2011 Explorer Police Interceptor

[thaywood]

I see conflicting statements above. Isn't the ability to keep a vehicle straight, typically considered "an issue"?

Nope. Not when you know you're driving on a slippery surface. You are aware of the road conditions. If you slid into a ditch and got stuck, that would be an issue. As long as you can keep the vehicle relatively straight and on the road, I consider that issue-free.

Sure you were able to not crash, but I don't think you can say you did so without any "issues" and be honest with yourself.

See above.

I drove my FWD autox car one winter on bald summer tires (bad idea- very, very, very bad idea) and did not crash (I'm still a bit miffed as to how I managed that), but issues.... yeah. Tons. Luckily I think I only drove on snow/ice covered roads twice with that car that winter.

That's pretty impressive.

 

[thaywood]

So, let me ask you this-- If YOUR so hell bent on Australian Cars, then why the hell are you in the USA? Me, being Vetran of the military and seeing how the only thing you do is complain about everything the USA is ABOUT! Then just go to Australia.

To be honest, my wife and I have actually discussed the possibility of moving abroad. We talked about England, Ireland, Scotland (I have relatives there), and Australia. I would love it! The only problem is money. We just don't have enough of it. Anyway, I'm not so much "hell bent" on Australian cars in general. I'm hell bent on Ford bringing the Falcon over here so we Americans my have a chance to enjoy a real, modern, American RWD musclecar that's made by Ford. And the Falcon even has a 6-speed manual transmissioin!!! GM has Holden in Australia, but I'm not a GM fan. So I'm only interested in the Falcon.

Just check this out: http://www.fpv.com.au/index.aspx

Awesome car! I think a whole bunch of red-blooded Americans would buy it. I know I would (in ten years, when I could afford one)

 

[tmike]

To be honest, my wife and I have actually discussed the possibility of moving abroad. We talked about England, Ireland, Scotland (I have relatives there), and Australia. I would love it! The only problem is money. We just don't have enough of it. Anyway, I'm not so much "hell bent" on Australian cars in general. I'm hell bent on Ford bringing the Falcon over here so we Americans my have a chance to enjoy a real, modern, American RWD musclecar that's made by Ford. And the Falcon even has a 6-speed manual transmissioin!!! GM has Holden in Australia, but I'm not a GM fan. So I'm only interested in the Falcon.

Just check this out: http://www.fpv.com.au/index.aspx

Awesome car! I think a whole bunch of red-blooded Americans would buy it. I know I would (in ten years, when I could afford one)

The falcon and holden have been down under for ever. To honest there's nothing special about them. They're 4-door saloon. We have that and then some. Hell the revamped GTO that Pontiac release look boring, way over priced and not exciting and the G8 just wasn't that appealling or Chevy would have brought it over to their line-up. Chevy's been talking about bring the Elcamino back, using the UTE from down there as well. I'm not gonna hold my breath on that to happening. Hell I'd take Benz AMG or a BMW M3 over a Falcon or Holden.

 

[thaywood]

The falcon and holden have been down under for ever. To honest there's nothing special about them.

What's special about the Holden and Falcon is that they're both REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE with V-8 engines. FWD, V-6 sedans are a dime a dozen. RWD, V-8 sedans are a rarity from a domestic company.

They're 4-door saloon. We have that and then some.

Sure, we have 4-door saloons. But they're all wrong-wheel-drive. The Falcon is RWD with a V-8. Ford doesn't have one of those in the USA (the Vic doesn't count because not only is it a dinosaur, it'll be gone by next year).

Hell the revamped GTO that Pontiac release look boring, way over priced and not exciting and the G8 just wasn't that appealling or Chevy would have brought it over to their line-up. Chevy's been talking about bring the Elcamino back, using the UTE from down there as well. I'm not gonna hold my breath on that to happening.

I thought the G8 was awesome as hell, but I have to agree with you on the Goat. It looked like a puffed-up Sunfire. The G8 was selling well until the untimely demise of Pontiac. And Chevy is bringing the Caprice back as a police car in 2011 and possibly as the replacement for the FWD Impala in 2012. There are still rumors of a Holden-based Buick in the works (Buick sells a Holden based RWD sedan in China right now). And more RWD cars spun off the Zeta platform for Cadillac.

Hell I'd take Benz AMG or a BMW M3 over a Falcon or Holden.

Sure. I probably would too. But we don't have that choice. We can't get a modern RWD sedan from Ford in the USA. You can go to a Merc or Bimmer any day of the week. So that statement is moot.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Isn't the 335 GT using the same 5.0L engine supercharged, but only at 450 HP? 6-speed, yes, Brembo's, yes. For $70,000

If you want gaudy and old, buy a Shelby GT500 with 540 ponies for $20,000 less.

