So where's the Falcon replacement? - Page 3

**DFB FGXR6** · 02-02-2017, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie

If you cant see it then.....

So many people that arent car nuts keep saying.
oh such n such got one of those new fords.
Thinking its an xr8.

Yet its a mondeo.

The mondeo, focus, fiesta and fgx all share the same front grill setup.
Ford gave up on different looks and said.
yep that will do. Just make it smaller for the focus.
Make it bigger for the falcon.....

Same design philosophy as BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Mazda, VW....................

PooDog · 02-02-2017, 08:09 PM

Can see it in the grille ...the bonnets more mustang like , back ends totally different ....xr8 looks like a jag ? , totally different from the side ?

Spose if your not into them you don't see the detail ?

paulie · 02-02-2017, 08:14 PM

Possibly.
Never seen side by side rear.

Im just sick of going around to see someones xr8 and finding a bloody mondeo......

Nikked · 02-02-2017, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie

The mondeo, focus, fiesta and fgx all share the same front grill setup.
Ford gave up on different looks and said.
yep that will do. Just make it smaller for the focus.
Make it bigger for the falcon.....

No different to any other generation (or brand). Just look at the 70's Cortina, Escort, Falcon, mustang, torino etc...

Of course other Fords look like other fords!

roddy1960 · 02-02-2017, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NX74205

Agreed. In the Falcon, it feels very familiar - feels like home, particularly when you start the engine and you hear the familiar sound of the 4.0-litre six. But objectively, the Mondeo is the better car in every way that matters.

There's only one feature I can think of that the G6E has but the Mondeo lacked - a digital speedo (which is now fixed by the introduction of SYNC 3 in the Mondeo), but there are many, many more features available in the Mondeo that aren't even available as an option on the G6E. The Mondeo is better built, quieter and more refined than the G6E could ever hope to be.

G'day..To be fair ,two very different cars , one was hog tied for development over it's final years and by all accounts the platform was exhausted anyway.
The other one ( Mondeo) SHOULD be better equipped given it's a current Ford offering in a tough European market where our cars are sourced..
I am finding it hard to get excited about four pot( Turbo or not) FWD only , no six option yet (it's in our DNA) .However Mustang is an option for some if you desire, can afford and wait for a new V8 Ford .

Mondeo is not yet a true enthusiasts car to get the pulse racing like yesteryear ..
Not yet anyway..Focus goes much further via the RS to addressing a sporty four door Ford to be bought here
.. Has 2.3 litres and all wheel drive ..That's more like it..Might not be as big as a Mondeo or as well appointed but it'd sure be more fun to drive I'm guessing..Cheers Rod..

NX74205 · 02-02-2017, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie

If you cant see it then.....

So many people that arent car nuts keep saying.
oh such n such got one of those new fords.
Thinking its an xr8.

Yet its a mondeo.

That's precisely what Ford wants to move away from: being known as the Falcon Motor Company. There's more to Ford than Falcon; there's more to Ford than V8s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie

Possibly.
Never seen side by side rear.

Maybe xahh will oblige here?

They look completely different from the rear, I don't see how anyone can mistake one for the other. In fact, they look completely different, full stop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Mondeo is not yet a true enthusiasts car to get the pulse racing like yesteryear ..

No, it isn't. Then again, neither are most Falcons except XR and FPV variants.

We all have different needs and wants from cars. I don't want or need a car that can get from 0-100 in under 5 seconds, nor do I care about how fast it goes around the mountain. What I want from a Falcon is a refined highway cruiser that eats up the distances with ease. For that purpose, up until recently, there weren't many cars in that price bracket which are better than the Falcon. But now, mid sized cars have grown up to be almost Falcon sized, and in the case of the Mondeo, it is also far more refined and an altogether better car for going on long trips on the highway.

Stefan · 02-02-2017, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie

If you cant see it then.....

So many people that arent car nuts keep saying.
oh such n such got one of those new fords.
Thinking its an xr8.

Yet its a mondeo.

The mondeo, focus, fiesta and fgx all share the same front grill setup.
Ford gave up on different looks and said.
yep that will do. Just make it smaller for the focus.
Make it bigger for the falcon.....

It is brand autonomy no manufacturer had different looks for different models

Like when you see a BMW or Merc or even Mazda or Kia...they are recognisable by design.....you never noticed that before?

Anyway Kia Stinger looks pretty damn hot...oh the shame of it all.

roddy1960 · 02-02-2017, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NX74205

That's precisely what Ford wants to move away from: being known as the Falcon Motor Company. There's more to Ford than Falcon; there's more to Ford than V8s.

Maybe xahh will oblige here?

They look completely different from the rear, I don't see how anyone can mistake one for the other. In fact, they look completely different, full stop.

