Ford Mustang isn't good enough for the NSW police

[Boosted8]

Originally Posted by tempted

The only reason the Mustang has a strong following is because Ford is trading on the nameplate's success from the 1960's.
Nameplate aside, the vehicle itself is inferior to the current local offerings in just about every way. It is nothing more than a "look at me" car. All style and no substance.
Mustang is supposed to be the performance flagship, yet we are going backwards - From supercharged V8's and turbo 6's to a slower and less powerful n/a V8 in a vehicle that cannot survive a couple of laps around a track.
If this is progress then I'm really dreading the future.

I really couldn't agree more. I was trying to find the words to post something along the same lines but now that I've read this there is no need.

I think it's quite interesting to see the change that has occurred in Aussie society since the announcements of the Holden/Ford closures. At first most people I spoke to seemed to either think it wasn't really going to happen or they simply didn't care. Now I speak to the same people and it's clear the realisation is hitting them that it's really happening. More and more people are coming to the conclusion that there is going to be a massive hole in the market that can't really be filled by any other car.

Well, any way I really do think it's interesting to see the reactions change as the days pass by. Just speaking for myself: I chose to work less and study this year which inevitably means I'll never get to buy a brand new Falcon - it has been a big pill to swallow.

I really struggle to imagine the average patrol car being anything but a Commodore or Falcon and I simply don't believe the Mustang will ever be up to the task.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by b2tf

No different to the F6 owners, or XR6T or SS owners who have that now. They're just cars.

Exactly.
However some people want the Mustang to remain "exclusive" and "rare" on the roads...not "just a car", not common, not something for the ordinary plebs to get hold of easily, so that they're not exposed to the horror of seeing mum and dad and a couple of kids using a second hand one like a normal car.

So say the cops did decide to use them (but that seems unlikely)...so what if they started turning up at the auctions cheap, a couple of years old, as ex-cop cars? That's always been just about the best way for younger guys to get hold of a car they could never normally afford such as the F6 or SS you mention.


The only reason the "hole in the market" cannot be filled is not because there's plenty of good cars around the world...just from the USA there's Chevs like the Impala and others, various larger Ford and Dodges and Chryslers for example...but we are hamstrung here in our market by being one of the few countries that sticks to right hand drive vehicles only. That cuts us out of a hell of a lot of perfectly good large affordable cars.

[FG50T]

Originally Posted by irvinnie

I did 8 years in the NSW hihhway patrol and never did that or heard of anyone doing it.

Do 8 in Victoria then? You're instructed and expected to do that on your driving tests.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

What RWD V8 2 door cars are you comparing its value to?

None. Just in general to what I want.

Originally Posted by AussieCJ7

That maybe the case for you, however based on your car's in you sig I bet you are not the buyer that they are aiming their value proposition at.

Marketing doesnt aim at selling new cars to people who see value in driving a car at half a million K's


Not wrong with either option just dont expect someone who see's value in new cars to appreciate a half million k car, nor visa versa

How do you know that? A number of circumstances have lead me to hold onto that car and not upgrade. Until now. Then a full rebuild starts on my Half Million mile car. (That's one circumstance)

I see value in the FGX XR8, I just don't see it in the Mustang.

That's why I'm putting a few things together $ wise to buy one.

Problem is, the people who see value in the Mustang consider its value because its a "Mustang". Its the nameplate, not the cars styling, features, power, handling. Those are contributing Factors, dont get me wrong, but, would it sell as well if it was called, "Renegade" or some other generic name generated for a new line of 2 door Coupes to be imported to OZ? I rather doubt it. The nameplate has heritage. And thats what's selling it.

That and we havent had a Mustang sold off the Factory Showroom floor in decades.......

Call me bogan, but the FGX XR8 Falcon does it for me. A number of factors. 4 Doors for one. Along with a multitude of others.

Now the "Cheap" 61-65k Mustangs Ive seen are only a cooee from the XR8's, its not that much of a stretch more realistically. But that's not what I'm after.