Better yet, why not buy a Mustang 5.0L, with the same 6 speed transmission, Brembo upgrade kit, and bolt on a blower since the archaic log rear axle can handle it, for WAY less than $70k. The IRS and rear diff on the Falcon is what holds it to only 450HP.

I'll forego the other 2 doors. If my kid wants to ride with me, he can crawl in. He's red blooded, and dreams about Mustangs.

We're waaaay off topic now! But this is more fun... :

 

[tmike]

Isn't the 335 GT using the same 5.0L engine supercharged, but only at 450 HP? 6-speed, yes, Brembo's, yes. For $70,000

If you want gaudy and old, buy a Shelby GT500 with 540 ponies for $20,000 less.

Better yet, why not buy a Mustang 5.0L, with the same 6 speed transmission, Brembo upgrade kit, and bolt on a blower since the archaic log rear axle can handle it, for WAY less than $70k. The IRS and rear diff on the Falcon is what holds it to only 450HP.

I'll forego the other 2 doors. If my kid wants to ride with me, he can crawl in. He's red blooded, and dreams about Mustangs.

We're waaaay off topic now! But this is more fun... :

Ford just came out with a supercharger package for the stang that puts the 5.0l at 650 ponies, there's also a twin turbo for it that puts it 1200 ponies. So I'll stay with the Falcon's replacement. (the Stang) Chrylser is coming out with there new 300C with the HEMI (I'm not a mopar fan)

 

[Joe Dirt]

I just saw that... For around $7k additional, you end up with a 650HP+ American musclecar, and $3k less than a Shelby GT500 with stick ons and now less horsepower. Freakin' A... FRPP for the win!

CLICK ME

So $40k for the car, $7k for the kit... Lots of money left for a nice Austrailian vacation!

 

[tmike]

I just saw that... For around $7k additional, you end up with a 650HP+ American musclecar, and $3k less than a Shelby GT500 with stick ons and now less horsepower. Freakin' A... FRPP for the win!

CLICK ME

So $40k for the car, $7k for the kit... Lots of money left for a nice Austrailian vacation!

Yes Sir!

 

[NHarris]

Wait for it....wait for it...the 2012 Shelby will eat some muscle cars....

 

[FLOffroad]

Wow - on a much lighter note, that PPV apparently has a "Stealth Mode." Practical - yes; however, couldn't they use a less ridiculous name?

 

[thaywood]

Isn't the 335 GT using the same 5.0L engine supercharged, but only at 450 HP? 6-speed, yes, Brembo's, yes. For $70,000

That would be quite a bit less in American bucks. And I'm sure Ford would price it in a more reasonable bracket if it were imported...well...Ford hasn't show a lot of intelligence of late, so I really can't say that they would. They'd probably price it out of its market and it would tank.

If you want gaudy and old, buy a Shelby GT500 with 540 ponies for $20,000 less.

The Mustang is nice, but its front suspension is cheap, and its rear is ancient and obsolete.

Better yet, why not buy a Mustang 5.0L, with the same 6 speed transmission, Brembo upgrade kit, and bolt on a blower since the archaic log rear axle can handle it, for WAY less than $70k.

Cuz I don't want a Mustang (nor can I afford one if I did).

The IRS and rear diff on the Falcon is what holds it to only 450HP.

Proof?

I'll forego the other 2 doors. If my kid wants to ride with me, he can crawl in. He's red blooded, and dreams about Mustangs.

So is my boy But I'm not as young as I used to be. With two kids, I'd love to have a hot rod 4-door musclecar. And since I"m a Ford man, it would have to be a Ford. But Ford doesn't offer a real hot rod 4-door muscle car in the USA (sorry to break it to ya, but the Tar-Ass ain't it). The 300 is awesome, as is the Charger. But I'm not a Chrysler fan. I want a real modern 21st century 4-door musclecar with a V-8 and REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE. Ford doesn't have one in this country. They are ignoring a market that has a potentially large customer base. If not, Chrysler wouldn't be building 300's or Chargers, and Cadillac wouldn't be building CTS-V's or STS's.

We're waaaay off topic now! But this is more fun... :

Yep

 

[edge929]

I own a 2004 GTO mainly because I didn't like the new Mustang make-over back then (apparently I was the only one) and my preferred muscle car, Camaro, was no longer being made then. I looked at a 2003 super-snake but I was never a fan of the fox platform. Of course, a piece of me died when they brought out the new Camaro in 2009, wanted one, still do but not at the cost of selling the GTO.

