[NefCanuck]

OAC_Sparky,Feb 7 2007, 12:15 PM Wrote:I own a '99 Taurus with the Duratec 3.0L 24V V6, and an '05 Focus ST. So I'm not giving "anecdotal" opinion, but some "real" opinion. And I'm telling you that the "land yacht" will walk all over your 2.0L, because it nearly keeps up with my ST. Cornering, it handles just fine, for its size, and I'd take it any day on a long trip. I have the SHO suspension in mine, I had to put a set of Eibachs in my ST to get rid of the "floaty" feeling.

Just because "grandpa" doesn't drop the hammer doesn't mean that it's a Crown Vic.

And note: I like my Focus AND my Taurus. For different reasons. But I also see both for what they are, both have their strengths and flaws.

I just find it ironic that those who defend their Focus jump on other cars when in the automotive "food chain" the Focus is really not much better, if at all.

Now, back to the  500 soon to be Taurus/Sable, have you actually (gasp) driven one?
[right][snapback]226078[/snapback][/right]

I did drive an '86 Ford Taurus four banger sedan for three years (94-97) It wasn't the worst car I ever owned, but it had been crippled by the beancounters even then. The 4 banger was a bored out Tempo/Topaz motor that was slow, thirsty and noisy. It rode like it was hardly connected to the road (and yes, I had the shocks checked, all were within spec at the time) and was the only car I ever owned that left me stranded when an electronic part failed at speed, causing me to be stranded at the side of the 400 until a good samartian let me use their cellphone & call CAA for a tow.

Before I bought the Focus I did take a test ride in an '05 Taurus and while I did like the execution of the interior, the exterior styling and ride left me cold. The ride being the primary offender, the suspension set up left me as a passenger feeling that there was a delay between steering inputs I observed and reaction from the car.

That and the horror stories of the transmissions dying with regularity scared me away.

All I'm saying is that maybe affixing the Taurus nameplate to a reskinned 500 isn't the best move they could make :unsure:

NefCanuck