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1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
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Maymar
05:48 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
Between nostalgia (my grandparents had a blue Fairmont sedan up to the early 90's) and inherent Fox body love, I would drive the crap out of this, and slowly throw Mustang parts at it. Clearly, it needs the IRS out of a later SVT Cobra, and more power, and other fun bits.
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Novaload
05:26 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
This wagon proved that sometimes vanilla is a subtle, simple treat.
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Novaload
05:22 PM

In reply to Abandoned Cars Down In The Kentucky Weeds
The Cosmo is said. At least pry the logos off! Save something...
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DrLemming
04:53 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
The Fairmont was a nicely-sized family wagon, if rather bland and decontented. Only trouble: this car was more than a half decade too late. By 1978 the Fairmont should have been FWD.
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tonyola
04:51 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
My brother had a '78 wagon for a year and I drove an '80 sedan as a company car for a couple months. Utterly bland but competent cars. A big problem was that the majority were equipped with either the rough 2.3 four or the ancient and gutless 200 six. Perhaps a Futura coupe with a 302 might have been a bit more thrilling? Too bad the turbo 2.3 Fairmont never really made it to production - it was announced for '80 but immediately cancelled.

Some magazines almost called the Fairmont revolutionary in late '77. Maybe it was, seeing that it came after the aging bottom-feeder Maverick and the baroque roly-poly Granada...
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
04:50 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
This is a sight I hadn't been hoping to see. Nice town, though.
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MushyHeirloom
04:45 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
I can't decide whether it would be more or less cool as a Cougar wagon (a la Buck's "Pussy Wagon"?)...
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that ain't the way to have fun, son
04:28 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
A very utilitarian wagon.

'Nuff said.
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Ford Tempo Fanatic
04:20 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
It is a station wagon. Thus, it is cool. I've often wondered why Ford never made a Tempo Wagon. Tempo being the car that replaced Fairmont. I mean, Escort and Taurus had wagon body styles.

I guess if you want things done right, ya gotta do 'em yourself.
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SagarikaLumos
04:37 PM

@Ford Tempo Fanatic: Dude, I'm not judging you, because I dated a girl a while back who had a Tempo and I found it to be a competent car, but what's up with the Tempo thing? I can't believe I'm doing a 20th anniversary comparo here, but it's neither as roomy as the Cutlass Ciera nor as exciting as the Spirit ES. It wouldn't be unfair to call the Contour a revelation after the Tempo. Unlike many here, I'm not on a mainstream domestic jihad here, but why the Tempo? The coupe was actually quite handsome, but it doesn't seem like a ride that has much following. Just wondering, because it's the type of insanity that I can nearly relate to.
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tonyola
05:01 PM

@Ford Tempo Fanatic: The Fairmont wagon was kicked upstairs to the very similar Granada for 1982, which was replaced in turn by the again-similar LTD for 1983. After a bit of overlap, the Taurus and its wagon replaced the LTD in '86. Ford already had two compact/medium wagons with the Escort and the Granada/LTD/Taurus. A Tempo wagon would have been redundant.
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Novaload
05:25 PM

@SagarikaLumos: Everybody has their own fetishes and there's no point in asking why. He loves them because he loves them. One man's Tempo is another man's Caddy.
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SagarikaLumos
05:35 PM

@Novaload: Point of fact, I drive a damn Cadillac. I've found it expensive to fix, and it needs a new rear brake job now and I just put 2 tires on it. It's nice to drive, but there are faults to a car like that, not the least of which is rejoicing over an 18.4mpg average.

Like I said, the Tempo was a better car that anyone else here would credit it for, but why pick that piece of malaise steel to love? That isn't an unfair question.
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Ford Tempo Fanatic
05:46 PM

@SagarikaLumos: It is a long story, really. I can't say why it began really. I stumbled upon a collapsing barn and a near mint 1989 Ford Tempo AWD Sedan in Graphite Gray. It was literally from that moment on I've loved these cars.

Usually I give the answer; its because they're interesting. Their history, their design. Plus, Spirits, Cieras, and Contours did not have all wheel drive, diesel engines, and power seat belts. But I know inside I'd like the Tempo (and Mercury Topaz, of course) just as much if they hadn't had those neat options.

I like everything about them really, the good and bad. The culture, the history, and the car itself.
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Maxichamp
04:16 PM

In reply to 1978 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon Down On The New Hampshire Street
It needs the following stencil painted on the door: Ace Tomato Company.
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that ain't the way to have fun, son
03:14 PM

In reply to Abandoned Cars Down In The Kentucky Weeds
Hmph. A 1980 F-series pick-em-up.

/must. not. rant.
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Novaload
05:21 PM

@that ain't the way to have fun, son: Yeah, I noticed that right away. WTF? Those things are almost indestructible. It's probably waiting for you to come save it.
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Elhigh
11/26/09

In reply to Five Best And Worst Black Friday New Car Deals
I've noticed that Chinese motorcycles are probably the most expensive motorcycle purchase you can possibly make. You buy in low, but parts cost quickly mount.

Better to buy a battered old Virago. It'll run longer and you won't be in such a hot hurry to move up to a bigger bike.

Also: Kudos to Bumbeck devising a way to safely drop the turkey into the grease. My way is to get my brother in law to do it.

