Ask the Car People.SM


What Are Your Thoughts on the Return of the Taurus/Sable?

530 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2008 at 11:00 PM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Five Hundred, Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Future Vehicle, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 30 of 54

#288 of 530 Re: New Ford Taurus for 2008 [vulcanryder] by gregg_vw

May 02, 2007 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: vulcanryder (May 02, 2007 10:15 am)
I hear what you are saying, and it will be a long time before all the bad feelings engendered by Ford squandering its lead and market share of just a few years ago with arrogantly out of touch business decisions. An ineffective and rubberstamping board was part of it, but I digress.
 
In the meantime consider that even though the 500 is plainer than the old Taurus was, it is a better vehicle. I wouldn't buy a 2007, but with the better engine, sound deadening and improved interior of the 2008 Taurus, it may be worth a look to you. The Fusion too. It offers more hp than Taurus ever did (save the SHO which never sold worth a darn anyway). And the Fusion has more current styling, even if you did prefer the ovoid Taurus.
 
And if sedans are no longer your thing, how about the Edge or the 2008 Escape? Ford has a bunch of duds in the stable yet, but they are cleaning up. They need to speed up new model intros....a lot. But the Crown Vic will only be for fleets next year (Yeah!...I cannot believe they have sold that dinosaur for this long without an update, but they did...for shame). But do drive a Fusion and then see what you think. If you wait another month, you can compare it to the Taurus too.

#289 of 530 Re: New Ford Taurus for 2008 [gregg_vw] by savetheland

May 03, 2007 (4:46 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (May 02, 2007 6:31 pm)
In what sense interior of ‘08Taurus/Sable is better than interior of 500/Motego? Lately Ford figured out the way to make expensive interiors that look cheap. It is probably Ford’s new know-how that differentiates it from other automakers.

#290 of 530 Last Year by fordenvy

May 17, 2007 (12:12 pm)

They sold more Crown Vics then Five Hundreds. Hopefully they will sell more taurus' then Crown Vics in just the last 6 months of this year. That should be their goal.
 
Those Grand Marquis' though are so cheap, even if they are outdated, you can get a really good deal on them. We payed 10k for one that was one year old with 28k miles on it.

#291 of 530 Re: New Ford Taurus for 2008 [vulcanryder] by fomocona

May 18, 2007 (12:22 pm)

Replying to: vulcanryder (May 02, 2007 10:15 am)
Ford is listening and appreciates your loyalty. The Taurus has great name recognition and with the revamped 2008 model year, it just made sense. Back in February of this year, Ford CEO, Alan Mullaly stated that "In hindsight, we would have just made the Five Hundred the new version of the Taurus. It's clear to me now that if I'd been here earlier we'd have just announced it as the newest model of the Taurus family." Further the Taurus has "80% instant name recognition; only 40%, even after all the work we've done to date, recognize the Five Hundred." Thanks again for your loyalty.

#292 of 530 Re: New Ford Taurus for 2008 [gregg_vw] by dgcowner

May 31, 2007 (7:26 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (May 02, 2007 6:31 pm)
I like your write-up and agree that the 2008 Taurus is a better vehicle with enhanced safety, and is roomier. I own a 2005 Taurus wagon and 1990 Taurus sedan and I really like both vehicles but the 500/Freestyle is a more advanced platform.
 
On another note, Ford Fusion's built after January 2007 have enhanced front structures and perform better in the both the front offset and side impact crash tests by the Insurance Institute. The link is : linkhttp://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=561.

#293 of 530 Missed Opportunity by ronsmith38

Jun 02, 2007 (4:39 pm)

I think Ford missed a naming opportunity by not calling the new Taurus the "Taurus 500" (or Five Hundred).

#294 of 530 2008 Ford Taurus a step in the right direction by basiliskst

Jun 15, 2007 (8:45 pm)

In fairness to Ford, the new 2008 Taurus is more than just a rebadged 2007 Ford 500. The addition of the new modern engine and the new six-speed automatic transmission means the other half of an all new car finally arrived. The body and interior may be recognizable derivations of the 500, but the new drive train is transformational and deserves a new, more marketable name. I could have gone with Galaxy but Taurus works too. The recent quality awards give Ford a chance to reboot expectations and marketing. Ford should do so.
 
The interior space and ride are compelling reasons to consider Ford's new Taurus. Ford has to overcome the fear that reliability and quality will be less than the perceived "safe" bets and must assure consumers Ford will be around to back its product.
 
I'm an extremely pleased 2005 Ford Focus ST owner. It's been bulletproof and delivered everything I wanted and more. It's my least expensive car in the fleet and my favorite to drive. It literally makes me grin every time I drive it. Ford quality is better than the current consumer perception of Ford quality. Ford manufacturing is doing something right. Ford product development I'm still concerned about. The 2008 Ford Focus doesn't impress me as a styling upgrade. However, the 2008 Ford Taurus is a step up over the prior 500.
 
I think the Taurus renaming marketing bet will pan out and I like that CEO Mulally didn't waste time making the decision. Ford's dug a deep hole but Mulally has good instincts and has stopped the digging. The new Taurus is at least one rung up on the ladder out.

#295 of 530 Re: 2008 Ford Taurus a step in the right direction [basiliskst] by gregg_vw

Jun 16, 2007 (7:01 am)

Replying to: basiliskst (Jun 15, 2007 8:45 pm)
The new Taurus is a better car. In addition to the new engine and transmission, it is quieter and stability control is available. However, it has the same body as the 500--which is not going to distinguish it much out there. And to my eye, the interpretation of the new Ford 3 bar grill is plain like the rest of the styling...nowhere near as distinctive as the Taurus X, Edge and Fusion. But it is an improvement over the 500 nonetheless. It will be promoted better. Hopefully, better sales will follow.

#296 of 530 Large Sedans, by mschmal

Jun 17, 2007 (9:01 am)

IMHO, these are still cars for older peeps.
 
Empty nesters wanting to get out of the "family hauler".
 
Young execs and professionals will either get a Fusion to save a few or the Lincoln MKZ. Or an Acura TSX.
 
Yes the Taurus is a premium large sedan, but who wants those anymore?
 
I wish Ford would spend a few bucks to upgrade the Edge interior cause that is what will sell.
 
Mark.

#297 of 530 Re: Large Sedans, [mschmal] by bruneau1

Jun 17, 2007 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: mschmal (Jun 17, 2007 9:01 am)
Your remarks indicate you are not aware of the variety of people and tastes out there. So we all are suposed to be in SUVs?? Get real.

Messages Page 30 of 54

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement