bob

Except leave in the ABS and traction control as well as a reduced speed limiter.

Why!

Because every pimple faced kid needs 300hp and 320ft/lbs of torque after watching the Fast and the Furious on DVD and trying to impress the head trauma in the next seat with sub-grade tires.

I like the idea of a V8 based car utilizng a base V6 for content.

However at the very least ABS and traction control plus the right suspension and tires.

ABS+TC+ZR= lawyer kryptonite and jury hemlock.

jsaylor

Yeah, yeah it's not going to happen, but that once rumoured "LX V-8" sure makes more sense the more time drags on. Mustang demand in general has been very good, but GT demand has just been sick. And, while I expect demand of the GT/V-6's respectively to move closer to the mix seen in previous years, I also think GT demand will stay noticeably higher than in those past years even if it does not stay as high as it is now.

Also, if V-8 demand is this high with a 25+k base price, how much higher would it be if a lower priced/slightly less powerful LX V-8 were added to the mix? This option only gets more appealing if Ford indeed moves to a slightly more powerful GT motor in the near future as rumours claim. (if it takes premium fuel as is also rumoured that is yet another valid reason for a V-8 LX that runs on 87 octane) Finally, if the base Mustang sticks with the current 4.0L V-6 that leaves plenty of room in the middle for a V-8 LX rebirth.

Take the V-6 cars $19,570 base price with destination and add $2500 to it for the addition of a V-8 and there ya' go. Instant $22,000 V-8 that increases overall Mustang demand and yet does not hurt GT demand. Too bad it's a pipe-dream.

holderca1

I never heard that rumor, I only remember it being discussed on this forum as a nice thing to have and they talked how it didn't work very well on the '96 with the GTS.

jsaylor

Yeah, but if I recall there was not much price difference between the GTS and a GT. And, if I recall Ford decided that the GTS was going to get the axe before the first one hit the lot. That is never very good for a car.

joeuser42

I thought back in the day the LXs were faster than the GTs because they had the same motor but were lighter.

jsaylor

Generally they were, but I think the revived LX idea would work better (and find it's way by the bean-counters easier) if an LX packed fewer ponies so as to avoid that little lower weight side-effect.

Alas, it's all just day-dreaming.

Evil_Capri

Maybe if Ford offered the 2004 2V 4.6 in an '05 as a LX is might make more sense. A "new" LX based on a V6 offered with either IUP, or not, and only the V6 wheel options with a 2V SOHC 4.6.

However, in this day and age too many options, especially engine options seems like a forgotten dream.

holderca1

Faster doesn't always mean better.

jsaylor

Yeah, they like to keep excess part numbers out of the factory as much as possible anymore. Honestly, I am always surprised when you look at all the different Mustang models that are apparently coming down the pipe!

mr-mstng

Yeah, they like to keep excess part numbers out of the factory as much as possible anymore. Honestly, I am always surprised when you look at all the different Mustang models that are apparently coming down the pipe! [/b][/quote]
Especially when you consider how well the 05 is doing.

Fordracing200

put a 03 cobra motor in a basic V-6 and call it a LX. It would be SOOO SICK!!!

TomServo92

I still contend that the base GT fills the slot the LX had. I just don't think you could make a V8 model that would be cheap enough for someone to NOT opt for the base GT.

Evil_Capri

Good point, Tom. Once the SE start hitting showrooms the base GT does fill the old LX slot.

AFBLUE

Check out this thread from last week. It also discussed the LX issue.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=11866

jsaylor

I'll be danged.....sorry 'bout the repost. I must have missed that one.

Evil_Capri

I'll combine the threads.

matic

V6 needs an engine change, anyhow ... the 4L 6 is getting slammed everywhere, too rough, too hard on gas mileage for the power, etc. I know they were going for a little rougher, more muscle feel, but the 3.5 Duratec would make much more sense. Gives the V6 a more refined feel. But, that would give them the opportunity to fit an engine between the 3.5 and 4.6 and keep a clear displacement delineation, which is important from a marketing point of view. (the public equates bigger to better, which isn't always true)

What is the Thunderbird engine, by the way? 3.8 V8 isn't it? Something like that could be interesting for an intermediate model.

jsaylor

It's a 3.9L, and it costs waaaaay more to produce than does the 4.6L 3-valve in the GT.

friedmaster

Ford makes its money on packaging everything together. This way they can make people pay for stuff that they arent really interested in. (i.e. fog lamps). Having a slightly less powerful v8 or an equal power v8 with less of the gt "extras" would take away from GT demand a bit, and they make more money if they sell the GT. Plus having 2 models limits the number of possibilities, and makes it easier to manufacture and easier to find what a customer is looking for on the lots.

matic

Yeah, I knew it did Just using that as an example, a lower cost mid-size V8 would make an interesting powerplant option for a theoretical LX model ... 260ish HP, and make it very very moddable.