41Ford500

I don't know whether you're aware or not that the 2006 Ford 500 comes with
only a 3.0L Duratec V-6, which in the auto trade industry is thought to be a very small engine being asked to move a vehicle that is pretty heft. The word, 'under-powered' was used in all the reviews that I've seen (e.g., Edmunds.com, etc.) When I bought my '06 500 LTD FWD, I test drove it and could see that the 'experts' weren't just whistling Dixie on this one. The flip side of that 'over-worked / under-powered' engine is that 1) it burns 87 octane gas and 2) I am averaging 18.4 mpg in the city. I would hold-off on sinking any 'engine performance $$$ into it, but go down to your nearest Ford Dealer and check out the 08 Ford Taurus (ne 500) with the 3.5 L / 253 hp v-6 which , again according to certain reporters, gives the same fuel economy, but is much more responsive. The dollars and the choice are of course yours, but while you'll take a depreciation hit which is a bit stinging, this is precisely the route I'll be taking. PS.. one of the things I don't care for on the 08 Taurus are those clear lense tail light lenses which I intend to replace with ones from the '06 or 07's as soon as I can once I get that 08.
Good luck to you no matter which path you take.
r
41Ford500