Why the Taurus SHO Disappoints and Other Thoughts

Second Altimadude00. +1.

stop whining about what sucks and go enjoy whats still decent in the world... while you can. at least in your job, you can grab the keys to amazing cars and beat on it without a care. most people will never know the joys of driving such cars and if they do, they always have to deal with the negatives of owning such cars. consider yourself lucky, as you can live in a shack and drive a pinto, but you can still enjoy the finer cars in life...

"I could complain about Obama and the fact that he's destroying the American auto industry and my freedom to choose my personal vehicle based on my personal likes, dislikes and desires, not some nationalistic agenda founded solely on totalitarian ideals and increasing federal involvement in the day-to-day lives of Americans."

Preach it Mechanic!

Obama took our ZR-1s! Oh wait, he didn't? Well then Obama took our Camaro SSs! ...those are still around as well? Obama took our Vipers! Chrysler has resumed Viper production? Damn.

Surely Obama and the Super Majority will impose heavy tariffs on those gas guzzling German sedans! Nay you say?

I imagine editors already shot down The Mechanic's proposed articles on lamenting equal rights for non-male WASPs or railing against the egghead witchcraft that conjures dire predictions about the climate. If The Mechanic had his way we'd return to the old fashioned values of 1850's America...with cars!

The Mechanic just isn't trying very hard anymore.

B-bye.

I agree with brn. SHO and Volt-tool mini-rants notwithstanding.

Don't get your panties in a bunch Mechanic.

space_raptor

Get a clue. The ZR1 and Camaro were designed and built before Obama took office. His 35mpg CAFE standard will undoubtedly spell the end for big cubic inch performance cars. The Mechanic was right on regarding government's ever intrusive reach into our lives.

I wish he wrote this column every day.

I've yet to drive this vehicle, but general complaints about EPAS are lame. Mazda has some pretty good racks (see RX-8), so they aren't all that bad. You guys haven't even tested a SHO with the Performance Pkg, which recalibrates the steering. In your whining you should have mentioned that.

I always almost agree with the mechanic. We share the same sense of skepticism.

mk2001c-

The truth - in the 1970's, when CAFE was instituted, the American muscle car died. Blame Nixon for that - he was president then. BUT - what did also happen was countries all over Europe and Japan forced higher standards at the same time. FAR FAR more than even what Obama is pushing now. Consequence ... Japan in particular leap frogged us in car building. Best small engine - VTEC. Seriously, they didn't come to the US in the 1970's and early 80's with a reputation for high quality, they came cheap, and they came efficient - two very important things in the late 1970's.

The "big bad" government ultimately can spur change where change is needed but not necessarily wanted. Without it, we are a bunch of stupid children that think houses should appreciate 40% year on year and that having more debt than income is a good thing.

Depressing tone and awful truth have made me feel as if I was reading a farewell note. I absolutely agree with you dear The Mechanic, this time. I hate to spout more salt on an open wound by stating that it isn’t only the American automotive industry with its NASCAR slowly become the victims of the Ice Age period but the whole U.S. begins to except the rules of play dictated by the rest of the World we live in. The change is coming, not necessarily with bitter consequences, maybe not as we would all expect but holding on to precious memories of how it used to be is probably what I intent to do.

Aaaaah! The Mazda thing pisses me off too. I was looking to get another Mazda 3 until I saw the retarded grin on the thing...

Oh and this:

"Remember when I said Detroit's big problem is that its cars are never the best? Well, here we go again."

You know I'm not some Big 3 apologist because products such as the fleet only Taurus, the last gen GM minivans and everything that Chrysler produces currently is fresh in everyone's memory. They've made a ton of mistakes, which is why all 3 are where they are now (well Ford at a much lesser extent).

I know it wasn't mentioned here but it relates directly to the comment I quoted above. The Ford Fusion received one of the most comprehensive refreshes in recent memory, addressing everything that was wrong with the vehicle. In contrast look at what Toyota has done with with the mid-cycle refresh of the Camry (hint: very little). The big three didn't get where they are because they didn't win awards ('cause they have plenty of them). They got where they were because they became complacent, and refused to adjust to shifting demands.

And just where does the SHO come up short? Out of everything at that price point the only vehicle I can think of is a Pontiac G8 GXP. The Maxima, Avalon and Genesis won't out hustle it. Everything else costs a great deal more.

