When I first visited New York (the state, not the city), I expected it to be completely covered in city blocks. I thought public transit was everywhere—that people could take the bus, train, and subway to get to work, run errands, or spend time with loved ones. I did not expect that some parts of New York were incredibly rural, with a countryside stretching beyond what I could see. I wondered what I’d do if I took a job outside New York City. I’d have to get a car from somewhere, which led me to look up a Ford dealership in the area.
New and used Ford vehicles abounded, many of which piqued my interest. I’d come from the Southern United States, and most of the auto lots I had been on were strictly for used cars, which might just have been because our family of six couldn’t afford anything else. A place that had both new and used models—and offered its own auto shop for maintenance and repairs—seemed like a no-brainer, but was something I’d never seen before. As I thought back to my memories of Ford vehicles, there were a few that stood out: the Ford Taurus that my grandparents owned, which heard a lot of arguing about backseat drivers; the F-150 pickup my family had while we were traveling and playing music together; and the very first time I saw a Ford Mustang—and immediately fell in love.
My First Love
I grew up a Ford fan. We had a friend down the street in our neighborhood who owned an older Mustang, and I thought it was the coolest car in town. I’d watch them speed down the street or turn into their driveway and wonder what it was like driving something like that. I was determined that when I grew up, I would buy an old red Mustang and take it on Sunday drives at the very least. I was probably four or five at the time, with no knowledge of anything remotely related to automobiles, but it was love at first sight. I was hooked.
Though I appreciate the design of the 2022 Ford Mustang, my heart belongs to the models that were made during the 1970s. At a new and used Ford dealership, I’d probably be lucky enough to test drive a few versions.
The newest iteration of the Ford Mustang looks more like a 1960s or 1970s model than the ones that had been produced just a decade or two ago. Better yet, it’s highly customizable, so each Mustang can be as unique as its owner.
With the option of a turbocharged 2.3-L I-4 or a 5.0-L V8, the Mustang is chomping at the bit to be a powerful and precise addition to your stable. Enjoy up to 470 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, or upgrade to the insanely powerful Mach E for lightning-fast 647 horsepower (estimates as of this publication).
You can choose between a manual or 10-speed automatic transmission, both of which are smooth and accelerate with ease. Select from a variety of trims, like the Ice White Edition, a pristine color residing on the vehicle, wheels, badges, and interior accents of the 2022 model. If white isn’t your color, then perhaps the Stealth Edition is more your speed, since it isn’t linked to a specific color but style—which includes an exclusive set of blacked-out interior and exterior features, as well as a specialized grille design.
Whether you want to take a spin on the racetrack, cover hundreds of miles in style, or simply take a day off and go exploring in your own town, the Ford Mustang is a lot of fun to drive. Its steering is sharp and precise, so you can pivot when needed and travel safely. Zoom through traffic or the racetrack with head-turning style and performance figures to match.
The Family…Pickup?
When we moved out of the neighborhood with the Mustang (yes, I was devastated), there were a few more siblings than I had before, so we had to ditch the old family car and get something bigger. But we also had to have room for the multiple instruments we carried to weddings, holiday parties, and competitions.
It was the late 1990s, and my father decided on the 1998 Ford F-150 XL with two bench seats and a bed cover—so we could store a harp, two violins, cello, and guitar while the six of us rode in the cab. It was surprisingly large enough to hold all of us comfortably. Plus, last I knew, it was still running.
The 2023 Ford F-150 looks tougher than the one we had, with more options for trims and styles—whether you’re looking at the original, XL, or the new Rattler, which is for those fans who want to explore the more rugged off-road terrain. There are also upgraded models like the Platinum and Limited versions, as well as the luxurious King Ranch. Depending on what you’ll be using the truck for, it can be altered to provide the best experience in town, on the road, and in the wilderness. With a towing capacity between 8,200 lbs and 14,000 lbs, depending on which engine you choose, as well as payload capacity from 1,985 lbs to 3,325 lbs, the Ford F-150 is equipped to handle some bigger jobs, as well as provide plenty of fun for the family.
It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s a Hybrid!
With electric cars becoming more and more popular, but still low on how many miles they can drive before charging, Ford has a hybrid middle ground between eco-friendly and gas-guzzler. The Ford Escape SE Hybrid can drive on electric or gas, switching between the two with ease. The plug-in model has an unbelievable mileage up to 105 MPGe, which is hard to argue with. There is a 2022 Ford Escape model, but the only difference between it and the 2021 Ford Escape is that there are more exterior colors offered in the more recent model.
There are several differences between the trims, though, from the base model SE to SEL Hybrid, SE Plug-in, Titanium Hybrid, and Titanium Plug-in Hybrid. Plenty of choices—from cloth seat upholstery to genuine leather—abound, with enough room to hold the entire family for a week-long vacation.
The Escape also has tech upgrade options, depending on which model you choose. The base model comes with a radio display, while the Titanium has a 12.3” digital gauge display, and most of the trims come with Apple CarPlay and Android compatibility—so no matter where your loyalties lie, you can still listen to your media of choice on whatever app you like best.
For families who prefer the confidence of extra safety features, Ford offers the Co-Pilot360 suite standard in the Escape. This includes tech like automated emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist, each of which is designed to keep you, your passengers, and even other vehicles around you safe.
Ford’s Fleet
Whether you’re looking for something to road trip in with friends, a truck for work, a family vehicle, or simply something new for a change, Ford has quite a range of vehicles. New models can be customized and accessorized so that you stand out from the crowd, even if that crowd consists of other Ford owners. There’s a car, truck, SUV, or van for everyone, and shopping used or Certified Pre-Owned means saving money on a model that ages gracefully.
