Not really, the answers weren't nearly clever enough.

2006 FEH 4WD Dark Shadow Gray

Hehe... If I recall correctly, you're in the legal profession, so I'll take your word for it.

- Shannon (Geeky, Wild Texan)

Yup, I'd say he's better suited for the Bush administration . .

Anyway, if a person would really be willing to call their FEH 'boat ready' for the options mentioned earlier, I've got a kit I could sell you. I'm not making any guarantees about seaworthiness, but it'll be at least part way there - which is apparently what Ford wants us to settle for on this.

LiberalImage.com

I'll call my sales manager this week and see what he has to say about this. I expect it to be something like "all options and features are subject to change".

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 26,152
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


532 Gallons of gas saved
That's 10,642 lbs less CO2 emitted

Not surprisingly, Ford is STILL promoting that the Nav radio is MP3 and Satellite ready.

2007 Mariner Hybrid ordering guide:
http://dealer.webmakerx.net/Images/S...er%20Guide.pdf

I left a message for the sales manager at my dealership today. I'll post the results of that call....like there will be any!

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 26,152
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


532 Gallons of gas saved
That's 10,642 lbs less CO2 emitted

You are right. The 2007 MMH Ordering Guide mentions specifically that about the NAV radio. However, in contrast, the 2007 FEH Ordering Guide does not. I am sure, though, that Ford will officially state that the Ordering Guides are strictly between them and their dealers. That customers aren't suppose to have copies of them and therefore, Ford is not responsible to customers for any incorrect info in them.

BTW, are we talking about being able to play CD's with the songs in MP3 format instead of WAV format? Or are we talking about being able to plug into the NAV radio, an Ipod-like MP3 player?

Let me also mention that if one looks through all the accessory catalogs, it seems that the FEH/MMH with the NAV radio are just about the only radios that are not compatible with the Mobile Ease system. Mobile Ease is their Bluetooth cell phone handsfree system. I find that quite a disappointment.

It would be sure nice, if the NAV radio could be deleted off the Premium Package, and replaced with the much more capable Audiophile (320-watt) MP3 & Satellite-Ready, 6-Disc In-Dash radio.

There is always "Dear Bill" at WFord@Ford.com.

I guess the question I would ask is "Why does the Audiophile (320-watt) 6-Disc In-Dash radio seem to have more capabilities (MP3, Satellite, Mobile Ease) than the 'upgrade' Nav radio?"

However, the rep at Ford I talked to stressed that Ford dealers are responsible for educating thier buyers.....but since documents like this provide that information to the dealers then Ford is ultimately responsible.

The CD player or changer is supposed to be capable of playing CD's loaded with mp3 files.

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 26,152
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


532 Gallons of gas saved
That's 10,642 lbs less CO2 emitted

My point was, really, that possibly the dealer would need to champion the issue of bad info in the Buyers Guide with Ford, not a customer.

But, from reading here, neither can work with an MP3 CD?

Just as a hunch, the built-in CD player has a digital interface so that the NAV discs can be read. In contrast, the CD changer has an analog only interface. So, it might be more possible for the built-in CD player to work with MP3 disks since they are digital and need to be "processed" (decoded digitally).