I just love all the retards who blame Obama for where the auto industry is now headed. If you'd never voted for an idiot whose only priority in 8 years was keeping a pointless war going and keeping gays away from the altar; if the Domestics weren't taking care of retired sloths who spent 30 years building POS cars; and if they weren't bleeding cash and running to the government for billions in handouts.....well, I suppose the president wouldn't have had to take the reins and steer them where they should be, now would he?

I suspect the columnist flies a confederate flag the back of his turquoise WRX. May very well have a gun rack bolted to the wing and a bumper sticker that reads 'God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve' on it too.

I think the SHO's problem is that you can't please everyone, so don't try. They tried to create the most refined, quietest, roomiest, most fuel efficient sports sedan possible. They ended up with an overweight, semi-fast, fairly fuel effient sedan, notice I left out the sports part. The AWD part is not bad in my book. It's the size. Drop the SHO to about the size of the Genesis and put it on Jenny Craig. The add back in hydraulic steering. Use the money saved on the sheer amount of steel not used and the steering assist to add in some Brembo brakes.

You've got to be kidding about the Obama thing right? Totalitarianism? Wow.

Out of one side of your mouth you're lamenting about the Obama personally killing choice and forcing you to buy an econobox...funny, Hummer's are still on sale and so are Hemi powered Chargers, Suburbans, Escalade Trucks and V10 Vipers - but no one is buying them!

The Other side of your mouth you're complaining about Detroit not making the vehicles that people want to buy.

So which is it? Make people want Dodge Chargers or encourage Detroit to make a decent Camry competitor?

I'm also confused about why Insideline has to inject political personal attacks into their blogs - but hey - I don't have to like it...I can go elsewhere for my car fix.

"A Pontiac G3. They're giving them away. "

I wish. Tell that to my local Pontiac dealer, who won't negotiate a penny off of their list price. Pathetic! So Hyundai gets my business.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0907_cafe_explained/index.html

What a blow hard. This article has no substance whatsoever except for its some crotchety dumbass that thinks change is always bad. You would have been the idiot complaining about spending money to fund the Mayflower also.

I can’t believe I’m are reading such narrow focus and blind comments, about Obama killing cars and choosing what we are going to drive.

First, if wasn’t for Obama, GM and Chryslers, would no longer exist; So he is not killing cars or choosing what you’ll drive, he is saving the companies. Which I personally believe he should let those die.
Second, if measures are not taken to control emissions and have more fuel efficient cars, we would keep damaging the environment even more (what have you (critics) done for the environment lately? Squad, yeah, that’s what I thought.
Third, Mechanic you are pathetic. Insideline should be ashamed of letting you write. You come across as a frustrated, sour, unfulfilled, miserable person.

Live is too short to bitch. Enjoy what you drive and drive it hard, no matter what you drive.

'The Mechanic' doesn't exist. These articles are a collective effort to incite readers to post passionately about a patently biased and opininated argument in order to generate more hits for the site.

And they're worthless.

Normally i'd keep my mouth shut, but lately they've been getting progressively more exaggerated, caustic, and unfounded.

I must say though, they work like a charm.

Wow, what a bunch of worthless, old man drivel. If I wanted that with a trusted news source, I'd watch Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes.

Hmmm, what to rant about this week. I think it'll be about once-respected journalists who hide behind a moniker to drive up page clicks for advertisers.

It made perfect sense to cut Pontiac instead of Buick. Not only will a large part of Pontiac sales be absorbed by Chevy, but Buicks are sold at a much larger profit margin than Pontiacs. Also Buicks are massively popular in China, which just happens to be the fastest growning automotive market in the world.

Also I do believe the Cobalt SS has gotten considerable accolades for its merits as a front wheel drive sports car. It placed second in the motor trend article "Small, Fast, Fun: Sport Compact Car Comparison" and was only held back from first by its low quality interior. They clearly say it was the best performing car tested.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sports/112_0903_sport_compact_car_comparison/2009_chevrolet_cobalt_ss.html

Car and driver reached a similar conclusion
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q1/cobalt_ss_v_wrx_and_5_more_sport_compacts-comparison_tests/2709_chevrolet_cobalt_ss_page_6

I agree 100% about Obama taking away our freedoms and dictating which cars can and can not be made. It doesn't require that he explicitly outlaw the ZR1 or Viper, the new CAFE regulations dictate what cars must be sold. The only people who have the right to dictate which cars should be sold are consumers and this right is exercised every time someone buys a car.

I think its pretty funny how much misinformation is going on with the whole "Comrade Obama saving GM and Chrysler."

Comrade Obama didnt save GM and Chrysler. Neither would have gone away forever, because neither would have filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is the liquidation of a firm. Both would have filed Chapter 11, which is merely restructuring of financial aspects and temporary suspension of debt payments. as we have seen, both ended up filing for bankruptcy anyway, no matter how much money he gave them. all of those billions were wasted.

guess who's going to fit the bill: the middle class. well, in reality, its going to be anyone who Obama considers to be "upper class," which according to him is any family that nets $100,000. anyone who makes that much knows that they are not rich. you liberals will see that Obama is going to tax the crud out of the middle and upper classes and just give money away to the lower class, which may or may not deserve the money.

I also think that you liberals are so quick to defend his actions concerning GM and Chrysler considering Liberals very rarely buy domestic automobiles anyway. statistically, a Republican is more likely to buy an American-made auto, and thats just a fact.

These "exaggerations" are fact. they are going to happen. Comrade Obama is going to successfully take all economic freedom away from everyone. its going to start with healthcare, where his government-based system uproots and undercuts all private and better quality firms, eventually driving them all out of business and making it so you have to go to your local official before you can have your broken arm set in cast. then, he is going to take away out choice of cars, by totally limiting which cars can be sold by what MPG's they can produce in the totally hypothetical and biased CAFE system. he would make it so that the only cars people will be able to buy are Priuses and Civic Hybrids, which is a huge problem for large families that may need a midsize crossover or full-sized SUV to cart everyone around.

after he takes over the auto market though, there is no telling where he will go next. i can see him going after the oil companies to make them stop looking for new sources of oil in the gulf, which in turn will cause oil prices to rise. he will also probably try to control the housing market even further, and tax those who were financially responsible to bail out those who were stupid enough to sign up for a subprime mortgage.

you know what, why dont we all just stop working, paying off out debts, and paying our insurance? Comrade Obama will save us! paying for anything and working hard is immoral!

I find it hard to believe a good portion of the commentors don't realize and appreciate a good sarcastic rant without being offended and taking it personally. It's entertainment pure and simple.

I'm glad someone had the balls to call out the SHO.

@Falconx84:

What really surprises me is the number of people who take as fact - and agree with - the 'sarcastic rant.' I personally understand that the article is rhetorical, and i can only speak for myself when i say that it's far from offending. It simply worries me that Edmunds is encouraging this kind of discussion, because there are many people out there who don't take the time to check their facts and consider contrary opinions before rifling off wild accusations.

@ all above posters whining about the CAFE regulations:

There was a previous article on this topic. Read it, and maybe an article on the bill itself, before spouting nonsense.

I agree 100%. Spot on Mechanic. I dont even want to get started on the CAFE crap Obama is coming up with. And the Taurus itself is just a hideous car. The rear of the car just looks like the designers got lazy and pulled something square out of their derriere. Ugly. And still American.

I realize that the marketers want to take advantage of the reputation of legendary nameplates as much possible (e.g. SHO, WRX, etc.), but when subsequent generations end up being softer and more refined, they ought to come up with a different name altogether.

If Subaru had left the 2008 Impreza WRX as it was, renaming it as the Impreza GT would have made sense, but fortunately Subaru stepped up to the plate and significantly improved the WRX for 2009. As it stands, the 2009 WRX truly deserves its designation.

I don't know why Ford (with the SHO) and Nissan (with its latest Maxima) claim that their relatively large, weighty, and unwieldy sedans are actually outright sports sedans. It's nearly impossible to do this with a sedan that is around 200 inches long, 75 inches wide, and approaching two tons in weight. "Touring" sedan is one thing, but "sport" sedan? Let's not kid ourselves.

Last but not least, it seems that Ford got stung when it focused on passenger space, comfort, and visibility with the previous Taurus/Five Hundred, where its styling almost seemed to be a secondary consideration, i.e. form followed function. Now the 2010 Taurus is going to the opposite extreme with its sleek styling... but also with the high beltline and limited headroom.

Sigh, I guess you can't have it all, unless you buy an S-Class!

AHQ:

Outside of the weight gain, this is the fastest best handling SHO Ford has produced to date. How is this vehicle any softer than the last gen? On top of that the SHO was NEVER a true sports sedan. Are you sure you are familiar with what a SHO morphed into since it's inception on up to its hiatus?

