Ford Cuts Mazda Stake from 11% to 3.5%

On Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:03:37 -0600, Lanny Chambers wrote:
> In article om>, Don
> Q wrote:
>
>> In other words, Ford owning 3.5% of Mazda does not mean 3.5% of your
>> MX-5 is made by Ford.
>
> Right. The Ford content of Mazdas (and the Mazda content of Fords)
> won't be altered by this change in stock position. Both companies
> still benefit from shared technology and economies of scale. Ford
> simply needs the cash right now--it avoided bail-out, but at the cost
> of a huge debt load.
>
> From what I can see, Ford's investment saved Mazda from collapse after
> its significant blunders (RX-7, Millenia, etc.). Mazda's engineering
> turned around Ford's death spiral of quality and imagination. The
> Fusion hybrid is a very impressive vehicle, if you like that sort of
> thing. So is the new Mustang.

The new 5.0 is going to be a massive hit. It's a magic number for
Mustang fans and the car finally has competitive horsepower for its
class. However, it's too damned big.

"Carbon" > wrote in message
g.com...
>
> The new 5.0 is going to be a massive hit. It's a magic number for
> Mustang fans and the car finally has competitive horsepower for its
> class. However, it's too damned big.


It's too big for us crazy Miata guys but seems to me, pretty reasonably
sized when compared to it's competition like the massive Camaro and overly
large Challenger. I'm not thinking that buyers in that target market would
be impressed by a car the size of which impresses you and I. I could be
wrong but I think that segment dictates somewhat 'large' American metal. It
would be great to see them use Mazda's intensive weight reduction technology
on their cars but that probably gets somewhat expensive in technology and
cost of light weight materials and cost is king also in this ultra
competitive segment. Looks like the Mustang's base price is $22,995. Also
just checked 2011 Miata base price: $23,900, for information only.

Even the 6cyl Mustang sounds quite impressive, with 305hp and (just
checked), 19 city / 29 hwy / 22 combined, it sounds like it does pretty
good. I would expect 20mpg in normal 'spirited' driving which, is close to
what I used to get in normal 'un-spirited' driving in a 6cyl Accord.

I'm definitely rooting for Ford. Sounds like we finally get a good Focus now
(pun intended!).

Chris
99BBB

On 11/27/2010 8:27 AM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:

> It's too big for us crazy Miata guys but seems to me, pretty reasonably
> sized when compared to it's competition like the massive Camaro and
> overly large Challenger. I'm not thinking that buyers in that target
> market would be impressed by a car the size of which impresses you and
> I. I could be wrong but I think that segment dictates somewhat 'large'
> American metal. It would be great to see them use Mazda's intensive
> weight reduction technology on their cars but that probably gets
> somewhat expensive in technology and cost of light weight materials and
> cost is king also in this ultra competitive segment. Looks like the
> Mustang's base price is $22,995. Also just checked 2011 Miata base
> price: $23,900, for information only.
>
> Even the 6cyl Mustang sounds quite impressive, with 305hp and (just
> checked), 19 city / 29 hwy / 22 combined, it sounds like it does pretty
> good. I would expect 20mpg in normal 'spirited' driving which, is close
> to what I used to get in normal 'un-spirited' driving in a 6cyl Accord.
>
> I'm definitely rooting for Ford. Sounds like we finally get a good Focus
> now (pun intended!).
>
> Chris
> 99BBB

I never thought I would say this, but I agree, go America (cars)!

One of my friends bought the new Challenger this year, and it is a very
nice car to drive. It is very big, I agree. He also has a dually pickup
and a motor home, so the Challeger is his small car. We'll see how it
holds up over the long run. I love how it looks.....

He also considered the Camaro and the Mustang, but the Challenger called
out to him the loudest.

For the first time in many years, the domestic offerings are stirring my
interest as much as the imports.