I'll be happy with my FGX, Everyone else will be happy with their Mustang. As long as we don't meet at an intersection in a fender bender, we'll be just fine.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by tempted

The only reason the Mustang has a strong following is because Ford is trading on the nameplate's success from the 1960's.
Nameplate aside, the vehicle itself is inferior to the current local offerings in just about every way. It is nothing more than a "look at me" car. All style and no substance.
Mustang is supposed to be the performance flagship, yet we are going backwards - From supercharged V8's and turbo 6's to a slower and less powerful n/a V8 in a vehicle that cannot survive a couple of laps around a track.
If this is progress then I'm really dreading the future.

Drive one then see your opinion change. Even your hatred of the centre console will change after seeing it. I spent a weekend with one a month ago and am still dreaming of getting one again. They are a truely great gt car. Soaks up the miles better than my fg xr8 ever could.

Everyone should do them selves a favour and go drive one to see the hype is real

[Windsor220]

Is Mustang selling on its popular nameplate any different to people buying Falcons purely because they were Falcons? Especially paying top dollar for GTs.

I'm actually surprised so many hate the Mustang. Its a 2 door RWD V8. How popular would a 2 door Falcon have been?

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by b2tf

No different to the F6 owners, or XR6T or SS owners who have that now. They're just cars.

Mustang is no XR6T or SS, hopefully Ford keep it that way. Ford have been trying to repair their brand image for how long? They finally have a flagship performance car with a properly premium image that is hugely appealing to private buyers, selling without discounts and will actually have decent resale. Unlike Falcon, it's getting people interested in the brand again. They have a really good thing going at the moment and should be very careful not to ruin it. A police pack would be a catastrophe in my opinion.

[Falcon SXR8]

I think anyone hoping the mustang is gunna be this exclusive performance car are in for a shock, in a few years time they will be every were and no one will take a second look....." oh look a mustang" "cool same colour as mine" "what colour is your mums??" " same colour as the cops use" " so blue like bills?" " yea mate " ;)

Mine will be red by the way

JK

[FPV+fteT3]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

Mustang is no XR6T or SS, hopefully Ford keep it that way. Ford have been trying to repair their brand image for how long? They finally have a flagship performance car with a properly premium image that is hugely appealing to private buyers, selling without discounts and will actually have decent resale. Unlike Falcon, it's getting people interested in the brand again. They have a really good thing going at the moment and should be very careful not to ruin it. A police pack would be a catastrophe in my opinion.

Mustang is just another mass produced Ford its not the holy grail. You are correct its no XR6T as the ones we are getting would be smashed for performance from an XR6T. How will Mustang fix fords brand image if the quality is the same as the rest of their range and the same dealers who sold Falcons now sell Mustangs? Interesting times ahead but based on past experience its just a 2 door ford its not a bespoke hand built super car.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

So say the cops did decide to use them (but that seems unlikely)...so what if they started turning up at the auctions cheap, a couple of years old, as ex-cop cars? That's always been just about the best way for younger guys to get hold of a car they could never normally afford such as the F6 or SS you mention.
.

Exactly what we don't want.. An overrepresentation of the particular vehicle in the hands of 'younger guys' = untasteful modifications, horrible accidents and road carnage, and then the vehicle becoming the target of the police themselves, exactly what the Commodore has become... No thanks. Cars that remained prohibitive in price since their launch (M3, R35 GTR, Gallardo, etc) rarely fall into the hands of idiots and when was the last time a deadly crash in one of the above over reported and plastered all over the media?

[Iggle Piggle]

Originally Posted by FG50T

Do 8 in Victoria then? You're instructed and expected to do that on your driving tests.

Vic HWP are instructed to drive down the freeway everyday in 3rd gear at 5000rpm (constant)?

Not calling BS but that sounds weird - why are they told to do that?

Does the Vic gov have shares in BP?

Am I dumb as that makes as much sense to me as this:

[5.8]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

It was on the radio this morning, so get over yourself.

Must be true then

[FPV GTHO]

I can't believe some people that carry on like performance ends at the first corner. Mustang GT has consistently tracked similar to M3's the last few years when fitted with the performance pack.

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by 5.8

Must be true then

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Heard on the grapevine this morning that if no suitable replacement is found for the XR and SS, a move will be made to ban many high performance cars.

It is just hearsay, but I wouldn't put it past govco to make such a boner move.

Bolded for effect! ;)

[SpoolMan]

There's a world of choice out there, in Australia we have more car brand manufactures to choose from than the US, don't like it buy something else.

I paid $64k for 2005 BF F6 ZF with a $1000 discount, 10 years on now paying $65k for a Mustang ZF is outstanding value, it has of plenty of features.

Mustang sales are up 56% and the supply demand is far from being met, ahhh the wait is the only thing buyers don't like about the new Mustang.
We want it tomorrow.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by FG50T

Do 8 in Victoria then? You're instructed and expected to do that on your driving tests.

Do what?

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

Mustang is just another mass produced Ford its not the holy grail. You are correct its no XR6T as the ones we are getting would be smashed for performance from an XR6T. How will Mustang fix fords brand image if the quality is the same as the rest of their range and the same dealers who sold Falcons now sell Mustangs? Interesting times ahead but based on past experience its just a 2 door ford its not a bespoke hand built super car.

Ah but see that's not the point. Nobody is claiming the Mustang is more "special" than a regular Ford. Ever driven one in America? They are rental cars, they're all over the place. But for whatever reason, perhaps because we were deprived of it for so long, Mustang has this incredible image in Australia. It helps that we only get the premium versions too. It doesn't need explaining but having a highly sought after halo car in the range is an automaker's wet dream.

Over time people will stop seeing Ford as the brand who makes "boring" out of taste Falcons, and instead the brand that makes premium Mustangs (oh how cool) and class leading Rangers- and perhaps they'll consider looking at other Ford models. Toyota employed a similar tactic with the 86. They sure didn't need a small volume budget sports car, but as an exercise in bringing youth and excitement back to the brand it was a master stroke.

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

Ah but see that's not the point. Nobody is claiming the Mustang is more "special" than a regular Ford. Ever driven one in America? They are rental cars, they're all over the place. But for whatever reason, perhaps because we were deprived of it for so long, Mustang has this incredible image in Australia. It helps that we only get the premium versions too. It doesn't need explaining but having a highly sought after halo car in the range is an automaker's wet dream.

Over time people will stop seeing Ford as the brand who makes "boring" out of taste Falcons, and instead the brand that makes premium Mustangs (oh how cool) and class leading Rangers- and perhaps they'll consider looking at other Ford models. Toyota employed a similar tactic with the 86. They sure didn't need a small volume budget sports car, but as an exercise in bringing youth and excitement back to the brand it was a master stroke.

And in addition to that I'm very tempted to say it is not inferior to the local offerings despite what other ill-informed subjective opinion would suggest.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

Ah but see that's not the point. Nobody is claiming the Mustang is more "special" than a regular Ford. Ever driven one in America? They are rental cars, they're all over the place. But for whatever reason, perhaps because we were deprived of it for so long, Mustang has this incredible image in Australia. It helps that we only get the premium versions too. It doesn't need explaining but having a highly sought after halo car in the range is an automaker's wet dream.

Over time people will stop seeing Ford as the brand who makes "boring" out of taste Falcons, and instead the brand that makes premium Mustangs (oh how cool) and class leading Rangers- and perhaps they'll consider looking at other Ford models. Toyota employed a similar tactic with the 86. They sure didn't need a small volume budget sports car, but as an exercise in bringing youth and excitement back to the brand it was a master stroke.

Exactly, it is kind of put on a pedestal here in Australia with some good reason though, but a lot of it is just because its something different and exciting. At least its an option for some once Falcon is gone, otherwise what other Ford options are there... Mondeo?

Dodge Charger is a name which invokes some excitement, but have you seen the Standard model in the US? its as boring as a Camry.

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Is Mustang selling on its popular nameplate any different to people buying Falcons purely because they were Falcons? Especially paying top dollar for GTs.

I'm actually surprised so many hate the Mustang. Its a 2 door RWD V8. How popular would a 2 door Falcon have been?

Exactly, again. Ford did it with the GT name and with Sprint. Would people be going as crazy for the last model XR6T or XR8 if there were no sprint?