Lack of headroom? Have you sat in the back of a 2010 Taurus?

Just a note on the journalistic value of this column: This is a blog where "The Mechanic" has the right to say what he wants. It's more like an editorial than a news piece. If you want to see the credibility Inside Line/Edmunds offers, check out the "News" section of this website, or any of their feature articles. Most of automotive writing is a subjective art anyway, as people's opinions on cars will vary considerably no matter what. While this particular column is quite a bit more outspoken (and caustic)than most others, you'll probably find something similar in most newspapers, magazines, and websites. A lot of this is written for rhetorical affect, mostly to get discussion started. And why not, it works right? If you don't like the opinions written here, respond with your own, or just stop reading. That's our right under the Constitution.

A note on some of the opinions written here: they express some very conservative views, especially in regards to the new CAFE standards Obama enacted. Congress already instituted similar standards to be reached by 2020 instead of 2015 as Obama has enacted, so this was coming anyway. I say for the doubters who see this as a loss of choice, I would disagree. I think it's an opportunity for automakers to push themselves, work their intellect, and create some outstanding new technologies to fit the needs of consumers. I mean, who really thought they'd see an American company offer a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection V-6? So the rest of the car isn't exactly perfect, but they're pushing in the right direction at least. And besides, we would have held on to those pushrods as long as possible out of cost factors. With these new standards, there's no doubt we'll be seeing American cars with standard 6-, 7-, and 8-speed transmissions as standard. That's leaps ahead of just a few years ago. And actually, we may actually see a push towards materials that were once reserved for the exotic stratosphere. More aluminum, magnesium, carbon fiber, and high strength steel to make cars lighter to achieve better fuel economy. That's pretty exciting I'd say. We will probably notice price increases at first, but like with all things, they will come back down.

I think another way American cars can get better is by spending more time in development. I'm sure Honda doesn't develop the Accord over just a 2-year lifespan, and I'm pretty sure the every time a 911 comes out, the next one is already in development for the next 6 years. The Solstice was a great concept, but forcing it through development probably made fixing a lot of its flaws impossible by the time it reached final stages. If domestic manufacturers can slow the process and really micro-analyze each aspect of the car until it all just works right, then I think their offerings will really do well against the imports.

The Mechanic:
Right on about the Arrogant One destroying the American auto industry. I fear we will look back and think that was just the small stuff when he gets through with us. 2010 and 2012 can't come fast enough. Have not seen a new Taurus yet, so I'll just say I'm glad as h*ll Ford is getting in the game again. One good turn deserves another and another.

Wow sometimes hard to tell if Im reading about cars on this website or suffering through the pointless political comments on some AOL message board. I guess when I sign on to Inside Line I expect to read the battles on why the SHO suck or why the Mustang beats the Camaro. The endless "you Liberals!" vs. the "Damn conservatives" is ridiculous...mostly because arguing politics on the internet is like competing in the special olympics...even if you win youre still retarded.

@ coolb944:

I understand and agree with your 'journalistic note.' I've got no problem with this type of discourse, and it most certainly appears elsewhere in the media. I don't think any of the above posters would argue differently.

I'm just disappointed that i have to find it here on Inside Line.

At least ford had the gumption to bring the Fiesta to the states. Ford should have just imported the Ford Falcon from Austrailia like GM did with the G8.

@canadia:

Totally agree. There are plenty of forums to discuss political ideology, and I hope this does not become one. I come to this site to learn about the latest car news as well as read some of the Edmund's staff's views on new vehicles, not to learn about the latest political WHARRGARBL from all the Internet tough guys.

Edmunds is stupid anyway. They're always against Ford. All the time. Even if there's something thats really cool about it, they find some way to put it down. They're not good people to look at car reviews. That's why I've switched to MotorTrend and C&D.

The "discourse" here is about the comments written by The Mechanic and published on this site. So, it is the subject some of us wish to comment on. There is enough MSM providing plenty of cover for the white house and it's auto czar. I think we can toss around another side here without it hurting anyone.

I'm not necessarily complaining about the commentary related to this posting, just the decision to delve into political "discourse" on this particular site, although describing some of the comments as "discourse" is a bit of a stretch. More than a few of the posts more fall into the category of derogatory political "drivel."

"mostly because arguing politics on the internet is like competing in the special olympics...even if you win youre still retarded. "

Now that's about the rudest most insulting ignorant comment I have ever seen on this blog.

i know, you can talk about how that "mechanic" blog at edmunds.com sucks dick.

