You don't like fords????

[Race Idiot]

Because it would look so mad tyte y0!

Originally posted by M5Power
Heh - no. The Taurus and Contour are on a different platform with different engineers, designers, and even manufacturing facilities. They are completely different vehicles. Observe:

The Contour was a world car - available in over 80 countries while the Taurus, which was a foot and a half longer, was North America-only. They share literally nothing except corporate styling touches.

[endless rant deleted]

That sounds about right, i've never heard anyone say the Mondeo/Contour is related to the Taurus. Although if you asked me would I have a Mondeo ST220 or the fully trimmed X-Type, i'd take the Mondeo. I think that's the only Jaguar I don't like. The new S-Type is based on some Lincolin, isn't it?

 

[Famine]

M5Power - we never got anything but the 4.0 V6 Explorer - Auto only too. I quite liked it - although not really my type of car.

BTW if we're talking about exploding cars, how about the BMW MINI? They recalled ALL of them last year after they discovered an earthing fault, which could lead to a spark from the filler cap to petrol pump...!

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Race Idiot
The new S-Type is based on some Lincolin, isn't it?

Lincoln LS.

 

[Frustrated Palm]

I dont mind Ford. I mostly like the older ones and the Muscle cars. The Ford Mustang SVT Cobra is nice, so are the GT40's (both old and new), that RS200 is awesome. Just matter's where you look I guess...

 

[Roo]

They did it in order to compete with the BMW 3-series, specifically the 325 and 330Xi all-wheel drive models.

How long have BMW been making AWD 3-series? I thought they only made FR cars (apart from the offroaders and the MINI)

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Roo
How long have BMW been making AWD 3-series? I thought they only made FR cars (apart from the offroaders and the MINI)

From 1988 to 1991, BMW produced the 325iX in a coupe version; a sedan version was produced from 1989-1991, though Canada got the sedan in 1988 also.

Since 2001, BMW has producing three all-wheel drive North America-only (I think) 3-series', the 330Xi, 325Xi sedan, and 325Xi wagon.

330xi ^

325xi wagon ^

325xi ^

 

[MazKid]

Doug, the MPV might be the smallest in the US, but it wasn't before. Remember the old Odessy and that Mitsubishi thing? But the current MPV is of very high quality, and has gotten very good reviews. Surely looks better than the new Quest.

And it will always be the B-series! Mazda just got lazy and started calling it the Mazda truck. I believe it's still the B-series in Europe. There's also different variations such as the Drifter in South Africa.

And the main reason why I think the whole selling out of the 6 for Ford is that I think Mazda could use the same platform for a 2 door similar to the CL as a Mazda 6 model. They could also transfer the MPV to it, since the MPV is still based off of the 626(I believe). Also, Mazda should send the AWD MPV to the US, although the AWD model is the 2.3L slower model. But I doubt there would be a major problem making the V6 AWD, and it would be good to have a MPV All-Sport again...in the FieldBreak colors of tan and dark green 2 tone. From that, they could also make a new B-series out of that chassis, as a light truck. If they want a full size, they do have the E-series in Japan.

I'll post some pics too, so that people can see what I'm talking about.

The US B-series:

The much better European B-series(Mazda Fighter, also) :

Japanese MPV Sports:

Mazda 6 Wagon(the one with AWD might differ from this pic) :

Yup.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
Doug, the MPV might be the smallest in the US, but it wasn't before. Remember the old Odessy and that Mitsubishi thing? But the current MPV is of very high quality, and has gotten very good reviews. Surely looks better than the new Quest.

Compared to the '89-'98 MPV, the old Odyssey ('95-'98) and my favourite car of all time excepting the BMW M5, twin Isuzu Oasis ('96-'99) were longer (187.2" to 183.5"), had a longer wheelbase (111.4" to 110.4"), could carry more (102.5 max cubic feet to 37.5), and had more front and rear legroom (F = 40.7" to 40.4", R = 40.2" to 33.4") - and they were rated as station wagons by the EPA! Imagine - a station wagon beating the MPV minivan! It also had a more powerful four-cylinder engine (and, in 1998, an as-powerful 150hp four-cylinder; the highest the MPV ever got was 155).

The Mitsubishi that you mentioned is another of my favourites - it was the Expo LRV from 1992 to 1994, the Eagle Summit Wagon from 1992 to 1996, and the Plymouth Colt Vista from 1992 to 1994. In fact, it was smaller in all dimensions, but it didn't pretend to be bigger - it was supposed to be simply a tall-roofed station wagon; neither Mitsubishi nor Chrysler attempted to compare it to any of the time period's minivans.

