And now... a completely hypothetical question...

[calypsocoral302]

You almost make it sound like Ford is ignoring quality to keep the mercury models going. Which we all know is not true. There have been rumors of the demise of mercury for a while now.

I'm pretty sure Mercury will be around until at least the 2007 model year, when it will be getting a new crossover SUV.

I think Mercury could do better if they were sold side-by-side with Fords, which Mercury shares a lot in common with, rather than Lincoln, which is a completely different class of car.

I really am hoping that Lincoln builds the Mark IX coupe-- that would, at least, give it one distinct model. And, quite frankly, I think that building the Town Car and the Continental on a FWD platform is a big mistake. We're Americans, for cripe's sake. Big, RWD cars are practically instilled in our DNA! It is part of who we are and what makes us stand out from the rest of the auto-buying public of the world. The Chrysler 300 is doing so well because it is unapologetically-American. The Lincoln LS sold well its first several years because it was a distinctly-American (though it definitely had some Jaguar DNA) car that went toe-to-toe with BMW.

I'll be watching Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum sales figures very closely over the next year. I really believe the auto-buying public of this country has had their fill of boring Camry/Accord-like mid-size cars. There really is no room left in that market segment. I'll keep an eye on the Five Hundred, Freestyle, and Fusion, but I don't think things are too hopeful at the moment.

 

[scottie1113]

No, I don't think Ford is ignoring quality to keep Mercury going. Ford is doing a great job in improving quality, and I believe we'll see that in the new Mustang and in other new models.

It's just that I see Mercury providing nothing but more expensive rebadged Fords, and nothing unique. Witness the failure of the Marauder.

If Ford scrapped Mercury and spent the money on improving quality throughout their line, brought out some more new models to challenge their competitors, namely Toyota and Honda in the family car segment, I think they'd do very well. They're on the right track, but they've still got a way to go.

GM dumped Oldsmobile. Ford should do the same with Mercury.

But we're way off topic, so I'll say no more.

 

[65conv50]

"Frankly, I think Bill Ford should take Mercury out back behind the barn and put a bullet in its brain. It's a drain on Ford and I can't recall many memorable cars in its history. It's a redundant brand and deserves to go away like Oldsmobile and Buick."

Buick hasn't gone anywhere. They are still making their traditional medium luxury cars for the "above average" income bracket, just as they always have. Selling to a different market from us... and nothing wrong with that.

 

[scottie1113]

You correct. I meant Plymouth, not Buick. Sorry about that.

 

[351CJ]

"Frankly, I think Bill Ford should take Mercury out back behind the barn and put a bullet in its brain.

Not going to happen. There are 5 or 6 new Mercury models planned over the next 3 years. But, of course, most of them are just Ford's with a different grille and tail lights.

 

[Aussie289]

Falcon 6 turbo

Hi Guys, first time poster in here from Australia and a 66 Mustang coupe owner.

I see a few of you have been talking about the Ford Falcon DOHC 6 Turbo.

I have driven several cars in stock form and also modified form.

Stock form they are a nice enough car to drive and pretty good for a streeter.

A good friend of mine has had his modded through a company called APS here in Australia. Website is www.aps.com.au

His Turbo 6 falcon has had several upgrades done to it in the form of a larger intercooler, new ECU, larger injectors, cat back exhuast system, new air intake. The boast was turned up from 6 PSI to 11 PSI and it now pumps out around 560 Hp at the flywheel.

This is the Phase III kit and the best ET they have dragged from one of these beasties is a 11.36 down the 1/4 on street tyres. A place here in Sydney with a few other smaller mods and running slicks has managed a 10 sec pass.

Let me tell you I have driven some tough V8 street cars in my time including a 69 428CJ, 70 GT-500 Shelby, and other Australian built V8's.

This thing gives it to them all.

Trust me as a very happy Aussie Ford fan, one of these will be in the garage in the near future.

I love my V8's and have several older Ford V8's, but the new family hack will be a Turbo 6 Falcon.

Cheers
Mark

 

[5.8CAPRI]

WHat the hey, I'll jump into this too.

I'll be watching Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum sales figures very closely over the next year. I really believe the auto-buying public of this country has had their fill of boring Camry/Accord-like mid-size cars. There really is no room left in that market segment. I'll keep an eye on the Five Hundred, Freestyle, and Fusion, but I don't think things are too hopeful at the moment.

DING DING DING, we have a winner. Absolutely the public is so tired of the boring jellybean cars it aint funny. Doesn't matter how well executed it may be, then have no personality. The 300/magnum is still a bean, but a unique cool looking bean. And this is also why the mustang is going to do so well. Tai Tang went out to the mustang core enthusiasts, old and new, and found out exactly what we want in a car, and then made it, instead of TELLING us what we want in our mustang. Somehow he prevented the mustang soul being lost due to the bean counters and federal regulations, and now we have(with a few very minor exceptions) exactly what we wanted. , The cobra should quell the more power and IRS grumblings.

The 500 has HUGE potential. It has a very solid platform(thanks VOLVO ), great engineering execution, AWD, nice interior, but is just another jellybean. Now if mercury was to redesign the 500 body a bit, more than just a grill, and give it more oats under the hood, I believe Mercury would have a hit, and that would be exactly what they are supposed to be, upscale Ford, not just a knockoff. But we know this won't happen, and because of that, Mercury should be laid to rest.

 

[COBRASVT777]

calypsocoral302 "The SVT will no longer call itself the "Cobra"... this name will forever be reserved only for Carrol Shelby's roadster (I wholly believe it will be produced in limited quantities for 2006 or 2007). Instead, SVT will make the Mach 1, seeing that they have the know-how to make a functional hood scoop to best Pontiac's Ram-Air systems. The engine will be a 6.0L V-8 or V-10 "LS2-killer" sufficient to kick the 2005 Corvette. This will feature an IRS standard."

Dude, dont let the Cobra owners hear you say that. Oh wait, I own a Cobra!
And what you're saying is
The SVT Cobra has been a Huge Success. And to drop the Cobra name from the Mustang would be a big mistake to enthusiasts like me and many others around here. And Ford would lose out on profits. Sure SVT can start making the Mach1 which they did not make in 03 and 04. that was another group inside Ford named TEAM MUSTANG. However SVT might have helped in some areas on the Mach's.
The Shelby Cobra can still have the Cobra name. But that's the name of the car period. It has no other title other than Cobra unlike "Mustang Cobra".
Believe it or not the name of a car helps Sell it. And the Cobra name will sell. Whether it's Shelby or Mustang, it'll sell.
I think the Mach1 or Boss (preferrably Mach1 for me) is an incredible "Mid performance" car for the Mustang. It fit so nicely between the GT and COBRA in 03 and 04 with proper pricing as well.
My wish list for 2006 is a Mach1 with N/A 5.4L w 350+HP and shaker scoop of course. And of course a great looking COBRA with SC 5.4L 425+HP. Rumors right now are leaning toward my wish list.
Now someone gimme some money

 

[BurlyStang]

Twin turbo charger option would be nice

 

[ruffy]

If I were running the show I would make sure the ills of the '05 are fixed and don't carry over to the '06 Mustang. As for additional options, I'd offer a T-Top, 6-speed gearbox, a better stereo, and larger (wider) wheels.

 

[Mark05GTVert]

I love the price/features compromises EXACTLY how they are in the '05 but I would have paid extra for a select-shift auto transmission as an option.

 

[351CJ]

How did this thread from a year ago get resurected? I though everything was lost in the crash.

In any case the 06 Mustang is "in the can" and will start production at the end of July with minmial changes.

So time to start posting your 2007 Mustang wish list.