"Now that's about the rudest most insulting ignorant comment I have ever seen on this blog."

You must have just signed up

@ canadia and arumage

I agree with you on being disappointed. I am too. I was the first time I read this column.

The journalist in me (I went to school for Journalism) feels that First Amendment rights are what they are, and the Mechanic should have his say. Of course a good editorial would be more persuasive than combative, and have slightly more compelling arguments and facts. About the political discourse, I can understand it, because politics are affecting the auto industry as a whole here in the US, and not just domestic manufacturers, but I think consequential instead of ideological discourse would be more productive and more relative to this site (i.e. what the consequences of the President's decisions are and how the plan could be better vs. the political ideology from which the plan derived). A good example would be the Popular Mechanics article on the new CAFE standards http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4320899.html

The reader in me is quite disappointed to find something like this on Inside Line, especially since I've found this site so great in many other ways.

"His 35mpg CAFE standard will undoubtedly spell the end for big cubic inch performance cars."

Isn't the actual figure far less than 35mpg?

I agree with this one. First of all, Obama needs to keep his nose out of OUR business (as is the liberal mantra). If GM and Chrysler needed to file for Chapter 11, then let them do so. Let the smarter car companies who have managed to not lose a staggering amount money by not being so ignorant have the credit they deserve. I would be infuriated if I worked for Honda and realized that I too could have been making cheap, behind-the-times shit with essentially no penalty.

We should reward good business and let those who are simply too dull to realize what good business is go under. If anyone needs a bailout, it is companies like Honda who haven't been in the news lately for negative reasons. Give them some dough instead of bailing out companies just so they can try to catch up to ones like Honda and Toyota. At least GM tried to get its act together pre-bailout; Chrysler/Dodge is a whole different story.

The notion that a company like Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, and Ford can make quality stuff and not need any money, only to have sales stolen by a crap company like Chrysler (who can't survive on their own) because of a government bailout and bullshit things like government-backed warranties is absolutely astounding to me. THAT IS NOT HOW BUSINESS IS SUPPOSED TO WORK...it should function without the iron hand of Obama and his team of cohorts helping out companies that don't deserve any money. It is unfair and very totalitarian, IMO.

'Change' is coming, alright, and it shouldn't be. GM and Chrysler should be ashamed.

As for the SHO, I haven't driven one yet, but I think the design of it is very nice. It looks robust, menacing almost. And the Mazda3 looks a lot better in person...I see a new one every day, so clearly people don't think the 'smiley face' is bad looking. Like it or not, the 3 is a very stylish vehicle, with a futuristic look that makes it look more expensive than it is.

"'Change' is coming, alright, and it shouldn't be. GM and Chrysler should be ashamed."

But what if the change that is coming is the collapse of the American economy and the end of the US reign as the world leader? Shouldn't Obama at least try to save US industries to prevent that?

Think about it. The US government is in massive debt. Countless industries that would normally pay taxes to help it get out of dept are losing money and thus not paying any taxes. Americans prefer to buy foreign products because they "better" and around the world few people buy American products for the same reason.

There's a very real chance that in the next generation countries like China and India will become the worlds economic super powers. They have incredible drive to succeed and advance while the American way is "what's in it for me?".

It's just a thought but perhaps more should think about it before being to casual about key industries going under.

Worrying about someone interfering with "OUR" business will be meaningless when you are out of business.

firstwagon,
I agree with your points. I am not against government, and I like Obama as a person. I think it is the reason why America is viewed as a superpower today, and globally Obama has greatly improved the view of America to foreigners. China and India are already economic superpowers, IMO, but they mean little harm to America as long as we focus on what industries we do well at, and cars is not one of them.

Ford is a huge success globally, and GM sells more cars in China/India than the local car companies there. It's ironic that we are successful practically everywhere except in the US, and that is because of the cars we sell overseas. You won't see Tahoes, Suburbans, and so on in any overseas country except this one, and only very recently have we seen why. Foreign automakers, however, are successful in America and in their local areas; Chrysler and GM fail to do so. Therefore, they should be allowed to go under if that is what the circumstances happen to be.

Mistakes happen, but if you go out of business, then that's just the way the world works. Our government does an incredible job of keeping us safe, etc., but shouldn't interfere with that process.

The SHO is too heavy, too much and too late. However, I can't wait to buy a rental return 2010 regular Taurus next year when my Buick is finished. With a transaction price probably around $13k, there's real value there.

