[Bighersh]

This is a partial response to the question in another post, wondering if there'll be an 04 L, and when the GEN III may come out. After that, it's an observation:

There was an article in mid-2002 that said there would be no 2004 L's, but that the 2005 would debut in late 2004. That was either in Motor Trend, Truck Trend or Car & Driver. I subscribe to all 3 so, apaolgies for not remembering where I read it.


But, if SVT is saying normal run- you gotta believe it.
But, I also heard that SVT isn't making a lot of money- then again- no one is in this economy; except Honda with a steady stream of Civics & Elements going out the door.
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Editorial:

Ford's gotta drop some hot models and quit BSing with the long-term R&D before releasing a new model.

They need to produce the 427 and drop the Taurus, or keep the Taurus (fleet sales) and add the 427.

They need to add the Ford 49 (After dropping, or significantly boosting the power on the T-Bird). They need a sports car that's a worthy competitor to the Vette, at or below the Vette's cost, that isn't a derivative of the Mustang in any way, shape or form. No one wants a car that's supposed to be a Vette competitor, that look just like the $16,000 one Sally-Sue is driving home from High-School. I don't car how you mod it, it's still a 'Stang. Nothing bad about them, I love them- but it's no comp for the Vette, even if it was a faster car.....

Focus= Good move Ford. Be bold and drop in a V-6 for true class leadership. New Mustang- Bad-A$$. Expy & 2004 F-series- tough looking trucks.

Ford's woes now are due to a slightly stained image (Firestone & Explorers) and due to a lack-luster economy. Not to mention import-tuners.

With so many kids & young adults turning their nose up to the Pony cars, Ford needs a competent pocket-rocket to compete for sales against the: WRX, EVO, SRT-4 and the Civic (Pick one)

That's not gonna happen overnight- but, when you have 4-cylinder cars tht can annihilate a V-8 (WRX -vs- Mustang GT) in all measures of accelleration, not to mention handling; that's something that needs to be addressed, right away. Ford has the lock on trucks- they need to focus on the cars.

Another mistake, Mercury Marauder. That should have been an SVT-ized Crown VIC, with the 5.4L and 360 HP. I bet they couldn't keep them in stock- even though we all know the Gran Marquis & Crown VIC are the same car- you don't look to Mercury for performance. Not since the Capri GT died in 1987.