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2008 Ford Taurus New Owner Reports

103 messages,  Last post on Nov 01, 2008 at 9:06 PM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Sedan


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#42 of 103
Re: Many new cars now have telescoping steering wheels?... [0311vn] by thegraduate
Feb 16, 2008 (11:06 pm)
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Replying to: 0311vn (Feb 16, 2008 12:31 pm)

Even the most basic $14,810 Honda Civic offers a telescoping steering wheel, as does my Accord and MANY new cars. American carmakers have been slower to add this feature than foreign carmakers, it seems.
#43 of 103
2008 Sable Interior Colors by ronsmith38
Mar 03, 2008 (7:19 pm)
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We just bought a new Sable Premier, light sage exterior, and light camel interior. We were a little surprised when we test drove the vehicle at the interior colors. The seats are the light camel leather, the dash and some other plastic trim are a darker gray, and the wood trim is a light color. The seats are not two tone colors.
I have not seen these interior colors in the Sable or Taurus brochures or online. They all have the darker wood trim. Has anyone else seen this light wood trim in a Sable or Taurus? My wife and I actually like the color, maybe better than the dark wood trim.
#44 of 103
First Long Trip by desertrat5
May 11, 2008 (2:29 am)
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We just returned from the first long driving trip in our 2008 Taurus Limited AWD. One way distance was approximately 1180 miles and the car averaged 25mpg going and 24mpg on the return. Not bad but not as good as I had hoped. I suspect the AWD is the main contributor - a FWD would undoubtedly do better. Perhaps more torque would help also. Long hills on I70 resulted in one or two gear downshifts to maintain the set speed which can't be good for mileage either.
The only negative that resulted from the drive is the driving position - I could not find a position that was good for both my arms and legs - when good for my arms my right leg was jammed against the console and when good for my legs, my arms were stretched in an uncomfortable position. Either more pedal adjustment is required or a telescoping steering wheel. Other than this we found the car comfortable, quiet, and very roomy. The body is tight - the only rattles were due to loose items in the cup holders or door pockets and this was the case whether we were on interstate or rough local roads.
#45 of 103
Re: First Long Trip [desertrat5] by thegraduate
May 11, 2008 (6:34 pm)
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Replying to: desertrat5 (May 11, 2008 2:29 am)

With an EPA estimated 17/24, you actually exceeded the advertised mileage for your car. I'm not sure why you were let down?
#46 of 103
Re: First Long Trip [thegraduate] by capella
May 12, 2008 (9:56 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (May 11, 2008 6:34 pm)

Good point. The new EPA estimates are pretty accurate. To exceed them you really have to drive conservatively (which is doable, we recently got 30+ MPG over two road trips over 500 miles but that was in a FWD SEL).
#47 of 103
Re: First Long Trip [capella] by thegraduate
May 13, 2008 (8:25 am)
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Replying to: capella (May 12, 2008 9:56 pm)

The new EPA estimates for my car (and Accord) are grossly underrated. The new system rates my car (a 2006 4-cyl auto) at 31 highway. I get 36+ mpg when running 75 MPH with the A/C on, and have hit 40 MPG on two tanks when closer to 70 MPH with no A/C.
 
These are trips running up and down I-65 from Birmingham to the Gulf Coast.
#48 of 103
Re: First Long Trip [thegraduate] by desertrat5
May 22, 2008 (4:47 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (May 11, 2008 6:34 pm)

I was pleased with the car but having routinely achieved 27-29mpg with my previous GM 3.8L V-6, this was kind of a step in the wrong direction. Yes, it was as advertised but I guess I had hoped that a newer technology drive train could at least keep up with the raucous old 3.8.
#49 of 103
Re: First Long Trip [desertrat5] by thegraduate
May 26, 2008 (9:07 pm)
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Replying to: desertrat5 (May 22, 2008 4:47 pm)

That 3.8 was saddled to a 4-speed transmission that had ridiculously tall gearing, making it's fuel economy on the highway quite good. Remember, this engine puts out a LOT more usable power than the 3800.
 
Also, did the 3800 GM have AWD?
#50 of 103
weekend trip mileage by brucelinc
May 27, 2008 (4:44 am)
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We drove my wife's FWD Taurus from Minneapolis to Southern Iowa and back over the Memorial Day weekend. Going down into a bit of a headwind, we got 29.6 MPG. On the return trip, with a bit of tailwind, the mileage rose to 31.4. This is driving at 75-80 MPH most of the way.
 
I am very pleased with this mileage. I give a lot of credit to the 6 speed transmission and overall gearing. Cruising down the interstate, it is turning about 1000 RPM less than my Lincoln LS at the same speed. I also give a lot of credit to the 3.5 engine for having sufficient low end torque to pull that tall gearing without a lot of downshifting.
 
No doubt the FWD model uses less fuel than AWD. Added weight, rotational mass, and friction make a difference.
#51 of 103
Re: First Long Trip [thegraduate] by desertrat5
Jun 02, 2008 (7:38 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (May 26, 2008 9:07 pm)

Not sure that I agree with all of your statements. Yes, the 3.8 was saddled with a four-speed auto so there were some long gaps between gears. The hills on I-70 between Colorado Springs and Cincinnati were a piece of cake for the 3.8 while the Ford had to downshift one or two notches. And they both turn less than 2000 rpm at 70+mph. I suspect that the torque curve on the 3.8 comes on at a much lower speed than the Ford which would certainly help it with the hills.
Again, I like the Taurus except for the driving position issue. I also think it should do better in the economy arena.

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