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#1 | ||
Ford screwed the Falcon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,043
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People old enough to remember the 1990s will remember the first generation Subaru Impreza. A very non-descript small car.
![]() Add a turbo charged engine, AWD and some modification to create the WR-X and almost overnight it was a sales success. Plus the aftermarket tuners made these things much faster. ![]() So the question that has always bothered me is why didn't the Ford Laser TX3 Turbo AWD succeed with the same concept which arrived 5 years earlier than the Subaru with the release of the KE model? Basic Ford Laser ![]() And the top of the range model with a turbo engine and all wheel drive ![]() It is not as if the model had no performance potential nor aftermarket tunning ability. Plus the KF model finished second at the 1991 Bathurst 12 hour against stronger opposition. Mazda had the GT-X forebear which was released two years prior to the KE and had some outings in the Group A rally category. ![]() A missed opportunity!
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Falcon: 1960 - 2016 My cars Current ride 2016 FG X XR6 - 6 speed manual Previous rides 2009 FG XR6 - 6 speed auto 2006 BF MkII XT ESP - 6 speed auto 2003 BA XT V8 - 5 speed manual 1999 AU Forte - 5 speed manual 1997 EL Fairmont - 4 speed auto 1990 EAII Fairmont Ghia - 4 speed auto |
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#2 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
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Early WRX seemed allot more popular than Turbo TX3 in its day. The WRX was popular to add modifications, there was a big aftermarket catering for them. A new WRX would be an interest car to drive.
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#3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 8,922
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It was at the time, but didn't reach WRX proportions because Mazda didn't continue its development.
Keep in mind the Evo had a much bigger following in Japan than the WRX did.
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2016 FGX XR8 Sprint, 6speed manual, Kinetic Blue #170 2004 BA wagon RTV project. 1998 EL XR8, Auto, Hot Chilli Red 1993 ED XR6, 5speed, Polynesian Green. 1 of 329. Retired 1968 XT Falcon 500 wagon, 3 on the tree, 3.6L. Patina project. |
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#4 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 75
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Plus, the WRX had huge rally success, and the beautiful music only a boxer engine can make after a tune was also a factor.
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#5 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 935
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- much higher and continuous supply
- boxer noise - easier aftermarket parts supply from Japan and Aus - rally cred was huge at the time The TX3 was popular but it was released at wrong time. If Ford released an AWD turbo hatch like that in 1998 it would have been a huge deal. |
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