Ford Boss thinks Oz falcon should be scrapped.

[Shannow]

In favour of the Taurus.

(didn't work last time they tried).

Check this one out.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/99-Ford-Fairlane-...=item3a5e6ac4c4

 

[crinkles]

IDK... time for some new tech?

yes the I6 in the falcon is rock solid, but darn it... it's a dinosaur. I think a nice modern long mounted V6 and RWD should keep most folks happy.

 

[Falcon_LS]

What's this obsession with the Taurus?

 

[Shannow]

Lat try failed not because of what's up front, but what's not down back.

http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/ford_taurus_1996_car_review.htm

I half want to buy the ebay car just to own my first 302, and see how far it can go.

 

[Silk]

Spare us the Taurus again! Only a few have survived,those that are left you can't give away.This last incarnation of the inline 6 seems to be pretty good - the last good Falcon engine was the red rocker cover 250,then the Aussies tampered with it.The various attempts at the crossflow were a disaster,and the ohc engines weren't much better.I've never had a cyl head off a Commodore V6,but couldn't possibly count how many 6 cyl Falcon heads I've pulled.

I drove an 08,or 09 Falcon a few weeks ago,and was very impressed,it seemed to get up and go better than a V8.Most impressed with the traction control - on a wet road it stepped out in a nice controlled slide with the wheels just spinning,and the traction control light on the dash flashing.A Commodore just crawls away like a Toyota Starlet.

It'd be a pity to see the Falcon go,the Coon is a Kiwi icon,everyone has had a Falcon in their life somewhere,the car for the big family (whanau) My XC stationwagon was a fun time for my family of 6...I wasn't going to get some Japanese people mover when all the Family could fit in the big yellow Coon.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
IDK... time for some new tech?

yes the I6 in the falcon is rock solid, but darn it... it's a dinosaur. I think a nice modern long mounted V6 and RWD should keep most folks happy.


I have to go with the Aussies on this one.

So what if that engine has roots that go way back? Ironically, one of the all-time nicest US engines ever, originally the "Buick V-6" and last known as the 3800 V-6, was a V-6 (of course) had roots back to the 1950s. It remained a spectacular performer until it got displaced a year or two ago. The Falcon I-6 may use an ancient layout, but the the examples rolling off the line today are as modern as any other engine. And they're probably a lot easier to work on than any V engine. But most critically, it's getting the job done, and the customers like it and want more of it.

Originally Posted By: crinkles
IDK... time for some new tech?
COUNTERPOINT: If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

 

[Bluestream]

Sorry, but what does this mean?: The car has approx 10 months rego remaining.

 

[Steve S]

Probably too nice of a car . The replacement is cheaper to Build? The I6 to me is a much more pleasant engine . New tech is for T.V.s I want a plain simple and cheap to operate vehicle. I do not need to talk to my car to get it to do things.

 

[ekpolk]

I have an even better idea: why don't we just slam the door on the Taurus and bring the Falcon HERE -- straight-six and all. I'd buy one of those in a heartbeat.

 

[Nick R]

Because the idea is to go forward- ie better fuel economy, more tech (which is what the public wants- more bells and whistles, not barebones manual cars)

 

[caprice_2nv]

If they still built and sold platforms like that here, I wouldn't have to hang on to my 1980's "junk" forever. I wonder how many more cars we would see with that kind of mileage on them (800,000km's +) if there was more RWD cars being built today. That car makes the Crown Vic look complicated and high tech.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Because the idea is to go forward- ie better fuel economy, more tech (which is what the public wants- more bells and whistles, not barebones manual cars)


Where did you ever get the idea that the Falcon is a "barebones manual" car? It is anything but. You can get the I-6 with a manual or six-spd auto. There's a turbo-6 available, and a V-8 too. This car leaves NOTHING to be desired. Why don't you check out the Ford Australia site and see for yourself. Are you seriously contending that this car is somehow incapable of being festooned with as many "bells and whistles" as any spoiled American buyer could want???? And let's not forget that even the most tamed and balance-shafted V-6 will never be able to match the balance and smoothness of an I-6. And with the current generation of traction control and stability augmentation systems, FWD has lost much, if not all, of the advantage it once held over RWD designs. Bring us the Falcon!

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Because the idea is to go forward- ie better fuel economy, more tech (which is what the public wants- more bells and whistles, not barebones manual cars)



The marketing department might like you to want that techy gimmick [censored] , but considering the economy, more and more folks are rediscovering the beauty of simplicity...

In many cases simplicity is genius.

This is especially true when it comes to cars.

And don't give me this bull about not wanting power brakes, ect....

Although if I could buy a NEW MKI VW Golf GTI today I certainly would...it was genius and fairly simple too.

