The Car Thread ... !

[americafirst]

Our is the front wheel drive with the 4.6 six cylinder. We live in eastern Idaho and don’t really need all wheel drive. This vehicle will never go off road.

3.6 or 4.6? I had a Journey as a rental car and it had the 2.4 and it felt underpowered. I always wondered how the six-cylinder was

Technically, the Taurus interceptor will be manufactured through this year and discontinued in 2019. So it’s still in production until it’s completely phased out and available to agencies. The 2018 civilian Taurus is still available in all models. But ironically, I have noticed influx of the SHO Models (Specifically the 15-17 models) being marketed higher on the used market, I Can’t even find a used SHO in my area for over 200 miles, where three months back, they were widely more available.

Yes, the visibility is lacking, because it sits relatively high in the back, the rear windshield is fairly small, and then you have to factor in A-B-C pillars are very bulky, which is another area of concern for blind spots.

Regardless, almost any and all departments in my state have completely abandoned the Taurus Interceptor and migrated towards the Explorer Utility when they are ready to upgrade. The Explorer offers the same power-band/fuel efficiency with the AWD Eco-boost, similar weight capacity, sits higher on the roadway for better visibility, has a _considerable_ amount more of storage capacity, [Which was a major complaint with the Taurus interceptor], And can support a dual partition for transport.

Just to provide you a glimpse of PI Explorer sales is compared to where it was just from 2017:

http://m.policemag.com/news/27914/ford-ending-production-of-police-interceptor-sedan

“In 2017, Ford sold about 43,000 police vehicles of which about 80% were Police Interceptor Utility vehicle, which is based on the Explorer.”

Unrelated to this post:

Tracked the SHO on Sunday. Will share my initial impressions later.

I didn't realize 80% of the Police Interceptors sold were the Utility. It does have more room than the sedan though so it makes sense

Having rented a couple of vehicles with cooled seats, it’s a feature I wouldn’t mind having. However, the ventilated seats in my ‘14 Charger are a major step up from my ‘09, and I’m happy to have them.

Funny thing is, I’ll occasionally use the heated seat in the summer (with the AC on, of course) if my upper leg/lower back muscles are a bit sore. Works pretty well.

One of my parents cars have cooled seats and I plan on getting that on my next car

Blazer front end on the refreshed Camaro.... Looks a lot better.....The Camaro is the only one that doesn't wear the new Chevy front end all that well....

But speaking of cars wearing the same corporate design.... I am of the opinion cars like the Camaro, Corvette, Mustang, etc shouldn't be designed with concern with keeping with the family look. Corvette already doesn't follow the Chevy family look, but when people see a Camaro or Mustang they recognize it for the models history more so than associating it with the brands themselves. Like Corvette, Camaro and Mustang already are a sub-brand with their own identities. So the Camaro gaining the new Chevy family look vs its own unique design of the pre-refresh, I am not a fan. But I don't mind some elements of these cars to find themselves on their more main stream models( like the 5th gen Camaro inspired tail lights of the last generation of the Malibu).

The Camaro doesn't look bad with the new front end

I enjoy driving what I drive, regardless of the associated gas costs

Fuel economy is literally the last thing I care about in a car

Opel will save 20-50% in development costs by switching from GM to PSA platforms.

I know GM sold Opel to PSA but why did they

 

[cube]

I know GM sold Opel to PSA but why did they

GM was about to go bankrupt and Opel lost 15 billion pounds in the last 17 years.

 

[quagmire]

GM was about to go bankrupt and Opel lost 15 billion pounds in the last 17 years.

GM wasn’t about to go bankrupt, but Europe has been a constant drain on their financials since 2008.

 

[cube]

GM wasn’t about to go bankrupt

What was that massive bailout about then?

 

[quagmire]

What was that massive bailout about then?

GM didn’t sell Opel/Vauxhall in 2008-2009 during the bailout. They just sold them last year to PSA.

 

[cube]

GM didn’t sell Opel/Vauxhall in 2008-2009 during the bailout. They just sold them last year to PSA.

Well, OK. But Opel was a big part of their problem and it still loses money.

 

[americafirst]

GM was about to go bankrupt and Opel lost 15 billion pounds in the last 17 years.

