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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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19-08-2024, 08:01 PM | #1 | ||
Ford screwed the Falcon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,224
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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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19-08-2024, 09:42 PM | #2 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 461
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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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19-08-2024, 10:32 PM | #3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 8,982
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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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19-08-2024, 11:07 PM | #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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20-08-2024, 12:39 AM | #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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20-08-2024, 08:19 AM | #6 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Taromeo
Posts: 10,584
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I was working for Thomson Ford in Parramatta when the TX3 was launched.
It was a very neat little package and went like the clappers (the boss didn't mind if we took one for a spirited test drive providing it came back undamaged). It was tight, responsive and a fun car to drive. Later on the Telstar TX5 turbo was a more refined, plush one aimed at the young executives. |
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20-08-2024, 09:20 AM | #7 | ||
Al
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: South Aus.
Posts: 1,839
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Older brother bought one new & was a good little car!
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20-08-2024, 10:36 AM | #8 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,674
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I blame Play Station, Gran Turismo and Colin Mcrae Rally.
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20-08-2024, 11:50 AM | #9 | ||
T3/Sprint8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,552
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haha but I feel one part of the WRX growth for sure.
They were on a high as was WRC, it was epic those days. The mighty reliable Laser was a top DD. Having had brand new KA KB S models myself Ford just wasn't the performance small hatch go to. Even the Corolla had those 16 valve twin cams that went brilliant. You had Pulsar SSS's, Lancers were following competing with Subie, Evo's, Celicas so Ford just wasn't looked as the hot hatch to buy imo. Lets not forget the Golf as well. Though they did bring these out that you wonder why didn't they carry on with these considering the other performance hatchs were selling. https://classicregister.com/vehicle-...hite-lightning I also ended up with a TX3 and as mentioned all too late (isn't this typical Ford) for what a car that was, I was damn impressed how friggin good it went.
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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20-08-2024, 12:39 PM | #10 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,382
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Ford/Mazda had the 323/TX3 AWD Turbo & Nissan had the GTiR again AWD Turbo, but neither of these received the ongoing development that the Subaru WRX & Mits EVO got.
Also the Mazda/Ford & the Nissan had very weak gearboxes IMHO. Dr Terry |
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20-08-2024, 12:46 PM | #11 | ||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,444
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I'd love one of the AWD TX3 Turbos but they're rare as rocking horse shit and a decent example goes for $20K
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20-08-2024, 02:56 PM | #12 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,674
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What about GT4 Celica, was probably the drawcard pre WRX/EVO
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20-08-2024, 03:55 PM | #13 | ||
Donating Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,532
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A friend was "looking after" his brothers TX3 once, he pulled up in this thing, I thought, meh, just a Laser.
Then we went for a drive...it was impressive. The looks on the V8 Commodore drivers faces as we left them at the lights! |
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20-08-2024, 04:26 PM | #14 | ||
Kicking back
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Western sydney
Posts: 8,676
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A mate had a done up tx3 in the early 2000s. Standard issue gross starcorp 17 inch chromies but it had a bigger turbo and other performance related bits. It was pretty quick and also did those things called corners. He traded it + a few dollars for an xf falcon. Although this xf was mod plated for the 351, toploader and 9 inch. It also was seam welded and had a half cage. That did not do corners, but was quick in a straight line.
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20-08-2024, 05:08 PM | #15 | ||
Barra Turbo > V8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,942
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Taking nothing from the TX3, but maybe if it had a Cosworth engine perhaps it may have gained some more popularity, surely it couldnt have been too hard to plonk a turbo 2L Cosworth engine in it (Cost probably a factor among others). But yeah definitely a cool car and a shame there isnt more around.
I must be the only person that isnt interested in the boxer engine note
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20-08-2024, 05:50 PM | #16 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,269
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20-08-2024, 05:56 PM | #17 | ||
Mad Scientist!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 2,861
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I always wanted a TX3. :(
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21-08-2024, 05:31 AM | #18 | |||
Sharper than a marble
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 306
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Quote:
I test drove a Mitsi Galant VR4 when it was newish back in 1994? I think. And it was an absolute blast. I nearly made the car yard salesman ill by taking him for a hot lap to the freeway from Adelaide CBD via Blackwood. I lived there and new the roads like the back of my gland. Outrageously good handling even stock. I'm not talking GR Yaris type insanity, but very confidence inspiring grip. Started to under-steer when on the limit to let you know your about to end up in a ditch. Very safe at speed. After we got back down the hill via the Eagle on the hill fun, we were stopped at a red light... and I got to thinking.. Hmm if this is 4 wheel drive what happens if I do a race start at 4000RPM, and like side step the clutch pedal kinda launch. And fusk me, I thought we had been hit up the **** by a truck. No wheel spin, just a full on bang, a hop, then crushed into the seat, eyeballs relocated to the rear of me head kinda launch. Fully sick maaaate. Something I had never felt before being a 2 wheel drive freak... Tried to buy it. It was $34k with 18,000 kays on the clock. Didn't happen. Oh well still have the memory.. that along with these test thrashes:
One Man
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21-08-2024, 06:01 AM | #19 | ||
Oppressive patriarch
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 757
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They were rare from new. Looked for one second hand back in the 90s. Most had been thrashed and neglected, even then. Didnt find one worth buying.
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. Lamenting lost Australian manufacturing. |
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21-08-2024, 08:06 AM | #20 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,382
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Quote:
Fixed it for you. Dr Terry |
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21-08-2024, 09:18 AM | #21 | |||
T3/Sprint8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,552
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Quote:
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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