Ford Fairlane, LTD face the axe ??

[ltd]

If they axe it I'm gonna have to go into therapy.

[henry 351]

I believe the decision has already been made to drop the Fairlane/LTD sometime next year. Had to happen though, when Ford only sell 6 LTD's and 90 odd Fairlanes in a month, things aren't good.

Ford shot themselves in the foot by spending so much on the BA, the didn't have anything left to spend to revamp their big cars.

I am led to believe that we will see a blinged version of the Territory (of all things) similar to the Lincoln Navigator to replace Fords LTD/Fairlane.

Time will tell...

[Walkinshaw]

better to kill it off than let it linger.

Last decent LTD was the P6. They lost the plot after that. DU's tried to differentiate themselves, pitty they were ugly as sin, although the colour GPS/white leather was an awsome combo.

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by ltd

If they axe it I'm gonna have to go into therapy.

Same.

However in saying that, I haven't liked any LTD since the DC (except the proto type 540).

This decision comes at a surprise to me as Ford owners will be given no option but to go to Holden.

[YELLAUTE]

Originally Posted by Paull

P5 sales - approx 7900
P6 sales - approx 5900

Current LTD sales - approx bugger all. Why? No government contracts. Back in the 70's and 80's Ford sold their LTD's to the state and Federal governments, hence the large sales numbers. Now, all pollies are driven around in Caprice's.

Effectively, businessmen buy good quality prestige limos, Fairlanes & LTD's are now not good quality. Governments are kind of forced to buy local and now they prefer the Holdens.

Simple!

businessmen buy GOOD QUALITY prestige limos, is correct, I really couldn't care what the cost is, leased by my family business and changed every 3 years for a new one (I think we pay about $1200.00 a month (tax free)) BUT the important thing is GOOD QUALITY and the last one we purchased in 2002 has been anything but good quality. Its done 60,000ks now and due to be changed, after the continuous batle with Ford to get things put right we finally gave up and got it fixed outside the Ford dealership (leaky sunroof, leather loosing its colour, clunky suspension, air conditioner failers, electrical gremilins - door locks, window winders, wiper motors, sat nav, boot leaks, hood lining falling down, ect ect.) we have never had so many problems with our LTD's in the past and Ford did nothing to put things right for 3 years of letters and phone calls to FCR.

It is no suprise to me they are not selling the LTD's anymore as I know of other owners that have had it with Ford and have/are looking elsewhere.

Spent some time at a Chrysler dealership the other day and a 5.7ltr Hemi is looking good, maybe even one with a SRT badge.

Have written to Ford about it and explained I have another $72k to spend but they have not bothered to reply. It must be they are doing so well they do not need my money anymore.

[ltd]

Sad to hear about that yellaute, like you I lease my cars through the business and like you, I've got an AU2 LTD and it is easily one of the best, most comfortable LTD's I've owned. I've had em since DA days and apart from the p|ss poor rear load carrying capacity the AU2 has been remarkable. Not only have I had no problems with it (except for getting the aluminium boots taken off the leads), it is the most fuel efficient V8 I have ever owned. For me, the BA was a step back in interior quality and whilst it has a more potent donk, it also has more thirst for the camel juice. When I drive the BA you can feel the cheap interior. As for the BF, well, they are much nicer but still lack the bling that I like for the flagship model.

As we have only done about 3k in the BF fuel economy is hard to assess whether its better or worse than the AU2. At the moment the BF is about even in fuel consumption. The dressed up exterior of the BF is much nicer than the BA, sort of makes you feel a little better, and the china beige leather is the go too. Garish at first but really grows on you.

[Falcon Freak]

Originally Posted by ltd

If they axe it I'm gonna have to go into therapy.

Start making appointments with a therapist.

FF

[ltd]

I wonder if the ford crc will establish FordAnon for those suffering lwb withdrawel symptoms.

[ClevlndStemer]

Originally Posted by ltd

I wonder if the ford crc will establish FordAnon for those suffering lwb withdrawel symptoms.

wouldn't be viable, not enough people showing interest

[seano14]

i love the lwb models, but would tend to agree the last nice looking `lane/ltd which looked alot different to the falcon was the NC/DC. anyway as mentioned since then they've looked like slightly stretched falcons (dont get me started on the AU one!)



ford au would need to come up with a completely different front end/rear end appearance, using completely different panels and lights, front and rear bars etc. i think the problem also is that the new ltd's look so so bland, the retirement style image.


lets pick the FC-FE LTDs (i am biased though, i love these) whilst they share 90% falcon bits, the appearance of them was so different to the falcon that it hits you in the eye.




i seem to recall sales of the ltd declined after the FE in 1987, whilst the next NA/DA model looked different to the EA falcon, i think they still felt like falcons too much when you got inside them. low rent interiors

[kinksta]

i think all fairlanes have looked great to a certain extent. for example, my dad had (now has a lowered caprice) an AU fairlane. now standard are ugly, but dads was lowered riding on the tickford rims of the time, also dark tint. just these mods made it look great. that was the last fairlane dad had, because they started going backwards in looks. he then bought a 2002 caprice lower, SS rims, TV, tint etc. he still has it...

[seano14]

Originally Posted by kinksta

i think all fairlanes have looked great to a certain extent. for example, my dad had (now has a lowered caprice) an AU fairlane. now standard are ugly, but dads was lowered riding on the tickford rims of the time, also dark tint. just these mods made it look great. that was the last fairlane dad had, because they started going backwards in looks. he then bought a 2002 caprice lower, SS rims, TV, tint etc. he still has it...

a lowered ltd will probably never be available from a ford showroom. but ideally if ford get the basic design of the ltd spot on, hopefully fpv could be entrusted to do this kind of thing!

[Walkinshaw]

Originally Posted by seano14

i love the lwb models, but would tend to agree the last nice looking `lane/ltd which looked alot different to the falcon was the NC/DC. anyway as mentioned since then they've looked like slightly stretched falcons (dont get me started on the AU one!)

Is that an XT or an LTD?

[seano14]

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

Is that an XT or an LTD?

that is indeed a good question :hihi: