Should Mercury make a coupe from the 05 Mustang?

[staples]

I think Mercury should take the 05 Mustang's chassis and completely change the interior and the exterior.

Check out the following links:

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_462.shtml

http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2005-Ford-Mustang-GT.htm

http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/timeline/05/05/

http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2003-Mercury-Messenger-Concept.htm

[merc406]

Don't give em any idea's, they have no vision farther than their nose that leads me to believe they need to hire a complete design team from other than Wal-Mart.

[woaface]

I think people might complain that it would be the starbucksification of an American sports car icon...if you will.

[Logan]

What Merc406 said. I couldn't of put it more eloquently myself. :up:

[Agent M79]

I think people might complain that it would be the starbucksification of an American sports car icon...if you will.
In once-upon-a-time land there was a Mercury based on the Mustang. I beleive the frame may have been stretched a bit.

I had a girldfriend with a 1969 Mercury Cougar which she had painted bright canary yellow. Each needed more maintenance that I was prepared for.

I think that was the one with the sequential turning lamps.

Anyway. Yes, I think it could be pulled off but can't imagine it being done by the current Mercury crew. Beside, it would have to be an "M" name.

[SergntMac]

Dayum...Negative vibes?

I'm so in lust with the '05 Mustang GT, I'm kinda hoping for a Cougar XR7 "cousin car." They worked so well 30 some years ago, eh?

I'd love to haunt my small dime L/M dealer with another high performance Mercury. They already scratch body parts when my Marauder comes in for an oil change. It would be nice to watch them have to hire a clutch/manual tranny specialist again.

[Silver_04]

Yikes, now I have this awful idea of the Capri in my head...and just before bed time too. Bad dreams for me tonight.

[Agent M79]

Dayum...Negative vibes?
About the car or the girlfirend? Heh.

The girlfriend is long forgotten but the car, despite it's need for a lot of hood-up time was fun and memorable.

I think the Mercury crew that brought us the MM's marketing campaign along with those that killed it in the face of impending competition would do equally heinous things to a Mustang based Cougar. Despite that, I'd like to see them try.

Mrs. Agent use to have 1978 Cougar. Not a Mustang stable-mate to be sure, but it was pretty cool too. Less maintenance. :coolman:

[Donny Carlson]

Elena say "nyet!" Is not direction for company!

[Agent M79]

Elena say "nyet!" Is not direction for company!Heh. Donny, are you trying to say she doesn't have a grasp of the english language either?

[SergntMac]

I think the Mercury crew that brought us the MM's marketing campaign along with those that killed it in the face of impending competition would do equally heinous things to a Mustang based Cougar. Despite that, I'd like to see them try.
The dude that thought of our leather jacket...We need to rehire him...

[SouLRioT]

I know you mean more of the drive train and stuff, but doesnt the LS use the same platform as the new stang (aswell as the t-bird)?

[woaface]

Maybe true Agent, but I don't think it's the direction Mercury is going. Back in the day when Mercury could make a car like that, but that doesn't seem like what they're trying to sell now...

[ncmm]

Mercury never will, they gave up on us already!

[Bigdogjim]

If and it's a BIG IF! Mercury every got a green light for a mustang base clone they would grossly under-power it like Marauder.

This division is doom to sell Ford knock off's till they pull the plug:mad:

No bad vibes Mac just level headed thinking here.

I wish for once Someone in the Mercury Division would wake up and do something over the edge and "fun". Tell the higher up to chill out and take a brake before the whole Division is gone.......................... ....Mad:

[HwyCruiser]

Dayum...Negative vibes?

I'm so in lust with the '05 Mustang GT, I'm kinda hoping for a Cougar XR7 "cousin car." They worked so well 30 some years ago, eh?

I'd love to haunt my small dime L/M dealer with another high performance Mercury. They already scratch body parts when my Marauder comes in for an oil change. It would be nice to watch them have to hire a clutch/manual tranny specialist again.

I had a buddy in college that had a green '68 Cougar XR7. IMO hands down better looks than its Mustang "cousin".

Hope beyond hope, but Mercury should be looking at this possibility... too bad it doesn't fit the new script.

[03SILVERSTREAK]

Change the name from "2003 Mercury Messenger Concept" to " 2006 Mercury Marauder S/C Concept " . Its just a wild though... :up:

[Donny Carlson]

Well, there was a try at making the last cougar into something more than it was, even if it was more ricer than muscle car. This web site is up to sell the 1999 Couger S concept car:

http://www.scottgrundfor.com/forsale/1999cougarS.html

http://www.scottgrundfor.com/concept/images/1999cougars/1999cougar1.jpg

http://www.scottgrundfor.com/concept/images/1999cougars/1999CougarS-concept2.jpg

[TripleTransAm]

I've always been a fan of more luxurious (and possibly slower) versions of sporty cars. I fawn over a heavy GTA more than a lightweight Z28, I opted for a loaded T-topped Ram Air T/A instead of a stripper Formula, and although my '78 has NO options other than a (now-missing) 8-track player, I still prefer the more luxurious appointments in a T/A over the Camaro sibling.

The same went for the 80s Stang and Capri. I really really really liked the front and rear treatment on those Mercs, and would have paid a performance penalty provided I could still get access to the hottest engine.

If they did it today, they might have a chance at pulling it off IF they thought it out right. One car has to offer something the other doesn't. GM managed to pull it off for decades without so much as any sort of coherent vision, so given that the Mustang has survived so well in this (according to GM) "dead market", they might be able to pull off this dual lineup.

And if they styled it right, it'd be just one more kick in the teeth for Bob Lutz. ;)

(however, given Ford's current quality control, it would just mean one more model to eventually be recalled :eek: )

[Donny Carlson]

Consider that Lincoln has been reacting to Cadillac's market moves, Caddy has come out with two performance cars (the CTS-V and the XLR), perhaps the Lincoln division will get the nod to move ahead with a performance car.

[teamrope]

Consider that Lincoln has been reacting to Cadillac's market moves, Caddy has come out with two performance cars (the CTS-V and the XLR), perhaps the Lincoln division will get the nod to move ahead with a performance car.
For starters, they could give the LS some muscle. :)

[Constable]

Cougar XR7 and Cougar Eliminator!!!! Sarge and HwyCruiser are right on track... some of you guys need to get your heads in the right places. Sure, Ford / Mercury would totally ****** up the marketing, but I think people would really respond well to a REAL Cougar.

They could run a "base" model six shooter, an XR7 with the 3V V8, and an Eliminator model with whatever the next Mach 1 will have as a powertrain. This sounds sweet...

http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/PP70Cougar22.jpg

[TripleTransAm]

Okay then, so what do you guys think?

http://www.tripletransam.com/misc-old/2005cougar1.jpg

Do I have a shot at J Mays' job or should I just keep to my current job of acting in low budget porn?

[Petrograde]

did you Photoshop that /Steve? I like it! :up: Just loose the MM wheels IMO.

[Mike Poore]

Don't give em any idea's, they have no vision farther than their nose that leads me to believe they need to hire a complete design team from other than Wal-Mart.
Not only that, 406, but can you imagine replacing the galloping pony with, UGH, hockey sticks? Um, excuse me, I meant to say, the lovely Mercury Waterfall emblem.:D

[Mike Poore]

Okay then, so what do you guys think?

http://www.tripletransam.com/misc-old/2005cougar1.jpg

Do I have a shot at J Mays' job or should I just keep to my current job of acting in low budget porn?
Hey, that's good. UM, can I have your old job? ;)

[Bluerauder]

I think people might complain that it would be the starbucksification of an American sports car icon...if you will.
Excellent word ... you should submit this one to the Oxford English dictionary folks. :D

[Bradley G]

Good one Mike!;) I would like to see it re-skinednot just re- badged.If they cater the car toward women with the right features.
It would be another '64 :D too bad the women running the show thinks too much like a man!;)
Bradley G

[Bradley G]

Hey James!

