Article Comments - 2008 Ford Taurus First Drive

43 messages, Last post on Jan 28, 2008 at 12:33 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Sedan

Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Ford Taurus - For better or worse, Ford has realized that four out of five car buyers have heard of the Taurus, which sold almost 7 million units in the nameplate's 21 years on the market, and the same couldn't be said of the slow-selling Five Hundred. You can't buy the kind of brand awareness the Taurus has. Well, actually you could, but Ford estimates it would cost a half billion dollars. (more)

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#11 of 43 A Chance to Drive It by stevede1 Jun 21, 2007 (8:28 pm)
I was able to drive the new 2008 Taurus SEL as a rental, courtesy of Avis, for about 200 miles this week. The rental agent didn't even know they had one in stock. Maybe they shouldn't have put on the line yet. It only had 28 miles on the odometer when I got it. I stopped by a dealer to get some info. The sales people hadn't seen one yet, but were told some were heading their way in a few days. I have an older 2004 Taurus. This car is so much better than the 2004, there is no comparison. I'm impressed with the car. While the styling is somewhat plain looking, the handling, ride, low noise level, seating, trunk space and overall performance is great. The transmission shifts smoothly and there is plenty of power to accelerate and climb steep hills. For the money, it's a bargain. I think it will sell well compared to its predecessor. I have to agree with the reviewer. For a fleet car, I think customers will choose it over the other cars in its class.
#12 of 43 SHO Taurus. by mschmal Jun 22, 2007 (7:46 am)
Actually if they are thinking about an SHO, it would probably be through adding direct injection and a turbo to the 3.5 as Mazda does with the Mazdaspeed and CX-7 Mark.
#13 of 43 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Ford Taurus First Drive [KarenS] by dturr Jun 22, 2007 (9:08 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Jun 20, 2007 9:30 am) Ford need to learn that anything that does not achieve at least 20mpg is a waste of time, how long before gas is $5 and $6 a gallon? Control the pricing your cars going for volume means deals in two or three years time but what about residual value on a new car bought in 2008 in three years it will be worth 0 Replies to this message: newcarforme (Jun 22, 2007 9:56 am) exalteddragon1 (Jun 22, 2007 11:10 am)
#14 of 43 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Ford Taurus First Drive [dturr] by newcarforme Jun 22, 2007 (9:56 am)
Replying to: dturr (Jun 22, 2007 9:08 am) That's why leases are great!
#15 of 43 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Ford Taurus First Drive [dturr] by exalteddragon1 Jun 22, 2007 (11:10 am)
Replying to: dturr (Jun 22, 2007 9:08 am) Ford can make this car get 20 or 21 MPG in the City if they hadd VVT and DI to the engine. They could do this in a few years with a mid-cycle update, but what they have now is still very competetive. ALSO, don't forget these are the NEW fuel economy ratings based on a tougher fuel economy measure. You will see ALL cars come down a bit in future measured fuel economy numbers due to the new testing.
#16 of 43 Saw one the other day by frizz2112 Jun 22, 2007 (1:34 pm)
I saw a 2008 Taurus on the road the other day, and to my eye it looked better in person than it does in pictures. The front end in particular was much more eye catching than the "dated the day it was released" styling of the 500. I think the name change was a good move, but ideally the name would have always been Taurus; there will be some confusion due to that. With these improvements I think the Taurus will be a solid seller, but not a smash hit; that chance was lost by not having the current car ready two years ago. They will be playing catch up until this thing can get the full redesign it deserves in a couple of years. Replies to this message: bahamamichael (Jul 11, 2007 7:44 am) bahamamichael (Jul 12, 2007 7:22 am)
#17 of 43 a rose by any other name.. by expatinasia Jun 24, 2007 (1:47 am)
But this is no rose. The "500" is an aggressive ulgy car and renaming it as "Taurus" does nothing for Ford. If this car is representative of the "Way Forward", and indicates the best that Ford can do, the company is in worse shape than anyone thinks. Replies to this message: exalteddragon1 (Jun 24, 2007 6:34 am) slider7 (Jun 26, 2007 5:40 pm) brucelinc (Jun 27, 2007 7:33 am)
#18 of 43 Re: a rose by any other name.. [expatinasia] by exalteddragon1 Jun 24, 2007 (6:34 am)
Replying to: expatinasia (Jun 24, 2007 1:47 am) I think you are being too harsh and/or just have it in for Ford. The 2008 Taurus keeps all the practicality of the 500: Its much bigger inside than what the outside suggests. It has plenty of room everyware, the most backseat room, the most trunk space, Stands almost 4 inches higher off the ground than most competitors (which makes it easier to get in and out of, and to an extent see the road and view traffic) And now has 57 more hp, much more style inside and out, and is even quieter and smoother aswell. I just don't see why you have to bash this car when you either have not seen it in person, driven it, or just plain hate Ford. The way this car is right now it looks to be one of the best in the segment. I think people have been buying up SUV's as of late because the auto companies stopped making cars like this. Replies to this message: slider7 (Jun 26, 2007 5:40 pm) brucelinc (Jun 27, 2007 7:33 am)
#19 of 43 Re: a rose by any other name.. [exalteddragon1] by slider7 Jun 26, 2007 (5:40 pm)
Replying to: exalteddragon1 (Jun 24, 2007 6:34 am) I agree with your findings as a 2006 500 owner. And all the things you folks are hearing/reading about the New 2008 Taurus, quietness, room, safety, comfort are ALREADY in the 2005-07 500's. Except for some visual changes the only real differences are 5.9% interest and $500 cash back vs. 0.0% and $1000 cash back and the 3.0 Duratec that has been bored out to 3.5 with vvt for 57 hp increase and a Ford/GM tranny replacing the Aissin(Toyota) 6-speed tranny. The base 2.5 quattrovalve engine was designed by and purchased from Porsche according to Wikipedia and it was bored out to 3.0 then 3.5. The Taurus will be the same great car the 500 is now. Mine turns 1 in July with 11,300 miles and has only had two synth oil changes. No problems and has never been back to the dealer for any repairs. Go Ford Chicago Assembly Plant!! When I was in Florida a couple weeks ago, I rented a Cadillac DTS and parked next to a 500 at the Lobster Shack and the 500 was huge in comparison, like an SUV, from the driver seat of the Caddy. Can't beat that Northstar V-8 growl and power though. Replies to this message: brucelinc (Jun 27, 2007 7:33 am)
#20 of 43 Re: a rose by any other name.. [slider7] by brucelinc Jun 27, 2007 (7:33 am)
Replying to: slider7 (Jun 26, 2007 5:40 pm) Slider, I agree that the 500 had some good features that obviously carry over to the Taurus. However, I think you are selling the 2008 Taurus short when you discuss the "only real differences" as visual, financing, a bored out engine, and a different transmission. I don't know if Edmunds approves of links to other tests or not but check out Motor Trend online and their first drive of the Taurus. They compared it back to back with a 500. Media Ford also highlights the technical changes. The differences in quietness and refinement are notable. There are some significant structural changes as well as more sound insulation. The 3.5 and differently geared transmission provide more power, quieter operation, and less gear hunting as well as good mileage.