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2008 Ford Taurus New Owner Reports

104 messages,  Last post on Nov 01, 2008 at 10:06 PM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 11

#51 of 104 Re: First Long Trip [thegraduate] by desertrat5

Jun 02, 2008 (8:38 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (May 26, 2008 10:07 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.

#52 of 104 Re: First Long Trip [desertrat5] by thegraduate

Jun 02, 2008 (10:03 pm)

Replying to: desertrat5 (Jun 02, 2008 8:38 pm)
While I don't doubt that the GM torque "peak" comes at a lower RPM, VVT engines typically allow more flexible power delivery. Also, unless your GM was a supercharged 3800, it likely makes less peak torque than the Taurus.
 
You never did come back and answer my question, though; was the 3.8 AWD? You say you hoped for better than the 3800 GM, but with AWD, you really aren't comparing apples to apples if the 3800 was in a Grand Prix / Oldsmobile 88 / Buick LeSabre etc, since the Taurus has the added weight and friction of AWD.

#53 of 104 2008 ford taurus gas guage by catman6

Jun 09, 2008 (6:58 pm)

Gas gauge has not been accurate from day one,reads high.Gauge indicates half tank,put in 15 gallons,dealer claims "ITS A DESIGN FLAW"...CAN'T BE FIXED !!! Their must be 10's of thousands taurus owners running out of gas! Alan Mulally,Mark Fields,Jim Farley are you aware of this?

#54 of 104 Re: First Long Trip [thegraduate] by desertrat5

Jun 09, 2008 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 02, 2008 10:03 pm)
The 3.8 was in a Buick Ultra which is only available in FWD. And it was supercharged. I had previously owned a Buick Park Avenue with the unblown 3.8 and it likewise was great on mileage on the highway and very rarely had to downshift for a hill. So again, while the Taurus enginer is higher tech, it remains a mystery to me why it is not able to at least equal the ancient 3.8 in economy. By the way, the Park Avenue is listed at 3750 lbs while the Taurus is listed at 3640. The 3.8 generates 205 hp and 225 lbft of torque unboosted and 240 hp and 280 lbft of torque boosted. The Taurus generates 260 hp and 245 lb ft of torque.

#55 of 104 Re: 2008 Sable Interior Colors [ronsmith38] by penguinfrost

Jun 10, 2008 (1:34 pm)

Replying to: ronsmith38 (Mar 03, 2008 8:19 pm)
> My wife and I actually like the color, maybe better than the dark wood trim.
 
It's all a matter of personal taste. I really wanted to buy a Sable as I liked the grill and Xenon lights, but bought a Taurus instead as I just couldn't stand to look at the Sable interior color combinations, particularly the light wood.
 
To each his own.

#56 of 104 penguin by marsha7

Jun 17, 2008 (8:36 am)

I just checked the Sable site, and I did not find Xenon lights as an option or as standard equipment... did I miss something???

#57 of 104 Re: penguin [marsha7] by ronsmith38

Jun 17, 2008 (9:04 am)

Replying to: marsha7 (Jun 17, 2008 8:36 am)
The owners manual of my 2008 Sable lists the headlight lamps as 9005 for high beam and H11 for low beam. I think both of these are Xenon lamps.

#58 of 104 My Folks... by thegraduate

Jun 17, 2008 (9:35 am)

...may soon be joining the ranks as Taurus owners. They drove it yesterday, and while they dislike the exterior looks, its just too good of a buy to pass up. They may even get a program car; the dealer had nearly a dozen with 12-15k miles on them, SEL models with plenty of options (leather, convenience package, safety/security package, moonroof) for $17k.
 
What a deal.

#59 of 104 Re: My Folks... [thegraduate] by rotary

Jun 17, 2008 (11:29 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 17, 2008 9:35 am)
17k for SEL with leather?
 
What kind of 'program' is that?
 
Thanks.

#60 of 104 Re: My Folks... [rotary] by thegraduate

Jun 17, 2008 (11:30 am)

Replying to: rotary (Jun 17, 2008 11:29 am)
It was a demonstrator/loaner car. And yes, $17k for SEL with Leather, Convenience, Safety/Security, Moonroof. 13k miles for the particular car they drove.

Messages Page 6 of 11

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