Captainp4

I did say -possibly- niche. Sales have fallen off recently, maybe (probably) because of pricing issues. But you correct the pricing to move them and there goes the huge margins. Time will tell if they can keep it hot, there was obviously a lot of built up demand because it was gone for so long too. Mustang sold like crazy when s197 debuted and now not so much, right? Don't get me wrong, I like the icon products and they make sense right now, just raising concern that the boring product, while not as dramatic and interesting to us fans, is at least consistent in sales volume, even if margins aren't as high. Toyota has done pretty well with lame, boring, reliable commuters for people that aren't car people. If the economy gets worse the high end products are usually the ones to take the hit while people spend their money on 'sensible' transportation. Also not upset about fusion or focus, just don't get the escape and edge moves. They've been around for 20+, haven't they? Agree with you ecosport too. Actually agree with you on all of it, the Edge killing and treatment of Escape in recent years just rubs me wrong for some reason - even if the EVs that were supposed to replace it were here and great. E series has been a parts bin of last gen F-series products for as long as I can remember, I don't think it's going anywhere any time soon.

Well, my sooper poopy is used for towing ~10k lbs on a set route 4-5 days out of the week, no day more than 75 miles total and less than 200 miles for the week. Sits in the driveway still hooked to the trailer while I drive my other toys when I'm not working. No highway driving, so plenty of regen. Home every night to charge. A BEV 250 is exactly what I want and need, the half ton BEVs aren't quite enough truck for my use. I know tons of other contractors/small business people in similar situations that would benefit greatly from one, but as I'm sure you know most contractors and owners of small business let politics get in the way of rational thinking on BEVs for some reason. Fuel is my largest expense behind payroll. Obviously you wouldn't try to tow a 40ft 5th wheel camper hundreds of miles with a bev super duty unless you like sitting at chargers, well at least not until batteries/charging speed improve for the large packs. That'd be great for the long range towing guys that everyone in every comment section thinks they are. Personally don't want or need that, but it would certainly placate a lot of buyers that think they need that, and give the ones that actually do a viable electrified option.

Interested in electrified sooper poopy.... hopefully that means bev and not a hybrid.

I typed that part out too then deleted it, but I get that. I just don't understand the burn every other nameplate to the ground because we found some hot selling -possibly- niche products. I own a couple broncos, older ones, and I get the appeal of that, but what's the longevity on products like that going to look like and when they inevitably fall off where's the boring commodity products that hold the company together and let them make the high margin 'gottahaveit' product? Not 100% committed to this view and am willing to watch it play out, just color me skeptical and thinking it's short term thinking on hot products that may or may not be hot 5 years from now killing off and de-contenting pretty respected nameplates for the 'normies' that just want a reliable car with some neat features.

I understood the commodity thing with the sedans/hatchbacks and still think it was a fair decision. I do not understand the direction with Edge and Escape, there's no way they can't compete in those markets.

I agree it does look a little tall, I think the wheel size fits on this and like the roof line. But, it's all subjective in the end. Hopefully they can find some buyers that find it attractive and make some money on it.

Sounds like I'm in the minority here, but I don't think it looks too bad. Maybe because I don't have any feelings or connection to the Capri name. I think it looks like a decent car that isn't trying to 'look like an ev'.

Prices are starting to come back down on these things, keep an eye out on marketplace and you can probably find a pretty good one for a decent price. Things got out of hand during covid.

What is the Ford Drive division?

Been saying it for a while now, but I firmly believe the 'regulations' and 'mandates' that the right scream about are purely reactionary legislation from the left to try to take credit for what was already happening in the market. The future is EV, how long it takes and how dramatic of a shift remains to be seen, but I don't see a better way forward - it already makes sense for the vast majority of use cases and will only get better as battery and charging tech/infrastructure improves. Most boomers I talk to in real life about it still believe the stupid memes you see on facebook about EVs randomly catching on fire, being worse for the environment, not being able to charge when cold, etc etc.

Just takes time and patience, I used to own a custom shop so already have most of the tools and it keeps me occupied. Expensive hobby, but a fun one. This is what it looked like before we started on it about a year ago. Also helps to have a good friend that as an awesome painter and hooks you up!

Thanks, that was my original plan for paint when I bought it ~12 years ago, but the brandywine kandy swayed me lol I'm slowly gathering parts for one of them. I keep going back and forth between doing the new 7.3 godzilla or the PI head 460 I already have sitting in the shed for it. Plan on doing crown vic front suspension and going pretty crazy with building 4 link/cantilevered/coilover suspension in the rear.

If you build it right they ride pretty decent. It's not going to handle like a sports car, but it's comfortable. There's not much lift on this one, it might be 1-2" above stock. The 7.3 psd is indestructible. I think this year of truck looks perfect with a 37" tire so that's what I have on it. This body style is a 27-32 year old truck at this point, so problem solving and mechanical ability are recommended if you want to rely on one for a daily driver... but it's cheap and simple when something goes wrong.

~380k on the GOAT 7.3/zf5. Still pick it to drive over anything else in the driveway most days.

If I'm remembering correctly the GT was only supposed to run for 2-3 years as well, but demand stayed so they kept going.