2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: benjamming
How much does Motor Trend take in every year from the mfg for this "award"?

Edit: I should clarify this is not a knock on the Fusion but rather MT.


I think that works both ways. Motor Trend tends to be fairer to domestics while not critical of imports, whereas Car and Driver seemed to be biased in favor of Imports. I'm talking ridiculously biased almost to the level of propaganda. Who was more likely to be paying off or to own stock in the company that could be worth something and grow in value? I'd say the upstart Imports were more likely paying off.


What way are you talking about? Your post makes no sense when quoted with mine. I think that about MT every year they release their trophy car. I thought that when the Mercedes M Class won it as well. I was even working in a Tier 1 supplier assembly plant on that car then!


I couldn't have been clearer and it makes perfect sense to me. You were suggested that MT's award is bogus because of kickbacks, and I said nothing smelled more bogus and like kickbacks then how Car and Driver praised every foreign car it tested while bashing domestics ridiculously.

 

[cousincletus]

There were some things I liked about the Citation. It had a good transmission and axles, and cracked CV boots are practically an unheard of problem with the domestics. It had more room than its foreign competition. It was a PITA to work on, though. Heater cores went bad often, 4 cyl engine was designed for a RWD car, so it was hard to get to stuff on it (V6 was ok to work on, though).

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: rszappa1
Take it with a grain of salt.... Motor Trend also gace the Chevy Vega car of the year in 1971...1974 Ford Mustang 11...1980 Chevy Citation...1993 Ford Probe...2002 Ford Thunderbird...... Thats a list of some really [censored] cars....


Those cars weren't so bad for their time. What other new car released during those years was so great? I mean in '74 and '80 what new car released would've been a great car even in hindsight? MT isn't picking a car based on projected reliability and popularity in the future so much as of the new releases that year what car has the most value and features along for the price etc.

Correct. I mean really look at those years. What was really being put out there for folks to buy? They were all decent cars for their time.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Speaking of Mustang, why have all the "pony cars" turned into "fat hog" cars - about 700lbs more portly than the fox platform? Time to wake up and make the 'stang a AWD turbo 4 or TT v6 and keep it under 3200lbs dry. Enough retro already. Them days dont need revisiting.

Buy a WRX or an STI. I don't wan't an AWD 4cyl.

 

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: benjamming
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: benjamming
How much does Motor Trend take in every year from the mfg for this "award"?

Edit: I should clarify this is not a knock on the Fusion but rather MT.


I think that works both ways. Motor Trend tends to be fairer to domestics while not critical of imports, whereas Car and Driver seemed to be biased in favor of Imports. I'm talking ridiculously biased almost to the level of propaganda. Who was more likely to be paying off or to own stock in the company that could be worth something and grow in value? I'd say the upstart Imports were more likely paying off.


What way are you talking about? Your post makes no sense when quoted with mine. I think that about MT every year they release their trophy car. I thought that when the Mercedes M Class won it as well. I was even working in a Tier 1 supplier assembly plant on that car then!


I couldn't have been clearer and it makes perfect sense to me. You were suggested that MT's award is bogus because of kickbacks, and I said nothing smelled more bogus and like kickbacks then how Car and Driver praised every foreign car it tested while bashing domestics ridiculously.


You were saying that MT is more fair to domestics while not being critical of imports. You then started talking about C&D. I never brought up domestics nor imports. Anyway...

 

[Nick R]

Hearsay! did you seriously say make the mustang an AWD 4 cylinder? That image makes me want to kill myself. First off, the mustang is a PONY CAR. MUSCLE CAR. NOT a Tuner or "European" sports car. The only 4 cylinder that should EVER go in a new mustang is MAYBE the Ecoboost 4, but the bigger option has to be a good old fashioned V8.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: benjamming
Originally Posted By: mechanicx

I think that works both ways. Motor Trend tends to be fairer to domestics while not critical of imports, whereas Car and Driver seemed to be biased in favor of Imports. I'm talking ridiculously biased almost to the level of propaganda. Who was more likely to be paying off or to own stock in the company that could be worth something and grow in value? I'd say the upstart Imports were more likely paying off.


What way are you talking about? Your post makes no sense when quoted with mine. I think that about MT every year they release their trophy car. I thought that when the Mercedes M Class won it as well. I was even working in a Tier 1 supplier assembly plant on that car then!


I couldn't have been clearer and it makes perfect sense to me. You were suggested that MT's award is bogus because of kickbacks, and I said nothing smelled more bogus and like kickbacks then how Car and Driver praised every foreign car it tested while bashing domestics ridiculously.


You were saying that MT is more fair to domestics while not being critical of imports. You then started talking about C&D. I never brought up domestics nor imports. Anyway...


What is so hard to understand lol? You criticised Motor Trend, a automotive magazine, as being biased or getting kickbacks (the highest kickback from Ford presumably) and the Ford Fusion, a domestic, as not being worthy of the award, so naturally I'm going to contrast what you said about MT and Ford to other car magazines and Imports.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
Take it with a grain of salt.... Motor Trend also gace the Chevy Vega car of the year in 1971...1974 Ford Mustang 11...1980 Chevy Citation...1993 Ford Probe...2002 Ford Thunderbird...... Thats a list of some really [censored] cars....


I bet you couldn't wait to get to this post to post something negative about Ford like you always do.