Wasn't that 10 years ago? When did PSA purchase Opel from GM?

GM wasn’t about to go bankrupt, but Europe has been a constant drain on their financials since 2008.

In the many times I have been to Europe I haven't seen many GM vehicles

What was that massive bailout about then?

Don't even get me started on the bailout because the auto manufactures and banks both should have not received anything

GM didn’t sell Opel/Vauxhall in 2008-2009 during the bailout. They just sold them last year to PSA.

I didn't think it was during the bailout but I wasn't aware it was last year

 

[cube]

GM tried to sell 55% of Opel in 2009. They did sell Saab.

 

[quagmire]

Well, OK. But Opel was a big part of their problem and it still loses money.

Agreed and hence why they sold them last year. GM is right now financially healthy and the sale was not due to them about to go bankrupt again.
[doublepost=1530197248][/doublepost]

GM tried to sell 55% of Opel in 2009. They did sell Saab.

GM's board of directors overruled Fritz Henderson's( CEO of GM at the time) attempt in the sale back in 2009. Hence why GM held onto their European arm at the time.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2017/02/15/gm-opel-sale/97919402/

Saab's story is a sad one. While people like to accuse GM of killing Saab( they did put out some horrible vehicles under the Saab brand), Saab would have been dead back in the 90's without GM's intervention anyway.

 

[cube]

GM is right now financially healthy and the sale was not due to them about to go bankrupt again.

Yes, I was talking about the bailout.

 

[quagmire]

Yes, I was talking about the bailout.

But you're mixing up facts in telling americafirst why GM sold Opel/Vauxhall to PSA was due to GM about to go bankrupt.

Yes Fritz wanted to sell Opel back in 2009 during the restructuring. The board overruled it so they held onto Opel/Vauxhall. But they ended up selling Opel/Vauxhall last year, but had nothing to do with their bankruptcy/bailout in 2008.

 

[cube]

But you're mixing up facts in telling americafirst why GM sold Opel/Vauxhall to PSA was due to GM about to go bankrupt.

Yes Fritz wanted to sell Opel back in 2009 during the restructuring. The board overruled it so they held onto Opel/Vauxhall. But they ended up selling Opel/Vauxhall last year, but had nothing to do with their bankruptcy/bailout in 2008.

They were basically trying to get rid of it since the bailout. It does not matter if it was only sold last year.

 

[D.T.]

Fun

The visual upgrade for the SRT Hellcat is not exactly transformative, but you will spot a new grille with two new air inlets that are designed to help funnel cool air to the big 6.2-liter supercharged V8 (as before, it makes 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque). A satin-black hood is now an option, as are "Brass Monkey" 20-inch wheels and an Alcantara interior package.

New electronic, line lock, etc., still a measly 707HP / 650lb-ft TQ

More:

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2019-dodge-charger-srt-hellcat-refreshed/

 

[A.Goldberg]

GM wasn’t about to go bankrupt, but Europe has been a constant drain on their financials since 2008.

No, GM wasn’t about to go bankrupt. They DID go bankrupt when they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy June 1, 2009. Yes, they restructured and got bailed out, but they still went bankrupt (the largest industrial bankruptcy in US history).

Their problems existed well before 2008. GM stopped being profitable in 2005 largely due to fixed costs, primarily costs associated with their union- healthcare and pensions for half a million retired workers. Between 2005 and 2009 they lost $90 billion. They were also losing to Japan in sales, which sucked in general due to the economy. Their reliability and quality in general was not on the same level as the Japanese manufacturers. Gas prices were also $4+/gal and American cars in general did not have the fuel economy offerings Asian and European brands. GM as a whole was poorly managed with inefficiencies and redundancy.

Saab's story is a sad one. While people like to accuse GM of killing Saab( they did put out some horrible vehicles under the Saab brand), Saab would have been dead back in the 90's without GM's intervention anyway

Yeah, Saab’s fate was rather unfortunate. GM did bring Saab into an era modern car manufacturing and helped keep them afloat for a couple decades, but at the same time they kind of hung them out to dry. Saab was actually pretty successful in the 80’s prior to their purchase. But as time went by and GM eventually took full ownership, Saab seems to have become more and more dilluted - material quality deminished, they used more and more parts from cheaper cars, and eventually got into that awful badge engineering. GM wanted a European brand to compete with, but Saab seemed to be their least priority when it came to updating its lineup. That’s understandable considering the volume and GM’s other issues at the time, but it’s hard to sell a premium/luxury car at premium/luxury car prices when it’s decades behind the competition.

