Devodev

I agree. Can't be too hard on them as every one else cancelled their programs for the same reason. You just can't afford to lead much of anything in this environment and everybody is being conservative until they know people are ready to spend money on their products.

...adding weight and adding $$$ as well. If they are willing to dip into margins, then maybe...but I don't think anybody can afford to do that right now. There's a push for American's to be willing to pay more money for technology and fuel efficiency, but we aren't there yet. A couple extra grand on a Fiesta or Focus might just shift customers elsewhere. However I'm sure the marketing dept. would love to be able to advertise 50mpg.

Old_fairmont, this is the drum I'm beating right along with you. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be enough attention being paid to this issue.

Ouch...I don't know how much clock-cleaning would be done (we'll see this summer), but point well taken that it is 8 years older, taken time off, came back, and can still do what our "new" Mustang can do. But again, it's all about sales, and the Mustang wins that race.

I've heard this elsewhere about the G8 GT as well. Is it really that bad or just the tires? I drove a '08 Stang GT in snow last year for an evening and it was horrible to me also.

Right On.

I think you're just the person they were looking for but maybe they were just worried that there isn't enough of you out there. I know someone else in the market for a pickup that feels the same way and would love a truck slotted between the Ranger and F150.

That might be a new segment...the "hybrid sport coupe".

x2 If/when gas goes back up and with CAFE standards, nothing will be off the table. After I heard Camaro hybrid talk, I couldn't be surprised by anything. Also, if start/stop technology ever catches on here, that may be classified as a hybrid as well especially if marketing wanted to spin it that way.

Speaking of rings...cheap plastic materials (Honda CR-V) that would show a scratch just from a ring or bag-buckle running up against it.

What about not getting cup holders like my '88 Mustang. Oh, that was what the space between the E-brake and seat was for...especially after the cable would snap and not work anymore. It was diet friendly, no super-size cups would fit so you were forced to always order the small coke from the drive-thru.

3.) You beat me to it! I really hate this in my T-Bird...when the seat belt gets confused, grinds, and goes back and forth. Oh, and don't forget to put on your "extra" lap belt. If I gotta buckle myself in anyway, what's the point of making the electric belt then? Ford makes up for it with the keypad on the doors I guess. I hate all gigantic key fobs.

I think the person who said that in their speech was actually "modernizing" an old saying that people used to say when referring to racist behavior. "Black-Get back, White-Ain't Right, Brown...". So I don't think it was meant to be offensive, but to show that the old saying now has to change. So he said something like, "Black, don't have to get back,..., white embraces what's right"..." Therefore I'm sure the one thing at least most agree on, anyone who holds a racist ideology "ain't right". Besides, like you said, this one and nearly every inauguration in this nation's history has been scripted. So what would be the point? Please remember, if the President were to allow a snide remark to be made about someone white, he's talking about his own mother who raised him. I don't talk about mine in a disparaging way, and I'm assuming you don't talk about yours like that, so I'm sure he would not. Let's move on from this kind of mess.

Nice, does this pave the way for a Mustang DCT as well if the SUVs could get one?

I was thinking about the Fusion as well. Ford seems to be willing to allow the Fusion to show its sporty side, so a DCT in that would be an offering that Honda or Toyota could touch in that crowded sedan segment. Heck, I don't think Honda even offers a 6AT in an Accord right now. Chrysler's lost could definitely be Ford's gain in they could make it work.

It looks like the Chrysler-Getrag venture in Indiana has gone up in smoke. So, there is supposedly a nearly-completed DCT plant sitting down there. Can Ford afford to snag it before VW or some other manufacturer? Seems like it could allow them to make many more than just the DCTs for the Fiesta and it's right in the backyard.

Good find Igor!

Hey-Leave those Fox body 'Stangs out of this! They are the best vehicles ever made! On the powertrain issue, I think it's all about marketing. Heck, folks were giving me these little cards at the Woodward Cruise offering me a chance to come see underneath the 2010 Stang, like some peep show or something, kind-a-creepy. Then all these peek-a-boo photos, etc. Just don't get my hopes up so high and then I won't be disappointed I guess. Like someone said, it was just a re-fresh year. Lets just hope "next year" means, late-2009 for 2010. Not 2010 model year for 2011 or '12 like GM is doing with the Camaro as those cats have been waiting forever for that thing to drop.

Looks like we have to hold our breath a bit longer.

I thought the 6AT would've at least made its debut but that appears not to be the case. 5AT it is for another year which is surprising seeing that they made all that fan-fare about so many of their cars getting 6ATs in the upcoming years. I guess the Mustang will be one of the last hold-outs with the 5-speeds which is surprising. Not sure why since the F150 already has the 6-speed and it's not like hardcore racers would want an AT anyway, so performance shouldn't be an issue. -_- You could pick up a bit in fuel economy with the 6AT.

I read somewhere a while back about a 6-speed in the works under the 6F35 for the Focus and model equivalents. However I would've expected this to be in Van Dyke with the 6Fs, certainly not with the RWD 6Rs. Interesting...

I'm betting on the 2.5L. Mazda seems to be moving to the bigger is better attitude like everyone else right now. Maybe it is when it comes to sales so I can't fault them.

Wow, this thread was heading off into fantasy world. :boring: Then you had to just wake us up back into reality. :slap: Yes, until money starts flowing in, I guess they are quite limited and can't get too risky or fun as the next 2 years are like a probation period.

Yea, those LT1 and LS1 cars were quite a bargin and offered more bang-for-ya-buck...but they just couldn't move them. Judging by Woodward Ave. there seems to be more of a following for them now than when they were new. GM has taken forever to come out with this car and they may have missed their opening with gas prices and new CAFE standards. So a turbo-4 in the Stang to go up against the Camaro's V6 wouldn't be bad at all. I hope Ford can put something together to be competitive.

Indeed...that V6 Camaro is looking pretty quick. Hate to lose the stop-light wars to them...it's bad enough when you're up against the EVOs and STi's of the world despite their terrible sound.