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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 31 of 54

#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.

#298 of 530 Re: Large Sedans, [bruneau1] by otis12

Jun 17, 2007 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: bruneau1 (Jun 17, 2007 12:31 pm)
I doubt if I fit the demographic....44, no kids, but I want a large sedan. A big comfy highway cruiser. I think the '08 Taurus is what i will test drive and perhaps buy.

#299 of 530 2008 Ford Taurus by samnoe

Jun 18, 2007 (3:18 pm)

Passed thru the dealer today and spotted a 2008 black Taurus! I went in and gave a quick glance, since I was in a rush. I compared it to a 500 which was standing nearby. Here is what I found, stuff that you can actually SEE with your eyes, besides other under-the-hood improvements, as engine/tranny upgrade, stability control and quieter interior.
 
First, of course, comes the 3-bar chrome grill, but along with that, the newly designed headlamps matches beautifully to the grille, and is no doubt one of the better designed headlamps from Ford - much better than the Fusion and Edge, IMO. The same is true on the taillamps, which is also matching to the front lamps, giving an overall better appearance. The fog lamps is nicely done as well.
 
Other exterior changes: A "porthole" (am I saying it right?) on the top/side of the hood, similar to recent Buick's; They eliminated the so-called side "divider-bar" below the side windows, so the entire side door, from window to bottom, looks as one big chunk. I think the 500 looked better in that aspect. Also, a big piece of chrome on the trunk was added. The outside mirrors is a little smaller, but nicer and have better fit. The dual tailpipes are much superior to the 500.
 
On the interior, it looks almost identical to the boring and dated 500, but there is some improvements. They got rid of those sick signal/wiper stalks from the 500. There is now just one regular stalk on the left, for the wipers. No right stalk anymore, as the Japanese vehicles. I personally like it better that way (on the left). So it looks much cleaner than in the 500.
 
The rest of the center stack, stays the same. The outdated stereo system, with old-tech LCD and un-intuitive controls carry over, and so are the temperature controls. Too bad, because Ford really needs to improve with that design. The 2008 Mariner/Escape seems to be a step in the right direction, and Ford should definitely be heading that way. The gauges also needs tweaking. And some controls sits too low.
 
To sum it up, it looks much better, and will definitely be better than the Five Hundred it is replacing. But the interior still needs improvement. The Impala looks much better. Leave alone the Avalon.

#300 of 530 Taurus/Sable - BLAH by jimmerz

Jul 12, 2007 (9:27 pm)

Personally, I am very GLAD I have the Ford Five Hundred. (2006 SEL, new owner)
 
I Can not STAND those 2 names, Taurus and Sable. It blows my mind that people would rather have a Taurus instead of Five Hundred? (I mean the name of course, same car!)
 
I would have never bought my car if it was still called the Taurus. JMHO!

Messages Page 31 of 54

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