Respect your Elders: Consumer Reports says V6 Mustang better than 1970 Boss, Misses the Point

"I like old Mustangs, but new ones do tend to show them who's boss." That's how a Consumer Reports article ends on a piece comparing the 2011 Ford Mustang V6 against the 1970 Mustang Boss 302, and I'm not quite sure if it really makes any sense.

Being boss means you put your contemporaries (not geezers) to shame. That's like saying, "Man, I just wiped the court with that WWII veteran. Look at me now!" Of course, all this comes about because of Consumer Reports' number chart comparing the 1970 Boss 302 and the modern-day V6 (see below).

While Señor Jim Travers makes the conventionally wise point that technology "has marched on", I wouldn't go so far as to say that the new V6s show the old Boss Mustangs "who's boss" (or anything else, for that matter).

Sure, the numbers are better for the most part, along with just about everything else (materials, comfort, value, etc.), but that's not really the point, is it? The Boss WAS the Boss, and should not have to be the Boss today. It could be just me, but I don't think anyone in their right mind cross-shops these two cars.

Another thing: just because it has similar or better numbers does not make the new V6 Mustang (as good as it is) a muscle car. Why? For the same reasons that so many people love it: it's an efficient, well put-together, high-output V6-powered, sporty coupe that can take corners without killing you and the wifey.

Muscle cars are loud, old, V8-packing pollution machines that get single-digit fuel economy figures when pushed on the highway and mostly do the straight line part of a trip. That's it, that's all, we're done.

Yes, the V6 Mustang is a better car in general, but is it really an "eye opener" to see that figures have gotten better over time? Nope.

By Phil Alex

Source: Consumerreports

Photo Gallery: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

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Photo Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang V6

READ MORE - Respect your Elders: Consumer Reports says V6 Mustang better than 1970 Boss, Misses the Point

My Two Dents on Mitsubishi's Poor Planning and Marketing

I always liked the idea of the FTO, a small, stylish coupe that could fit in below the Eclipse in Mitsubishi's lineup. For some reason, seeing this video today reminded me of the triple-diamond's good old days; you know, back when they put out cars like the twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive 3000GT VR-4 and the turbocharged GS-T and GS-X Eclipses.

They even teased fans with the turbo'd, AWD Eclipse Ralliart concept back in 2006; for some reason, nothing came of it. Who WOULDN'T buy a coupe-ified Evo?

Certainly returning cars like that would have justified bringing the Eclipse up-market (think Genesis Coupe), allowing for a small, non-turbo FWD two-door like an FTO (or Lancer Coupe) to go up against cars like the Cobalt, Focus, Civic and upcoming Veloster coupes.

And what if Mitsubishi had continued to build fast, turbocharged cars as in-house luxury/performance alternatives to their front-wheel-drive lineup? The trick would have been to create a sub-brand along the line of Hyundai's Genesis line of vehicles.

The really sad part is that Hyundai is kicking ass with Genesis (which showed up out of the blue), while Mitsubishi had a brand just sitting around and collecting dust: Ralliart. Marketing the sub-brand as Racing meets Beauty, one would think it impossible to mess that up - but they did. That's what you call a shame.

- By Phil Alex

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2010 Tokyo Auto Salon Overview and Mega Gallery with 140 High-Res Photos

What is without a doubt one of the top three tuning shows on the planet (along with SEMA in Las Vegas and the Essen Motor Show in Germany), Tokyo's annual Auto Salon is always home to a variety of vehicles ranging from old-skool kewl to what can only be described as high-speed haute couture, crafted by everyone from students to tuning shops to manufacturers.

This year, while the vehicles were far from ordinary, everything seemed a bit on the diminished side.

There was one less hall than last year, a fair number of repeat offenders (like RE-Amemiya's repainted Genki 7), and while rumors have it Smoky Nagata was lurking around, Top Secret didn't even bother showing up. Damn the economy.

Bottom line: this year was just as fun as last year, if not as mind-bogglingly massive. Oh, and speaking of offenders, one type of attendee from last year that definitely had an increased presence was the number of "special ticket"-wielding perverts out to get their upskirt videos and nip-slip pics. Ah, Japan. By Phil Alex

Tokyo Auto Salon Photos: Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had an obsession with cars and travel. Currently he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. If for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

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READ MORE - 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon Overview and Mega Gallery with 140 High-Res Photos