3322
<<
Message Index
>>
3324
Number: 3323
From: "Sandy Block" <cigarsandy@c...>
Date: Thu Aug 14, 2003 10:32 am
Subject: Recaro Saga (sad)
Body:
Recaro Saga (sad)
|
|
Recaros were very poor sellers in the 1987 & 1988 ascMcLaren
Mustangs. Out of the 479 for 1987, a mere 39 cars were ordered with
them. In 1988, of the 1,015 cars made, just 83 units were so
ordered. The reason for this was cost. They were $1,765.00 optional,
and dealers wanting to keep the price as low as possible, opted for
the standard "Sport" seats. The Sport seats were the standard
Mustang GT seats, with Thunderbird Headrests, which is what we have.
I do not know WHY T-Bird headrests were substituted. Ford then began
to have big problems with the McLarens as the Recaros proved
troublesome, and owners took their cars back to the new car dealer to
have them fixed, but because they were not OEM (Original Equipment
Manufacturer) Ford would not honor the warrantee repair, and turned
to ascMcLaren. Owners, believing the their seats were FORD were
angered at the delay, and blamed FORD. When ascMcLaren turned to
RECARO for warrantee coverage, it turned out that RECARO's warrantee,
was not much more than a "paper" (worthless) warrantee!
RECARO's "fix" was to park the car, remove the seat or seatS, package
& ship & insure (dealer's expense !!) no reinbursement from
ascMcLaren and ship them to Texas. Recaro told dealers to look for a
90 day turn around time. EXCUSE ME, but you are now telling people
that they cannot have their car back, and that it's not living
outside (convertible) for 90 days! People went NUTTS! Therefore,
after car #869 of the 1,015 (or 86% of the way thru 1988 production)
ascMcLaren had run out of the seats, and do not order more from
RECARO! That would be Dash Plaque car # 1348, and VIN 266272.
The seats featured stereo speakers in the headrests, seat heaters,
and side bolsters that wrapped around the human torso to a greater
degree than the Sport Seats. The problem with them involved
manufacturing costs on Recaros end. The seats are basically the "N"
seat from RECARO, with some cost cutting mods. That being the fact
that NORMALLY these seats had an internal timer to automatically cut
off the seat heaters. RECARO deleted this automatic turn off timer
BUT did NOT upgrade the wiring under the seat to withstand add'l.
heat & current. If not turned off within 7 minutes time, the wiring
toasted itself and took with it the seat heaters & the stereo
speakers!!!! The few that I have found today with OEMs working are
down south (Florida) where the heated seats saw little use. Most
other area cars have long burnt out. No 1989 nor 1990s were ever
equipped with this option. The Sea Foam Aquamarine car in question
herein, doe NOT have the same seats that ascMcLaren used! The seat
sew style and shape of the seats is different. To make it right, the
buyer would have to buy 2 new 1993 Mustang GT seats and then buy
Oxford White seat covering from Henry Huisman in Fla. The door
panels are correct. The car also needs ascMcLaren taillamp covers,
as they are missing as well. It is one of a mere two remaining cars
in color, and is the better one!
|