Would you be interested in one? - Page 2

PULLY6 · 15-04-2005, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunder Kiss

I would be very interested in a small to medium RWD Ford (BMW 3 series size) particularly in a performance version.
Even though I've owned Falcons in the past, I have no need (or desire) for such a big car.

spot on, I'm exactly the same. Although I love my EL, I live very central to work and don't need such a big car. A small-medium RWD 4-door car would kick ****! oh the possibilites...

The MaDDeSTMaN · 15-04-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PULLY6

spot on, I'm exactly the same. Although I love my EL, I live very central to work and don't need such a big car. A small-medium RWD 4-door car would kick ****! oh the possibilites...

Looking at the Poll Results, it seems that you and I are not exactly alone, with over half (58%, 29 votes) of respondants indicating "Yes, definately", and a further 30% (15 votes) indicating that while they may not be interested, they think other people would be. That adds up to a total of only 12% who have voted against it, which I think shows that there is plenty of interest in the concept, at least amongst members of this forum.

But as has already been pointed out, the difficulty probably lies in financial issues, not in perceived interest in such a project.

MrSparkle · 15-04-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

I won't be rubbishing it mate, only question is, would you have considered something like a "modern day Escort" if it had been available at the time?

I think the fact that I got what I did really answers that question :hihi:

There is a LOT to be said for a well built, small-medium RWD with power.

:

**Mechan1k** · 16-04-2005, 06:51 AM

Look at the new BMW 1-series .. the only small car on the market at the moment that is RWD ... and it is going fairly well .... for an overpriced car.
.
The thing is with the smaller cars is that a east-west FWD configuration is much cheaper and manufacture now ... and there is not as much loss through the drivetrain as a RWD.

AWD would be cool ... say bring back a 4 cyl turbo AWD vehicle ... Ford is really missing something in this market.

If on the Escort RS Cosworth made it out to Oz from Europe ... that would have given Subaru some competition. I know there were a few examples imported from the UK.

I'd say one of the best cars Ford ever produced ... and the factory bodykit was absolutely amazing.

Ahhhh ... sex on wheels

The MaDDeSTMaN · 18-04-2005, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Look at the new BMW 1-series .. the only small car on the market at the moment that is RWD ... and it is going fairly well .... for an overpriced car.

The thing is with the smaller cars is that a east-west FWD configuration is much cheaper and manufacture now ... and there is not as much loss through the drivetrain as a RWD.

AWD would be cool ... say bring back a 4 cyl turbo AWD vehicle ... Ford is really missing something in this market.

If on the Escort RS Cosworth made it out to Oz from Europe ... that would have given Subaru some competition. I know there were a few examples imported from the UK.

I'd say one of the best cars Ford ever produced ... and the factory bodykit was absolutely amazing.

Ahhhh ... sex on wheels

Couldn't agree more, but excuse me for a moment, I need to wipe the drool off this keyboard after viewing that picture of the Escort Cosworth... Mmmmmmmmm... *drools again*

Anyway, back to the issue I raised. Yes, East-west FWD may be cheaper to produce and not lose as much through the drivetrain as a RWD, but I know I'd happily pay extra to have the option of the rears being the driven wheels instead of the fronts.

Agreed, AWD would be very cool, I would like to be able to choose between a AWD and a RWD setup personally, but if the AWD was setup to have a RWD character (prefering oversteer to understeer, perhaps a 30/70 power distribution front/rear) then I'd be happy.

I wish Ford had made a serious attempt to sell the Escort RS Cosworth here, and/or the Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, both being cars I would be more then happy to own.

BTW, for those of you who don't know what an Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth looks like, here are some pics:

More information on the Sapphire: http://www.turbocharger.co.uk/rs-cosworth-2wd.html
More information on the Escort RS Cosworth: http://www.turbocharger.co.uk/rs-cosworth-escort.html

Now, back to drooling over the Escort RS Cosworth... :sm_drool:

The MaDDeSTMaN · 22-07-2005, 10:08 PM

*bump*

I still want one, but seriously doubt Ford Aus will ever make anything like it. I'd love to be proven wrong...

You reading this Ford Australia?

MAGPIE · 23-07-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

If Ford was to produce a modern version of a Mk 1 or 2 Escort, simular size to a Focus, RWD, modern engine (say base model being NA 1.6, then NA 2.0, perhaps turbo 2.0 and V6 varients as well, and I guess a 4wd/AWD varient would be good too), would you, or anybody you know possibly be interested?

As much as I like the BA Falcon (as well as most other Falcons) and the Focus, I really would like to be able to buy a brand new smallish car that drives the rear wheels, and is relatively light.

Falcons are too big for me (as those of you who have met me know, I'm not exactly a big guy), and while I do like the Focus, I'd like it a lot more if it was RWD.

I know, I know, I'm dreaming, but who else shares my dream of a modern, smallish, sporty, RWD/AWD Ford?

So basically you would like Ford to back pedal to the 70's, 80's & early 90's and start making cars like the EscortRS 2000, Escort Series X, Sierra RS Cosworth, Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Escort RS Cosworth.

:evil_laug Yep I'm with you dude

How hard can it be, and they would sell !

SunDrifter · 23-07-2005, 03:14 PM

Definately! The idea rocks. I'd have the missus trade her pulsar in on one straight away.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-07-2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireman Sam

So basically you would like Ford to back pedal to the 70's, 80's & early 90's and start making cars like the EscortRS 2000, Escort Series X, Sierra RS Cosworth, Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Escort RS Cosworth.

:evil_laug Yep I'm with you dude

How hard can it be, and they would sell !

As opposed to (or in addition to) the Focus & Fiesta, definately! I still think Ford are making a mistake by not having something RWD, sporty and smallish (compared to a Falcon anyway) available from their dealships!

Imagine how good a modern Escort could be?

PULLY6 · 24-07-2005, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

I still think Ford are making a mistake by not having something RWD, sporty and smallish (compared to a Falcon anyway) available from their dealships!

Imagine how good a modern Escort could be?

Agreed. But, as we all know, its all about profits & sales!

PULLY6 · 24-07-2005, 04:28 PM

Pully skulks off to continue his plan to retro-fit the EL's dash & interior into a Mk II Esky...

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-07-2005, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PULLY6

Agreed. But, as we all know, its all about profits & sales!

Yup, and Ford will never realise just how well something like that could sell, or how much profit they could make with it, because I doubt they'll ever even try. I honestly think they could make a decent profit, and achieve decent sales if they pulled their finger out and tried it...

**Captain Stubing** · 24-07-2005, 10:13 PM

I was looking at an old '77 Celica that was next to me at the traffic lights... It made me think of the choices of new 4Cyl rear wheel drives!

After a split second, I had that Celica mentally resprayed, with a super-charged twincam donk fitted!

I might save that for a retirement project :nutsycuck

Fairlane · 24-07-2005, 10:54 PM

If FORD brought something like this, which I highly doubt will happen I would seriously entertain buying one brand new from the dealer (as long as it wasn't built in Iran). If it happened it would allow me to have a nice daily driver and i would be able to by my dream V8 Fairlane for weekends.

The new RWD Tiburon might put a fire under FORD, but honestly I think a new RWD Escort is just a pipe-dream.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-07-2005, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairlane

If FORD brought something like this, which I highly doubt will happen I would seriously entertain buying one brand new from the dealer (as long as it wasn't built in Iran). If it happened it would allow me to have a nice daily driver and i would be able to by my dream V8 Fairlane for weekends.

The new RWD Tiburon might put a fire under FORD, but honestly I think a new RWD Escort is just a pipe-dream.

I highly doubt it will happen too, however part of the reason I doubt it will happen is because Ford Aus don't think there would be enough interest in it, however I honestly think that they only think that way because they are out of touch with what the public would actually be interested in.

