More Restyle Uncertainty?

[hyracer]

This is just some food for thought...

I was watching an hour program on the recent restyling of the 2006 Corvette and Mustang. The remark that really struck me was that at the introduction of the first Mustang in 1964, Ford sold one million Mustangs within the first 18 months!

That kind of put it into perspective when I see Chrysler bemaoning the fact that the PT Cruiser is down to a little over 100,000 units a year.

Maybe we really are a "speciality niche"[:I]

Deen

[TaylorMade]

I dont really care about the quality of the car its based on, just as long as it wont get as many negative comments as i get now about it being based on the neon. Its a high school thing

[GW]

Remember that in 1964 there were far fewer manufacturers and models for new car buyers to choose from. FOMOCO's market share was greater then and buyers weren't tempted by a vast array of new vehicles flooding the market, as is the case today. In todays perspective, I think sales figures for the PT make it a big success. [?]
The concept of a retro vehicle has obviously been a good one, hence the redo of the Ford Thunderbird, the new retro styled Mustang, and GM's attempt with the Chevrolet HHR.
I agree, DC is missing the boat big time by not offering a PT panel.[xx(] Fleet and comercial sales would add a big boost to production numbers. And it should be a simple and less expensive unit to produce, with no rear doors, glass, and seats to deal with. Seems like the new, longer front doors from the convertible would work fine on a panel.
I checked the 2005 PT colors at the DC website the other day. With the exception of the two-tones, and electric blue, the colors offered are either exactly the same or slight variations of the original colors offered on the 01's. Wouldn't it be great to be able to buy your next PT in a color that was clearly a new color, making your PT stand out a little? And why not some other strong, bright colors, as offered on the VW's. Somebody at DC is not doing their job IMHO!
GW [^]

[SuGamer]

quote:Originally posted by TaylorMade

I dont really care about the quality of the car its based on, just as long as it wont get as many negative comments as i get now about it being based on the neon. Its a high school thing

Hey Taylor, tells your ricer friends that they don't know jack! They comment about it being based on the neon (not totally true), but none of them could take on a SRT-4, at least not in their crappy civics. And as for the issue of a bigger engine? What for? Some guys on the SRT-4 forums are running over 5oo HP! As a matter of fact, these are the numbers on the Dynoworks 2004 SRT-4:
04 SRT-4 542.2hp
e.t 11.12 132.48 @ california speedway 6/26/04
E.T 11.410 127.45 @ LACR 6/4/04
E.T 11.629 125.20 @ california speedway 5/29/04
E.T 12.048 115.103 @ LACR 3/12/04

Pretty damn impressive for a 4 BANGER!
See guys, we don't need a bigger engine, just stronger internal parts, better fuel pump, bigger turbo and more mods!!!

[PT-ERA]

I would love to see Racing Orange, Sunshine Yellow, or Bright Green PT's. If they wanted the car to appeal to younger drivers, the flashier (ricer - pardon the expression) colors would do it. Kids would buy them up at these great prices and stuff them full of mods. DC should do this. Sales would jump up sharply, IMHO.

[purple04]

Darn impressive numbers, indeed!
See guys, we don't need a bigger engine, just stronger internal parts, better fuel pump, bigger turbo and more mods!!!

I'm not building mine for speed, but the topics discussing over 300 HP all mention the drivetrain (transmission, diff, axles) being the weak links. That's where any strengthening should start. The guys here have done the real world testing already!

[PT-ERA]

SuGamer, are these numbers coming from daily drivers or full blown racers. Can you see me screaming down to the 7-11 around the corner to buy a cup of coffee with 500 horses?

[mikehrz]

as a young buyer, i liked the pt because it was basically an econobox with style. when looking for a first car, you cant ask for much more than that. granted i bought mine used, however the point still applies. RWD, 4WD, v6s, v8s, all would require redesign and make the vehicle more expensive. i dont see how that would help draw the younger buyers DC wants. the base model w/ turbo engine does sound like a good idea, similar to what they've done with the srt4. hate to say it, but if DC is determined to keep the pt alive by drawing younger buyers, they're gonna have to turn it into a bargain-basement alternative to the scion. sorry, old-timers!
oh one more thing; the thunderbird hasn't sold well because it's ugly and slow, not because the retro styling limited its appeal.