And it will always be the B-series! Mazda just got lazy and started calling it the Mazda truck. I believe it's still the B-series in Europe. There's also different variations such as the Drifter in South Africa.

I think Mazda wanted more people to realise what it was. All other trucks have an actual name, excepting the Chevrolet S10 which is to be effectively replaced late this year (though will be carried on until 2005).

it would be good to have a MPV All-Sport again...in the FieldBreak colors of tan and dark green 2 tone.

I'd love it so much...

From that, they could also make a new B-series out of that chassis, as a light truck. If they want a full size, they do have the E-series in Japan.

I'd bet that upon cancellation of the Truck, we won't be seeing another one from zoom-zoom Mazda - it simply doesn't fit their North American image.

 

[MazKid]

What the hell! Where did you get those dimensions!? 37.5 max cargo?! I think not! We've had a whole exterior door inside it(with the hatch closed), and a ping pong table(folded/dismantled).

According to the 1988 Mazda MPV New Model Information book, the 37.5 cubic ft is with the rear seat folded forward. If you have the seat back folded either down or backwards, you can put anything ontop of the seats. Futhermore, the middle seat comes out, and you can take the rear seat out(several bolts), and get 110 cubic feet. the 102.5 cb ft you have for the Oddessy IS for that van as a whole, not for the behind the rear seat volume of 37.5 you have listed there. You misused specifications to make the MPV look bad.

Front seat legroom is 40.6 for the MPV. Rear legroom is 36.1 for the MPV.

Also, while the MPV only got up to 155hp for '89-98, it had 165 ft lbs, and is listed as a wagon in this book Mazda made. Curb wieght is 3644(for the V6 wagon(they don't list a V6 van) with the 4 speed auto(5 speed V6 manuels were in Canada...though this book lists the gear ratios for the 5 speed...hmm).

Keep in mind that the MPV was first based on the 929.

Whatever.

A new Mazda truck could fit the Zoom Zoom of MNAO if Mazda made it correctly. I feel that if they made a B-series for the US like the Fighter/Drifter, it would sell in the US. The B-series was really only a competitor in the US in the beginning, up untill the remodel around '92.

Ford wouldn't have it though, since Ford wants to own the whole truck segment. It's different for Europe and other parts of the world though.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
What the hell! Where did you get those dimensions!? 37.5 max cargo?! I think not! We've had a whole exterior door inside it(with the hatch closed), and a ping pong table(folded/dismantled).

According to the 1988 Mazda MPV New Model Information book, the 37.5 cubic ft is with the rear seat folded forward. If you have the seat back folded either down or backwards, you can put anything ontop of the seats. Futhermore, the middle seat comes out, and you can take the rear seat out(several bolts), and get 110 cubic feet. the 102.5 cb ft you have for the Oddessy IS for that van as a whole, not for the behind the rear seat volume of 37.5 you have listed there. You misused specifications to make the MPV look bad.

Actually, I didn't know that but it figures - with SUVs, magazines typically tend to take volume with the rear seat folded forward and nothing else, and my 'source' must've (correctly) assumed the MPV was an SUV.

Front seat legroom is 40.6 for the MPV. Rear legroom is 36.1 for the MPV.

No, I'm right.

Even so, the Odyssey/Oasis still beats it in both counts.

Also, while the MPV only got up to 155hp for '89-98, it had 165 ft lbs,

As it should - the Oasis was only ever 3473 lbs; Mazda's was 3644 - which is damn heavy. And the Oasis got 152 ft-lbs; to power the extra fat all Mazda gave the MPV was an extra 13 ft-lbs? I'm ashamed!

The B-series was really only a competitor in the US in the beginning,

I bought 9-03 Consumer Guide (not CR, Duke) today and they list the Truck (and Ranger) as a Best Buy, which is the best thing they can say about a vehicle - the Tribute and Miata got the same honour, and they recommend the MPV and Protege (RX-8 and 6 are evidently too new, since they've rated the 6 several points above average in the family sedan class but have not yet recommended it). So according to them it's still in contention.

 

[MazKid]

Furthermore, I was not talking about this Odyssey!

. That's a '95, not what I was talking about.

I was talking about this style...I can't find a pic of the Honda version.

 

[1X83Z]

Furthermore, I was not talking about this Odyssey! That's a '95, not what I was talking about.

I was talking about this style...I can't find a pic of the Honda version.

The first vehicle is the 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey (and 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis) and the first minivan Honda ever produced (they're on their second).

The second vehicle is the 1992-1994 Mitsubishi Expo LRV, 1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon, and 1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista, which was never a Honda or never even associated with Honda... which explains why you can't find a picture of the Honda version - such a vehicle doesn't exist!