The Spyker ownership was an interesting twist at the end, but Saab’s fate had already been sealed. At the time the new 9-5 cost like $50,000 and for that price you could have bought a 5-series. As cool as the new 9-5 was, it just couldn’t compete. Saab had a weird niche in the market to begin with. The only real competition I ever associated with it was Volvo, or maybe VW’s luxury-ish era (2007ish). I believe had Saab made AWD sedans much earlier they might have been more competitive with Volvo.

My mom owned a 9000 aero way back when. It was a terribly unreliable car and parts were hard to get. She only kept it a couple years since it was such a PITA. When I was in high school tons of my peers had 9-3’s and 9-5’s. I don’t think I’d ever buy a Saab (if they made a come back), but they do have a special place in my heart so to speak.

I think Saab could have existed without GM, maybe even still be here had it been different ownership. Do I believe Saab could have survived alone- absolutely not. Basically, GM probably wasn’t the right fit as a parent to Saab. I don’t blame them for dumping them when they did. It would be cool however to see them make a comeback.

 

[cube]

I don’t think I’d ever buy a Saab (if they made a come back)

Saab's assets were transferred to China, but they don't have the right to use the brand. They make an electric car with the classic looks.

 

[quagmire]

No, GM wasn’t about to go bankrupt. They DID go bankrupt when they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy June 1, 2009. Yes, they restructured and got bailed out, but they still went bankrupt (the largest industrial bankruptcy in US history).

Their problems existed well before 2008. GM stopped being profitable in 2005 largely due to fixed costs, primarily costs associated with their union- healthcare and pensions for half a million retired workers. Between 2005 and 2009 they lost $90 billion. They were also losing to Japan in sales, which sucked in general due to the economy. Their reliability and quality in general was not on the same level as the Japanese manufacturers. Gas prices were also $4+/gal and American cars in general did not have the fuel economy offerings Asian and European brands. GM as a whole was poorly managed with inefficiencies and redundancy.

I get all that and obviously don’t dispute it.

But cube’s answer to Americafirst of why GM sold Opel/Vauxhall to PSA was due to GM about to go bankrupt, is not factually correct since the sale last year GM was financially healthy.

GM selling Opel last year is not connected to their bankruptcy in 2008/2009.

 

[cube]

GM selling Opel last year is not connected to their bankruptcy in 2008/2009.

GM was hopeless at trying to turn it around. The writing was on the wall.

 

[A.Goldberg]

I suggested that the Landcruiser is a small SUV. In the late 2010s, it seems a crossover is now a inflated sedan—not merely a small SUV. I prefer small SUVs to crossovers, and I don't see why others wouldn't. Small SUVs have been around and are quite a viable choice, and many of them handle like a car... heck, even our 2016 Suburban practically drives itself. Crossovers are silly and shouldn't be confused with small SUVs. It's fine if someone makes a smallish SUV (X5 size, for instance); however, crud, such as that thing coming from Maserati, is pointless.

I agree: Landcruisers are great vehicles. We still have our fully-loaded 1996 Landcruiser.

I find it strange you refer to a Land Cruiser as a “small SUV”. With a few exceptions (ie the early Jeep-like models such as the J40), the Land Cruiser has always been considered a full size/large SUV. Certainly the “comfort-oriented” models- J50, J60, J80, J100, and J200 models would be considered full size SUVs.

Sure, your family’s 1996 J80 might be “smaller” compared to a lot of new SUV’s, cars tend to get bigger with time, but that’s still not a small car by any means. Forgoing the body on frame design tends to free up interior space. How do you classify a 1996 RAV4 or 4Runner if a 7-passenger Land Cruiser is small?

In the modern context, the Land Cruiser is still bigger than the 4Runner, Highlander, Rav4, and CHR...

The only car significantly bigger than a LC is a Suburban, but that’s really just an extended wheelbase Tahoe, which is also considered a full size SUV.

