If only Ford could have produced this concept.

[UAW 588]

I know Ford took alot of inspiration from this concept, and put it into the Fusion. But, just think of the possibilities. The Marauder started as sort of concept at SEMA, just to bad Ford has lost their sense of risk and adventure.

For your viewing pleasure.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DSNyc6LOP_k

[RCSignals]

It could have been, had Nasser not gone on a buying spreed and put $ everywhere but back in Ford, leaving the Co in the position it is today.

[Vortex]

I would have rather had them build this (with the 427 motor):

http://supercars.ifn.cx/forty_nine/gallery.php

[ezratty]

why would ford want to build a powerful 4 door sedan with good looks there is no market out there for one. just look at the bad idea the chrysler 300c was. you can see one about every 30 seconds out on the road.

Ford sould stay focused on giant suv's there is plenty of room in that market and with such cheap oil on the market every family must have at least two or three.

[Mad4Macs]

Ford sould stay focused on giant suv's there is plenty of room in that market and with such cheap oil on the market every family must have at least two or three.

Now now... Ford DID give up on the Excursion :D

[ex00p71]

I always thought that was an insanely awesome car, instead we got stuck that fwd *****box Five Hundred.

[STLR FN]

why would ford want to build a powerful 4 door sedan with good looks there is no market out there for one. just look at the bad idea the chrysler 300c was. you can see one about every 30 seconds out on the road.

Ford sould stay focused on giant suv's there is plenty of room in that market and with such cheap oil on the market every family must have at least two or three.Thanks I just spit beer all over the place laughing at this.

[UAW 588]

I always thought that was an insanely awesome car, instead we got stuck that fwd *****box Five Hundred.

Hey! Watch it. :nono: That ***** box is the only thing putting food on my table right now. Go a little easy on her. Changes are on their way for 2008.

[cruzer]

When I walked into the Ford Area at the Ft Worth car Show in 2001, I thought the 49er was the Marauder--as I got closer I saw it was not--they didn't even have a Marauder on the floor. In the flesh, it was a beautiful , well engineered , top tech, retro design that would have sold like cold beer at a ball game. The Ford reps on site wouldn't even talk to you about either the 49er or the Marauder . I will never understand what Ford did with these two cars. By the way, did you notice that the ad was aimed right at the female market---a whole new approach for the muscle car ads. If you take note of how many Corvettes and high-end Mustangs are driven by women, maybe they have the right idea:confused: Anyway, I think the 49er was a winner, Maury

[ex00p71]

Sorry, I knew that would get you kind of riled up. Changes; lets face it, it will still be wrong wheel drive, and still be a fairly boring cookie cutter sedan with styling that looks to be stolen from VW.

I hate to say it, but this whole Bold Moves ad campaign just seems to stealing other peoples ideas.

[Power Surge]

Sorry, I knew that would get you kind of riled up. Changes; lets face it, it will still be wrong wheel drive, and still be a fairly boring cookie cutter sedan with styling that looks to be stolen from VW.

I hate to say it, but this whole Bold Moves ad campaign just seems to stealing other peoples ideas.

Just for the record, you can get the 500 in AWD, and it's just about one of the best vehicles you can drive in poor weather, snow included. I'm not keen on the bland styling, but the car overall as far as function wise is one of the best cars Ford's built in a long time. Oh yeah, I happen to have one :).

As for styling, Ford can't build a good looking car to save their life lately. Whomever is styling these new Fords needs to have their face grated off with one of the ugly ass cheese grater grilles they are slapping on everything.

[UAW 588]

By the way, did you notice that the ad was aimed right at the female market---a whole new approach for the muscle car ads. If you take note of how many Corvettes and high-end Mustangs are driven by women, maybe they have the right idea

Just remember, it was a woman named Elana Ford that killed the Marauder for good.:mad2:

[UAW 588]

but the car overall as far as function wise is one of the best cars Ford's built in a long time. Oh yeah, I happen to have one :).



Thank you. I made all the sheet metal on your 500. It's built like a tank. You should see when we have to make a weld check with an air chisle. It's one hell of a work out.:eek:

[ex00p71]

I know it's offered in AWD, but on the Five Hundred it still has a bias toward the front wheels. From what you guys say maybe it isn't all that bad. Why couldn't Ford make it to compete with the DCX offerings with a V8 and RWD or RWD based AWD?

[Power Surge]

I know it's offered in AWD, but on the Five Hundred it still has a bias toward the front wheels. From what you guys say maybe it isn't all that bad. Why couldn't Ford make it to compete with the DCX offerings with a V8 and RWD or RWD based AWD?

No reason to really, the 500 was pretty much the replacement for the Taurus, being a mid size family sedan. It does that job very well, with decent power, good handling, tons of interior room and amenities, and the country's best safety rating.

[Ryans PI]

I wish Ford would build this

http://www.earnhartbuilt.com/

[Vortex]

I have an 05 FWD Montego as my daily driver. No power to speak of but its got plenty of room and gets 30 mpg on the highway. Im actually starting to see more 500's and Montego's on the road now. They aint pretty but what the hell, seems pretty well made.

[Marauder]

Ford did make this concept car. The problem was when they put it in the oven, it shrunk like a shrinky dink and then they said "Oh crap...well, let's sell it anyway and call it a Fusion."

[JK2004MM]

A wise man once said, if you build a car to offend no one it won't excite anyone. That is what I find to be the problem with most of the vehicles coming from Ford lately. All they need to do is look at the sales of the Mustang to see what an exciting design does for sales.

The word from day one on the 500 was BORING and underpowered. It may be built like a tank and be roomy as hell. If it doesn't grab the general public's attention, you will only be selling them to people that always buy a Ford and need a big sedan. They need to build something to attract all those style concious non-Ford buyers. Just my $.02

[96DiamondVIII]

Ford just can't seem to get the whole package. From all I've heard the 500 is a very competent car, wrapped in a bland -and- derivative body. The Fusion is (at least IMO) a good-looking car, but I've heard it's a boring drive, and that they're getting a reputation for problems.

At least the current Mustang is a hit...sigh. I'm worried what they're going to do for the Crown Vic upgrade/replacement in 2009. Has anything come out about that? Are they killing the Panther platform as I had originally heard and going to a smaller FWD car, or did they get their heads on straight and realize there is still a market for that car if they put fresh sheetmetal/interior in it and gave it the 3v 4.6?

[GAMike]

No reason to really, the 500 was pretty much the replacement for the Taurus, being a mid size family sedan. It does that job very well, with decent power, good handling, tons of interior room and amenities, and the country's best safety rating.


Also being that the 500 is based on the Volvo P2 Platform that now has a Yamaha V-8 (Transversley mounted though) loaded on it in the XC- 90 and the S-80, there may be hope for the 500 being rwd, and holding a v-8 sooner than later.

Best regards,

[ezratty]

i tell ya if they put a good v8 in the 500 and make it rear wheel drive,keep the price decent that will be on the short list when its time to replace the marauder. any car that can hold 6 golf bags in the trunk is ok in my book.

not to mention that Chrysler will no longer have a monopoly on big american sedan muscle

[superford3]

i would buy a 500 in a second if they turned it into a sport sedan with muscle