First off, big props to Troy for coming on the Forum and reading up, let alone posting to a bunch of cranky SVT owners
I think that the other members have articulated a lot of my concerns. I am not so concerned with hats, shirts, etc. but I can see where people who take pride in their ride would like such items.
You know the biggest problem that I have with owning my SVT is that I feel like I have zero support from Ford.
I have had horrible dealer experiences, including having some guy wearing more chains than Mr. T taking my keys, only to leave my car unfixed (needed a sensor, that will take 3 weeks) and helped himself to a few dollars of change that was in my car.
When I bought my first SVT Contour, the dealer asked me "you aren't going to tinker with this car, are you?" It's like "hell yeah buddy!" The dealer should be saying to me "Here's a copy of our SVO catalog. Inside you'll find some performance/custom parts to make your car just the way you want it."
I understand that the SVT Contour is dead because the Contour as a whole was nixed. That is a whole other discussion on failed marketing, decontenting, etc.
What I don't understand is how a bunch of performance tuners can pride themselves on having the highest HP/liter of any North American automobile and how the intake is extrude-honed, then when everyone's transmission blows up, its like "huh?"
Ford can make good with a great deal many SVT owners, and turn a lot of last time buyers (possibly me included) into repeat buyers by doing the following:
1) Create a Ford-approved upgrade kit for the transmission. It should include a locking diff, heavy duty gears and synchros, as well as any needed improvements with the bearings, etc.
2) Offer this upgrade kit at a reduced cost to all SVT Contour owners. Perhaps for people who have had to go through a few trannys (I am on my 2nd) offer it to them for a greater discount
3) Admit there is a problem with bumper sag. Come up with a fix, and issue a TSB so we all have straight rear bumper covers.
quote:
---------------------------------------------Because we mainly deal with the development of the vehicle itself, we don?t usually get involved with aftermarket parts. But we have been trying to improve that. Our first efforts were with the ShoShop and I think they have done well with supporting the SVT Contour.
Maybe Ford needs to start thinking like a car company and not like a bunch of departments. If Ford is going to build a tuner-performance car, then the SVT guys need to pow-pow with the "we make aftermarket parts for Ford" guys, and they need to offer a comprehensive package. Has Ford EVER offered an SVT without offering SVO parts that will work on it? No.
I don't care that the production number is low or not. Don't sell cars that beg to be tweaked, then not sell parts to tweak them. If you do this again, you will find a lot of people going to other companies who go the full distance when offering a specialty vehicle.
The ShoShop involvment is a nice gesture, but that is about all it is. You see, the problem is, when I pull into a Ford dealer with a ShoShop Y pipe on my car, or a ShoShop 3L conversion motor, the dealer is going to tell me to take a hike, because I've tinkered with my car like some meddling youngster. When someone takes a Toyota Solara with a TRD blower on it and a TRD suspension kit in, the dealer welcomes them.
When you combine all of the issues discussed in this thread, and factor in the general consensus that Domestic manufacturers pale in comparison for customer service, product quality and resale value, it becomes readliy apparent to me that a German or Japaneese car will do me more right than another Ford.
If I buy another Ford it's likely to be an old 5.0 that will never drive near a dealer lot (except to buy parts...maybe!)
If more people like yourself took genuine interest, you really could turn this whole thing around. I'd like to see your big man come on this forum and put his money where his mouth is. He seems to do it well when he's on Motor Trend TV pulling a holeshot in a Lightning.
Thanks again for your concern & see you at SZ!
Andrew
99 SVT
