Volvo head...on the car!

Post by **John Brennan** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:20 pm

As a car, the Mondeo/Contour/Mystique/Cougar was OK, but nothin' to write home and tell Mom about. FWD on anything above a small car just turns it into another boring, disposable, baby-buggy commuter. There are always a few exceptions, but the roster of exciting, noteworthy, or collectible cars with FWD is a short one. Especially when it was introduced as a "replacement" for the Sierra-- a dunderheaded, retrograde step if Ford ever made one-- its fate was sealed with me. How is the Mondeo better than the Sierra? I can't think of any reasons, either.

fastmaul · Post by **fastmaul** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:27 am

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:
fastmaul wrote:Turbofan, you need to use babblefish to translate LOL.
Nope, you're wrong Erik. I just checked, and "AlexD-speak" is not one of the languages available for translation. In the future, please check your facts before posting. We strive to have correct data here, ya know.

Sorry!!!
Damnit I hate it when I get the wrong internet information from the internet!

fastmaul · Post by **fastmaul** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:31 am

John Brennan wrote: How is the Mondeo better than the Sierra? I can't think of any reasons, either.

Unless it's had a huge tinkering by someone in the UK with AWD and a cossie lump to boot.

I still like the SVT ones and the shapes of the one in the UK I think it's the ST24 looks nice to me.

Post by **John Brennan** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:38 am

I like them, too, but the question remains-- are they better than a Sierra with the same kit? I just think they made a mistake by not sticking with and refining/evolving an acclaimed platform. The Sierra was/is extraordinary; the Mondeo quite pedestrian in comparison.

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:48 am

Imagine how badass the Sierra platform would be if Ford had continued to develop it for another 10+ years. Even a 20-year-old XR handles (in my opinion) much better than many newer cars in its same class. If Ford had added a couple of adjustable turnbuckles in the rear and compression struts (or a double-wishbone setup) up front, this thing would be smokin'.

Colin

Post by **John Brennan** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:05 am

Exactly-- along with a nice, new, twin-cam engine(s), AWD options, etc. If Porsche can run cars for decades, or BMW run Series that are continual evolutions of known and loved platforms, why not Ford? Why create an extraordinary product that delivers in terms of sales, racing success and heritage, yada yada, and then just kill it? It makes no sense to me. OK, they've done it with certain nameplates like the Mustang, or their trucks, but here was a car with all of that that was good enough to build on for a long time, and they just pissed it away...

XR4Timan · Post by **XR4Timan** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 6:55 am

John Brennan wrote:I like them, too, but the question remains-- are they better than a Sierra with the same kit? I just think they made a mistake by not sticking with and refining/evolving an acclaimed platform. The Sierra was/is extraordinary; the Mondeo quite pedestrian in comparison.

Of course we're all biased here, but the Mondeo is a better car than the Sierra in general. Part of me hates to admit this since I support RWD 100%. However, pls consider I'm not comparing Merkur to Contour/Mystique here. I'm comparing Sierra to Mondeo.

Most Sierras in Europe are quite mundane (so are Mondeos). Most aren't powered by anything more powerful than a 2 liter. They're old when compared to a Mondeo though. Take a '93 Mondeo Ghia 2.0 vs. 92' Sierra Ghia 2.0. The Mondeo Ghia comes with cruise control, variable assist 3-way tilt steering, better handling, tighter chassis, more space (hatchback version), fuel/trip computer, optional leather, air con, Zetec engine (unless you get the diesel or V6) and MTX75 transmission. Not to mention updated materials, plastics, better stereo setup, etc. Yes, there was even a 4x4 option. It felt more refined and smoother on the highway as well.

The '92 2.0 Sierra Ghia has none of the above (except AC) and produced less hp.

My Sierra Ghia was a 4x4 version.

How do I know so much? I bought a 91' Sapphire Ghia and parked next to my father-in-laws '93 Mondeo Ghia for some time (his Mondeo was part of the family for nine years). I also passed my British driver's license test on his Mondeo Ghia. Night and day difference.

My father-in-law now owns a brand-new Mondeo (which we'll never get). It shares the same chassis, componentry and build of the Jaguar X-type (A Jaguar X-type is a redesigned, rebadged brand-new Mondeo). Unlike the X-type, the 4x4 system is optional.

Pls do not even *think* Contour when you think Mondeo. Ford ripped everything good out of the Mondeo and rebadged the sedan-only US-plant made version here, then sold it. Only the SVT Contour (ST200) is worthy of direct comparision.

fastmaul · Post by **fastmaul** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:34 pm

John Brennan wrote:Exactly-- along with a nice, new, twin-cam engine(s), AWD options, etc. If Porsche can run cars for decades, or BMW run Series that are continual evolutions of known and loved platforms, why not Ford? Why create an extraordinary product that delivers in terms of sales, racing success and heritage, yada yada, and then just kill it? It makes no sense to me. OK, they've done it with certain nameplates like the Mustang, or their trucks, but here was a car with all of that that was good enough to build on for a long time, and they just pissed it away...

Well because in the land of the USA Bigger is better. Hence the Bigger engine 5.0's as the bread and butter. There are certain European styles that no matter how cool "we" think it is, do you think someone in the pickup county USA will even consider buying it? I think once the younger generation starts taking over maybe the line up will start changing but not until then. There's still a lot of old school car thinkers out there.

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 4:31 pm

Yup... lots and LOTS of my peers drive jacked-up pickups and rip on anything without a bowtie on the grille and a V8 under the hood. I'm not sure how they can be so blind to the rest of the world...

Colin

xrian · Post by **xrian** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:01 pm

That's because they are..............

Nope, not gona go there

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:17 am

xrian wrote:That's because they are..............

Stupid, conceited, arrogant, ignorant-to-world-affairs Americans!

...I'm not afriad to admit the truth.

MerkXRTurbo · Post by **MerkXRTurbo** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:54 am

By that logic then the Japanese are blind to the rest of the world because none of their performance cars are V8s.

XR4Timan · Post by **XR4Timan** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 10:05 am

Colin wrote:
xrian wrote:That's because they are..............
Stupid, conceited, arrogant, ignorant-to-world-affairs Americans!

...I'm not afriad to admit the truth.

You forgot overweight

fastmaul · Post by **fastmaul** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 12:47 pm

MerkXRTurbo wrote:By that logic then the Japanese are blind to the rest of the world because none of their performance cars are V8s.

You sure about that???

Post by **Ed Lijewski** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:31 pm

"Ford designer plans American styling"
http://www.washingtontimes.com/autoweek ... -9738r.htm

YMMV