I hope you did not get any on yourself!:confused:
Bradley G

[merc406]

Cougar XR7 and Cougar Eliminator!!!! Sarge and HwyCruiser are right on track... some of you guys need to get your heads in the right places. Sure, Ford / Mercury would totally ****** up the marketing, but I think people would really respond well to a REAL Cougar.

They could run a "base" model six shooter, an XR7 with the 3V V8, and an Eliminator model with whatever the next Mach 1 will have as a powertrain. This sounds sweet...

http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/PP70Cougar22.jpg






I got an idea, why don't they (Mercury) build this again, cause like the Mustang over at Ford, a 40 year old design will for sure sell cause none of our new designs have any excitment to pull anyone in to look. And let's market it for awhile before it makes it to the showroom and then do what we did for the Marauder. Yeah that's it! :bs:

[Patrick]

Okay then, so what do you guys think?

http://www.tripletransam.com/misc-old/2005cougar1.jpg

Do I have a shot at J Mays' job or should I just keep to my current job of acting in low budget porn?

Not bad.. But keep your current job!!!

[Silver_04]

The last thing Mercury needs is another rebadged Ford. The brand has absolutely zero identity and labeling a jazzed up Stang as a Cougar would just obscure the marque further. Mercury needs at least one car that is very distinctive and not like anything you can find in a Ford showroom. Also, if I'm going to pay a premium to park a Mercury in my driveway I should be getting at least 25 more horsepower over the similar Ford, much more distinctive styling and a more enjoyable dealer experience just for starters. Unless things like that start happening, the brand is doomed. Ransom Olds is saving a seat for someone...

But, who am I kidding. This F-150 based Lincoln knockoff has got to be a sure bet. Let's give Mercury a Ranger.

[TheDealer]

Well how about this???? http://new-cars.com/concept/2003/mercury-messenger-concept-photos.html

[Patrick]

Well how about this???? http://new-cars.com/concept/2003/mercury-messenger-concept-photos.html

They might be on the right track with that, but have got to change the name!!!!

[TheDealer]

Yeah, maybe a Comet or Cyclone, Cougar. Mercury's new thing is all models start with "M". Mariner, Montego, Montery, Marauder, Marquis, Mountaineer. Maybe they could come back with "Meteor"

[CBT]

I think I could take a 2 year old Mystique with about 37,000 miles on it and a new Ford 500 with say 12 miles on it, slam them into each other repeatedly out in a field, and come up with a more original "idea" than Ford or Mercury has lately. And in the event that I can't get my hands on a new Ford 500, since they are sellin like hot flapjacks (HA!) a Freestyle will suffice. Long live the Marauder, if only in memory!!:alone:

[Patrick]

Yeah, maybe a Comet or Cyclone, Cougar. Mercury's new thing is all models start with "M". Mariner, Montego, Montery, Marauder, Marquis, Mountaineer. Maybe they could come back with "Meteor"

That would be cool, Ray! How about Mercury "Whatch me Srcrew this up"?

[merc406]

Yeah, maybe a Comet or Cyclone, Cougar. Mercury's new thing is all models start with "M". Mariner, Montego, Montery, Marauder, Marquis, Mountaineer. Maybe they could come back with "Meteor"


Or Mobydick, that would bring in the masses. :)

[TheDealer]

How about "Mistake", "Morphadyte"[sp],"Misque",or "Mess"?

[Silver_04]

And don't forget the Mercury Myopia, Metamucil, Megalomaniac and Moshi moshi.

[woaface]

I'm diggin the TTA Photoshop...dunno about the snout...but pretty cool!

[Krytin]

Dayum...Negative vibes?

I'm so in lust with the '05 Mustang GT, I'm kinda hoping for a Cougar XR7 "cousin car." They worked so well 30 some years ago, eh?


The first car I bought when I was 17 was a '68 Cougar XR7 w/240 hp 302 cid, 4spd stick - same running gear as the '68 'stang. It's still my favorite car! I'm sorry the body is gone - but the motor is still taking up space in my garage!
I would buy a new Cougar built off of the new Mustang platform - a coupe would be nice!