 

[quagmire]

GM was hopeless at trying to turn it around. The writing was on the wall.

No doubt. Like I said, Europe has been a continuous drain on their financials since the recession. Fritz tried to sell it knowing it would be hard to turn it around, board said no, they attempted to turn it around, and they couldn’t and Mary finally decided to cut their losses.

Opel was the first sign that GM isn’t afraid anymore to pull out of unprofitable markets. They pulled out of Venezuela, and they threatened to pull out of Korea. But that may have been a tactic against the union there.

 

[cube]

I think PSA has a better shot, as it is better regarded in general than GM. Of course, some people don't like French cars and will think it is less German. But it will be more European.

 

[44267547]

Incoming: BBK Long Tube headers for the GT

Scored BBK longtube headers off a 2013 Mustang GT, new, (Previous owner converted to Corsa instead), the peformance shop that I use had them for sale at a ‘slight’ discount when I called this week. The only downside, is the shop is booked solid and only one tech (Who Has completed all the work on my car) has three or four other projects ahead of mine before he can start it, and then factor that in between car shows, Plus; I will be leaving to Fort Myers for a P.I.O training conference [And an extended vacation on the Gulf] late next week, so it will be a while before they are on, but hopefully by mid July.


Altogether, a really nice build for my GT/CS this spring/summer with all the cosmetics and internals, should have the car around 485 HP. Another event I would like to participate in , is they have a ‘Dyno war day’, which is about two hours south of me, a lot of fun, all sorts of high-performance cars, but I also have some conflicting car shows in between.

I also have Some really nice pictures incoming to post once I have the opportunity to complete a few projects first. The before and after of the GT is drastically different, and I think everything turned out exactly as planned.

As for the recent lowering Springs from Ford Performance, it dropped the car 1.5” all the way around, no issues with any type of rubbing with GT500 aftermarket wheel set up, but I am having to take it a lot slower through speed bumps and inclines. Handling is substantially better, it’s a lot stiffer than I expected, but I thought the GT ride was already stiff to begin with.



BBK Longtubes.

 

[D.T.]

Incoming: BBK Long Tube headers for the GT

Scored BBK longtube headers off a 2013 Mustang GT, new, (Previous owner converted to Corsa instead), the peformance shop that I use had them for sale at a ‘slight’ discount when I called this week.

Altogether, a really nice build for my GT/CS this spring/summer with all the cosmetics and internals, should have the car around 485 HP. Another event I would like to participate in , is they have a ‘Dyno war day’, which is about two hours south of me, a lot of fun, all sorts of high-performance cars, but I also have some conflicting car shows in between.

I don't know if he'll acknowledge my post, but maybe some should tell him, that back in Dec '17 when he posted about first buying his Mustang, he indicated it already had Kooks LT headers (which, FYI, are better than BBK) and was already sitting at ~475:

So in the process of test driving the 2018 Mustang GT's approximately a week ago, I found this unexpectedly sitting on the lot, and purchased it. 2014 Mustang GT California Special track package, one owner and 12,000 miles. Something about this body style just struck me more and I was immediately drawn to it. Albeit, this cost almost as much as a new base Mustang GT.

Modifications include:

- Kooks long tube headers.
- Roush Catless/axleback exhaust /(Deleted resonators)
- Black out Package
- Bama Tuned

Approximate horse power is projected around 475. Sounds vicious around 4500 RPM.

 

[Matz]

Fun



More:

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2019-dodge-charger-srt-hellcat-refreshed/

View attachment 768113

Wouldn’t mind having one, in that color.

Fun, indeed!

 

[D.T.]

Wouldn’t mind having one, in that color.

Fun, indeed!

Here it is with the new satin (... or is it ... SATAN ??) hood option:

 

[D.T.]

Wow, hahaha, and in additional Dodge news:

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye unveiled with demonic 797 hp

The limited edition Dodge Demon may be dead, but its spirit will live on in the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. The new muscle car model features a motor that summons a few elements from the 808 hp Demon’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 in an effort to outdo the original Hellcat’s 707 hp with a monstrous 797 hp.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/dodg...llenger-srt-hellcat-redeye-first-look-review/