It seems to me from everyones responses to this thread that there would be at least some interest in such a project, quite possibily enough interest to warrent further investigation by Ford...

I wish I know of a way to state the case for this project to Ford Australia and get them to take a serious look at it - it may just be a pipe dream, but it's something I am passionate about!

Fairlane · 24-07-2005, 11:10 PM

Woops just realised i've fell for a bit of good 'ol thread mining

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-07-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Woops just realised i've fell for a bit of good 'ol thread mining

LOL! Maybe so, but the subject is still as valid as the day I started the thread...

Falchoon · 06-08-2005, 08:35 PM

I reckon a small RWD (with AWD as option) 4cyl could be a good seller. Especially if it had same or better power to weight ratio as XR6T! Wouldn't neccessarily need to be called Escort.

Why have modern cars predominantly become FWD anyway? Cost? Safety?

The MaDDeSTMaN · 06-08-2005, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falchoon

I reckon a small RWD (with AWD as option) 4cyl could be a good seller. Especially if it had same or better power to weight ratio as XR6T! Wouldn't neccessarily need to be called Escort.

I agree, it wouldn't have to be called Escort, it could be called something else. And I doubt it would be too hard to make sure it's got a great power-to-weight ratio. I'm sure everyone by now knows I think it would sell well enough to make it worth the investment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falchoon

Why have modern cars predominantly become FWD anyway? Cost? Safety?

My understanding is that they have predominantly become FWD for reasons of cost, packaging (fitting the engines east-west instead of north south means they can make the engine bay smaller) and more room in the rear without the large transmission tunnel and diff 'hump' that is required for a RWD car.

Sierra · 07-08-2005, 12:53 PM

And just to remind us what a MKII RS2000 looked like I've attached a couple of pics of the wifes RS2000 replica that we built a few years ago.

It used to turn a few heads where ever it went .... you don't see too many on the road these days.

BA GT-HO · 07-08-2005, 11:19 PM

It would be nice to have a RWD alternative that doesn't have a gas guzzler Falcon motor. It would be an ideal car to drive around, have some fun in and it would not cost you too much to run.

By the way I still think the MKI RS2000 is still nicer than the MK2 and one of the best Fords around.

08-08-2005, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

The sketch of a "modern Escort" would certainly be interesting, if anyone wants to have a go at it...

I cant draw, but there is a car that comes to mind, sales have been good in europe, Renault V6 Clio RWD, I would love to drive one, heres a pic.

Surely Ford can do something like this, but better!

merlin · 09-08-2005, 02:56 PM

Yep, great idea!

RWD, 2L NA and Turbo - great for people who want a RWD aussie car but dont want or need (particulary important due to fuel prices) a car the size of falcon or territory.

Ryan · 31-08-2005, 09:37 AM

I sure would.

Ive always liked the old eskies and a modern day version would certainly be refreshing.

SunDrifter · 31-08-2005, 11:08 AM

I think the reasoning behind front wheel drivers it that its simply easier to pull the car alone then push it as well as having less drive train loss, therefore having better economy, which is what you want in a smaller sedan/hatch.

(BTW) That Renault is actually a mid-mount engine, and has been dropped as of this year.

Still, it would be nice to have a little powerfull RWD sedan. MMM Sierra cosworth.

NIGHTHAWK · 31-08-2005, 11:08 AM

Since my first car was a mk1 cortina, yes bring on the GT or the Lotus version again. I miss those smith gauges. 4 in a row is all the go.

31-08-2005, 04:41 PM

Bring back the RS1800 Escort!

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-08-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeirdEL

Bring back the RS1800 Escort!

Amen to that! Mmmm RS1800 *drools*

View Poll Results: Would you or anyone you know be interested if it was available?
Yes, definately, who do I annoy to make it happen?	73	56.59%
No, what's the point?	20	15.50%
I wouldn't be interested myself, but others would I think.	34	26.36%
Other opinion (please specify in thread)	2	1.55%
Voters: 129. You may not vote on this poll