Incidentally, the Odyssey shown is either a 1997 or 1998 rather than a 1995 as you say; the alloys weren't offered in 1995 or 1996.

 

[MazKid]

I remember seeing some kind of Honda minivan such as the Expo in K.C. on an 8th grade band trip...I remember it vividly...we were playing baseball outside the Holiday inn, and here was the Honda, and then someone accidently flung one of the mini Royal's bats we bought at the Royals game the night before, and it hit the roof of this Honda right above the door, leaving a dent.

Hmm...

How about compare the '89 MPV to a minivan out at the same time? It would be interesting...

 

[Cano]

I couldnt care lees on what ford is doing now. in the past they were a good company, but im talking 50 years in the past. now almost their complete lineup sucks. still, Ford is a company that i love very much, because of all the hot rod history. its almost as if ford made hot rodding possible. now its a whole different story, but, hey, im not talking now.

Cano

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid

How about compare the '89 MPV to a minivan out at the same time? It would be interesting...

My stats don't go back far enough and aren't complete even to 1998, but I would gladly have you compare the 1989 Mazda MPV to the 1989 Plymouth Grand Voyager if you have the stats.

By the way - is this the Honda you're thinking of?

 

[Klostrophobic]

Does that have more than 150 HP?

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Klostrophobic
Does that have more than 150 HP?

No, but our man PunkRock will be the first to tell you it's the quickest car 0-10mph ever built.

 

[Klostrophobic]

But you just told me. So he would be the second.

 

[1X83Z]

Yes, but he's willingly volunteered the information in the past - it's a pretty cool statistic.

 

[MazKid]

Nope, not it Doug.

But you have to agree that at the time in '89 and for several years after, the MPV was the best looking minivan out there. I'll try to find info on the competition...

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid

But you have to agree that at the time in '89 and for several years after, the MPV was the best looking minivan out there.

I would completely agree, save for the fact that it's an SUV and always has been. How can anybody say this is a minivan?

 

[MazKid]

It is a minivan! It's a car based minivan. How can you say that it's an SUV?

Doh, I didn't let the pic load! Well, it's still a minivan, just raised up. Now the MPV 4WD model was more of an SUV, it sat higher and has tougher suspension. Rides like an SUV. The All-Sport rides just a little tougher than a RWD MPV such as ours.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
It is a minivan! It's a car based minivan. How can you say that it's an SUV?

Because it's intentionally styled like an SUV, it has 4-wheel drive, it has more ground clearance than any other stock minvan (ever), it's dressed in SUV trim and colours and it has four standard doors.

If your only evidence it's a minivan is what Mazda says you're mad - Buick attempts to maintain that the Rendezvous is an SUV whereas it's obviously a (very bad) minvan. By the way, a lot of SUVs are car-based: Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Lexus RX300, Lexus RX330, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Murano, Infiniti FX, Toyota Highlander, and Volvo XC90. So ha.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
The All-Sport rides just a little tougher than a RWD MPV such as ours.

...and it's the cutest SUV ever.

 

[MazKid]

You're forgetting that ALL MPVs '89-98 had standard rear doors('89-93 there was only 1 rear door, on the passengers side. Then they went with 4 doors. Then they went with a full bench in the middle, so that it could seat 8. But it made it pretty hard to get into the back seat).

Have you ever been in a MPV Doug?

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
You're forgetting that ALL MPVs '89-98 had standard rear doors('89-93 there was only 1 rear door, on the passengers side. Then they went with 4 doors. Then they went with a full bench in the middle, so that it could seat 8. But it made it pretty hard to get into the back seat).

So? It only proves my point more.

Have you ever been in a MPV Doug?

Yeah, but only All-Sports (and post-1998 'actual minivan' MPVs).

 

[MazKid]

Well, it's a minivan and a great one so it don't matter. There.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
Well, it's a minivan and a great one so it don't matter. There.

Should we just call this a concession?

SUV all the way!

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Ford..

Galaxy 500 good
Mustangs good
Cobra not really ford but good

Exploder.. what the hell

 

[ShobThaBob]

To all of you explorer haters, you dont know what youre talking about. My first car was a 98 explorer, and if it was as dangerous as everyone said, then I should have died multiple times. I drove the thing like it was a sports car, and came close to tipping it once, and a good majority of the time I was at 100mph on the freeway (it was actually most stable then). I was stupid, but the thing held together beautifully, and was an awesome SUV. I have a mustang now that Im about to get rid of. Hate it all to hell. Im not gonna own another one unless its a cobra, or 69 mach 1. As for the rest of ford...theyre cool I suppose. I like their trucks better than any other american companies trucks. The Lighting is awesome. Also Blue....how is the cobra not really a ford?