What has happened to ford

[drivin_me_nuts]

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

I agree completely re the Mustang. Amazing VFM, in my view, and very refreshing in a world of turbo 4 pots.

The Mustang is a turbo 4 pot too.

Indeed, but the real one has the requisite number of cylinders and seemingly makes the right kind of noise.

[neil1jnr]

Ford appear to have it spot on in my mind, nothing appears to be better value for money (unless the badge matters of course).

There is the fantastic Fiesta ST, the upcoming Focus RS and Mustang. Of the other cars in their range, here are the models I'd choose over any of the competitors range; the Ranger pick up truck, the S-Max and the Mondeo (Jag XE and 3 series excluded).

Ford appear to be doing better than they ever have been. All the comments regarding build quality and interior as negatives I find quite amusing. I'd struggle to find a brand new car that has poor build quality or an awful interior, it is all a matter of preference in my mind. I just can't see how VW is perceived above Ford in build quality and interior for example, they are on par to me.

Edited by neil1jnr on Friday 9th October 13:59

[ORD]

drivin_me_nuts said:

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

I agree completely re the Mustang. Amazing VFM, in my view, and very refreshing in a world of turbo 4 pots.

The Mustang is a turbo 4 pot too.

Indeed, but the real one has the requisite number of cylinders and seemingly makes the right kind of noise.

Quite. The 4 pot is offered as a joke, isn't it?

"Here's the V8, sir, but we do also offer it as a turbo 4 pot. snigger snigger snigger".

[300bhp/ton]

ORD said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

I agree completely re the Mustang. Amazing VFM, in my view, and very refreshing in a world of turbo 4 pots.

The Mustang is a turbo 4 pot too.

Indeed, but the real one has the requisite number of cylinders and seemingly makes the right kind of noise.

Quite. The 4 pot is offered as a joke, isn't it?

"Here's the V8, sir, but we do also offer it as a turbo 4 pot. snigger snigger snigger".

Really the only sniggering is at people with your attitude.

[ORD]

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

I agree completely re the Mustang. Amazing VFM, in my view, and very refreshing in a world of turbo 4 pots.

The Mustang is a turbo 4 pot too.

Indeed, but the real one has the requisite number of cylinders and seemingly makes the right kind of noise.

Quite. The 4 pot is offered as a joke, isn't it?

"Here's the V8, sir, but we do also offer it as a turbo 4 pot. snigger snigger snigger".

Really the only sniggering is at people with your attitude.

Because I find the idea of a pony car with a turbo 4 pot silly? Take away the old school engine and that car makes no sense at all.

[Mercury00]

The media seem to have decided that Ford's time in the limelight is over now. After receiving unanimous praise for theirs cars over the past 5-7 years they seem to be sliding.

Ford saw that people bought the Passat and Octavia despite them not being known for their handling prowess, and built the new Mondeo for comfort rather than fun. Now magazines are complaining about the Mondeo, saying it's no fun to drive. The same magazines never complained about handling when reviewing the Mondeo's competitors.

The latest Auto Express has the newly-facelifted Focus against the Leon and new Astra, and it comes last with only three stars. The car was previously considered best in class along with the MK7 Golf. I'd bet the Golf would still score highly against the Leon and Astra, but somehow the Focus is now suddenly crap.

[Centurion07]

ORD said:

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

I agree completely re the Mustang. Amazing VFM, in my view, and very refreshing in a world of turbo 4 pots.

The Mustang is a turbo 4 pot too.

Indeed, but the real one has the requisite number of cylinders and seemingly makes the right kind of noise.

Quite. The 4 pot is offered as a joke, isn't it?

"Here's the V8, sir, but we do also offer it as a turbo 4 pot. snigger snigger snigger".

Really the only sniggering is at people with your attitude.

Because I find the idea of a pony car with a turbo 4 pot silly? Take away the old school engine and that car makes no sense at all.

I'm with him^.

[drivin_me_nuts]

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

300bhp/ton said:

ORD said:

I agree completely re the Mustang. Amazing VFM, in my view, and very refreshing in a world of turbo 4 pots.

The Mustang is a turbo 4 pot too.

Indeed, but the real one has the requisite number of cylinders and seemingly makes the right kind of noise.

Quite. The 4 pot is offered as a joke, isn't it?

"Here's the V8, sir, but we do also offer it as a turbo 4 pot. snigger snigger snigger".

Really the only sniggering is at people with your attitude.

Really, a four pot whistler vs. the v8.

Of the two, right now, which would you take? and perhaps a slightly different question, who is 4 pot aimed at? considering this car is more about 'merican dream than any viable alternative to a daily hack.

[ORD]

300 is typical of the attitude on PH. Argue against literally everything, even if it means talking nonsense.

[CorvetteConvert]

ORD said:

300 is typical of the attitude on PH. Argue against literally everything, even if it means talking nonsense.

Argue/debate/differ, call it what you will, we will often have differing views. That's normal.
But yes, 300bhp showed yesterday (when he came after me with a crazy comment rightly slaughtered by several readers), that some will argue with everyone about anything, as they don't have anything better to do. PH is great but I have long periods when i don't give the place a second's thought, usually when i am in California where we spend 8-14 weeks every year. But he seems to be a year round troll!
I loved the comment someone else made when they told him to sell some of his sheds and get a couple of decent cars! I digress...

Yup, an American sports car has to be a V8. I cannot see why you would have say a Corvette with a 2.5 litre 4 pot, regardless of the bhp output.
The new Mustang is excellent as a V8 and Ford in general make some great cars now.
Focus RS, Fiesta ST, Mustang V8, Mondeo 2015 model, Super Duty 6.4 diesel truck, S Max, the list is endless. Great company.

[ORD]

I agree. You can find a very good Ford for most needs and wants.

[coppice]

Repeated reference to Focus steering - having driven each generation of Focus the earlier iteration was better, yes , but not to the extent that the current setup actually makes you pine for the old.It doesn't feel like my Seven's unassisted and very quick steering, agreed ,but it's fit for purpose. I suspect the complaint is one of those cliched moans about 'horrendous ' lag on a modern turbo diesel (when in fact it's virtually non existent compared to earlier diesel - and petrol - turbos)

[Kawasicki]

CorvetteConvert said:

ORD said:

300 is typical of the attitude on PH. Argue against literally everything, even if it means talking nonsense.

Argue/debate/differ, call it what you will, we will often have differing views. That's normal.
But yes, 300bhp showed yesterday (when he came after me with a crazy comment rightly slaughtered by several readers), that some will argue with everyone about anything, as they don't have anything better to do. PH is great but I have long periods when i don't give the place a second's thought, usually when i am in California where we spend 8-14 weeks every year. But he seems to be a year round troll!
I loved the comment someone else made when they told him to sell some of his sheds and get a couple of decent cars! I digress...

Yup, an American sports car has to be a V8. I cannot see why you would have say a Corvette with a 2.5 litre 4 pot, regardless of the bhp output.
The new Mustang is excellent as a V8 and Ford in general make some great cars now.
Focus RS, Fiesta ST, Mustang V8, Mondeo 2015 model, Super Duty 6.4 diesel truck, S Max, the list is endless. Great company.

In defense of 300bhp, I would say he just disagrees that the only choice for enthusiasts is the biggest engine variant. I tend to agree with him. Smaller engined variants can sometimes be more fun to drive.

[anonymous-user]

They hit the sweet spot with the new Fiesta ST by building the RS Clio that Renault wouldn't make. And they did it for thousands of pounds less. It's been a slow burner, but I am really enjoying my ST.

I've driven a few new Fords and they all seem good. The 1.0 ecoboost is very impressive. I do think the ecosport is a joke though. Clearly a vehicle programme with no budget, as the outcome is very poor.

[ORD]

Kawasicki said:

In defense of 300bhp, I would say he just disagrees that the only choice for enthusiasts is the biggest engine variant. I tend to agree with him. Smaller engined variants can sometimes be more fun to drive.

Not when the whole point of the car is the old school V8. It's not a Lotus. It's an American cruiser.

[Kawasicki]

ORD said:

Kawasicki said:

In defense of 300bhp, I would say he just disagrees that the only choice for enthusiasts is the biggest engine variant. I tend to agree with him. Smaller engined variants can sometimes be more fun to drive.

Not when the whole point of the car is the old school V8. It's not a Lotus. It's an American cruiser.

It doesn't have an old school V8, or an old school chassis.

[Centurion07]

Kawasicki said:

ORD said:

Kawasicki said:

In defense of 300bhp, I would say he just disagrees that the only choice for enthusiasts is the biggest engine variant. I tend to agree with him. Smaller engined variants can sometimes be more fun to drive.

Not when the whole point of the car is the old school V8. It's not a Lotus. It's an American cruiser.

It doesn't have an old school V8, or an old school chassis.

Any V8 is considered old school in these times of small-capacity turbocharged and hybrid cars.

Not sure what the chassis has to do with it?

[ORD]

Exactly. It was pretty obvious that I wasn't commenting on the pedigree or design of the engine but it's character relative to modern tat. It suits the car. A 4 pot turbo really does not! If you want an eco box, the Mustang is a terrible choice.

[scherzkeks]

Centurion07 said:

Any V8 is considered old school in these times of small-capacity turbocharged and hybrid cars.

Not sure what the chassis has to do with it?

Because the chassis is capable and benefits from not having a boat anchor up front.

[ORD]

scherzkeks said:

Because the chassis is capable and benefits from not having a boat anchor up front.

You're simply being argumentative for the sake of it. No car enthusiast is going to buy a 4 pot Mustang. Not you, not Centurion, not anyone.