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(Quad City Times) Followup Starting in August, the Ford Taurus will be back on the showroom floor. Starting in September, it will be back in the shop after a massive safety recall   (qctimes.com) divider line 45
More: Followup  
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966 clicks; posted to Business » on 04 Jul 2009 at 3:55 PM   |  Make this a Fark FavoriteFavorite    |   share: Share on OMGTWITTER WEB2.0share on StumbleUponshare on Facebook  more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!

45 Comments   (+0 »)


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GregoryD 2009-07-04 12:44:48 PM  
Don't be hatin' on the Taurus. The 80's Taurus wasn't a bad car at all. Comfortable, higher tech, decent performance... the imports really had to up the anti after the ford Taurus.

Okay, they did more then up the anti, they obliterated it with the Camry/Accord. But still, it wasn't that bad.

 
zippolight2002 2009-07-04 12:48:11 PM  
Ford Taurus, pronounced Ford TORE-ASS. Just wanted to clear that up.

 
thamike 2009-07-04 01:19:37 PM  
GregoryD: Don't be hatin' on the Taurus.

I will. Worst f*cking car I ever owned was a 95 Taurus. And it was a suped-up cored-out former FBI-mobile, too. The bastard could haul ass, but the gaskets (installed the wrong way) would dry out, the water pump should have been recalled but wasn't. I went through 2 in 3 years. It overheated constantly. The list goes on and on. The worst customer service I've ever dealt with. It finally exploded in the middle of rare monsoon-like weather in the worst possible "dead-man's curve" in the middle of the night in Los Angeles. I had to donate the carcass to some foundation for deaf children. Lucky for us it doesn't run. I wouldn't want to be around when deaf children get behind the wheel of that beast.

 
Bucky Katt [TotalFark] 2009-07-04 01:43:46 PM  
Subby is assuming someone will actually buy a Taurus. Thet's just bull.

 
2wolves 2009-07-04 01:52:37 PM  
anti?

 
thamike 2009-07-04 02:02:28 PM  
2wolves: anti?

Up the auntie?


solemateschicago.com

 
oldernell [TotalFark] 2009-07-04 02:47:02 PM  
Just be sure to save your money so you can buy a new transmission at 60k.

 
WTFDYW [TotalFark] 2009-07-04 02:54:21 PM  
I'll take one please

 
Dr.Knockboots [TotalFark] 2009-07-04 02:56:25 PM  
From:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-07-01-redesigned-ford-taurus_N.htm
--some pics on that link too--

"...Taurus' $25,995 base. You can load Taurus up past $40,000, more than the likes of a Lexus ES 350 or Audi A4. Ford expects most Tauruses sold, however, to be about $29,000."

If I was in the market for a car that was around 25-30k new.. I'd have to be very convinced to grab that Taurus.. lots of incentives would be needed.
I don't know just how much bigger a Taurus is that the mid-sized cars.. and if the size is what people want.. but i can't imagine a Taurus being that much larger than the following cars in the same price range'ish:

-just going to name some..

Acura - TL, TSX
Audi A4 .. probably too small
BMW 3
Buick Lacrosse, Lucerne
Chevy Impala
Honda Accord
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti G37
Lexus ES350
Lincoln MKZ
Mazda 6
Nissan Maxima
Subaru Imprezza -not sure on size
Toyota Camry, Avalon
VW Passat
Volvo S60

Now.. some of these cars aren't the same overall size of the Taurus, I'll give ya that.. but..can a Taurus really seat 5 people comfortably? No sedan have I ever been in has been big enough to seat 5 comfy.. 5 with some room.. perhaps. Never comfortable though.

From that list, and depending on my needs.. i see a few cars that as of right now (knowing really nothing yet on the new Taurus).. i'd take over the Taurus.

Again, above is predicated on the idea that the Taurus is truly a full sized vehicle and is noticeably larger than the same price-ranged 4 door competitors.

 
Crosshair [TotalFark] 2009-07-04 03:11:24 PM  
oldernell: Just be sure to save your money so you can buy a new transmission at 60k.

