But, that is such a heavy pig compared to the 950hp A6M. :D

I'm too lazy to do the math/physics, but: isn't 700+hp in a street car just a teeny bit excessive?

Even if you spend the rest of you life doing burn-outs and jackrabbit starts and street racing and maybe the occasional HPDE, would anyone here even approach the need for 700hp? According to my rough guess, most people would never get this car into a speed and rpm range where they would need more than about 250-300 hp and if they did, they would either kill somebody or **** their pants.

I know most of you guys make way more money than I do, but even funnier is the fact that we are calling a $60k muscle car "affordable".

Like so many high HP cars, there will be those who are killed in them before making their first payment. The cup holders are too small for common sense and Darwin will continue to work his ways.

Excess is fun. In reality, I only use a fraction of the 300 HP in my 996. But it's fun when I do.

Wowing with HP and braking numbers is the easiest route, so it's most often taken. Wowing with engineering prowess, build quality and design elegance is a b1tch...not a road commonly taken.

The fact that they pulled 700HP from that lump is really no accomplishment at all, I will grant them some balls for releasing it to the public but that's about as far as I can go.

I am not an American auto hater, I just get frustrated with the direction(s) they keep taking. Just build better car damn it, enough with the smoke, mirrors and other eyewash like this.

Again, I will say that I'm impressed with how Ford is moving ahead with design changes, the ecoboost engines, etc..neat stuff. For the record I've owned several GM vehicles over the years and my last Ford was a 1984(I think) EXP :) so I'm no Ford fanboi.

You can use all 700 HP if you floor it at 60 mph or so. Make sure you are pointed straight jUST incase though

Accounting: We need to create something exciting, what's the cheapest way?

Engineering: Don't change anything, just throw in a big engine, we can get XXX Hp from the V8 we already sell.

Accounting: What will this add in vehicle costs?

Engineering: Maybe $3,000 after we beat our vendors down.

Accounting: What can we charge for this?

Engineering: Probably $20k if we change the stitching in the seats as well. The stitching change will be free if we threaten to pull the entire contract and send it to China.

Accounting: I have another meeting now. Get it done. I smell bonuses in the air...nice work boys. We rock.

Etc....

;)

Agreed on Ford. They seem to have realized that building high quality and innovative products is the key to success. Go figure. I have a 2012 F150 that I chose over a Tundra. In the last year I've had a rental Taurus and Escape, both left a very positive impression. I came very close earlier this year on buying a Focus ST, and was impressed in driving both the Focus and Fiesta ST. I really want to drive a new Mustang, I think they did a fantastic job on it. They are definitely on the right track.

Agree on Ford as well. Rented a Focus for a few months about a year ago and was very impressed with fit, finish, handling prowess, overall quality. The Challenger I rented was a huge POS. The Sebring was beyond bad - I can't believe that car sells at all.

FWIW NHTSA is after Chrysler big time for slow rolling the repair of Jeeps that killed 51 people.....that says it all about that company IMO.

road race el camino, willowsprings,3-12-08 - YouTube

I guess they can be heavy but still be quick. A road race el camino that may even challenge Jack Olsen's time at Willow.
Truth be told, the suspension is Highly modified.

Porsche is much smarter, they just delete stuff altogether, call it a club sport or something similar, say it will be limited, THEN charge you extra for allowing you the privilege of buying it......;)

I agree about the ford stuff. I really like the new Explorers, I think they are pretty sharp. That being said, I have a buddy that has the newer 662 HP Shelby GT500, its fast, but it rides like ****. and I'm not particularly impressed with how its screwed together. although mechanically its far better then the typical V6 mustang rental.


Interestingly, JD power gave the the Challenger 5 stars for Quality and Chrysler was ranked number 4 as a Manufactur for reliability. I think all American Manufactures have come a long way in the last few years.

I personally haven't purchased an american car in over 20 years. I inherited a 2002 Tahoe with the new wife and its been a fantastic vehicle. We have 300K on the original motor and trans and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.

I HATE the new Explorer - looks more like a minivan than anything.

My Blazer surprises me all the time. That 4.3 is tight, and even over 200k it doesn't seem to be slowing down. If on the rest of the car was made as well as the engine...

Hmm, I HATE minivans, I don't see it....
Minivan

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404679214.jpg

SUV

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404679274.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404679298.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404679450.jpg

The issue I have with JD Power and Consumers Reports is that they are systematic on how they appraise a vehicle (be it quality, performance, whatever). This allows the mfg's to design to the test if you will. Same thing with crash test ratings, don't think for a second that necessarily means the car is safe.

I like the new Explorer too and I'm a Chevy guy. The sport model has 365 hp, stiffer suspension and larger brakes. 0-60 in 5.9 sec. Kind of a cheaper Cayenne. I'm ready to replace my '08 Silverado with something more pleasant to drive and the thought of buying a used Cayenne for over $50K is hard to justify.

Minivans are just as cool as SUVs.......that is to say not very.
I have no problem driving either but simply as a transportation appliance

From certain angles it's not at all hard to mistake the Explorer for the Range Rover. A very good looking SUV IMO.