[Bring Back The Thunderbird (Mustang derived)]

I really loved the Mustang I drove the week of Christmas. I ended up putting 700 miles on a demo the dealer let me drive it for a few days while I was negociating a deal on a white car with black stripes that they were going to have dealer transferred. They dicked out and asked me for $600 more on down payment and I said no and walked with my old Cavalier. They don't want to sell you anything unless they can rape the last dime out of you. Then i remembered how I felt when they raped me on my Ford Escape at the same dealership, but I took the deal anyway. I tell you I am really sick of Ford's dismal showroom sales experience after shopping a few dealerships. I am seriouslly considering buying a used Mustang from a non-Ford dealer to save some money and get a better dealership experience elsewhere that I cannot get at any Ford dealer around here. Right now I am putting the whole notion to rest for a while because I really fell in love with the Mustang and it was a disappointment to have to walk away and keep from geting screwed.

 

The Mustang however was surprisingly a gas hog. I don't remember my Ford Escape sucking that much gas with a V6... Nor my 99 Mustang or 89 Thunderbird which both had V6's...

 

I still have hopes for a revived Thunderbird one day, but reality is that it will probably cost much more than a Mustang. Even Mustangs are topping out over 30K now. Base V6 Mustangs cost as much as GTs and convertibles of several years ago.

 

Did it being a gas hog have anything to do with your right foot? That could've affected your fuel economy results a bit, LOL.

[Bring Back The Thunderbird (Mustang derived)]

Well, I like the front edge shape, and I think the rear quarter has a nice look but it's a bit 'bulbous', it reminds me of a 80's era Porsche 944. I think the wheels are just a bit too big and the canopy too small, rather like a Chrysler 300. I do like that the door is not longer than it is tall but I don't think it should extend into the rocker panel. Also, the bottom of the wheel arches shouldn't curve in or you'd be in for a rude surprise the next time you catch some air or hit a nasty pothole.

 

Generally speaking, I like the 'feel' of it, just I don't like some of the particular dimensions/ cues. BTW what is that past the door handle?

 

Lastly, I'm not a big fan of the porthole/vent/ badge... it's kinda...loud? Maybe something more discreet or svelte?

 

Please don't be offended, these are just my opinions. I've always preferred Q-Cars as opposed to pimped out rides, so I'm rather conservative with my designs.

 

Thanks.

 

What are you referring to past the door handle?

Do you mean vents in general or this particular one? Maybe something smaller would help

 

I'm not at all offended, I thank you for your criticism and opinions, b/c to me, that's how I can get better.

["Trouble Prone Toyota" Advances To #2 U.S. Sales Spot]

Wait, what? Its been nearly a year that Toyota has passed Ford. This is old news. Hell, a few months ago Toyota surpassed GM.

 

I believe that was world-wide sales, now this is US sales. GM is back in the #1 spot, to my knowledge.

[International Engine of the Year]

BMW's 3.0-liter diesel with Variable Twin Turbo will be available in both the X-5 and a 3 series later this year. The sedan gets 23/33 mpg and the X-5 will get at least 19/25.

 

I was hoping for 30 with the X-5 but maybe it is way to heavy or too powerful to accomplish that task. 265 hp and peak torque of 425 lb-ft and 0-62 in 7.2 seconds if that is important in a diesel!

 

Better import more minis if you want to stop paying CAFE fines.

 

My guess is the X5 might be a little heavy to get better fuel economy, still, the figures for it aren't bad though.

[Mazda raises N.A. sales forecast]

MAzda needs to up their production or build new factories. Too many shortages, and now with even higher demand, the shortfalls are going to be worse.

Mazda had a good year this year, IIRC, sales were up 9%, overall.

[mazda versions of taurus?]

Hmm...

 

Mazda9 - 3.7L V6, 6A

Mazdaspeed9 - 3.5L V6TT, PowerShift

 

Just to differentiate the top engine from the MKS TF. This would be like the (somewhat) Japanese G8.

 

You could give it Mazda's 3.7L V6.