It did everything very well, was a blast to drive, inexpensive to buy and maintain, safety was first rate, and got excellent MPGs as well.

I was t boned by an F-150 going 50 mph and I came out of that car without a scratch!!!!!

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Bring us the Falcon!


Ford missed their window of opportunity. They should have brought it to the US in 2000 as the Millennium Falcon

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

^ lulz

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
What's this obsession with the Taurus?


Being a total Ford effort of building a FWD sedan, it shares the success and desirability of every other Ford-effort FWD sedan: no one wants it, but they'll drive it if they have to (see: doomed to fleets). Now they're [censored] their pants about this slow moving poor investment and not having anywhere to dump that rubbish, so why not push it onto the Aussies? Nevermind it's worse than any modern thing engineered/built in Australia, but 'we'll try and make them suffer with us'. That's what this reeks of to me.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Sorry, but what does this mean?: The car has approx 10 months rego remaining.


Registration period is 12 months. Every 12 months needs a mechanics inspection, registration and road tax, and personal liability insurance.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Because the idea is to go forward- ie better fuel economy, more tech (which is what the public wants- more bells and whistles, not barebones manual cars)


variable cam timing and variable tuned length induction don't need a V configuration or FWD.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ItsuMitsubishi
^ lulz

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
What's this obsession with the Taurus?


Being a total Ford effort of building a FWD sedan, it shares the success and desirability of every other Ford-effort FWD sedan: no one wants it, but they'll drive it if they have to (see: doomed to fleets). Now they're [censored] their pants about this slow moving poor investment and not having anywhere to dump that rubbish, so why not push it onto the Aussies? Nevermind it's worse than any modern thing engineered/built in Australia, but 'we'll try and make them suffer with us'. That's what this reeks of to me.


Wow, you REALLY hate Ford eh?

The Fusion and Focus are both selling VERY well, and are both FWD sedans. I think it is too early to know whether the new Taurus will catch on or not.

HOWEVER

The Aussie Falcon is an awesome car, and trying to replace it with the Taurus would be incredibly stupid IMHO.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: ItsuMitsubishi
^ lulz

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
What's this obsession with the Taurus?


Being a total Ford effort of building a FWD sedan, it shares the success and desirability of every other Ford-effort FWD sedan: no one wants it, but they'll drive it if they have to (see: doomed to fleets). Now they're [censored] their pants about this slow moving poor investment and not having anywhere to dump that rubbish, so why not push it onto the Aussies? Nevermind it's worse than any modern thing engineered/built in Australia, but 'we'll try and make them suffer with us'. That's what this reeks of to me.



The new version Taurus (current one) is a horrific looking bucket of bolts if you ask me...It looks like they were trying to copy another poo turd, the Chrysler 300.

Aside from FWD aspect of the car the styling is just stomach turning and obviously I'm not alone on that one.

I do believe that it does have some strong ethnic attraction as does the 300.

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: ItsuMitsubishi
^ lulz

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
What's this obsession with the Taurus?


Being a total Ford effort of building a FWD sedan, it shares the success and desirability of every other Ford-effort FWD sedan: no one wants it, but they'll drive it if they have to (see: doomed to fleets). Now they're [censored] their pants about this slow moving poor investment and not having anywhere to dump that rubbish, so why not push it onto the Aussies? Nevermind it's worse than any modern thing engineered/built in Australia, but 'we'll try and make them suffer with us'. That's what this reeks of to me.


Wow, you REALLY hate Ford eh?

The Fusion and Focus are both selling VERY well, and are both FWD sedans. I think it is too early to know whether the new Taurus will catch on or not.

HOWEVER

The Aussie Falcon is an awesome car, and trying to replace it with the Taurus would be incredibly stupid IMHO.


No I don't really hate Ford. They just have their heads up their chutes. With the Taurus, all signs point to failure. Remember the Ford 500? They thought it was the name that threw people off, so they went back to "Taurus". Still no luck, so they refreshed it with more lipstick. Still no go. They already have the Fusion, which people much prefer. Of course it's half Japanese and the way it drives reflects that. This is what people want; a competent vehicle that isn't awkward, forgettable and clumsy to drive. The driving public has already been spoiled with competent performing cars. If I were Ford, I'd be [censored] too, but they need to accept the failure of the model. They need not bully their overseas departments into squashing a superior vehicle just for consolation, that's a 'female dog' move!

And of course a big +1 on the Falcon being a better car, and to bringing it to North America... that would have really paid off for them, but alas, they're too cheap to ship 'em and too misguided (& probably too cheap, again) to tool up here in NA to build them. They should learn from GM (never thought I'd say THAT) with the G8 and potential Caprice. Evidently, these kinda deals can work well.