Maybe it is, I'm not an engineer and don't claim to be. I used 'Ranger' simply because it's a Ford RWD platform that has been around almost as long as the Fox. Doesn't work according to you ? Fine, no argument here, maybe they could adapt a system from the Fusion, Taurus, X-Type, Volvo, whatever. But as you say, just about every manufacturer offers AWD (and not exclusively in sedans), I have difficulty believing a Mustang would offer a few clever engineers much of a struggle, but your point is taken.
I'm sorry but why would anyone buy a V6 *MUSCLE* car? Also it's still WAYYY behind what the Europeans can get out of a V6, and even smaller engined cars.
Okay, you have $30k (The price of a nicely equipped V6 Mustang) to spend on a European car. Which one are you going to buy with a V6 and more than 300hp?
I don't know how much $30K is in Pounds Sterling but I reckon you could probably pick up a second hand VW Golf R32 for around that. Yes I know I said 'second hand' but I personally would take the golf over the Mustang in a flash. Or for not much more than the $30K a new Focus RS.
Thats why the 1989 Turbo Trans Am with the Buick GNX engine which was a V6 I may add was MUCH quicker than the basic 305 and L98 TP V8 cars, even quicker than the LS1 cars. If you bought one of those beasts you had to be a sissy!. Have you seen or heard of the Buick Grand National or the Turbo Trans Am?.\ Lets start out with the basics the Buick GN at the time was the fastest car back in the 1980's america put out being faster than the Corvette of that time and was put right up there with the exotics like the Lotus Esprit or the TR it wasn't that far from the Countach. It was one hell of a performer for its day and still is to this day. You find me a European sportscar with a V6 in it that could top the vette of the showroom floor. The 1989 Turbo Trans Am is another beast with the same 3.8 V6 used in the Buick GNX and that car was much quicker than the LT1 vette when it was first released and I believe is still the fastest Fbody to this day. It still puts up better numbers than most typical passenger european cars today. I had a GTP and it wasn't a muscle car but it had a 3.8 almost like what a GN or TTA had and I could still pull on many VW's, Audi's and keep pace with some porsches. Never underestimate what a V6 could do. The 3.8 might be a dinosaur but its probably the best V6 engine to this day that anyone has built. I know cause I have owned a couple of them.
Your picking at straws now though....those cars are not the norm. And I OWNED a '87 GN, so yeah I know what they are. Still didn't have the "sound" though....I also had a worked '99 GTP. Turbo T/A's were quick, not as quick as the 6-speed LS1's and are not the quickest F-Bodies built. Stock Turbo T/A's ran mid 13's, maybe low 13's. Well driven stock 6-speed LS1's can hit high 12's. My Camaro ran a 12.94 bone stock with only 650 miles on it. While I agree the 3.8 V6 was a great engine for GM, it is not there best V6. IMO the new 3.6's are.
Yes I have heard of those two Buicks and they sound like jolly good cars. I never said that all V6's are obsolete, since the 50's America has been in love with the V8. Big, lazy huge displacement, loud noise, basic etc thats what I think of when I think about a Muscle car. Probably the most iconic muscle car is the Mustang, as soon as I think about that car I think about the film Bullet... the GT390, oh my days how much do I want that car. THATS why I never see the point in a V6 muscle car, it's not that V6's are under powered they're not by all means. It's just that I see V6's in small, light weight, high revving sports cars, and thats not how a Muscle cars should be at all.
According to Car magazine, the Balboni LP 560-2 doesn't drive so well as the 560-4 around a circuit. As to Porsche... Drive better? How do you quantify that? The GT2 is a whole different car than the 997 Turbo... is there even an X50 package in the 997 right now? The comparable cars would only be a C2 vs. C4, or C2 S vs. C4 S. I'm unaware of either being called inferior to the other. Again, 99.995% of the people wouldn't feel the weight difference, and maybe 50% drive in a manner that they feel the physics advantages/ disadvantages of AWD. It's not the weight that matters, nor the steering feel when having AWD is my argument. We can talk til the cows come home about which is superior/ inferior for general use. I like variety.
Wait a second...you like variety but the thought of an AWD Mustang or Corvette turns your stomach ? Contrary, no? The intro of the Carrera 4 some 20 years had you reaching for the Imodium? Why ? The only reason why I mentioned Ford should offer AWD on the Mustang was for marketing purposes in the north. I believe the Mustang might be the preferred candidate for year round daily use for many buyers where winter lasts 3/4 solid months, however due to its inherent traction limitations, buyers automatically scratch it off their list and head towards models offering FWD. An AWD option would not only offer a superior alternative in winter, sales would likely come from buyers who wouldn't have considered it otherwise. Even if sales of AWD Mustangs were under,...mmm, 8% ? of total volume, they'd be conquest sales and tooling costs would be covered. Mustang sales have fallen off a cliff this year, Ford needs something radical to re-ignite interest. Matching the output of the Camaro's V6 is a tepid step forward but mostly a necessary one. If it's worth anything, I'd bet AWD would increase showroom traffic. The guys on the Challenger forum don't seem to have any problems with it being introduced on the Dodge....