 

[ls1mike]

Nope that was the other dude.
Notice the WS6 in my signature.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: hone eagle
They have turned into 'fathogs' because of 5 star safety ratings and such , it all adds ######
No. They switched platforms from the terrible, aged FOX, to the Jaguar/Lincoln LS decontented RW drive. But how come my wife's Forester X capacious SUV that has awd and many options and is under 3400lbs? And 5star safety ratings. But, Get hit at 50MPH in any of these and the car will disintegrate. Most all of them.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Hearsay! did you seriously say make the mustang an AWD 4 cylinder? That image makes me want to kill myself. First off, the mustang is a PONY CAR. MUSCLE CAR. NOT a Tuner or "European" sports car. The only 4 cylinder that should EVER go in a new mustang is MAYBE the Ecoboost 4, but the bigger option has to be a good old fashioned V8.
Heresy? Sorry - not any more. The retro days are gone. Time to move on. Want a V8, Buy a used classic - a better investment anyhow. You must be OLD

 

[Nick R]

Old? Hardly. I'm 17 almost 18. I want my Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers with big rumbling V8s. Not whiny, high pitched 2.0L Turbos. There is no replacement for V8 engines in muscle cars. The sheer amount of people buying Mustangs, Camaros and challengers is a testament to the fact that PEOPLE STILL WANT THEM. Seriously, which of these would you rather have?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYlxBJStFZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56AB3F-33tk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6EiNFiLhV0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI8PhsDS6AE

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Speaking of Mustang, why have all the "pony cars" turned into "fat hog" cars - about 700lbs more portly than the fox platform? Time to wake up and make the 'stang a AWD turbo 4 or TT v6 and keep it under 3200lbs dry. Enough retro already. Them days dont need revisiting.


I just threw up a little in my mouth.

The Mustang does not need to be AWD. And the reason it gained 700lbs was because it is much SAFER than the Fox platform. Safety adds weight. I own a Fox body car. They are fast. But they are not all that hot in the safety department.
Its heavy because its too big and a bad design. I've owned MANY mustang and Capri 5.0 back when they were about $10-13K discounted new. I had the first Capri 5.0 in the N.E: Black hatch with red interior, 4-spd t-10 and Michelin 390 mm Metric wheels.(15.35"?) My Capri was the best one - they just got worse as time went on. 157 Hp 2 bbl V8 Funny. We called 'em V8 Escorts. I like the earlier pinto-based Mustang II chassis MUCH better - handles MUCH better.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Speaking of Mustang, why have all the "pony cars" turned into "fat hog" cars - about 700lbs more portly than the fox platform? Time to wake up and make the 'stang a AWD turbo 4 or TT v6 and keep it under 3200lbs dry. Enough retro already. Them days dont need revisiting.


I just threw up a little in my mouth.

The Mustang does not need to be AWD. And the reason it gained 700lbs was because it is much SAFER than the Fox platform. Safety adds weight. I own a Fox body car. They are fast. But they are not all that hot in the safety department.
Its heavy because its too big and a bad design. I've owned MANY mustang and Capri 5.0 back when they we about $10-13K discounted new. I had the first Capri 5.0 in the N.E: Black hatch with red interior, 4-spd t-10 and Michelin 390 mm Metric wheels.(15.35"?) My Capri was the best one - they just got worse as time went on. 157 Hp 2 bbl V8 Funny. We called 'em V8 Escorts. I like the earlier pinto-based Mustang II chassis MUCH better - handles MUCH better.


You seem to have glassed over 1987 and newer, which were 225HP and 300lb-ft of torque.

The Fox chassis the drag-racing platform of choice. It is light, easily strengthened and has massive aftermarket support. Something the Pinto/Mustang II chassis does NOT.

How was your Capri the "best one"? Mine is a Black Magic. One of only a few thousand made. They are rarer than hen's teeth. The fact I swapped a modded 302 into it, and the previous owner had turned it into a Mustang angers a LOT of people who are passionate about those cars. But that is neither here nor there.

In regards to the S197:

Too big? Your opinion.

Bad design? Not according to the sales figures.

The chassis is excellent; the best the Mustang has ever been based on.

And I don't care HOW many Mustangs and Capri's you've owned. You are obviously not a Mustang enthusiast, so having this conversation is pointless.

 

[ls1mike]

I think he failed to mention just how well the current generation Pony cars stop and turn as well.
But hey he is rolling a Yaris, the ruler of performance car market...

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I think he failed to mention just how well the current generation Pony car stop and turn as well.
But hey he is rolling a Yaris, the ruler of performance...


And he's blown up more cars in the last few years than anybody I've ever met.

 

[97tbird]

I am very happy for the Fusion - The Fusion, esp. the Sport version looks really good, and will be a great success, I think. I rode once in a 2009 Fusion and the interior as well as the ride was really comfortable while still maintaining enough firmness and it handled pretty well, I think...

it certainly looks a lot better than the competition: (i find the selectable colors of ambient lighting a nice feature on a car of this level) ...
The Fusion is an eyesore for Ford bashers for sure, 'cause it looks GREAT:

 

[Nick R]

Yaris, performance.. Hah that's funny. But the point is ARCOgraphite, that some people want V8s. For the sound, and the torque. Oh, and the reliability. Consider that the Ford Crown Victorias all use V8s. The others, the Charger, the Impala, are all Naturally aspirated V6s or V8s. They could certainly keep the same chassis and then put in a small turbo four. But they don't. Why? Longevity. I doubt there is a turbo out there (with the possible exception of big industrial turbos for big trucks and busses etc) that would last much longer than 150,000 miles. And if you recall, the 4.6L in the vic will last well over 300,000 miles. Show me a turbo four that will do that.

 

[ocrstar]

That Fusion above looks awesome! I'd buy one.

 

[Johnny]

You guys would argue over what shade of blue the sky is.