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.

 

Good poimts, but remember, the high-performance market is limited, the Vette name is tried and true, and as we all know, even if Ford outperforms (like we have learned with the truck market), the die-hard Chevrolet crowd will still insist that the Chevrolet is faster, even when they see the Ford beat it, I get that all the time, especially about the new 6.0 diesel (Duramax is no competition, but it's still all I hear). If ford produced the 49, would it hurt the market for the Lightning? It may, because I don't think it has the prestige to possibly de-throne the Vette (even if it was better in every aspect), just because of the length of time that the Vette has been around. Also, it couldn't be debuted this year, because of the slow economy, the unemployment rate, and because, traditionally, people don't make major purchases when coming up on an election year. The target buyers for this are very stereotypical consumers, and Ford wouldn't gain much financially from the cars, because they would have to spend so much in marketing to attract the customers away from the market that is already there. SVT has always done well with this, though, because they usually limit their production runs (like the Lightning), and they should produce something that will compete with the Vette (limited to 3,000 or 5,000), and something to compete with the Viper (limited to 2,500). This could work, but it would be risky, but if it took off and sold out the limited run, it could be slightly expanded, and with the prices on certain vehicles, it could certainly help stimulate the economy (not to mention produce more jobs for factory workers). The Vette competitor should eventually be mass-produced, and then we should have an SVT version of that vehicle to compete with special Vettes (Z06 and Callaway). Could you imagine what Saleen would do with a vehicle of that caliber? That would be awesome, and then we should have something to compete with the imports, like you said (by we I mean Ford, because for some odd reason, I feel like I am one of them, and I'm sure a lot of us do). Maybe something on the ZX2 frame (not an Escort, nothing wrong with the Escort, but ricer kids will never respect it), and the Focus is nice, and the Cougar is nice, but something completely new and fresh, and tuner-friendly. Ford has always been awesome at selling vehicles that are very easily upgraded, and this is a traiditon that I am sure they will not abandon anytime soon. Good points, Bighersh, and while they are risky, I believe they would all work fine, and I would definitely be one of the people dreaming of having some of these high-performance vehicles.

 

Yes, I think Ford needs to hire us both because they are missing the boat, in terms of new car development.

Ford has the lock on Trucks & will eventually get it back on SUV's (If memory serves, 2002 was the first year the Tahoe out sold the Expedition; but I attribute that to body-style change). I don't know what the stats are like for 2003.

I think Ford would further extend their reign on trucks if they just upped the power a little bit. I for one am tired of being casually dusted off by Silverados (In my wife's SuperCrew) and by Tahoe's (In my Expedition)- so what do you say about a 20% HP bump Ford? The 4.6L Expy would do nicely with a 268 HP engine, and the 5.4L fans would love having 312 HP underfoot, I'm almost certain. At least give us as much power as the Imports!! (Sequoia & Tundra)..

The new Mustang needs to be sick. All engines need to be at least 240 HP. Put the 4.0L V-6 in the Mustang LX, and pump it to 240 HP, OK, 230.... The GT needs to have 4.6L and 300 HP, and then put the 5.4L in the Cobra and give it 400 HP, with 400 lb. ft. torque. (No supercharger) That'll be enough power across the board to hold the average Honda Civic at bay...

Then, they need a sporty design, on the level of a Neon SRT, or a WRX. AWD, sporty, 4-cylinder that can haul @$$.... FWD & AWD optional... $21,000.00 Not a focus and not an Escort.

Then, Ford needs something hot in the midsize arena that competes with the Accord, Camry, Maxima, Altima, etc... The Taurus doesn't quite make it. Quick idea: A slightly downgraded Lincoln LS, perhaps with a a choice of 220 or 250 HP V-6's. Something well-built, with great fit & finish, DVD navigation, quiet ride, great accelleration.. (Ford, are you writing this down?)

I've owned GM's, Honda's, Nissan's, & 3 Fords. 5 if you count the two I was given in high school- but I worked for the rest. Of all the cars I've had, the one's that impressed me most with durability, reliability & resale value was the Honda & Nissan's. I was scared (from a reliability stand point) to trade my Maxima for a 1999 F-150 SuperCab, but since then, I've traded it for a 2000 Expedition, and the wife got a 2001 SuperCrew. We haven't had any problems. Ford & Chevy builds better trucks, but- Honda, Toyota & Nissan still build better cars- it's time to catch up....

 

Both of you have excellent points....

 

Don't forget it's not just power, it's weight as well. Ford cars are heavy, many are heavier than most of those import cars. Also the import engines especially the smaller 4s are reving at hight RPMs and don't have that tourque like the V8s do.

What Ford needs to do is to start looking at improving the car bodies by subtracing weight without cutting saftey. I would rather have a safe car than a fast one.