IMHO, A $40k plus Taurus is insane.

pflyer: When was the last time you bought a car? Vehicles these size (i.e. Maxima, Avalon, 300) with options retail for the same 40K. So how exactly is that insane?

I find it funny that some of you act like this is the 1st time the CAFE standards have been raised. Obama himself isn't at fault. This article clearly states that the new CAFE standards were being considered WAAAAAY before the Obama administration. Actually, senator McCain was one of the major players.

http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/crs_cafe_standards.shtml

If anyone cared to just use their brains for one minute its obvious that just about every car currently made gets better fuel economy vs its predecessors. Yes, it is possible for manufacturers to get better fuel efficiency and its not like they have to have those cars on the market tomorrow. I'm not suggesting it will be easy however everyone is acting like the gov't will force us all to purchase hybrids.

In my eyes, American consumers will still have the same or similar choices when it comes to automotive purchases as they do now.

The American car industry destroyed itself. Not Obama. They are the ones who just thought Trucks, suvs, and some more Trucks. Its embarrassing, to think that the people who built the stealth bomber and father of nuclear bombs can't build a good car. Its not the consumers fault, people want the best for there money and lets face it japanase and german cars are in another level then amercian cars. Personally myself after owning a lincoln mark 8 (which to this day is the best amercian car i drove, but head gasket blew at 80,000 miles and also the block cracked.) and a ford explorar(which also broke on me at 70,000 miles, same problem with head gasket). I soon turned to honda and now have a 2000 accord coupe with 220,000 miles and all i did was change the oil and fluids. granted the automatic transmission is getting jerky now, but for goodsake i didn't even change the timing belt ever. This alone has turned me away from amercian cars and will ever go back even if they offer me a lifetime powertrain warrenty.

"You guys haven't even tested a SHO with the Performance Pkg, which recalibrates the steering. In your whining you should have mentioned that."

Have you forgotten what the SHO was supposed to be? A performance version of a boringmobile. The performance pckg should have been there as standard equipment.

I agree with the Mechanic. What the hell was GM thinking when they decided to keep Buick but kill Pontiac, the creator of the original muscle car? Just plain stupid.

YES!

Very true. This is the combative side of Inside Line that makes me keep reading. I felt the same way about the SHO. American car companies have to produce a superior car.

agman1271,

see brimrock2's post (above) of July 14, 2009 at 8:09 AM.

As the owner of a new Chrysler Town and Country, I'll say that the van and company have been terrific to me. What got me to buy a Chrysler you ask? Well two transmissions replaced, DVD player replaced, rotors and pads replaced, sliding door motor replaced, and enough rattles to shake a train in my wifes 2008 Honda Odyssey got me there. So to all of you that think Japan's quality is something to aspire to, YOU MUST BE JOKING! I FOR ONE, WILL NOT SET FOOT IN ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT.

What amazes me most about this editorial is not the content - but rather that Edmunds is putting money and time into satire rather than good reporting. Why haven't the other "columns" been updated in recent history? Why is "the mechanic" getting airtime while the other columns remain poorly out of date? I look to other sites for good reporting now-a-days. And inside-line just provides a backdrop. Edmunds - please focus on your core: providing quality columns & good reporting, not drivel.

this is gotta be the best artical ive read in forever i also love how u said why they keep buick i laughed when gm kept it i just loved the artical.

this is gotta be the best artical ive read in forever i also love how u said why they keep buick i laughed when gm kept it i just loved the artical.

gdmstrb said:

pflyer: When was the last time you bought a car? Vehicles these size (i.e. Maxima, Avalon, 300) with options retail for the same 40K. So how exactly is that insane?

I buy cars fairly regularly, just not new ones. Here is my take on a $40K+ Taurus.

1. They will be selling same model year "normal Taurus" rental returns this time next year for about $13K, give or take a thousand. Do you think that will affect the transaction price of the SHO?

2. Use Hyundai as an example. What is the standard Hyundai new car evaluation. Well... let's see, it's 95% of a Honda/Toyota/Lexus (depending on the Hyundai model evaluated) but at a much lower price. There's perceived value there and the transaction price seems reasonable for the automobile offered. The Taurus cannot say that. It is "fully priced" relative to the competition, but not as good as the other cars, based on what I have read. It's definitely not a sports sedan. Too big, too heavy and too slow.