[Krytin]

Okay then, so what do you guys think?

http://www.tripletransam.com/misc-old/2005cougar1.jpg



That's what I'm talking about!
Think/say what you will - I'd buy it!

[Constable]

TTA's on track, but you'd have to envision an actual model. It would be stretched a few more inches for a slightly longer wheelbase. It wouldn't have 1/4 windows or a "fastback" type of rear window. It'd be more of a coupe than the '05 Mustang is.

What I'm seeing is not a "RE-BADGED FORD MUSTANG", but a Cougar that uses the same undercarriage and powertrain with it's own styling. The Cougar (throughout it's years) was never a re-badged Stang. It always had major differences that could not be interchanged with it's sibling.

P.S. - If any of you saw that two-door concept car in person, you'd probably puke. It was quite stylish, but at the same time it was completely wrong. The car just doesn't "fit". I dunno how to describe it.

[Silver_04]

I will admit I do miss my rebadged T-bird '88 Cougar.

[Mard]

I had an 1985 Capri RS 5.0 for ten years. It was a 5-speed and the last year of the 4-barrel carb. It was a beauty, white with charcoal air dam/rocker panel with the full Mustang GT interior. I received tons of compliments on that car and many people questioning the "bubble back" treatment; most thought it was a custom Mustang. At one show I had a guy ask me why I had Cougar wheels and steering wheel on my car, because of the Cougar emblem. I told him that it came that way from the factory. He was so animated about it I couldn't help but laught at him. I have an old mag article that stated the "bubble back" treatment was more aerodynamic than the Mustang.

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Literature/FordBrochures/85MercuryCapriBrochure_08-09.jpg

Mercury did a terrible job at marketing these cars. Remember these cars won the 1984 Trans Am championship, winning the Vettes, Camaros, Porsches and 300 ZX's. So we have some additional Merc history to be proud of not too many are aware of.

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Literature/FordBrochures/86MercuryCapriBrochure_10.jpg

I'll also admit I had a number of early 70's V6 Capri's. These were very capable cars and were widely raced in Europe.

I guess I'm partial to the Capri name:run:

[CBT]

The 2006 Mercury Mama-san. Cheap, and has a big back seat. You know you want to ride it...

[teamrope]

The 2006 Mercury Mama-san. Cheap, and has a big back seat. You know you want to ride it...
But not if anyone's looking. :D

[David Morton]

I don't see it happening. Lincoln/Mercury has no real performance car interest.

Face it guys, our Marauder was a blip on the L/M vision of the future. Marketing always gives it away. Look at the last ad campaign, Grand Marquis and Town Cars and, of course, a line of SUVs (for the soccer moms) because of the gasoline consumption and tax exemptions.

I fully expect Ferrari and Rolls Royce to be offering SUVs before the decade ends. :D

[Patrick]

The 2006 Mercury Mama-san. Cheap, and has a big back seat. You know you want to ride it...

Or Soju Express!!!!

[CBT]

Mudflaps included.

[Macon Marauder]

Heh. Donny, are you trying to say she doesn't have a grasp of the english language either?

Guys,
Elena left Mercury about a year ago. She's been promoted twice since then and is now director of product marketing for Ford.

If you ask me, she's being groomed to be the first female president/ceo of a major car company.
:(

[Agent M79]

Guys,
Elena left Mercury more about a year ago. She's been promoted twice since then and is now director of product marketing for Ford.

If you ask me, she's being groomed to be the first female president/ceo of a major car company.
:(Каждое повышено к их уровню неправоспособности.

[MM03MOK]

Каждое повышено к их уровню неправоспособности. Everyone is elevated to their own level of incompetence?

[Patrick]

?????? ???????? ? ?? ?????? ??????????????????.

More
:coffee: . Still cant make it out. :help:

[Patrick]

?????? ???????? ? ?? ?????? ??????????????????.

One more time!

[Donny Carlson]

Guys,
Elena left Mercury about a year ago. She's been promoted twice since then and is now director of product marketing for Ford.

If you ask me, she's being groomed to be the first female president/ceo of a major car company.
:(
I miss Spock.