Why can Ford build such good stick shift transmissions, but so mediocre auto transmissions.

I have a 98 Ford Countour with 4 speed auto and my dad has a 99 Contour with a 5 speed stick. Both cars have the same engine, a I4 2.0. Even in winter, I'd love to have that 5 speed stick vs the 4 speed auto I have in it. He also gets FAR better mileage than my car does, though that might be because I do allot of city driving and he does lots of highway, there is a 10 mpg spread in mileage for city/vs highway with the Contour. Seems rather large for a reasonably aerodynamic car.

Lately he has actually gotten 40 mpg out of it, but the computer has been spitting out error codes indicating a lean mixture, so he has to get that fixed lest he burn a valve or piston.

He can haul ass with that 5-speed stick. All the auto in mine does when I floor it is remind me that the exhaust system has rusted out. (Still sounds better than a ricer.)

That being said, the car has been very reliable with minimal maintenance. I did let the braking system deteriorate until I had more air than brake fluid in the system, but that's my own dammed fault. Still worked fine though.

Even when it was fixed, the ABS is still a piece of garbage. Crapping out the moment you actually need it. Who would have thought that one might want an ABS that actually worked, especially during the winter in North Dakota. I've thought about pulling the fuse instead of watching the dashboard when I brake hard to see if the "Oh sh*t" ABS light comes on, then just drive it KNOWING that the ABS doesn't work.

 
majestic 2009-07-04 04:01:35 PM  
thamike: GregoryD: but the gaskets (installed the wrong way) would dry out,

Maybe you should have tried installing the gaskets the right way. I hear the brakes will totally wear out if you drive with the emergency brake on. Piece of shiat Fords!

 
Cheesus 2009-07-04 04:07:17 PM  
93 Ford Taurus - Cooling system randomly fails. Gone through 2 transmissions. What's worse is my grandparents leased the thing before they bought it. I don't even want to think about how much money they wasted on that damned thing.

 
SurahAhriman 2009-07-04 04:12:15 PM  
majestic: thamike: GregoryD: but the gaskets (installed the wrong way) would dry out,

Maybe you should have tried installing the gaskets the right way. I hear the brakes will totally wear out if you drive with the emergency brake on. Piece of shiat Fords!


Do you really not see a difference between driving with your emergency brakes on, and a part being incorrectly installed, which you'd likely not notice until something went wrong?

 
Ishkur 2009-07-04 04:23:52 PM  
Once had a 92 Ford Taurus.

Was driving on the highway on a roadtrip when the god damn serpentine belt completely disintegrated. Just barely made it to the next town and to a garage and had to spend the night in a motel while they worked on it.

There were other issues too, but the car's fate met a drunk driver in the middle of the night about a year later (I wasn't in it at the time -- it was parked by the side of the road).

Other than that, pretty decent car.

 
famousp 2009-07-04 04:24:13 PM  
Now.. some of these cars aren't the same overall size of the Taurus, I'll give ya that.. but..can a Taurus really seat 5 people comfortably? No sedan have I ever been in has been big enough to seat 5 comfy.. 5 with some room.. perhaps. Never comfortable though..

Proud owner of a 1968 Dodge Coronet 440. Seats six comfortably.

 
majestic 2009-07-04 04:33:47 PM  
SurahAhriman: majestic: thamike: GregoryD: but the gaskets (installed the wrong way) would dry out,

Maybe you should have tried installing the gaskets the right way. I hear the brakes will totally wear out if you drive with the emergency brake on. Piece of shiat Fords!

Do you really not see a difference between driving with your emergency brakes on, and a part being incorrectly installed, which you'd likely not notice until something went wrong?


It was a joke. But of course, if a part is installed incorrectly it will fail.

 
Thanks for the Meme-ries 2009-07-04 04:39:45 PM  
Hell, Hollywood knew that'd still be around..

i291.photobucket.com

/thank you for your cooperation; good night....

 
Any Pie Left 2009-07-04 04:42:37 PM  
I drove Tauri as the company car and as rentals, it was fine, basic transpo with good head and leg room. Even in the back.

But the later models of the Dodge Intrepid were better looking and had way better trunk space. The Taurus trunk hinges robbed you of an easy foot of volume inside, and could crush your bags when you closed the lid.

 
MrSteve007 2009-07-04 04:44:14 PM  
People sure are stupid.

The Ford Taurus never left, this is all just a marketing scam.

Behold, the 2008 Ford Taurus! (aka. the Ford 500)

www.thetorquereport.com

No, wait: Behold, it's the 2010 Ford Taurus!! Look, new grill and door sheet metal. Pay 30k plus for me!

www.blogcdn.com

 
Yoeman 2009-07-04 05:38:03 PM  
I've had two of them, never had any major issues. The 03 was a pretty nice ride, actually.
Too damn much $$ for the new one, but anything new is to me.

 
FuturePastNow [TotalFark] 2009-07-04 05:42:38 PM  
I see the trend of every car generation being bigger and heavier is continuing.

 
Bob16 2009-07-04 05:56:35 PM  
The Taurus is a very good car.

My brother bought one to keep at his vacation house. It had 120K on it when he bought it and it drives like it's brand new.

Fit and finish feel just like a top quality japanese car.

 
Guntram Shatterhand 2009-07-04 06:03:23 PM  
oldernell: Just be sure to save your money so you can buy a new transmission at 60k.

This.

The only good thing I can say about the '87 Taurus is how it could take a hit. I hit a deer in it, I slid into a railing on an icy off-ramp in it, and it kept going. Of course, after putting a new transmission into it, I was going to drive it until I paid it off. And a year after that, the car died completely.

No more Fords for me. They're just shiatty cars. Sure as hell not going to buy a new one, either. Maybe for $100, but only as a car to abuse until I get a good one.

 
Xai 2009-07-04 06:23:25 PM  
Why don't you guys get the new Ford Mondeo (european model) It's far better than all the trash you guys get - really great handling, safety, mpg, and to top it all off a very resonable price.

 
good_2_go 2009-07-04 06:30:38 PM  
Xai: Why don't you guys get the new Ford Mondeo (european model) It's far better than all the trash you guys get - really great handling, safety, mpg, and to top it all off a very resonable price.

Would if we could, dude.

 
BobtheFascist 2009-07-04 08:11:29 PM  
My parents have been on a Taurus kick since 1988. They've experinced their share of problems, but no more than I had with my Hondas in the past. I probably would've bought an SHO if they weren't so damn ugly.

 
Zeiss_Ikon [TotalFark] 2009-07-04 08:44:57 PM  
Used to be a professional mechanic.
Which is why I won't help my wife by a domestic that isn't a saturn.

 
some_random_guy 2009-07-04 10:09:27 PM  
MrSteve007: The Ford Taurus never left, this is all just a marketing scam.

It took ~20 posts for somebody to post this? Sheesh.

/I like the new looks, but it's far too pricy imo
//course that's why they have the Fusion now, it's the same league as the old Taurus, and the Focus and Fiesta are taking the compact segments.
///euro focus plz

 
turtleking 2009-07-04 10:13:47 PM  
Zeiss_Ikon: Used to be a professional mechanic.
Which is why I won't help my wife by a domestic that isn't a saturn.


you sound fat

 
robolobo 2009-07-04 10:34:12 PM  
MrSteve007

are you really that dumb?

 
kenny's mom 2009-07-04 11:00:16 PM  
Sorry to hear about those of you who have had Taurus troubles through the years.

With merely decent maintenance our '90 ran like a top until totaled (not our fault); the '99 has many, many miles on it, and has been ultra-reliable. 3.0 DOHC = great engine.

//Good luck, Ford....I'm proud of you for not going after the bailout money......

 
Nicholas Urfe 2009-07-04 11:22:43 PM  
You guys do realize this isn't just a reskin of the 1980s and 1990s Taurus, right? Completely different car. Shares the same name, that's it.

The automotive press seems to think this car punches above its weight in the sedan class. Ford actually does put out some good cars nowadays.

Ishkur: Was driving on the highway on a roadtrip when the god damn serpentine belt completely disintegrated. Just barely made it to the next town and to a garage and had to spend the night in a motel while they worked on it.

