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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 532
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OP
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Ford has a serious void in their product line-up, notably the sports sedan segment, among others. This is their feeble offerings:
Taurus - old, too big, heavy and not enough performance. Mustang - as above; still loosely dates back to the fairmont era chassis. Crown Victoria - as above; for the retiree set. Focus - very ugly, too high and uncomfortable T-Bird - too expensive for what you get. ZX2 - attractive styling, modest performance but unfortunately, DISCONTINUED. Trucks - one fairly bright star, but fading.
There is no car to fill the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Contour SVT, etc., segment and there soon will be no sporty car niche (sorry, the Focus SVT doesn't count). Did I forget anything?
Dan B.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Doesn't the Cobra count as a sports car?
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Don't forget the Ford 500 to share the Taurus market!
-Andy
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Originally posted by Pollo_loco69: Doesn't the Cobra count as a sports car? Yeah, if you're small. Big guys don't fit in Mustangs. I put around 6k on a Mustang rental (no, I wasn't paying for it) and I got leg cramps all the time. Otherwise, I like it.
'98 Mystique LS V6 MTX
"Unprofessional driver, wide open course." #9 - Hitting .400 for ever "Wake up the damn Bambino; I'll drill him in the ass." -- Pedro Martinez "The MTX75 was not designed to be a drag racing transmission" -- Terry Haines
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Joined: May 2001
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have to agree with you. My SVT was in the shop for service and while I was waiting I thought Id take a stroll through the lot. Nothing! Absolutely nothing caught my eye or even got a second glance. Well, a couple of LS's but thats about it. It was kind of sad actually, I had no desire for anything on the lot. Mustang-Everybody has one, I'd like a Cobra just too much $$$. Taurus-just what DanB said Focus-I swear I'd ride the bus before I'd drive one of those things hmmmm if they get a Maraduer(sp?) I'd have to check that out though. Just nothing hit me, like when I saw the SVTC's for the first time. I knew I wanted one. Ford has nothing to compete with: GTP, new Altimas and Maximas, heck even the GAGT Always been a Ford guy but unless Ford wakes up no more Ford after the Contour -neal
99 SVT...modified 96 GL....the beater "I live my life a quarter mile at a time. For those 14 to 15 seconds, 16 if I get tire spin, or get a bad jump, or possibly if I have a friend in the car, I'm free."
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Joined: Jul 2000
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I agree 100%. Ford sales figures are showing the results. GM and Chrysler are up while Ford is down. Ford put must of it's eggs in the SUV/truck basket, but last years tire fiasco has most consumers looking for other (non-Ford) products. They have no real mass market sport sedan to offer. Nissan, Acura, Lexus, BMW, and Jag are all doing great in this area. Heck, Hyundai and Kia were at double-digit growth, with low % of SUV sales. Focus has good appeal for younger tastes, but the 'boomers with car buying dollars have nothing to buy from Ford... I guess I'll sit in my beater till something better comes around.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Originally posted by DanB: (sorry, the Focus SVT doesn't count).
Why not? Because you think it is ugly  You should check out the SVT Focus Competition Concept...that should count I just hope they really make it.
_ _ _ _ _ ______________ _ _ _ _ _ Stopped shopping for a Contour SVT...Ordered 2002 SVT Focus. _ _ _ _ _ ______________ _ _ _ _ _
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Joined: Dec 2001
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My thoughts on the subject given in another forum: http://www.contour.org/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=53;t=000011
If next year Ford's lineup will not include a sport sedan, bye bye Ford ...!
Captain Bart 1999 Black/Midnight Blue SVT #1949/2760
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Joined: Oct 2001
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When will Ford decide to pull their heads from their asses? It can be hard to be a Ford faithfull sometimes. Oh well I'll settle for a new Cobra when the CSVT is paid off. 
99' tropic green SVT 2558/2760 born on 08/06/99 KKM, resonator removed, B&M short throw, SHO shop y-pipe w/cat, Pioneer deck, Boston Accoustics 10" rallys, MTX thunder amp
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Joined: Mar 2002
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hey ottomatic, i agree, focus is butt-ass ugly! still not fast by any means even if it can carve the corners well. and what about all those recalls? i would like a car that works from the factory...
THIS CAR IS F***ING COOL!
bone stock for now...
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