[jerrym3]

Without a Pontiac Firebird or Dodge Challenger to compete against, a Mustang based Merc would only erode Mustang sales.

At least in the early years, the Cougar (using the Mustang platform) had it's own style and would never be mistaken for a Mustang (not including the later years Cougars that were based on a foreign platform).

But, when Ford started using the Torino/Elite/LTD II/Thunderbird platform for the Cougar, the car lost it's upscale ponycar image.

Let the car/name RIP.

This is sad.

For many years (at least 15-20), my wife's uncle has left a 1968 Cougar XR7 GT, 390/4 speed, red with white vinyl top with moonroof (crank, I think) sitting and rotting alongside his house in North Jersey.

I tried to buy that car years ago, but he was always "going to fix it up", and I already had one oldie in my garage, my 64 Ford.

Now, the car's beyond help.

[TripleTransAm]

Without a Pontiac Firebird or Dodge Challenger to compete against, a Mustang based Merc would only erode Mustang sales.


Just heard 2 evenings ago on the radio about a possible upcoming Camaro revival. No word on the Firebird.

[Haggis]

Just heard 2 evenings ago on the radio about a possible upcoming Camaro revival. No word on the Firebird.


There has been talk about the new Camero in a couple of the car magazines. Talked to my Pontiac dealer this past weekend and he told me GM is waiting to see how the new Camero sales go, I think he mentioned it would be out in 2007. BS, I don't know, but he is a nice down to earth fellow and I have known him for 8yrs.

[Krytin]

Never been a big fan of Camaro/Firebird (ONLY due to a blind devotion to FoMoCo) but competition is good for the breed!

[TripleTransAm]

I'm with you, Krytin. I have no brand loyalty... I was considering all pony cars back in the early 90s when I was semi-seriously looking for one (seriously looking for a sporty car, but NOT a RWD V8... boy, look how I ended up!).

Regardless of my lack of brand loyalty, I seemed to always favour the Firebird out of all the available bunch based on styling (totally subjective), the overall package (not always the quickest, but nice luxury touches and equipment) and image. The Mustang being less expensive in the 80s, its typical driver around here tended to be a younger "beat-the-snot-out-of-the-car and drive-it-beyond-its-limits" type that usually made for more of a nuisance on the street to regular drivers than anything else. The more expensive Trans Am (and eventually GTA) tended to cater to a more mature crowd, and I guess I favoured that image. *shrug*

Also, in back-to-back driving, it always seemed the late 80s F-car was a more controlled (and safer, more balanced) handler than the Stang, which I also appreciate. And when GM threw in a dash of LS1 power, I thoroughly enjoyed showing the local Stangs what the new-for-1998 taillights looked like. (revenge for all the years of getting sand kicked in my face at a stoplight by manual-tranny 5.0 LXs)

BUT... like I said, no brand loyalty. If they slap a Firebird name on a Solstice, it's still a crappy little ugly car. And it'll be a LONG time before I consider spending my hard-earned money on a GM product: my WS6 came from the factory with faulty tolerances in the rear end (axle spider gears) that kept getting masked by frequent diff oil changes thanks to all the pinion seal leaks that dumba$$ technicians took years to fix properly. And when the warranty was up and the dealership finally discovered the real source of the occasional posi-clutch chatter, the GM warranty prick didn't even flinch when it came to dismissing our claim. So I'll just keep changing the diff fluid a little more often than usual from now on and live with the occasional once-in-a-blue-moon chatter, but it'll be a LONG LONG LONG time until GM or any of its subsidiaries / divisions sees one crappy little oxidized copper penny of mine.

D'ya think I hold grudges? ;)

[Krytin]

Steve,
I agree about the Firebirds & Pontiacs in general - they used to make some fine automobiles - well designed and nicely appointed! I have to agree with you about the average Mustang driver as well! They do tend to drive the wheels off there rides!
The last Pony car I owned was my '68 Cougar XR-7. Everything since has been Full sized FoMoCo sedans/wagons w/a few trucks sprinkled in for fun!