[Shotimes] (OT) Forbe's article about Ford

[Ron Nottingham]

The Gen 3 has only a 2.5" increase in wheelbase, but is almost 10" longer
overall, which would give the Gen 3 a longer front/rear overhang than the
Gen1/2.  Never said I wanted a long front/rear overhang.  Something with
close overall dimensions of the Gen1/2 would be nice, maybe 189" length, 71"
width, 56" height, and a 107" wheelbase (all overall dimensions +/- a
fraction of an inch).  The new Altima's length should be a maximum (191.5"),
and the wheelbase is would be perfect (110.2") giving small front/rear
overhangs.

Ron N. - Dalton, GA
90 SHO

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Kegel" <d.kegel@attbi.com>
To: "Ron Nottingham" <nottingham@alltel.net>; <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 9:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] (OT) Forbe's article about Ford


> I don't know.  How much longer is the Gen3 than the Gen2?  Not much.
>
> Personally, I think the Gen3 has better proportions than the Gen2.  The
Gen2
> is noticably longer than the Gen1 but the wheelbase is the same.  The long
> front and rear overhang looks dated.  The longer wheelbase of the Gen3 is
> nice, and firs better with its length.  Noticeably more rear leg room,
> although rear headroom isn't as good as the Gen1/2.
>
> Dave Kegel
> 90 SHO
> 93 SHO
> 98 Sable
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Nottingham" <nottingham@alltel.net>
> To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
> Sent: November 05, 2002 6:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [Shotimes] (OT) Forbe's article about Ford
>
>
> > That's what I've said all along...  The current Taurus is too long.  If
it
> > were the size of the Gen1/2 Taurus, it would still be a strong seller.
> >
> > I like that author's thinking...  A nice 4-cylinder for a standard
engine
> > would be nice.  I could see something in a 165hp or so 2.5L Zetec.  Then
> an
> > uplevel Duratec, with 220hp (Jag already has this engine).  Finally, a
> sport
> > model (doesn't have to be SHO) with either a V6 or V8 with 280hp.  Now,
I
> > know Ford doesn't have any decent transaxles (can't even hold the 200hp
in
> > the current Taurus), so outsource to ZF to produce a nice 5-speed auto
> (for
> > all models), a decent 5-speed manual (for the 4-banger model), and sweet
> > 6-speed manual (for the sport model).  Get the weight down to 3100 lbs.
> for
> > the base 4-cylinder 5-speed manual model, and no more than 3300 lbs. for
> the
> > top model.  The sport model doesn't have to be the top model, what would
> be
> > nice if this drivetrain offering is available with all trim levels.
> >
> > We can always dream, though, can't we?  Not like this would ever become
> > reality.
> >
> > Ron N. - Dalton, GA
> > 90 SHO
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Don McKinnon (AST)" <dmckinnon@asttechlabs.com>
> > To: <mrkelley64@earthlink.net>; <shotimes@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 5:28 PM
> > Subject: RE: [Shotimes] (OT) Forbe's article about Ford
> >
> >
> > > I really like this article!
> > > http://www.forbes.com/columnists/2002/10/29/cz_jf_1029flint.html
> > >
> > > "The way to fix the problem is to build a better Taurus. Keep it
longer,
> > but
> > > get more powerful motors. Your engines are no match for the
competition,
> > and
> > > you need a punchier four-cylinder for Taurus, too. "
> > >
> > > and...
> > > "Meanwhile, rear-wheel drive is coming back into vogue, and Ford,
which
> > has
> > > the only rear-wheel-drive big U.S. sedans in production (the Ford
Crown
> > > Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis), could take advantage of this
fact.
> > But
> > > instead of turning these into competitive products, the automaker is
> happy
> > > to let them age and sell the Fords to taxi drivers and cops, and the
> Mercs
> > > to geezers like myself. "
> > >
> > > Don McKinnon
> > > 95 MTX
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
> > > [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Mark Kelley
> > > Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 2:04 PM
> > > To: shotimes@autox.team.net
> > > Subject: [Shotimes] (OT) Forbe's article about Ford
> > >
> > >
> > > We've all heard the bad news about Ford.  This Forbe's article points
> out
> > > some of the strengths of Ford:
> > >
> > > http://www.forbes.com/home/2002/11/04/cz_jf_1104flint.html
> > >
> > > I find it interesting that some of the observations made in the
article
> > are
> > > the same as some observations posted on this list.
> > >
> > > Mark
> > > _______________________________________________
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