The New Ford Taurus

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
edited April 2010 in The Clubhouse
I was in San Antonio last week on business, and ended up with the new Taurus as a rental.

I didn't get the SHO (I didn't look, but it sounded and felt like a 6), but the car appeared to have all the other options (leather, sunroof, wood, etc).

Wow, I was very impressed! I liked the styling, interior design, and performance for the lesser engine was decent, just a very impressive car all around. There were a couple very minor fit and finish issues, but nothing major and honestly 95 out of 100 people would never notice them.

Anyone else driven one of these? I'm curious how well the SHO performs...
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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Comments

  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited April 2010
    I'm interested in this car, as it's always been the "budget" car for Ford and has been styled as such.

    It'd be nice to have a "budget" priced car, but still have it look like you spent a lot on it.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    Every person I know that's had a newer Ford Taurus has hated it. I've seen several where the interiors have just started falling apart after a few years or so. That could be chalked up to people not taking care of them though I suppose...But I know at least two people with Ford Taurus's, where you have to hold the door panel on when you're closing the door...or else it simply falls off. For the record...the door panels were never removed for any kind of maintenance. It kind of just happened...lol

    I've driven several...and I never really liked the way they felt.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    edited April 2010
    I think this year is a new model, so I'm not sure how much past experience with older models still applies. I've seen the old models and they're all fugly and are crap, but the new car looks sharp and drove really well for a base 6 cylinder model...
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited April 2010
    My first car was a 95 Taurus...took about 12 seconds to hit 60mph lol. Sure was quiet and comfortable though. The new Taurus looks nice, but the SHO is entirely too expensive.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited April 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote:
    I think this year is a new model, so I'm not sure how much past experience with older models still applies. I've seen the old models and they're all fugly and are crap, but the new car looks sharp and drove really well for a base 6 cylinder model...

    The 2010 it a totally new car...not the rebadged Five Hundred that they stuck the nameplate on for 2008/2009. The auto mags I've read give it some nice initial reviews.
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited April 2010
    I got a chance to drive the 2010 Taurus SHO and I have to say, it has some serious power. Personally, when someone says Taurus, I think of a mid 90's wagon. I don't think they should have recycled the name.
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,624
    edited April 2010
    I drove the rebatched 500 version and I could squeal all 4 tires without even trying. The only thing I didn't like was that for as large as that version of vehicle was, they had so much encroachment (overly large armrests on the doors, huge console stuff, etc to where you felt there was too MUCH around you.......

    I like the front end of the new version, but the back end styling is foul IMO.......
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    edited April 2010
    The new Taurus is a bit like that as well, you kinda feel like you're in a cockpit, but I actually like that. I'm a fairly small guy though, not sure how well it would work with a bigger person there.
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,624
    edited April 2010
    Hey, I'm all for cockpits (don't ask), but if I'm in a full sized car, I want some room to stretch a bit.....
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2010
    Love 'em or hate 'em, there sure are a TON of them still going down the road.

    Never drove a SHO, closest I ever got was a Contour SVT, and it didn't impress me.
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  • virtualdean
    virtualdean Posts: 286
    edited April 2010
    I used to not like Ford...I've always liked GM. I bought a 2006 Focus SES for the ex (so she could keep her job and contribute, I know I'm a softie) and so far she loves it. My Son is in the Navy and visits on the weekends and drives the snot out of it then. All is well. I'd buy another one.
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited April 2010
    http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/04/21/poll-americans-say-cars-asian-autos/


    lolz!!!! probably should have made this a seperate thread
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited April 2010
    The original Taurus SHO with 5 speed was an AWESOME sleeper; world-class engine.

    Don't know anything about the new ones....
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited April 2010
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    The original Taurus SHO with 5 speed was an AWESOME sleeper; world-class engine.

    Don't know anything about the new ones....

    Great motor designed by Yamaha in an utter **** of a car.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,807
    edited April 2010
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    The original Taurus SHO with 5 speed was an AWESOME sleeper; world-class engine.

    Don't know anything about the new ones....

    The new ones have a 3.5L V6 based on the Duratec with twin turbochargers. The EcoBoost engine makes 365 horsepower. It's AWD but it doesn't move with the authority that you would think it would. It is 4200 pounds. But it's a vault inside. Quieter than a Lexus or Mercedes. But if you are rolling down the highway at 55 MPH and decided you want to pass, 75 MPH comes up and gets passed quite quick and with little fanfare. I think that because the car is so quiet it's isolating and you don't get the feeling of urgency that you would in a louder Mustang or whatnot.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited April 2010
    I thought i read about someone upping the boost on an otherwise stock one and running 12s. Quite the feat for something that fat.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2010
    It'll put out 365hp at 5500rpm and 350lb-ft at 3500rpm and weighs 4346 pounds. It'll reach 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, and continued authoritative acceleration into the triple digits gets you to the relatively low 133mph governed top speed fairly quickly.

    I remember reading an article back when the SHO first came out that stated the SHO's twin turbo V6 could put out well north of 350lb-ft, but they had to dial it back to 350 in order to keep from grenading the transmission. The result being it'll always deliver that "tweaked-down" 350lb-ft, no matter the elevation or heat soak.


    *All numbers taken from THIS Car and Driver article.
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