[Ford's New diesel for super duty?]

Those are some impressive hp & torque numbers - and the rpms the engine makes those figures at is impressive too

 

I agree, those are very impressive numbers. I wonder what a Super Duty will be able to haul w/ that engine compared to the current PowerStroke.

[Volvo C30: Pull up a seat and get comfy]

Volvo C30: Pull up a seat and get comfy

 

Sometimes a car is so spot-on, you don't care if it's the right size or has the best features or comes from your favorite brand. Meet Volvo's C30 T5, a royal, rollicking romp of a small, two-door car.

 

It is so wrong in some ways.

 

Seating is deliberately cut down to just four, not the five everybody else swears (wink, wink; nod, nod) you can stuff into a small car. You can't get the weather-beating all-wheel drive (AWD) that Volvo offers on its other models. (But AWD fits the C30 chassis and is likely as a future option.)

 

And get this: You have to pay $300 for the privilege of buying certain individual factory-installed options from what Volvo calls the Custom Build list.

 

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW HERE.

 

Interesting that there's a $300 fee to buy certain options.

[Lincoln Town Car]

Yeah they consolidated.I was told that was the best thing that could have happened as Pompano Linc-Merc wasn't getting the volume and the end was near.But they also got allot of the techs from Pompano Ford so even with the increase in volume of cars going in for service they can still get the cars out in a timely matter.

 

I stopped into Pompano Ford-Lincoln-Mercury today. I like that dealership better than the Pompano Ford dealer, it just seemed nicer.

 

Test drove an MKX and Taurus X, they both drove nicely.

[2008 Edge vs. 2008 MKX]

UPDATE:

 

I drove an MKX today, it drove nicely and the interior was nice as well. I think Lincoln did a good job w/ the vehicle. I drove a Dark Ink Blue model w/ the tan interior. It looked nice, but the blue looks almost black, even in direct sunlight. I'm not used to driving a FWD car, it was awkward feeling the torque steer while pulling out of the dealer. We'd get AWD if we got either an MKX or Edge, so that wouldn't be as much of a problem, though.

 

There was also an Edge in the new Light Ice Blue color, that's nice as well. I didn't drive one of these today.

 

One other note, I think it's funny how little salespeople actually know about the cars they sell. The salesperson I drove w/ just moved from a Ford only dealer to Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, so I'll cut him a little slack. For example, he didn't know the MKX had available heated rear seats. Also, doesn't the MKX have more sound insulation than the Edge? He said it doesn't but I think it does, am I right? He was a really nice guy though.

 

My mom and I also drove a Taurus X as well. It drove nicely also. It was an Eddie Bauer model, white w/ tan interior and the 18"s.

 

All I can say is I'm waiting for the Flex to come out. The salesperson I was with today says he's going to buy one when they come out.

[New Engine For Escape]

There is a scuttlebug going around that the Escape will get a new engine soon but Ford is hush hush about it. There were even marketing $$ targeted towards this but is being pulled by th new marketing chief to focus on Ford's other strengths in the next year or so. That means there won't be the "planned" publicity around the new engine pre and post launch. Anyone has any news on this?

 

From BOF here, I've read about the rumors of a new engine for the 2009 model year(?) along w/ a new transmission, IIRC. I'm just going on what I remember reading here, so I could be wrong, though.

[Is this proof that the mkr is going into production?]

MKR will be built... kind of.

 

One of the things Alan Mullally wants to do is give Lincoln a proper RWD sports sedan again, and the MKR is almost definitely going to be part of the global RWD program approved in July. Currently, the only definite cars in the program are the Falcon, Mustang, and CV/GM/TC replacements.

 

It's going to be essentially a direct replacement for the Lincoln LS, splitting the difference between the MKZ and MKS in size. Styling will probably mostly carry over, as this will directly compete with the very bold Cadillac CTS. V6 and V6 Turbo is given... if V8s are still relevant, one may find its way under the hood.

 

I can't wait to see it. Lincoln needs a new product like this to bring excitement to the brand.

