Fords. Not to mention all my friends with Chevy trucks and spending over $1000 on repairs for different stupid things that are out of warranty.

But now to the original posters question. SYNC - my friend has a 2008 Focus and that system is awesome. Works excellent and with his Blackjack phone. He can even play music from his phone over the Bluetooth.

 

[yourbeliefs]

Dude, you obviously have no idea how the system works, its a great system. Modern Voice activation systems do not need to learn your voice in most cases. You push a button on the steering wheel, it chimes, and you give it a command, and the system does what you tell it too.

I do not have the Sync system but have played with it while test driving a Fusion and loved it. My wifes nissan has a intergrated bluetooth system in her car which is all voice activated. You can set up phonebook entries or just tell it to dial a certain number and it does it! Its wonderful!

On an unrelated note, FORD is a great car, just like GM, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, etc, etc, etc. I have seen as many shotty Chevy's as I have seen Fords. Every brand car will have a very long, useful life as long as you treat it right. Your comment stating you would not have the sync system because its on a "Found On Roadside Disabled" comment was narrowminded and childish. It also had no place in this thread. The OP was asking how the system worked. If you don't know, I can only assume the only reason you did was to give your own little definition to the acronym FORD. How old are you, 18?

Yeah, great cars. Isn't FORD the same company that put a car out on the market when it knew there was the risk of it EXPLODING in a rear-collision? Call me whatever you want, but I'd choose a Toyota or a Honda over a Ford any day of the week. Besides I've noticed that no one else has responded or had any commentary towards this poster's original question.
And don't talk down to me. I will never respect your authoritY!

 

[Foxbat]

But now to the original posters question. SYNC - my friend has a 2008 Focus and that system is awesome. Works excellent and with his Blackjack phone. He can even play music from his phone over the Bluetooth.

Thanks for some useful feedback. I've checked the Syncmyride website and both my iPods and my RAZR V3xx phone are compatible with the current Sync system. I don't know how much music I would store on the phone vs. the iPod considering my phone supports only 2GB microSD memory.

As far as Ford vs. GM, Toyota, & Honda goes, I'm trying to keep an open mind here. I know all about the "Found on Road, Dead" or "Fix or Repair Daily"; and believe me, my wife is pretty down on the Ford Motor Co. I currently drive an Oldsmobile Intrigue, so I'm not exactly "cutting edge" any more. Sure, I'd love to be buying a new Audi A5, but that's not on the short list.

Consumer Reports gives the Milan/Fusion/MKZ high marks for ride, handling, and reliability, but knocks the trio for not having Electronic Stability Control and they don't like the sound of the I4 that I'm looking at. I haven't taken one out for a test drive, so I can't speak to that.

 

[DSpud]

Sorry, I don't take into account mistakes a company made in 1970-1980. 28 years since the last production model. I know that now, they make a very well designed, well built automobile. So does Toyota. I have heard that Honda is well built as well, but their design is just to plain for me. Myself, I like my Ford F150. And yes I test drove a new Dodge and Chevrolet before I purchased. (this was in 2005). At that time, Fords truck was by far the best. I cannot compare now. I have heard the new Chevy truck is nice but I haven't looked at it.

 

[jayn_j]

Sorry, I don't take into account mistakes a company made in 1970-1980.

AQctually, I can think of several examples from other automakers during that period.

Chevy had the bad motor mount that caused the engine to lift, disabling both the power brakes and steering, while jamming the accelerator open. Effected every single small block Chevy.

Honda had the scandal where they substituted heavier gauge steel into the unibody for the cars sent to NHTSA for crash testing.

Chrysler had the defective tailgate latches on their minivans that dumped kids out on the highway, and which they refused to acknowlege until the courts forced a recall.

Land Rover had the infamous jump seats that trapped and incinerated the passengers in a rear end crash.

etc, etc.

 

[aboz]

I bought an '08 Accord. I love it it's a I-4 EX-L Nav.For $26K, IT has the voice activated controls. The only thing it cant do is select your song based on the artist. I had Fords my self and while I do miss my '86 Tbird, I do not miss my '97 F-150. Trans failed at 70k. Due to my accessiblity needs the accord gives me plenty of space to get in and out of. I do need the larger space to accomidate mY hand controls. I do feel that Ford has come a long way, but I do not like thier styling, but as far as quality you can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[Foxbat]

I haven't taken one out for a test drive, so I can't speak to that.

I stopped by the dealership on the way home last night and drove both the I4 and V6 Milans. Consumer Reports is correct in that the I4 has more engine noise than the V6, but it isn't like the V6 is all that quiet or that the I4 is all that loud. I did prefer the Milan's handling over the Accord and the ride over all the potholes that have cropped up in our area after this winter didn't upset the ride in Milan.

One thing I noticed was the headroom in the moonroof-equipped Milans is a lot less than I'd like, even with the seat adjusted for max headroom. The salesman tried looking for a Milan Premier with no moonroof and he couldn't find one the way I wanted it, so I may need to look to a different marque. I know I fit in the Accord...

And as to the original thread's purpose... Neither one of the cars I tested had the Sync system, so that didn't enter into the evaluation.

 

[Bogy]

I have a 2006 Fusion, and got every option they offered in that year except the sunroof. I'm 6'5" and need all the head and leg room I can get. I have found virtually no sunroof equipped car that would work. I get really tired of 5'5" salesmen telling me the sunroof doesn't effect headroom significantly. I can't speak to the Sync, since they didn't offer it in 2006. I can speak to the dependability of the Fusion, and its performance, particularly the V6. For myself, I wouldn't get the 4 banger. From what I have seen the difference in mpg is not that great, and the performance increase of the 6 is worth it. I have put 45,000+ miles on mine in just over 2 years. I have had no problems whatsoever. If you will do the research you will find that the Fusion/Milan are pretty much the only American brand on the Consumer Reports most reliable list. These are not your father's Fords. The old derisive acronyms do not apply. As far as efficiency, last Friday night I cruised across Iowa at between 75 and 95 mph, and averaged 32 mpg. I wish I could say that was the norm, but I had about a 35 mph tailwind, and a few hours earlier, going the other way I did 10 mpg worse. Average is about 26 to 28, and yes, I drive aggressively. When I baby it, I can get over 30.

If the Sync system looks good to you, and you like the way the car handles etc, go for it. The quality issues mentioned by some here are not an issue, except in their narrow little minds.