Pat

"pws" > wrote in message
...
> On 11/27/2010 8:27 AM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>
>
> I never thought I would say this, but I agree, go America (cars)!
>
> One of my friends bought the new Challenger this year, and it is a very
> nice car to drive. It is very big, I agree. He also has a dually pickup
> and a motor home, so the Challeger is his small car. We'll see how it
> holds up over the long run. I love how it looks.....
>
> He also considered the Camaro and the Mustang, but the Challenger called
> out to him the loudest.
>
> For the first time in many years, the domestic offerings are stirring my
> interest as much as the imports.
>
> Pat
>
>

I have to say that imho the Challenger is miles ahead of the Camaro and
Mustang in looks but from what I've read, they both handle better than the
Challenger. But, in this class, looks are BIG so, it wins there and if you
go SRT8, well, the sound and power are quite impressive. I can't imagine
buying a V8 car though personally.

Chris
99BBB

On 11/28/2010 9:38 PM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>
> "pws" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 11/27/2010 8:27 AM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>>
>>
>> I never thought I would say this, but I agree, go America (cars)!
>>
>> One of my friends bought the new Challenger this year, and it is a
>> very nice car to drive. It is very big, I agree. He also has a dually
>> pickup and a motor home, so the Challeger is his small car. We'll see
>> how it holds up over the long run. I love how it looks.....
>>
>> He also considered the Camaro and the Mustang, but the Challenger
>> called out to him the loudest.
>>
>> For the first time in many years, the domestic offerings are stirring
>> my interest as much as the imports.
>>
>> Pat
>>
>>
>
> I have to say that imho the Challenger is miles ahead of the Camaro and
> Mustang in looks but from what I've read, they both handle better than
> the Challenger. But, in this class, looks are BIG so, it wins there and
> if you go SRT8, well, the sound and power are quite impressive. I can't
> imagine buying a V8 car though personally.
>
> Chris
> 99BBB

Gotta agree with you again, on the Challenger looks. He does have the
V8, and yes, he will pay for it the next time gas hits $4.00 to $5.00 a
gallon.
My gas-sipping Accord will look even more attractive then. It gets
better mileage than any car I have ever owned before. At 2850 pounds, it
is only about 300 pounds heavier than my first Miata.

Pat

On 11/29/2010 4:07 PM, pws wrote:
> On 11/28/2010 9:38 PM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>>
>> "pws" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 11/27/2010 8:27 AM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> I never thought I would say this, but I agree, go America (cars)!
>>>
>>> One of my friends bought the new Challenger this year, and it is a
>>> very nice car to drive. It is very big, I agree. He also has a dually
>>> pickup and a motor home, so the Challeger is his small car. We'll see
>>> how it holds up over the long run. I love how it looks.....
>>>
>>> He also considered the Camaro and the Mustang, but the Challenger
>>> called out to him the loudest.
>>>
>>> For the first time in many years, the domestic offerings are stirring
>>> my interest as much as the imports.
>>>
>>> Pat
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I have to say that imho the Challenger is miles ahead of the Camaro and
>> Mustang in looks but from what I've read, they both handle better than
>> the Challenger. But, in this class, looks are BIG so, it wins there and
>> if you go SRT8, well, the sound and power are quite impressive. I can't
>> imagine buying a V8 car though personally.
>>
>> Chris
>> 99BBB
>
> Gotta agree with you again, on the Challenger looks. He does have the
> V8, and yes, he will pay for it the next time gas hits $4.00 to $5.00 a
> gallon.
> My gas-sipping Accord will look even more attractive then. It gets
> better mileage than any car I have ever owned before. At 2850 pounds, it
> is only about 300 pounds heavier than my first Miata.
>
> Pat

i had a '88 honda crx that regularly got 45mpg, and once over 50 on a
long 200+ mile highway drive. that was an amazing car, but didn't
handle like the miata, and was surprisingly bad in the snow for a fwd.
i think it was just too light for snow. that car makes me wonder what
the big deal is about today's hybrids. i mean if 20 years ago they
could make a gas car get millage like that then what is big deal about
things like the prius given all of its complexities and cost. yes, i
know the prius has greater seating capacity, but still it doesn't
impress me as a significant mpg achievement in the face of the old crx.
and the crx did not have any problem stopping when you pressed on the
break pedal