No, it isn't. Then again, neither are most Falcons except XR and FPV variants.

We all have different needs and wants from cars. I don't want or need a car that can get from 0-100 in under 5 seconds, nor do I care about how fast it goes around the mountain. What I want from a Falcon is a refined highway cruiser that eats up the distances with ease. For that purpose, up until recently, there weren't many cars in that price bracket which are better than the Falcon. But now, mid sized cars have grown up to be almost Falcon sized, and in the case of the Mondeo, it is also far more refined and an altogether better car for going on long trips on the highway.

G'day ..I agree with your well made points..I still however think that Ford needs to accommodate all of us , not just some of us IF they want the mid large size Fords to be a serious contender in an already saturated market..Falcon did just that even til the last via the lesser XT right up to the last Sprints..The FG/FGX had Ecoboost 2.0 , the 4.0 N /A 4.0 Turbo , the 5.4 litre V8 for some early ones, the last GT's had the supercharged 5 litre beauty too as did the FGX XR8's.... Despite the technological advantages of the Mondeo..it's obviously a nice ride...it just needs at least another bigger engine option for it to really grab your attention....I want the Mondeo to sell well but they need to just up the anty just a tad I think.. Cheers Rod..

**X-AHH** · 03-02-2017, 12:19 AM

QUOTE:
Originally Posted by NX74205

Maybe xahh will oblige here?

No worries.
I'll take some photos of both cars from a few different angles on the weekend.

PooDog · 03-02-2017, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

G'day ..I agree with your well made points..I still however think that Ford needs to accommodate all of us , not just some of us IF they want the mid large size Fords to be a serious contender in an already saturated market..Falcon did just that even til the last via the lesser XT right up to the last Sprints..The FG/FGX had Ecoboost 2.0 , the 4.0 N /A 4.0 Turbo , the 5.4 litre V8 for some early ones, the last GT's had the supercharged 5 litre beauty too as did the FGX XR8's.... Despite the technological advantages of the Mondeo..it's obviously a nice ride...it just needs at least another bigger engine option for it to really grab your attention....I want the Mondeo to sell well but they need to just up the anty just a tad I think.. Cheers Rod..

yep, i think Paulie raises some good points ford is turning very euro like...getting that sort of clinical sterile sort of look ....i,d like to see them build something mondeo size but take a punt like chrysler with the styling maybe retro classic and maybe stuff the cost make it rear wheel drive it would sell i reckon ....look at the popularity of the toyota 86

maybe im just showing my age

Vesper Martini · 03-02-2017, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Mondeo is not yet a true enthusiasts car to get the pulse racing like yesteryear ..

The First Mondeo's were very Successful in the BTC (British Touring cars)
Kiwi Racer Paul Radisich claimed the title 93 &94. and they made a V6 special in NZ, though it wore the Telstar badge. Its a collectable I believe.

This was EB falcon times for comparison.

**Polyal** · 03-02-2017, 12:15 PM

You would be thinking of the ST24 and the ST200 and 220's after that. Nice cars.

Nikked · 03-02-2017, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzman

yep, i think Paulie raises some good points ford is turning very euro like...getting that sort of clinical sterile sort of look ....i,d like to see them build something mondeo size but take a punt like chrysler with the styling maybe retro classic and maybe stuff the cost make it rear wheel drive it would sell i reckon ....look at the popularity of the toyota 86

maybe im just showing my age

EA was praised for its Euro looks and handling...earlier XD looked all but like a wider Granada..."euro like" Fords have been around for a good 30 years.

Ford have had a go at retro cars, Ford Thunderbird, 5-the generation mustang, Ford GT etc...

The concepts are more interesting, the gorgeous Forty-Nine and the Interceptor...the latter hinted towards a potential global RWD 4 sedan model...

NX74205 · 03-02-2017, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Ford needs to accommodate all of us

... which is quite impossible to do, and makes no business sense to do so ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

IF they want the mid large size Fords to be a serious contender in an already saturated market.....it just needs at least another bigger engine option for it to really grab your attention....I want the Mondeo to sell well but they need to just up the anty just a tad I think.. Cheers Rod..

I take your point, and agree to an extent, but looking at it from Ford's perspective, where's the return on investment? If they spend the money to develop a RHD variant of a 2.7L V6 powered Mondeo, how many people would buy it? How many people would buy a high powered FWD as opposed to saying "this is what Ford should do" and then go out and buy a Kia Stinger or a used FGX T because that's RWD?

I'm aware that the Fusion Sport in North America is AWD, but as far as I'm aware, there's no AWD RHD variants of the Mondeo. Whether there's a technical reason why it hasn't been done, or whether that's purely a marketing decision, I don't know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzman

ford is turning very euro like

... and that's a good thing

Bucknaked · 03-02-2017, 02:39 PM

Mondeo has a great boot size. I had a Mondeo and now an FG2, and I think they feel similar in size

NX74205 · 03-02-2017, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Mondeo has a great boot size. I had a Mondeo and now an FG2, and I think they feel similar in size

MA-MC generation Mondeo hatch had a ridiculous 816L boot with the rear seats upright, as opposed to 550L in the new MD.

I think the FG/FG2/FGX has 535L in the boot.

roddy1960 · 03-02-2017, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NX74205

... which is quite impossible to do, and makes no business sense to do so ...

I take your point, and agree to an extent, but looking at it from Ford's perspective, where's the return on investment? If they spend the money to develop a RHD variant of a 2.7L V6 powered Mondeo, how many people would buy it? How many people would buy a high powered FWD as opposed to saying "this is what Ford should do" and then go out and buy a Kia Stinger or a used FGX T because that's RWD?

I'm aware that the Fusion Sport in North America is AWD, but as far as I'm aware, there's no AWD RHD variants of the Mondeo. Whether there's a technical reason why it hasn't been done, or whether that's purely a marketing decision, I don't know.

... and that's a good thing

G'day again...You're probably right re the return on investment and impossible not to please all but it's a tough one..Our market is relatively small but diverse..Lot's of choices from type of vehicle , choice of preferred style etc etc.. Mondeo is mixed up in there somewhere..It probably doesn't jump out at you yet.."Look at me"..
To quote a classic old Longreach Aussie ute ad from way back.."It don't look no different "..Pie in the sky stuff but if Ford Oz could do two things for a doubtless very capable car , target market it a bit better and offer something to stand out and to really whet the appetite. They're doing it with Focus RS . Is it worth a punt for Mondeo ? I work in a place where there is a pretty decent amount of cars parked daily and I see newish mid size family hatch cars all the time..Only way more often than not I can tell what it is is by reading the badgework..They all look the bloody same..My point exactly .. The alternative is to sell Mondeo as is in in low to mediocre numbers and chase the Focus RS and Mustang markets for the ones who want a new Ford with a real in your face attitude..Either way I hope our preferred brand keeps improving..cheers Rod..

**X-AHH** · 03-02-2017, 07:07 PM

Photos below as promised.
Yes, I know they need a wash!

**DJM83** · 03-02-2017, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

G'day..To be fair ,two very different cars , one was hog tied for development over it's final years and by all accounts the platform was exhausted anyway.
The other one ( Mondeo) SHOULD be better equipped given it's a current Ford offering in a tough European market where our cars are sourced..
I am finding it hard to get excited about four pot( Turbo or not) FWD only , no six option yet (it's in our DNA) .However Mustang is an option for some if you desire, can afford and wait for a new V8 Ford .

Mondeo is not yet a true enthusiasts car to get the pulse racing like yesteryear ..
Not yet anyway..Focus goes much further via the RS to addressing a sporty four door Ford to be bought here
.. Has 2.3 litres and all wheel drive ..That's more like it..Might not be as big as a Mondeo or as well appointed but it'd sure be more fun to drive I'm guessing..Cheers Rod..

And an NA XR6 is an enthusiasts car yeah?

NX74205 · 03-02-2017, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

I work in a place where there is a pretty decent amount of cars parked daily and I see newish mid size family hatch cars all the time..Only way more often than not I can tell what it is is by reading the badgework..They all look the bloody same

See that's what I don't get: They all look different to me. There aren't two cars alike. I can't see how someone can mix up a Mazda 6 for a Kia Optima, or a Ford Mondeo for anything else, really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Either way I hope our preferred brand keeps improving..cheers Rod..

I can drink to that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xahh

Photos below as promised.
Yes, I know they need a wash!

Many thanks.

I think that while there are some similarities in the shape of the headlight and the grille, the two cars are vastly different in appearance. I really don't understand how someone can say that they look the same.

GXL078 · 03-02-2017, 07:37 PM

More like a Fairlane replacement.

roddy1960 · 03-02-2017, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NX74205

See that's what I don't get: They all look different to me. There aren't two cars alike. I can't see how someone can mix up a Mazda 6 for a Kia Optima, or a Ford Mondeo for anything else, really.

I can drink to that.

Many thanks.

I think that while there are some similarities in the shape of the headlight and the grille, the two cars are vastly different in appearance. I really don't understand how someone can say that they look the same.

G'day ..It's just me perhaps after yonks of driving Falcons..It's just the same profile with the short boot , low belt line look...Maybe 'similar' would be a better word..HOWEVER...This is what I'm talking about re Mondeo... Now this is BLOODY CLASSY. MONDEO VIGNALE ..Imagine if this experience of buying one of these happened here..Watch this and not smile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBSvvkM0xzY Cheers Rod..