Serpentine belts are wear items that need to be inspected regularly and replaced occasionally. If you let yours get so bad it disintegrated, that's your fault, not Ford's.

 
wrenchboy 2009-07-04 11:38:28 PM  
Zeiss_Ikon: Used to be a professional mechanic.
Which is why I won't help my wife by a domestic that isn't a saturn.


Dont you mean Opel?

For am alleged "former professional mechanic" you sound pretty ignorant.

 
crab66 2009-07-05 02:48:33 AM  
thamike: GregoryD: Don't be hatin' on the Taurus.

I will. Worst f*cking car I ever owned was a 95 Taurus. And it was a suped-up cored-out former FBI-mobile, too. The bastard could haul ass, but the gaskets (installed the wrong way) would dry out, the water pump should have been recalled but wasn't. I went through 2 in 3 years. It overheated constantly. The list goes on and on. The worst customer service I've ever dealt with. It finally exploded in the middle of rare monsoon-like weather in the worst possible "dead-man's curve" in the middle of the night in Los Angeles. I had to donate the carcass to some foundation for deaf children. Lucky for us it doesn't run. I wouldn't want to be around when deaf children get behind the wheel of that beast.


So you got a modified and probably abused government vehicle and you are surprised you had problems with it? On top of that some bad luck that has nothing to do with the car.

/facepalm

 
MrSteve007 2009-07-05 03:48:14 AM  
robolobo: MrSteve007

are you really that dumb?


No, but you certainly are.

"The Five Hundred, along with the Ford Freestyle and the Mercury Montego, ended production in June 2007. A mid-generational refresh for the 2008 model year debuted during the 2007 North American International Auto Show, but the Five Hundred was rebranded as the 2008 Ford Taurus, which returns that name to the Ford retail lineup after a short absence."

Link (new window)

"Ford introduced three "new" vehicles today. We'll start with the Taurus. We saw the Taurus last month at the Detroit auto show when it was still called the Five Hundred. This is the exact same vehicle we saw there, only with a different nameplate."

Link (new window)

"Taurus X will continue to share its basic design with the "new" 2008 Taurus (formerly Five Hundred) sedan."

Link (new window)

 
jeffrey626 2009-07-05 03:50:23 AM  
i dont understand all the ford hate in the headlines greenlight lately... definitely better than any other US automaker, and i cant wait for that new ford fiesta to be sold here after watching it on topgear last season

 
ricewater_stool [TotalFark] 2009-07-05 10:11:30 AM  
MrSteve007: robolobo: MrSteve007

are you really that dumb?

No, but you certainly are.

"The Five Hundred, along with the Ford Freestyle and the Mercury Montego, ended production in June 2007. A mid-generational refresh for the 2008 model year debuted during the 2007 North American International Auto Show, but the Five Hundred was rebranded as the 2008 Ford Taurus, which returns that name to the Ford retail lineup after a short absence."

Link (new window)

"Ford introduced three "new" vehicles today. We'll start with the Taurus. We saw the Taurus last month at the Detroit auto show when it was still called the Five Hundred. This is the exact same vehicle we saw there, only with a different nameplate."

Link (new window)

"Taurus X will continue to share its basic design with the "new" 2008 Taurus (formerly Five Hundred) sedan."

Link (new window)


And apparently you're a farking moron who can't read. This is about the new, 2010 Taurus that is not even on sale yet, not the 2008 model. The 2010 is a completely different car. One of the things Mulally aimed to do when he took over Ford was to bring back the "good" Taurus. The only thing they could do immediately was to re-badge the 500, but the 2010 is a new vehicle with nothing to do with the 500.

I love you people who complain about cars they had 20 years ago. Or cars that have items fail after 100,000 miles like water pumps and serpentine belts. News flash- Ford is not run by the same people any more, makes better cars now, according to all of the automotive press and Consumer Reports, and has the same quality as your precious Hondas and Toyotas. Oh, and Ford sells a lot more cars than either of those companies these days.

