just typed this long and extremely well researched , well written and very interesting post and got logged out. arse.
anyway, the guts of it are, cos i am not typing the whole thing again.
someone mentioned the new fiesta against a festiva, and i got to thinking (it hurt like hell, but i am okay now).
there have been great advances in technology, safety, design, NVH, ergonomics etc, but one area that hasnt improved in the last 20 years is small car performance.
the evidence...
1980 ford fiesta 1.3 0-60 mph 10.7 secs
1980 ford escort 1.6, 0-60mph 10.1 secs
1980 ford rs2000, 0-60 mph 8.5 secs.
compare that to...
2001 ford ka 1.3 0-100 kmh 16.5 secs (why not push the thing????)
2001 ford laser 1.6, 10.4 secs
2001 ford laser sr2 10.3 secs.
in fact, it is fair to say that performance for the new equivalents has gone backwards for all models. and for ford to ask $30k for the sr2, when i can buy a rs2000 for $5k and hose it (with a lot more fun) is sheer madness. that is not a hot hatch, in fact, it is about the same as a 1.6 escort!
but ford are not the only ones. i could list the cars that the rs humiliates, but suffice to say that the list is long and expensive...eg alfa 156 2.5 with 140 kw...8.9 secs and $57500.
on a final note though, the daewoo matiz. $12k and 20.8 secs. hahahahahahahahaha.
ladies and gentlemen, i have seen the light and it is escort shaped. sideways.
it's shocking! you think that your $14K buzzbox would at least be able to match an equivalent of 20 years ago! i say we (well, FM) are being ripped off!
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<p align="center"> *** just because it sells it doesn't mean it's good *** </p> Tickford Owners Club of NSW
In the defense of newer cars, they have been getting heavier due to increased equipement levels as well as imroved chassis and strctural rigidity. Also the fact that the Ka uses an engine that should have been binned a long time ago doesn't help.
Hmmm 1980 Ford Fiesta at 10.7 0-100km/h is good going. A 1995 Magna SE 2.6L Auto does 0-100km/h in like late 11's.
rsgerry if i see a 1980 Fiesta at the lights revin up i'll know it's you. :s6: :s6:
Looks like we'll have to do some under bonnet work to FM's car.
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Motor May 2001 Quote: "Believe it or not, there are actually a bunch of weirdos out there who reckon a six cylinder is the dux gutz. Bugger it: I'm one of them" :s5
AUII Late Ed XR6 HP T5 Venom- Full Tickford Body Kit, 17in Wheels, Herrod Bi-plane Spoiler, Momo Steer/Gear, T-Series Interior Options, Premium Stereo and a very light-tuned 4.0L I6
(FPV-Tickford Club of NSW Member and Co-Founding Member of 3FB Inc, Ford Forums Food Bandits)
sierra...thanks very much for that pic. it is now my wallpaper. if the good people at tafe take my car shortly (the rs), then it is going to be yellow. i have already got the wheels, interior and running gear.
and ratt...i think the engine in the ka is the same as was in the fiesta and the anglia before that. nothing like progress, and that is nothing liek progress :)
Originally posted by rsgerry sierra...thanks very much for that pic. it is now my wallpaper. if the good people at tafe take my car shortly (the rs), then it is going to be yellow. i have already got the wheels, interior and running gear.
Hey rsgerry .... the pic is of my wifes old RS that we restored a few years ago, the color is called "Cornfield yellow" it's a ford color of course.
Great to see another RS is going to be restored .... what sort of wheels and running gear are you using?
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