Absolutely. Pretty much why I just don't worry too much about it. I'm assuming it's from the summer and my sweat. I use lotion very rarely, only use a swiffer and/or a lightly-damp cloth. I'm still unsure I'll own a bmw again because of the lack of a spare tire (as it's a daily driver. Even with RFT's and recently having to deal with getting a tire spur of the moment, it's should be included regardless. Again I love my car, just some of their decisions really leave me baffled.
On the first part, variety to me is why one car isn't always more desirable than another car. They both offer points of interest that are unmatched in other cars. An AWD Mustang makes no sense. Don't forget, they are made in the northern 3-4 month winter state of Michigan; and have to have compliance for our horrible roads too. It's far more than just tooling costs; it would require re-engineering the entire chassis from the ground up. Considering that they have done this just 5 years ago; there is zero chance of that. Re-igniting the Stang's sales... new body for 2009.5, new engines for 2010.5... pretty radical if you ask me. I'd estimate at least 100MM to engineer an AWD system for the Mustang. The Vovlo AWD system is based on a transversely mounted engine. An SUV awd system is far too bulky to fit.
Ford needs to stick a turbo and AWD in the new Feistas. They already marketed the car that way at Pikes Peak hillclimb and rallyX games. Would be a loss not to go after the AWD tuner market like Subaru, Mitsubishi (Evo) and Audi Quattros. What good is horsepower if you can't put it down on the road?
IMO that's a pointless idea. Ford make that car to be small cheap supermini, how's AWD and a turbo going to help ford? There are other quick Fords if you want one.
Every magazine I have read said the Balboni is quicker in a straight line and on a track....I have a Motor Trend right in front of me that says that too. Drivers prefer RWD, AWD just isn't as fun. Some cars try to make it more fun, but IMO it doesn't quite work. I'll take RWD anyday....
Ford USA, ho hum, can't design anything new so how about reintroducing the Thunderbird which flopped on its face, restyling the 60s Mustang into the current model and sell a couple modern GT40s. Who knows when next gas price spike will hit but still rely on displacement for power in their performance cars but when it comes to needing torque, go to turbo diesels w/ their trucks. Yeah, RWD is nice for sunny flat Florida. Bet you've never pushed your V8 Mustang up a hill in a ****-hair deep snow like I have being passed by soccer-mom minivans. Don't tell Subaru that there is no market for the STi. They'll laugh. How many cool European small displacement Fords have they been? Lots of guys still out there racing highly desirable Escort MK1 and MK2s. Cosworth Carpi. Cosworth Sierra. Cosworth Escort. And in the US, we got the EXP. Haven't seen one on the road in many years despite fact they were mass produced. SVO Mustang-joke. Saleen Focus- crap. Ford USA has been doing it all wrong for years now and if they hadn't, then there would be a market for them in tunercars. Dodge did OK w/ SRT-4 for what it was (a Neon). Most younger people don't get musclecars. Emissions regulations choked them out before the generation coming out of college now were born. Sad to say that drifting and Fast & Furious still has a hold on them. I like musclecars. No way I could afford to commute everyday sitting in traffic here in my modded 351 Windsor gas guzzler. But I can tool around in my turbo 4cylinder at stock boost levels and when I want power, flick boost controller switch and get more HP than the new V6 Mustang this post is about. So, Ford has Fiesta Movement. They hire best drivers for Pikes Peak. they win XGames Rally. Then, do nothing w/ it?
Actually I drive my 2002 Mustang GT as a daily driver in the mountains of NH, where we get very deep snow. With the right snow tires and 50 pounds of sand in the trunk the car is actually very capable in those conditions. Personally, even with where I live I would not even consider buying an AWD Mustang.
The STi has had more trouble since becoming a $40k car. They had a great package at 30-33k... then they went crazy, and didn't really improve the car... just changed it. Look at the SHO thread (Ford are having no trouble selling it; but internet people seem to hate that optioned out it's well into the 40's). People have been doing so for longer than we've been alive.
Eagle SX/4 maybe was the best American made rallycars. Can't really call Eagle Talon or Plymouth Laser American since they based on Mitsubishi Eclipse. I still have a turbo Laser. 17 inch snow tires to fit over the Saleen brake kit. No one made. Nor would I. But I do already own two 4x4 Ford trucks.
