I know this site is mostly consisting of truck enthusiasts, but since were all interested in FoMoCo's future intentions, I would like to bring up a topic that I consider important. Chevrolet has the Corvette, Dodge has the Viper, Ford has,,,,????? You really can't put the Mustang in this class of cars. Ford just doesn't see the importance of producing a car that doesn't have more than one objective (PERFORMANCE). If they don't make a profit from it, they look the other way. These are not profit making cars, and both Chevrolet and Dodge realize this. They definitely know how to make concept cars though. I remember them making the Mach III Mustang 4 years ago, and the Super Stallion Mustang than was advertised in the Super Ford magazine. And a few years back, they brought out the Ford GT90, that was so unrealistic, considering it was priced at a couple 100k. The Mustang Cobra is the most performance orientated car that they have, and it's still struggling against the Camaro/Firebird. I've been a dedicated ford enthusiast for a long time, but I find that sometimes you need some bragging rights. I thought they were headed in the right direction when they brought this car out for all the manufacturer car shows.


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'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system w/keyless entry & starter disable // Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

I think Ford calls it, Jaguar.

 

I'm not possitive about this but I think Ford invests money in other manufacturers muscle cars. That gives them the profit without the hassles. It's smart on there part but not much fun for us.

Maek

 

Has anyone heard if ford has any plans of entering into this market in the future?

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'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system w/keyless entry & starter disable // Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

Check out /www.ford.com/ Go to Better Ideas/Design and Technology/Concept Cars/. There are a few pages about the Indigo. I saw one at a car show last year (if I remember right). Nice-looking, but it doesn't say anything about becoming a production car. I agree, Ford needs to do something for us so we can start stomping the Camaros and Firebirds again. I don't think it would go well with all of the emphasis they're putting on recycling and creating environmentally friendly cars, factories, etc, though. Still would be nice and I might change my tune and buy another car. I'll stick to the trucks until that day rolls around...

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1998 F-150 XLT 4x4, Regular Cab, Short-Bed, 4.6L V-8, 5-Speed, 3.55 Rear Gears, Dark Toreador Red

 

The car side of Ford apparently lacks the feel for the customer that the truck side enjoys. Look at the excitement created in 1996 by the F150, in 1998 by the Super Duty and this year by the F150 Super Crew and Explorer Sport Trac. Sure, the Mustang has posted monthly sales increases for two years now, but show us some passion! A retro Thunderbird is a small step forward - the car side needs to take some giant leaps.

 

Ford is well aware of the dissatisfaction with the Mustang's poor performance. They have repeatedly dangled bait in front of the high-performance enthusiasts, always promising more and never delivering more than a teeny slice of what was boasted. With the Mustang Cobra's independant rear suspension, it is leaning hard on not the Corvette and Viper, but on other competitors such as BMW and Audi. Ford's "global" thinking is severely puzzling; while they posture against high-dollar Euro-coupes here in the U.S., down in Australia they're still using inline-sixes derived from the engines used in the U.S. twenty to thirty years ago.

The corporate accountants seem to have the attitude that we should be grateful that they let a trickle of Cobras, SVT Contours, Taurus SHOs and F-150 Lightnings out of the assembly lines. After all, the Mustang (as but one example) outsells the GM ponycar competitors handily, thanks mostly to base-model (V6) sales. To them, an extra high-performance car is but a liablility. Our litigious society is combining with the "bottom line" (read: lots of warranty repairs) and the politically-correct agendas of the socialists in D.C. to pound so-called "high-performance" vehicles into oblivion.

Right now, most of the government's venom is directed at SUVs. Just wait, they'll get around to spitting at the musclecar folks again, and before very long, too. Hey, think of it like this: Fast Cars Are Equivalent To "Assault Weapons". Ford knows which way the wind is blowing and want s to stay out of the fray. They're already in hot water over the Excursion, y'know.

Don't expect a better "flagship" vehicle than the T-Bird, it's just not in the works. I do have to tip my hat to Ford for such a bold redesign - even if I can't afford one.

 

As long as there's consistant support in the racing industry, there's going to be an on going demand for high performance vehicles, mostly on account of the spectator. One example that sticks in my head is the 24 hour Le man race. The Dodge Viper literally dominated the GT3 class, finishing 1st,2nd and 3rd this year, I believe. You can't buy better advertising than this. By the way, I'm pretty sure Chevy will enter the Corvette into Le man next year.

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'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system w/keyless entry & starter disable // Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.