[Harley Davidson F-150]

No, I know the Limited is separated, but I speak from the exterior. The Limited is nothing but a Chocolate White Harley...

 

Basically. I saw two today, I think they look great.

[Bring the Cougar back!]

Damn straight. I'd buy a new Thunderbird or Cougar tommorrow... not sure I could say the same about anything in ANYONE'S showroom right now, with the possible exception of the S5.

 

 

The S5 is a great looking vehicle.

[Complete undisguised Camaro pic]

Are you all trying to get another thread locked? Keep this up and I'm sure it won't be too long.

[Toyota's latest TV adds!]

I actually really like that idea. Maybe you should go work for the Ford marketing department?

[Bring Back The Thunderbird (Mustang derived)]

Maybe that "54" is a little larger than I'd hoped. I'd like something reminiscent of the original 55 Thunderbird with some of today's aerodynamic looks and style and be able to compete with some of its' modern competitors. The 2002-2005 retro-Birds were nice, but I'm thinking along the lines of a more modern appearance with a fair amount of homage to the originals. I really like the work watchdevil and timm55 did with their Iosis & MKR versions, even though I'd want a 2-seater.

 

 

[My hopeful] Thunderbird's modern competitors:

 

oh i didn't realize you meant a Z4/SLK type competitor.

 

What do you think of my Tbird design?

[December & 2007 Fullsize Pickup Truck Sales]

As it has for, uhh, how many years exactly? Longer than I've been alive. It's not exactly, uhh, "shocking" any more.

Congrats!

 

Thanks!

[December & 2007 Premium Sedans]

Taurus/Taurus X sales seem to finally be picking up, Taurus outsold Crown Vic this month, which it didn't do last month, IIRC.

 

I don't believe Amanti has been cancelled but I could be wrong.

[December & 2007 Midsize CUV Sales]

How can the hideous Highlander be the best selling midsized CUV when it got outsold by 43k units by the Edge??

 

He meant it claimed the December sales title, not the 2007 year sales title.

[December & 2007 Traditional SUV sales]

What can Ford do to the Navigator to increase sales? It seems like everybody is beating it in the segment it created. I think a fuel efficient diesel or something cant come fast enough.

Also, how does GM manage to sell so many GMT SUVs?

 

I see Explorer sales continue to fall off a cliff, the new model can't come fast enough.

I think just adding a more fuel efficient V6 would help sales a bit.

[December & 2007 Midsize Sedan Sales]

So the Fusion is on sales par with the Hyundai Sonota? That is not hopeful.

 

I'd say Fusion is doing pretty well for a product that didn't exist 3 years ago in a very competitive segment. The MCE is just around the corner as well, which should help to add volume as well.

[More Mustang Spy Photos]

There is one part of the taillight that's always clear.

 

The backup lights.

 

Throw in an amber bulb with a clear lens for the other clear light, and you've got two clear sections with three red sections bracketing them.

 

And the 88-93 Mustangs had clear lenses over amber turn signals so it's not even unprecedented.

 

 

You mentioned the amber turn signals, however in one of the spy pictures, it appears the turn signal is being used since only the right taillight is illuminated. The taillight itself is lighting up, not an amber color bulb. I could be wrong though. Maybe there's two reverse lights?

[Slow Death or Take Risks]

I think the Flex is the only new product Ford has coming out this year, next year I think it's the Fiesta, not enough imo..

 

Let's see, we have: Flex, MKS, new F-150, new Mustang, MKFlex, Fiesta/Verve, CD3 triplets, new Explorer (CUV), additional B-segment products possibly including new Bronco, new Focus. Those are what I know is coming within the next year or two and I'm no Ford insider, so, for all I know, there could be more products coming.

 

So that's at least 12 new products that we know are coming right there.

[Would any of you all ever consider a Fusion wagon?]

I wouldn't mind the new Euro Focus wagon either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That doesn't look bad for a wagon. It also looks bigger than it is, being a compact vehicle.