.:4:. · 03-02-2017, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

G'day ..It's just me perhaps after yonks of driving Falcons..It's just the same profile with the short boot , low belt line look...Maybe 'similar' would be a better word..HOWEVER...This is what I'm talking about re Mondeo... Now this is BLOODY CLASSY...Imagine if this experience of buying one of these happened here..Watch this and not smile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBSvvkM0xzY Cheers Rod..

Does she come with the car? Just kidding, looks a bit old for me....

OzriderXR8 · 03-02-2017, 08:11 PM

I love my Falcons and I've had a few, would I buy a Mondeo as a replacement for my everyday car?

In a heartbeat.

CyberWasp · 03-02-2017, 08:19 PM

The way technology is going it wont be long until you can "print" a new body shell / panels of any Falcon from the past you want, with a commercial sized 3D Printer.

XR6_power · 04-02-2017, 05:36 AM

IMO the Falcon is a car that at the moment is not being replicated anywhere in the world, the closest thing out there is the VFII Commodore.

Yes, the numbers do just about stack up for the Mondeo, but compared to the Falcon, the car is soul-less, and not as practical. What would I rather cart the Caravan around Australia with? Falcon. Which one do you think is still going to be running in 20 years? Falcon. Which is cheaper to service? Falcon. Remember, running costs don't only include fuel costs, service costs factor in heavily too.

Also, there's something about knowing that the body of that car was stamped in Geelong, the engine parts manufactured, then built in Geelong, then the car pieced together in Broadmeadows..

The Mustang is a fast, eye-catching American muscle car, but I would never buy one on principle. If I'd had the money at the time, it would have been one of the final FG-X XR8 Sprints for me.

Like it or loathe it, less Australians have passion for the motor car now, and it shows in the cars that most people drive around now - the small/medium car or suv. For most, a car is now simply a means of transport.

For me, I am happy with the 2013 FGII XR6 that we purchased new 3 years ago though. It will sit in my garage for some time...

GXL078 · 04-02-2017, 06:05 AM

Mondeo is Euro trash. Heck the first ones were about as good as a Camira. But with the added annoying feature of having the blinkers switch where the wipers should be. For me the ultimate incarnation of the Aussie Falcon would have to be a BF II XR6 turbo. Its looks just right and has all the best tech available in the nicer shape. I see it as Skyline GTS disguised as a family car. Best decision Ford ever made to build it. Will always remember first time I saw the first BA turbo on display a Bathurst 2002. In blueprint. It blew me away. BA Blueprint 5 speed manual is sure to be a future classic. Wouldn't touch a 4 speed auto.

FG has a bit of a bloated look to it but still a nice looking car. Ford lost the plot again with the FGX but grafting a poorly matched and cheaper black plastic Mondeo front onto it. It looks ridiculous. Every time I see a Mustang drive by, and there's more of them around than FGX's, i think what a **** to pay that much money for a car that costs $30k in the States.

The Yeti · 04-02-2017, 06:36 AM

Are we doing this again?

The Falcons gone, not enough people brought it, because the Australian buying public buys for very different reasons to what it did in yesterday year

People don't care about Australian made over import
People care more about $$$$$$$$
Ford failed to read the market a long time ago, and when it did listen it only half listened

I personally think the mondeo is about as appealing as spam on toast and won't entertain owning one anytime soon, when I picture a mondeo driver I picture a chubby red headed guy with a comb over a thick mustash flip up sunglasses polo shirt pressed pleated shorts walking socks pulled up and tan shoes you know the guy who calls his wife mother

PooDog · 04-02-2017, 06:43 AM

dont think the mondeo is euro trash , they look quite nice coming towards you on the rd....but i agree the early ones were a bit junky (maybe a hangover from telstar) maybe that history is hard to shake ?

if your after RWD ....commodores history , bmw too expensive? looks like if you want RWD everyone gets an SUV or ute , which has killed the australian car , which is a shame (build quality hasnt helped) for me there is no option i like RWD sedans lots of torque , and limited gadgets and stupid alarms , and i dont want a block of flats SUV

Mustangs not really practicle in some ways? ....totally agree about the price of them in the states ...makes you wonder what will happen when the novelty factor wears off and theres heaps on the rd?

just makes me enjoy the fgx even more

**X-AHH** · 04-02-2017, 10:28 AM

We are the Mondeo owners. Lift your standards and surrender your cars. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

BTW
You wouldn't pick me out of a crowd of typical Aussie blokes dressed in my thongs shorts and tank top. I would rather my wife drive what some of you consider to be euro trash than Korean. Chinese Japanese or South African equivalents.