I'm not a fan of Mopar either. Dodge had potential with the Charger concept, then they released it and it was nothing alike. Never liked the 300 either. Looks like it got caught in a car compacter and smashed the roof in. The Challenger is the only Mopar I like but if I'm considering that, I'd rather own a Shelby GT or SS2.

Someday I'll get my 500+ HP muscle car, never drive it and keep it cleaner than anything else I own

 

[Joe Dirt]

Since the apparent hobby is picking my replies apart in between making cute pet-names for Ford USA cars, I'll indulge.

That would be quite a bit less in American bucks. And I'm sure Ford would price it in a more reasonable bracket if it were imported...well...Ford hasn't show a lot of intelligence of late, so I really can't say that they would. They'd probably price it out of its market and it would tank.

Actually, AUS exchange rate as of today is .97, so yeah, it's about $70,000 US dollars comparatively speaking. Ford hasn't shown much intelligence as of late? Are you aware of increasing market share, profits, and quality ratings? Just a general question- is there anything... anything that Ford USA is doing well? Is the coffee blend wrong at World Headquarters too?

The Mustang is nice, but its front suspension is cheap, and its rear is ancient and obsolete.

Proof? The front suspension isn't cheap, and if the Falcon had that ancient and obsolete rear, it could handle more than 450hp. That's why it tops out at 450, because the rear diff blows up. It's amazing how something not on an Australian Ford is crap even if it gives you the rear wheel drive you want. Conveniently, there is always some reason why it sucks if it isn't on an Australian Ford, eh?

Cuz I don't want a Mustang (nor can I afford one if I did).

To each his own. I don't want a Holden/GTO 4-door looking clone, and the Mustang is less expensive.

Proof?

From the below linked article...

"I spoke with an insider who has worked with Ford Australia and he told me that there are higher powered versions of the supercharged 5.0 coming but Ford is dealing with some issues with the rear differential holding up to more than 450-ish horsepower."

They're working on it, but for now, sorry, it can't do it. Guess the archaic Mustang will have to do it for now. Did you complain when the Mustang was going to forever run an IRS and Ford thought better of it?

HERE is the article, and if you'd like, I can get a ford source at Rotunda to verify for you.

So is my boy But I'm not as young as I used to be. With two kids, I'd love to have a hot rod 4-door musclecar. And since I"m a Ford man, it would have to be a Ford. But Ford doesn't offer a real hot rod 4-door muscle car in the USA (sorry to break it to ya, but the Tar-Ass ain't it). The 300 is awesome, as is the Charger. But I'm not a Chrysler fan. I want a real modern 21st century 4-door musclecar with a V-8 and REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE. Ford doesn't have one in this country. They are ignoring a market that has a potentially large customer base. If not, Chrysler wouldn't be building 300's or Chargers, and Cadillac wouldn't be building CTS-V's or STS's.

Did you seriously just mention the 300 and Charger when complaining that the Mustang is archaic?

Anyway, the point is moot. The Mustang will go IRS in 2014. Ironic though, because...

"Ford is planning an independent rear suspension (IRS) for the next-generation Mustang. Due out in 2014, this next model will celebrate 50 years of the iconic pony car.

The news comes from Motor Trend after discussions with several Ford execs and one unnamed company insider. It is also based on several assumptions, which include the fact that a new global independent rear end platform is in the works after Ford canceled plans for a different rear-drive independent platform that was to underpin the Mustang, next generation Ford Falcon (in Australia) and an upcoming Lincoln model.

A new Mustang-based IRS platform would mean that the Falcon and Lincoln models would be canceled – which Ford has indicated is already the case for the Falcon, a model that has seen sales slump considerably over the past several years."

Guess that market isn't quite as hot as thought...

HERE is the article.

Yep

All in good fun...

 

[NHarris]

Wow...Not logging on this afternoon to check this thread has really made me confused

 

[Joe Dirt]

Why- this is so TOTALLY about the 2011 Explorer Police Interceptor! :

 

[NHarris]

Um...sure

 

[Joe Dirt]

I have to get off this thread- Wedgie hasn't been washed in over a week, my interior is dusty, and I feel horrible about that! I think I'm out of this one, nothing more really I need to add anyway...

 

[NHarris]

Oh no, Wedgie must be feeling neglected! (not being sarcastic) ha ha I just washed my Ex, gave her a good 10 minute bath. I've been neglecting her for about 1 month with no bath.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Site is fully up now since they unveiled in Lansing today...

http://www.ford.com/fordpoliceinterceptor/

"...we routinely took 8" curbs at 40mph validating suspension strength..." Nice!

 

[Thrumcap]

Geeze- if they are already putting the V6 Ecoboost in these models then why the heck can't they make it an option for everyone else? They are on the assembly line already! Come on Ford!!!