[GTLEGEND]

Negative. Vehicle supplied for testing directly from Ford, stock standard with no special mods or secret super dooper ultra mega cool stuff. The whole idea is to try it "off the shelf" and see what works - and what doesn't.[/QUOTE]

Please get your facts right before you comment on here, the vehicle was purchased from a certain Western Sydney Dealer, not supplied by Ford. I gather you must have seen the vehicle at Goulburn Ford or you work there as the only mods to the vehicle was the Police Paint work/stickers as you mention. There was no other Police or testing equipment fitted to the vehicle.

Ford have no involvement with this vehicle at all apart from the fact they were called when the transmission overheated during their extreme test procedure. There is no interest from Ford in homoglating a Mustang for highway patrol use..

[Moby Vic]

An American take on the 2015 Mustang GT:
http://jalopnik.com/why-the-2015-for...ike-1716423554

[Brodes]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

An American take on the 2015 Mustang GT:
http://jalopnik.com/why-the-2015-for...ike-1716423554

I have to mention Line Lock, which is a fancy way of saying “burnout control.” Not launch control, mind you, burnout control. Here it’s all digitized and done through the track apps suite. Just set it the car in track mode, hold the confirmation button, press the brake hard, and then the car hold the brakes in place while you spin the tires and light some fires for a full 15 seconds.... (I do think the name Line Lock is too weak to adequately describe what it does. I preferred to call it the Mechanized Unified Systematic Tire Annihilation & Nullification Generator, or MUSTANG.) Sick burnouts has never been easier.

[Moby Vic]

The review doesn't mention that use of the line lock feature voids the warranty.

I wonder if the NSW police tried it?

[Brodes]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

The review doesn't mention that use of the line lock feature voids the warranty.

I wonder if the NSW police tried it?

Pretty sure the Aussie imports would have this deleted, Mr Government wouldn't allow it.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

The review doesn't mention that use of the line lock feature voids the warranty.

I wonder if the NSW police tried it?

It's deleted for Aussie mustangs.

[EBSXR6]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

It's deleted for Aussie mustangs.

I read the line lock was disabled by a software command. I wonder how long before someone works out how to reactivate it ?

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by EBSXR6

I read the line lock was disabled by a software command. I wonder how long before someone works out how to reactivate it ?

Mr Herrods phone well be ringing.

[stevefreestyle]

Originally Posted by Revolver

And there is your answer. US spec Mustangs.

From what I've read, were getting a pov pack version that can be had in the states at at least half in not almost a 3rd of the price we pay in OZ.

Not exactly specced up equipment to handle what the police need.

How many Police Departments or State police use Mustangs over in the US?

Yeah. Not many. If any.

Far from the "Poverty Pack" we get the GT PREMIUM with the PERFORMANCE PACK (except we get a more sensible 3:55 Diff instead of the US 3:73 Ratio)

[stevefreestyle]

Originally Posted by Kieron

Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, the XR6t was knocked back as a hwp car due to the brakes not making the grade. Ford then updated the brakes for them to be accepted.

So fairs fair, the Mustang could have its auto trans cooler uprated to handle Police use, I'm sure you'd agree?

You are correct about the Failed Brake test for the FG - It also killed the 290Kw FG XR8 as a HWP Car, as they were discontinued due to euro IV long before Ford relented and offered the Police Brembo Brake Pkg on the remaining XR6T.

Another great marketing opportunity mishandled by Ford Au - as they fail to recognise the powerful Marketing value from the Street Credibility gained from a HWP Pursuit Car.

IF there is any truth and accuracy to this "news" article (which is doubtful) it is obviously a dud g-box (possible with any car) - and if it did blow in 3 minutes...did anyone check the oil? Anyway as you indicate, it only takes an upgraded oil cooler.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by stevefreestyle

Far from the "Poverty Pack" we get the GT PREMIUM with the PERFORMANCE PACK (except we get a more sensible 3:55 Diff instead of the US 3:73 Ratio)

Approx US $43k to option Australian delivery ZF GT in the States.
Today's exchange rate AU $57k add shipping etc, its close to par.