[Shotimes] Re: (OT) Automotive Turkeys 2005
Ron Porter
ronporter@prodigy.net
Wed, 30 Nov 2005 14:25:55 -0500
They already offered company-car lease deals to Ford execs (both of my
buddies are turning in their Mazda 6s and getting Zephyrs).
Remember that for the average car-buying public, the 500 and Fusion have
more than enough power. Someone on the lists (V8 or Forum) is getting a new
Fusion, as he was happy with the way it ran (with the new tranny), the
amenities, and the way it was screwed together.
I have seen more & more 500s around. Of course, Detroit is different with
all of the car company employees, my part of town is D-C and GM country
(northwestern suburbs are Ford country).
I am getting used to the styling. Not my cup of tea, but not bad, either.
Zephyr "could" do well, as anyone who wants a loaded Fusion can get a decent
deal on a Zephyr that comes with a lot of standard stuff.
I am cautiously predicting that Ford has a hit with these cars. Not for us
performance folks, but for the clueless masses that keep all car companies
afloat.
Ron Porter
-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of G Kerby Haltom
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 1:39 PM
To: Donald Mallinson
Cc: Shotimes; V8List SHO
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Re: (OT) Automotive Turkeys 2005
Yep, the new Mustang is a dumbed down version of the
DEW98 chassis. There should have been a 4-door sedan
made out of the dumbed down version, also. but
instead we get the wholey uninspiring 500, and the
Fusion.
I keep reading where both the 500 and the Fusion are
selling well, but I don't know where. I've seen maybe
4-5 500s and 1 Fusion in the Fort Worth area. I saw a
couple of 500s in Chicago back in October and that has
been abotu it. So where are these things selling?
The Fusion has promise. The Mazda 6 chassis is a nice
one. The 500 needs an engine. I know Ford has said
it will get a new 3.5L in 2007, but come on. That's
just too long to develop. But since I don't think
I'll be buying another FWD car, it really doesn't
matter to me...
I predict the Zephyr will fail miserably. The Mark LT
will go the way of the Blackwood, even though it is
more practical. You can at least put something in the
bed. The Town Car will stay in its current form until
the last customer dies of old age, and Ford will still
be wondering how Cadillac beat them up so badly.
Meanwhile, other than the Mustang and the GT(which
I'll never be able to afford) there is not a single
FoMoCo product I want. I think this is the first time
in my memory that has happened. Well, I take that
back, there aren't any FoMoCo USA products. If we are
talking Australia or Europe, well that's another
story.
Kerby
--- Donald Mallinson <dmall@mwonline.net> wrote:
> Kerby,
>
> About the LS, a shame if they discontinue that. But
> the Chassis lives
> on, in the new Mustang!
>
> That is why it is so heavy!
>
> Don Mallinson
>
> G Kerby Haltom wrote:
>
> >The Phaeton will be a maintenance nightmare. If
> you
> >think SHO parts are hard to find, those things will
> be
> >impossible. Apparently, it would have made a great
> >Audi. VW shot themselves in the foot multiple
> times
> >with that one.
> >
> >The X-Type should never have been built either.
> >
> >They also mentioned the Lincoln LS was being
> >discontinued. What a waste. That chassis was the
> >best thing Ford has come up with in the past 10
> years,
> >and they wasted it. Dad's 2000 V-8 is the best car
> we
> >have ever owned. Been to the shop once. There is
> no
> >way in hell Dad will be buying a Zephyr to replace
> it.
> > Maybe I can talk him into a 2 year old BMW...
> >
> >Kerby
> >
> >--- Donald Mallinson <dmall@mwonline.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>I see no problems with any of the turkeys they
> >>mention. A different set
> >>of criteria would bring up other "turkeys" I am
> >>sure, but I thought the
> >>article was pretty well written and they did a
> good
> >>job of coverying
> >>their advertising behinds by qualifying almost
> every
> >>decision.
> >>
> >>Wonder what the discount is on the Phaeton? That
> >>would be a nice car to
> >>have, but I also wonder about keeping it going in
> >>future years? mazda
> >>Millinia anyone?
> >>
> >>Don Mallinson
> >>
> >>Ron Porter wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Some will disagree, but Forbes lst (Forbes being
> >>>
> >>>
> >>one of my favorite
> >>
> >>
> >>>magazines) has nailed it, using sales figures.
> See
> >>>
> >>>
> >>the Slideshow:
> >>
> >>
> >>>http://tinyurl.com/dz2os
> >>>
> >>>I'm actually surprised that the VW Phaeton wasn't
> >>>
> >>>
> >>#1!!
> >>
> >>
> >>>Ron Porter
> >>>
> >>>
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>Shotimes mailing list
> >>Shotimes@autox.team.net
> >>http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes
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