Ford to put the brakes on luxury sedans

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by CAMS290

The new Caprice is awesome Mark.......black.....tint windows...lowered,,,,,19's or 20's ....pure horn !

Thats what I am talking about. Ford need a car that has this type of reaction. If they could produce a car that gets people excited about them, then they might be able to get the LWB cars back to their former glory.

[aussiblue]

: Arrrghhh!!! So now what do long legged people like me aspire to?

[BOF Cross8]

Originally Posted by Mongoose10

Why dont they go back and do what they used to do with the LTD's and make them TOTALLY different from the falcon's, such as in the P5-P6 LTD's right up to the AU (excluding the DF - DL LTD's) and bringing back the old 351 GT engine wouldnt kill them

Your sign reads, Living in the 70's!

Bring back the only 351 GT engine!!!


If you seriously think they should bring that engine back you are seriously 30's years out of date.

[LUXO_8]

i think his point was to fit the hot version of the current lineups engines( ie, LTD should have a boss 260 )

[needaXYGT]

perhaps a limited edition luxuary sedan or built to order? but that may cost more dollars on the production line?

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by MADNC_8

i think his point was to fit the hot version of the current lineups engines( ie, LTD should have a boss 260 )

it'd need an xr8 bonnet in that event!

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

it'd need an xr8 bonnet in that event!

the issue with that would be???

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by MADNC_8

the issue with that would be???

no issue at all, purely an observation!

[LeadFoot81]

Maybe Ford are going to rest the Fairlanes, and if in the future they do get an export deal, they can engineer one using the (confirmed) Orion wagon platform.

[Kryton]

lets see why they dont sell Fairlanes and LTDS much anymore:
1) price.
2) base model V8 instead of at least an XR8 engine.
3) no turbo option
4) they look basically the same as all other models.
5) no real other features that 'lesser' cars have.
6) no FPV involvement.
7) no export.
8) a Fairmont Ghia is the same but shorter and cheaper....make the LWB more desirable.

[LUXO_8]

fairlanes and LTD's could be fixed easily....for minimal cost

outside

headlights
use the current BF2 headlights, fit HID projectors to them, strip LED along the bottom for parkers

tail lights
keep the current tail lights, fitting a seccond indicator into them (where the reverse lamp is), put a garnish back in the boot......with another tail lamp each side and reverse lamps
the garnish defines the fairlane / LTD's in my opinion

fit the damn Boss 260 to the damn things (make it an option at least)

new bonnet mixing BF2 bonnet with teh XR bulge for the boss engine fitment

new LWB only front bar... give the car a new longer look without needing new guards


soft feel dash and console(ala AU Fairmont dash) - just gives that bit more classy feel to the car

[ltd]

I love my LWB cars, could never own a Fairmont Ghia, as they are too small in the rear especially with clients. To me the LWB represents the perennial "would you like an upsize sir?"; a little more for a little more. I hope should ford replace these cars they do get the town car, Then I can stay within the brand. I'm still a little too reluctant to take ownership of a Holden again, but then again I suppose having to take Holden to court for a refund would leave that sour taste in anyone’s mouth. The caprice looks nice, but the style hasn't grown on me yet and the interior is not as nice as you would expect. Miles of cheap plastic and some ugly plastic where there is traditionally wood don't convey an image of luxury, the ICC is a bit of a step back from falcon and the gearbox is woeful. Seats aren't bad although for some reason I expected better, engine is great. Fit and finish is better than before however Ford have gotten better as well. Furthermore, I can live with a Ford and not have any pretensions about it, Caprice calls out Bogan limo for some reason, as it is the most desired luxury car amongst the Bogan crowd. Not meaning to offend anyone here but really, I love cars that not everyone has or wants. I love people getting into my car and asking what it is with platitudes of "this is nice" and "this is so comfortable".
Back on topic, hopefully ford will not kill of the LWB segment and should they cease manufacturing in Oz they import the big, 5.5 metre american.

[Iphido]

I think the LTD will stay on in a SWB role sitting above the Ghia. The new falcon is ment to be roomier than the BA and VE so I suppose it won't be too bad.

With a confirmed Orion wagon, there is a glimmer that if export markets could be confirmed they may return. I just hope they don't cut all the corners.

If the LWB is to return, I want it to be long. ~5.3-5.4 would be approprate. And a space efficent big car. With parking sensors and video camreas make owning a big car more reasonable.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Inline6

Maybe Ford are going to rest the Fairlanes, and if in the future they do get an export deal, they can engineer one using the (confirmed) Orion wagon platform.

Confirmed, what a load of crap. Just because Tom Gorman said the wagon will be around in 2008 means nothing. Drive are the ones that made that up. It isn't confirmed until Ford say so, and Tom didn't say there would be an Orion wagon. Only when he says there will be will it be confirmed.

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by sbutler

He said if they dont get him another Ford he'll be getting a BMW 5 series V8.

The BS alarm is going off there big time - if your company could provide you with a $155,000 BMW, why would you bother with a $75,000 Fairlane or Caprice