3. The Taurus, while it seems to be a fine car (I like its look quite allot, but I am a middle aged male), at its present price structure, it is running in some pretty tough competition. Let's list some: Acura TSL, Lexus ES, Cadillac CTS, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class, even the Pontiac/Chevy G8. All of those cars have perceived market value close to their sticker price or are cheaper. IMHO, a Taurus, no matter how many horses it has, is a mainstream sedan, not a "near luxury" aspiration auto.

4. To each his own, by the way. If you feel the Taurus measures up, buy it, but get a huge discount off that very aggressive sticker price. I don't see the value, especially compared to the other vehicles I listed. I would think three years from now, used SHOs will be going for quite a bit less than the other sedans listed, especially compared to the original asking price.

5. That's all just my humble opinion. If others want it, go for it. That's what makes markets. I just feel Ford should have bitten the bullet, priced it on the lower end of the competition and reaped the rewards of good auto karma and reviews. Very short sighted of them. It will cost them.

Dear Edmunds,

I know money's tight, and that it's much easier to drum up pageviews with an inflammatory op-ed fired off in 10 minutes than with a good head-to-head comparison test of the type you do so well.

But please, don't make the mistake of thinking that all pageviews have the same value, in terms of your overall brand equity, and that 5,000 hits on "The Mechanic" is as good as 5,000 hits on a piece of real automotive journalism. To do so would be to pull an "old GM," and think that just because you moved 100,000 Cavaliers at a loss, with 0% financing and $5,000 rebates, you're doing just as well as Honda, selling 100,000 Civics at sticker.

Point is this: Edmunds smells like Motor Trend these days. It's been months since we've read a good comparo (V6 Camaro, 'Stang, and Genesis, anyone?) and the "First Drives" (and even most "Road Tests") are now the same overly complimentary, rehashed press releases as they are in the buff books.

Get the magic back, baby, while we're still on your side!

The Mechanic is back..and he strikes again !:)

"I could complain about Obama and the fact that he's destroying the American auto industry and my freedom to choose my personal vehicle based on my personal likes, dislikes and desires, not some nationalistic agenda founded solely on totalitarian ideals and increasing federal involvement in the day-to-day lives of Americans." - so true...

This Eco-craziness is destroying Moto-industry
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Volt bestseller? - it's to ugly !....
has GM any convertible car right now? (where;s Buick Velite production car - I dont wont "chinesse inspired " Riviera (it was always handsome car!)....
respected guy like Bob Lutz had to cancelled his Caprice new car statement , because "some lobby or government told him..."..so sad !
..and so on , and so on...
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BTW: great "uncle Bubba story" last time, :)

Ford US continues to disappoint. Why didn't they just start off by using the Mondeo as the basis for the new Taurus? Ford EUR and Ford US are like 2 completely different companies. Don't get me started on the Focus; if Mazda can use that Euro Focus/S40 platform profitably in the US, then there is no reason Ford can't do the same

I am SO sick and tired of people accusing the US government of "destroying freedom" and "instituting communist policies" when it comes to the auto industry. Fact is, brother, that Americans had, do have, and will continue to have, plentiful choices of cars to buy.

And guess what? We chose, and we didn't choose GM, Ford, or Chrysler. Why? Because they make crap products! You said it yourself, Mechanic.

Obama's trying to fix a problem that started long, long ago and all we can do is gripe and say that the government is meddling in our affairs? Good! I'm glad! About time! For too long the US auto industry went ignorantly about its business, thinking that environmental damage, high pensions, and low quality goods could go on forever. Well, now those days are gone forever, and I say good riddance.

It's a global village now, and a global economy to go along with it. The US cannot operate in isolation anymore, and its current industry "leaders" have proven that they are incapable of adapting. So until that day comes, get used to the idea of government intervention. For your own good...

Amen. Too bad you give a damn; otherwise you would be running GM/Ford 'Die-cyler'

Someone tell me why Asian cars are so hidiously designed? I am currently looking to replace my 1997 Blazer with 315k miles with something that gets better MPG (clunker bill). Everything from the East is so ugly!. Honda Element GOOFY! Honda Pilot is so bloated with that PacMan grill. Toyota's are just plain wierd plus I don't want to get into that sludge/failures thing associated with Toyota/Lexus motors. Nissan? Where would I start? Murano, FX, Rouge? Oh my God. SO UGLY! My sisters husband bought a Enclave and loves it. Maybe a VW Toureg or a Dodge Journey.