On Dec 2, 12:20*pm, Christopher Muto > wrote:
> On 11/29/2010 4:07 PM, pws wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 11/28/2010 9:38 PM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>
> >> "pws" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>> On 11/27/2010 8:27 AM, Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>
> >>> I never thought I would say this, but I agree, go America (cars)!
>
> >>> One of my friends bought the new Challenger this year, and it is a
> >>> very nice car to drive. It is very big, I agree. He also has a dually
> >>> pickup and a motor home, so the Challeger is his small car. We'll see
> >>> how it holds up over the long run. I love how it looks.....
>
> >>> He also considered the Camaro and the Mustang, but the Challenger
> >>> called out to him the loudest.
>
> >>> For the first time in many years, the domestic offerings are stirring
> >>> my interest as much as the imports.
>
> >>> Pat
>
> >> I have to say that imho the Challenger is miles ahead of the Camaro and
> >> Mustang in looks but from what I've read, they both handle better than
> >> the Challenger. But, in this class, looks are BIG so, it wins there and
> >> if you go SRT8, well, the sound and power are quite impressive. I can't
> >> imagine buying a V8 car though personally.
>
> >> Chris
> >> 99BBB
>
> > Gotta agree with you again, on the Challenger looks. He does have the
> > V8, and yes, he will pay for it the next time gas hits $4.00 to $5.00 a
> > gallon.
> > My gas-sipping Accord will look even more attractive then. It gets
> > better mileage than any car I have ever owned before. At 2850 pounds, it
> > is only about 300 pounds heavier than my first Miata.
>
> > Pat
>
> i had a '88 honda crx that regularly got 45mpg, and once over 50 on a
> long 200+ mile highway drive. *that was an amazing car, but didn't
> handle like the miata, and was surprisingly bad in the snow for a fwd.
> i think it was just too light for snow. *that car makes me wonder what
> the big deal is about today's hybrids. *i mean if 20 years ago they
> could make a gas car get millage like that then what is big deal about
> things like the prius given all of its complexities and cost. *yes, i
> know the prius has greater seating capacity, but still it doesn't
> impress me as a significant mpg achievement in the face of the old crx.
> * and the crx did not have any problem stopping when you pressed on the
> break pedal -

The biggest problem with achieviong gas mileage like that of the CRX
HF and the Geo Metro and the orginal Plymouth Champ/Dodge Colt be
Mitsubishi is that today's tiny cars weigh anywhere from 700 to 1,200
pounds more than those cars because they have:

1. Lots more airbags
2. Lots more soundproofing
3. Lots more electric motors for window winding, mirror manipulation,
etc.
4. Lots more solenoids
5. Lots more speaker magnets (really!)
6. Lots more.... well, just lots more stuff

Wider wheels, wider tires, bigger engines, more performance (the "hot
hatches" of the 1980's would be considered slow turds as entry-level
diesels today, and family sedans with Miata-like acceleration numbers
are routinely castigated as "bog slow" in magazine comparison tests)
all conspire against big numbers.

Christopher Muto > wrote:

> and the crx did not have any problem stopping when you pressed
> on the break pedal

It's not supposed to stop when you press on the break pedal, it's
supposed to break. It's supposed to stop when you press on the brake
pedal.


Sorry, couldn't help it. <BSEG>


--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

On 2010-12-02 12:53 PM, XS11E wrote:
> Christopher > wrote:
>
>> and the crx did not have any problem stopping when you pressed
>> on the break pedal
>
> It's not supposed to stop when you press on the break pedal, it's
> supposed to break. It's supposed to stop when you press on the brake
> pedal.
>
>
> Sorry, couldn't help it.<BSEG>
>
>
That is sort of like stopping and opening the bonnet to look at the
motor when the "Check Engine" light comes on?

SH

"Stuart H." > wrote in message
...
> On 2010-12-02 12:53 PM, XS11E wrote:
>> Christopher > wrote:
>>
>>> and the crx did not have any problem stopping when you pressed
>>> on the break pedal
>>
>> It's not supposed to stop when you press on the break pedal, it's
>> supposed to break. It's supposed to stop when you press on the brake
>> pedal.
>>
>>
>> Sorry, couldn't help it.<BSEG>
>>
>>
> That is sort of like stopping and opening the bonnet to look at the motor
> when the "Check Engine" light comes on?
>
> SH


Ya, aaaaaaaa, sorta!

cd
99BBB