My 2005 Ford is the best car I've ever owned. The worst POS I ever had was a 1991 Civic. My sister's 2005 Honda Oddesey is on its fourth transmission. My Dad's old Lexus had $900 "routine maintenance" on a regular basis. What a great value!

 
kanesays 2009-07-05 12:18:43 PM  
No one is going to mention the new Taurus SHO has a 335 horsepower engine?

The SHOs haul tail.

 
thamike 2009-07-05 12:44:05 PM  
crab66: So you got a modified and probably abused government vehicle and you are surprised you had problems with it? On top of that some bad luck that has nothing to do with the car.

It wasn't abused. This was factory bullsh*t. The Ford people admitted it. They just wouldn't cover it. Even after I had the recalled parts replaced. The replacements failed because they were installed wrong by people at Ford. Ford still wouldn't cover it. Ford killed my car. Even without that mess, the Taurus is still crap. Except for the '87 matte black Robocop Taurus.

 
kakarot251 2009-07-05 01:03:55 PM  
My fark "I hate Ford" thread copypasta:
99 Taurus
224k mi on the clock
voluntary trans rebuild at 195k and goofy brakepad wear
***This concludes my copy paste***

I have no real statistics to back this statement up, but: I believe Toyota had more recalls last year than Ford did? Maybe? Its Sunday and I don't feel like doing any kind of research.

While she is a little expensive, its still a well styled car with enough room to haul luggage as well as mom, dad, and 2.5 kids.

/Oh, and the SHO will "pwn" as the kids say.

 
Tourney3p0 2009-07-05 03:41:47 PM  
Guaranteed massive recall? Did Toyota buy the rights to the Taurus name or something?

 
Blind_Io 2009-07-05 04:35:46 PM  
I'm starting to suspect that one of the FARK moderators (and possibly the submitter) has been replaced by a troll to see if we will notice.

What is this, the 6th anti-Ford article in the last week?

 
Anhydrous Dihydrogen Monoxide 2009-07-05 07:59:23 PM  
Dr.Knockboots: I don't know just how much bigger a Taurus is that the mid-sized cars.. and if the size is what people want.. but i can't imagine a Taurus being that much larger than the following cars in the same price range'ish:

Of the cars you named, only about half are actually in that price range. All the luxury marques (except maybe Lincoln) would be about $5-10k more equivalently equipped.

Also, the Impreza, BMW 3, and A4 are compacts and shouldn't be in that comparison at all. Probably not the Acura TL either, and certainly not the TSX.

So that leaves...

Buick Lacrosse, Lucerne - Not bad cars but who wants to buy a GM right now?
Chevy Impala - Ditto
Honda Accord - Overpriced
Hyundai Genesis - Never been in one, heard good things
Mazda 6 - Decent contender
Nissan Maxima - Contender; bit more pricey though
Toyota Camry, Avalon - Contender, but they're horrible to drive unless you're over 60 and like your cars to steer like pickups
VW Passat - Strong contender, but dogged by reliability concerns
Volvo S60 - Never been in one, heard so-so things, bit more pricey

The Camry and Accord are the big dogs, of course, but have suffered lately from reliability and price concerns. Combined with the fall of the SUV, it means the timing is probably good. But trust Ford to fark up a good thing, so we'll see.

 
bmr68 [TotalFark] 2009-07-06 05:28:34 PM  
Anhydrous Dihydrogen Monoxide

The Camry and Accord are the big dogs, of course, but have suffered lately from reliability and price concerns. Combined with the fall of the SUV, it means the timing is probably good. But trust Ford to fark up a good thing, so we'll see.


Incorrect the F-150 is the big dog in the U.S.

image.internetautoguide.com

 
bmr68 [TotalFark] 2009-07-06 05:36:56 PM  
The beat goes on. For the 32nd year in a row, Ford's award-winning F-Series is America's best-selling truck with 2008 sales of 515,513. F-series outsold its nearest truck rival by more than 50,000 units.

In addition, for the 27th year in a row, F-Series is once again America's best-selling vehicle of any type - car, crossover, SUV, truck or van.


Link (new window)

 
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