Oh yea and also don't forget that most car buyers are not intrested in a corvette or viper performance, they want a car that looks good and is relitivly fast and won't break thier pocket book. This is why the Mustang has been such a great seller. Ford still has and will for sometime that image of being an economical car so they need to have a line between the econo cars/trucks and the higer end cars/trucks, until they market this "line" between the two they will always be spending a bunch of money on marketing and getting no where. At least thats my 2 cents

 

dcovell brings up a good point, performance isn't the only issue... When I buy a vehicle I want good performance, but I realize 99% of the time it's going to take me to work, or the store, or someplace similar. I want something that looks good, something that holds up, and is versatile - and by versatile I don't mean the bed converts into an SUV if you put a window in it, or put on a bed extender. I want to be able to do the daily chores and still get in and out of it. In my opinion the Mustang interior is nice, but cramped. I'm 6'2" and my girlfriend's '03 is one of the most uncomfortable cars I've been in, but at 5'2" she thinks it's great, but can't reach the pedals in my truck... Suprisingly enough the interior of the tiny '02 Eclipse was more roomy and easier for me to get in and out of the than the Mustang, so I bought an Eclipse... Not a lot of power, but the thing was a blast to drive on the curvy roads...

Although, it's obvious to me that the general population isn't concerned with the look of a car. Otherwise the Honda Element, Subaru WRX, and the like would be sitting on dealership lots waiting for the crusher...

 

Ford does need something that can go toe-to-toe with the Vette and Viper.

Its called the Ford GT (hopefully it lives up to expectations)

But lets assume that it isnt competition for the Vette and Viper.

Ford has not 1, but 2 brands with a racing heritage...

Jaguar and Aston Martin.

Not to mention the last generation of twin turbo RX7... but that is another story.

Bill is trying to figure out where they fit into the corporate family. The fact is.... Jag is a racing car. Past 20 years they lost their way but now is a good a time as ever to retore that heritage and make PAG the German killing division.

 

Ford GT? You mean the comeback of the GT40, right? At 160k I hardly think of that as competition for the Vette or the Viper, and considering that very few are being made and even fewer dealerships will get them, I just don't see it... but dudn't really matter...

 

the name GT40 was copyrighted so they changed it to the GT

Doug

 

wow. excellent points. all of you.

forgive me but i must say something about GM. i know that its not Ford but it goes along the lines with what was said here...

they made the worst mistake EVER by getting ride of the F-body. now (in my opinion). another mistake is that they went and made the Impala and Monte Carlo weak and too familyish. we all remember how awesome they used to be! they are trying to make up for those losses by slapping SS badging, a supercharger, or a "high output V8" onto their normal family vehicles (Silverado SS, Trailblazer SS, Monte Carlo SS, and Impala SS). THEY ARE DISGRACING THE SS NAME AND HERITAGE BY DOING THIS. in my opinion the term "SS" should be backed up by a nice big, throaty V8 in a lightweight body. bring back the Chevelle if you want. that would be wonderful. but please...if you are going to put SS on the body...have a BIG V8 to back it up. I really hope that the new GTO is up to par with what they are saying about it... again...everything is my opinion


just my .02

 

GM has more problems than they can handle.

You mentioned the SS prostitution... what about the GTO from Australia? Great car, but not worthy of the GTO name.

Kind of reminds me of the Shelby 2.2 Turismos from Chrysler in the 80's. Now THAT was prostituation.

 

you know i really wonder about this, because when you talk to the average vehicle owner they really dont think like this. For the most part, people on this site are enthuseists (sp) period. We love our trucks and we love cars, all cars. So we pay attention to these things alot: how much hp does it have, what about torque, body wieght, vehicle dynamics. But i think that most people don't see things this way. I remember some commericial for bmw where they said that some woman was shown a x5 and chose the lexus suv over it because her liked the cupholders better. Asthetics i think play a major role in many peoples choices (element sales accounted by the fact that people are retards and they dont know whats ugly and whats not) along with ride quality and many other things. I'm sure if you ask most people they dont know if their car has 100 hp or 800 hp.

By the way i live in los angeles, so that might be a big difference, we're asshats over here i think.

JMO.

 

ASSHATS!!!! Thats funny! Ive never heard that one before. And you are 100% correct. Many people buy a car based on emotion and not logic.

At the same time, that emotional person isnt the target group for the Monte Carlo SS because they see the wisdom of a supercharger so if the target is the enthusiast (like us) then GM did drop the ball on the Monte SS and the Holden GTO.

 

That doesn't make sense. Just because a person isn't interested in the 1/4 mile times of a car or the skid pad results that makes them illogical when choosing a car? Actually I think someone who chooses a car solely on performance is illogical, unless it's just a toy... I don't need to out run everyone on the road, and I really don't care who gets to the next stop light first. I do care what my truck looks like, what I can haul with it, how easy it is to get in and out of, etc, etc. So, I'm still trying to figure out the wisdom behind a supercharger???

Can you help me out?

 

Yeah, buy a KIA, 6 year 100k warrenty.