I used to be a GM loyalist, but over the last few years I have simply decided to drive what ever was the best truck/car for "me" at the time.
GM seems to be completly out of the loop as far as what people want now days and if they do develop something new it is about 10 years to late, is it just me or is it most GM cars look like a Cavalier from the side (example GTO) with a new front added to them, then rebadged for Pontiac, Buick, Saturn etc..
Who knows maybe they can turn it around as Dodge did in the 80's but it isn't looking so good for them these days.

 

Blue,

I wish I was as optomistic as you are-I have seen many, many pictures of "stock" FORD 5.0 and 4.6 engines with some boost that split right down the center of the lifter galley, down to the mains!! These were no where near 1500 HP.

 

Mcmopar, I'm not saying that they are the best blocks in the world. But I have seen, read, and witnessed several of these engines in action. Most were not at 1500 hp but they were all over 500. Some close to 700. The new cobra engine is built to last under extreme conditions. Then again, it was designed with a supercharger. Engines that are not designed for a supercharger will not last with one on there. Especially if the boost is turned up. I'm not talking about the unsupercharged engines either. I'm talking about the engines that ford designed that had blowers from the factory. Those engines are designed to last at least through the extended warranty period.

 

I saw a local ad on tv the other night and woke the family up laughing. Ad read "You can buy a Chevy Tahoe for $399 a month and get a Chevy Colorado free" Buy one get one free? Man they can't give em away.

 

 

I pretty much grew up on Mopars and learned to love them (legitimately or not).

GM has some good engineering, but they let the marketing types and penny pinchers make the decisions. Too bad. The new LS-series V8 for the Corvette will be stunning. 427 CID SMALL BLOCK, 500hp. This, on pump gas all motor! This, and it will get 25mpg+ hwy! Who could have imagined that in the "glory days" of muscle cars?

The truth is, the Glory Days are NOW! Heck, your average Camry has more HP than many "performance" models used to. I remember when IROC-Zs had a 225hp 350! Now you can get a Hemi that packs fewer cubes and 120hp more!

I've always seen Ford as the least favorable of the "American" makers. But I'd throw caution to the wind for a new Mustang. Something about that car makes me like it. The stance is PERFECT. The styling makes it the best looking Mustang made since 1969. Imagine an "Eleanor" clone based off an '05! SWEET!


It's an exciting time to be an American car owner/buyer. Yes, gas prices are going. Yes it sucks. But if you are living enough below your means to where the higher prices aren't much of an issue, there are certainly some SWEET cars being made!

I thought I'd mention too, that the conventional wisdom is often wrong. Conventional wisdom says fast food places should be pushing healthier food. Truth is, a lot of people don't care and they WANT the heart attack.

Likewise, the automakers wouldn't be pushing the HP is much as they do if they couldn't sell it. People are buying HP cars. Even with expensive gas. Yes, we all complain and moan. But they truth seems to be that most people don't let that factor much in their buying decisions!

I'll drive my CTD when diesel is $3/gallon.


JLH

 

Well put HOHN. I want my cars to have big engines with big power. And with technology these days, you can have that and still knock down 20+ mpg. I also want my heart attack as well. Just look at what burger king put out. I don't mind paying for the price of gas as long as my engine is big, powerful, and scares environmentalists.

 

the GT 500 is going to be half named the "shelby mustang" or something.

pretty much from what ive read that Shelbys name is going to be on the car

its going to be a bit above the cobra's stock horsepower.

and from what i know, a mustang can push 650 horsepower, before you need upgrades for the drivetrain, the engine is built very well. and you can hit 650 horsepower with simple upgrades.


I wasnt saying anything about the rest of there line up, I was just talking about there performance vehicles..... since i thought thats what the last part of the discussion was about. Im sorry if i was misinformed.

I have been a MOPAR fan for.... 40 years now? but the recent CHARGER, is in my opinion stupid, If i was going to spend that money id go buy a junked 440 6 pack Challenger, or 68 charger with a "HEMI" a real one that is and rebuild her. since That is what i do in my free time.

FORD right now has an AFFORDABLE car, for the guy making around 30-40 grand a year,

I dont know about you, but the last performance car i ever Bought from the dealer was a 1970 Dodge challenger CONVERTIBLE with a 440 six pack 4 on the floor, Bought in 1970 from the dealer , I didnt pay more than 4500 dollars for the car!

i owned it till 85, and it only had about 35,000 miles on it then i sold it. Mistake i regret to this day

Im just saying, I think the Mustang is going to be a huge seller, and i dont know how they are just sitting on the lots? everyone i talk to loves the design, and i see them on the road constantly around me?

Retro sells, always will.

 

Guess I'm the only person who thinks they are ugly and not worthy of trying to look like the old mustangs. Geesh what a ugly rip off.
DM01

 

Ford (Bay Ford) also did the same thing a few yrs ago, buy a hd p/u and get and escort.
Nissan (Titus) also, buy a maxima or p/u and get a base sentra free.
This was done in washington st.

 

I think that we are lucky to have the cars available that we do, and the gas issue is really not that big a deal. Think about it, people will spend 100+ bucks for a liter of booze, and cry about 2.00-3.00 a gallon of fuel? Being a real Charger R/T owner I was very dissapointed with the new charger 4 Doors?? , but it makes more power per cubic inch than mine did when it was new! It handles better then mine did, and it is unique. I might buy one next year.

P.S. any car that has an automatic is a chick car-my folks have a new Vette, nice car but designed for girls-A man's car is still the Viper!! Flame on Blue!!

 

I ain't touching that one.

 

Boy oh Boy it didn't take you long to find that comment!! To bad you live so far away, I would like to meet you and shoot the s**t.

 

You should know I have no life. Just look at my post count. Same here. Maybe one of these days I'll make my way up there.

 

I never noticed that, 5400 and change??!! I love NC, sure beats upstate NY, I left there two years ago. If Skerry Kerry had won I might have been your neighbor. (once Texas Defected)