Also: Knoxville TN cops are screening crazy hard - go five miles over the limit and you'll get flagged. I don't think there'd be more cops on the roads if they thought we were being invade by the Taliban.

Also in Knoxville: Jim Cogdill Dodge is trying to sell brand new, never sold, 2008 Dodge and Chrysler products at $13,000. Still got the whole warranty, it's still a brand-new car at a used car price. It might be a better deal, assuming Chrysler's still around in five years for parts support.
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YankBoffin
11/24/09

In reply to Five Best And Worst Black Friday New Car Deals
I need a little help with understanding the AWD Dodge problem. Why is it less desirable? Poorer fuel economy? Fewer engine choices? For a family looking for a affordable big sedan that is good in the snow, this might be appealing.
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yachius
11/24/09

@YankBoffin: It gets poorer fuel economy and doesn't corner as well but most importantly, there are much better AWD cars for the price. Most people looking at the Charger in the first place want a RWD muscle car. People looking for an AWD family sedan don't immediately think of a Charger.
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YankBoffin promoted this comment Edited by yachius at 11/24/09 2:25 PM yachius was starred yachius was unstarred

YankBoffin
11/24/09

@yachius: Just checked the website, [www.dodge.com] and looking at the prices Sam quotes, the deal would be to get an AWD SXT for the price of the stripper SE base model. So, that doesn't just get you AWD, you as get the bigger V6, 5-spd auto, TC, ESP, "performance brakes", and more. Nobody wants the wimpy underpowered base model, even if it does have more mpg.
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yachius
11/24/09

@YankBoffin: I didn't look at the deal but what you've quoted is correct then it sounds like Dodge is trying very hard to move an unpopular model that is sitting on their lots. There aren't many other reasons to lower the price of a premium model so drastically.
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joelja
11/24/09

@YankBoffin: cough,cough subaru...
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Elhigh
11/26/09

@YankBoffin: When I'm thinking AWD, Dodge isn't the first thing that jumps to mind. "Affordable big sedan that is good in the snow" just screams Legacy to me.
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YankBoffin
11/27/09

@Elhigh: Maybe they aren't the first, but they're making an effort and I commend that. I was thinking a Legacy was a price step up from the charger. However, a visit to subaru.com tells me otherwise (starting at $19,995!).

For reference, I drive a older wrx.
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
11/24/09

In reply to Five Best And Worst Black Friday New Car Deals
They all seem like pretty good deals. Especially the Ford offer: cars people want from a US manufacturer that's not bankrupt.
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zerofritz
11/24/09

@Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: i have never known zero percent financing to actually be a bad thing, relative to, you know, paying for financing.
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Alfisted
11/24/09

In reply to Five Best And Worst Black Friday New Car Deals
Subaru does build cars I want (and even bought) ... it's the image and segmentation I could do without. I am not a lefty, lesbian, tree hugger or whirled peaser by any stretch. I just want a reasonably reliable, fast, AWD wagon.
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Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls
11/24/09

@Alfisted: We may be on different sides of the political spectrum, but we can agree on a nice sportwagon. There's some consensus-building!

Problem is, I don't want any of Subaru's current-gen models under my tree. Blech.
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Alfisted
11/24/09

@Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls: I'm not so put off by the current Impreza, but it is a travesty what they've done with everything else.

#tips
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abgwin
11/24/09

@Alfisted: it's fairly sad that you would be more concerned with what your friends and neighbors think about the car you drive than driving the car you think you want to drive.

I mean, seriously, if you're concerned they'll confuse you for a tree-hugging lesbian, you've got more problems than just choosing a car can solve (or create).
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Alfisted
11/24/09

@abgwin: Easy big fella. I bought the car.

#tips
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Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls
11/24/09

@Alfisted: Who cares what people think of your car. Besides, lesbians have a very important preference in common with me.
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Alfisted promoted this comment

Alfisted
11/24/09

@Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls: It's not what others think of my car. It's that I think Subaru could more successfully attain their objectives (the Legacy GT was intended to rival the 3-series and A4) if they would ease up on running promotions and advertising that play to a stereotype.

#tips
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Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls
11/24/09

@Alfisted: My question was purely rhetorical, not directed at anyone in particular, just kinda "who cares?".

I'd wager that Subaru is giving in to the natural inclinations of a large part of their buyers. In other words, the preferences of their buyers are driving their marketing, not the other way around. When my 2005 GT wagon was introduced, they had Lance Armstrong in the commercials touting the performance ("quicker than a Porsche Boxter"). But that clearly didn't shift the perception of the brand away from AWD+safety+practicality.
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abgwin
11/24/09

@Alfisted: I would hazard a guess that their marketing budget is seperate from their R&D budget, and whether or not they target niche markets has little or nothing to do with whether or not the boys and girls in product direction think they should shoot for BMW territory.

And in any event, Subaru has been steadily gaining market share and one of the only brands increasing sales over previous years, so something is working - prob in both marketing AND development.

Now relax and buy a flannel shirt and some Birkenstocks.
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Alfisted
11/24/09

@abgwin: Dang, I already have several flannels and a pair of Birkenstocks, along with a Subie wagon. Maybe I'm not who I think I am.
#tips
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TRAMS_AM
11/24/09

@Alfisted: You own an Asian Volvo. Maybe get a louder BOV?
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Alfisted
11/24/09

@TRAMS_AM: Only if it's a duck call.

#tips
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