Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Opinions?
The Duratec has won in previous years.
I think the 5.4L Ford V-8 they put in the F-Series and Expedition/Excursion may have set a record for the number of repeat wins this year.
Every winner on the list had one thing in common, overhead cams. Not a push rod anywhere in sight.
http://www.wardsauto.com/best10/99info/ford25svt.htm
The 2.5L is just the 3.0L with a smaller bore. In fact a Ford Performance Tuner has taken the 2.5L heads and mated them to a 3.0L block added a supercharger and is producing about 290HP
Now if I can get that into my Contour
Cheers,
TB
Accord. I paid just under 22,000 for my Intrigue
last year. I could have bought a Accord for 24,000. I didn't feel that the Intrigue was better than the Accord just that I was more comfortable paying 2,000 less. A Taurus can be had for less than 20,000 nicely optioned, this is why people are buying them.
I have seen your posts flaming Gm cars, most noticeably the Impala, and you guys need to get over yourselves.
My Intrigue has more room, better acceleration, and better gas mileage than the Taurus, is it a
nicer driving car, yes, has it been in the shop more than your Taurus', oh yeah. But, even with its problems it has been the best driving sedan that I have been in for the money. Its passing acceleration is truly amazing.
It seems to me that you need to realize that the Taurus is what it is, a value oriented family sedan nothing more and nothing less.
the intrigue 3.5 and tranny is a a bit superior engine to the 3.0 duratec and ford tranny, i may agree to that.
But compare the interiors of the two cars. The Taurus beats it hands down. The plastics and switches and seats are much nicer in the Taurus. And the Taurus has more space on the inside.
Looks wise on the exterior its tie. Myself, I prefer the Taurus by a whisker.
Pricing wise, GM still hasn't figured out that a car like the Intrigue doesn't deserve a 28k sticker price (loaded). You can buy a fully loaded Taurus for barely around 23k, or a basic Taurus around 16k. High end or low end, the Taurus is superior priced for a car that is essentially equal or better than comparable GM products.
Bottom line- GM is overpriced in a lot of cases compared to competition, they need to upgrade their motors in a lot of their models, and also they could stand to improve the styling, drving dynamics and interiors quality. Ford at least makes a showing in these areas. You can cite the intrigue, but remember the Intrigue is most likely GM's best sedan. The Impala certainly doesn't stack up like the Intrigue.
(Go ahead flame me!)
Check out the Edmunds comparison for a slightly more impartial comparison....
http://www.edmunds.com/roadtests/comparison/2000/familysedan/index.html
If this is JOURNALISM, I am SUPERMAN!
I was wondering where the Lumina went. What ever happened to the rear wheel drive V-8 powered Impala? The new Impala is just a warmed over Lumina with a name change.
"Ugly. That was the term most often used to describe the 2000 Impala. The new "squashed greenhouse" look isn't befitting of the Impala lineage, which imparts a breadbox appearance. "
"lack of quality textures" and "instead sport rubbery vinyls; glossy plastics and a leftover-parts-bin feel"
.."Perhaps it's time Chevrolet took lessons from Ford's Visteon group on how interiors are done."
Once again, 2000 Taurus owners, take a look at the black moldings on the back doors that run just below the windows. Look at how they appear to be cut too wide around the post at the back of the door (worse on driver's side), leaving a big gap that you can look right down into the door through, also letting more than acceptable amounts of water to get inside the door. Then please show your dealer's service manager. The more complaints Ford has about this defect, the quicker they'll have to find a solution (I hope).
Then why are you here? Why don't you refer us to positve reviews of the Chevy that are not GM edited?
When a car review is bad, they are "biased and reviews mean nothing" and if it's good, they are hailed as "proof that my car is the best".
The Malibu is now positioned as a mid-size car. To me, it is a Corsica-like rental appliance. (yes, I drove one, zzzzzzz.)
This is the first one...more coming your way...
Even the Dodge fans can recognize the virtues of this car!
The icing on the cake!
Enjoy!
I have nothing to say against or for the Impala (since I know very little about them), but the www.epinions.com reviews I don't feel are very valuable. If you read a bunch of the Taurus reviews, you'll notice that people are complaining about their old Tauruses (many from the early 90s.) What does that have to do with the newer Tauruses. As an owner of a '97 (and a former owner of a '93 Sable), I can say that the cars are completely different. The Impala is a brand new car. There aren't any 1993 Impala owners there to complain about problems with their car.
I haven't checked out any of the other webpages, but do you really care whether we like the Impala or not. To me, all that is important is that I like my car, and I can easily say that I love my '97 Taurus GL. I hope you enjoy your Impala.
Not every 2000 Taurus is affected -- The moldings fit just fine on my SES -- I can't look down into the door at all. My Taurus was built in Chicago in early 2000 (took delivery March 16th). Perhaps this defect is limited to after a certain date or at only one plant.
My car was also assembled in Chicago, on May 1. After taking delivery on May 27, every single Taurus I've looked at, whether made in Chicago or Atlanta, on 2 dealers' lots looks exactly like mine.
In fact, the first step my dealer's service manager took was to order new moldings. He inspected them when they came in, only to find they were formed as poorly as the ones already on my car, and saw no sense in making the switch.
Hopefully you are correct that this is limited to cars manufactured during a small period of time.
Chevrolet tried to rate Impala this way last year, than stop. You can see this yourself at the official GM site, gmbuypower: just search across from all GM makes for body style. Impala is rated to be mid-size, as well as Malibu.
Malibu is now positioned as a mid-size car. To me, it is a Corsica-like rental appliance.
Know nothing about Corsica, but I work almost next door to a rental office and half block from another one and I saw a lot of their cars. Yes, Malibu is a rental workhorse. As well as Taurus. Must be dependable enough and not quirky.
As about size, well, I own a 98 Malibu and 88 Taurus Wagon. When we bought the Malibu, both my wofe and I considered it to be a small compact car. But, somehow, it always took not so compact place in my parking garage (very cramped one, downtown, in an old building).
Intrigued, I took both manuals from the glove boxes and compared dimensions. It turned to be that Malibu is only 1/8 inch (3mm) shorter than 1988 Taurus wagons and somewhat longer than the sedans. Not so small cars.
Also, there is more rear legroom in Malibu - more place for my son. And the trunk is very large, while, unfortunately still no wagon.
In other words, Malibu looks smaller than it is in reality, with the opposite for Taurus. Just a design.
On the other hand, all Tauruses are somewhat wider, and the 96-2000 Tauruses are longer too.
Re: #292 Barjon, I guess you didn't see my posting #191. It was directed to you. I'm happy with the fix they did. In talking recently to my salesman, they plan on fixing the gaps that are real bad on other cars and then charging Ford later.
Regarding the "L" - he has ordered one. I have seen SES and SEL on a couple of cars. I bet most people don't realize that they're missing or really don't care. When they go to sell they will wish that they had gotten it fixed.
http://ugetheard.com/wc.dll?ugripecls~FeedbackStats0_2
-- I've been driving my new Taurus since December, I got the SEL trim level with the 24V Duratec, MACH stereo with side air bags. I was very impressed with the build quality on this car, everything fit together nicely with no squeaks or rattles. The acceleration and the car is beatiful, and I've gotten a lot of complements on it. I just hit 15k miles with no problems.
-- OK, I forgot I did/do have one issue. When the car is in overdrive at about 35-40mph on a flat surface it will "trailer-hitch" or modulate slightly some times. Dealer checked and didn't have a fix for it. Had the computer re-flashed for a recall and that didn't fix it. It's a minor annoyance.
-- The only thing I'd change on the car is the seats. I bought it off the lot and it came with no cost leather seats. I never had leather seats before and find these a little uncomfortable (hard). Go with the cloth seat covers.
GM SELLS (too) MANY.
You're still missing the point. Why do they need to burn cost and resources engineering and marketing sooo many different cars that compete with each other essentially?
Bottom line-if the Chevy Impala is soo freakin awesome, then why doesn't the Chevy Impala outsell the Taurus? Chevrolet and Ford are direct competitors. Chevy probably has more dealers. The cars are the same class. Last I saw, the Taurus probably outsells the Impala 2 to 1.
Back when GM actually had market share, it made sense to offer many different models (Regal, Cutalss Supreme, etc.) They sold enough of each make to make it worthwhile.
At the very least, for all the effort GM puts forth to make so many different midsized offerings, a Chevy midsized sedan that is in direct competition with a mid sized Ford should still outsell Ford shouldn't it?
No, it only sells half maybe. Why? You figure it out.
All the sales of the Grand Prix Intrigue and Regal/Century added to the Impala should be double or more than the Taurus but my bet is its probably close to equal. So GM having all those extra choices is nice but it certainly isn't sending shockwaves through the market.
Too manhy folks today are more fond of Passats, Camrys, Accords, AND Tauruses instead of the GM's.
Why Taurus sells well?. Because it is valued priced and marketed at very close price points in relation to its main targets: The Accord and Camry. The Taurus offers "more car" for the money than either Camry and Accord, plus the Taurus is styled more in tune to what import buyers are looking for (Milk and Toast design cues, better assembly quality, more space, better engines,etc).
Now, if you try to sell a "base" Taurus at more than $21,000 per unit, Ford would have a more difficult time moving them out of dealership lots. You can get a nicely equipped Taurus in the neighborhood of 18K to 19K, so that cuts right into Accord/Camry Territory.
Now, GM and Chysler midsize offerings compete more among each other than with the Accord/Camry duo. For instance the Impala target market is the Crown Victoria, Dodge Intrepid and Ford Taurus. Each one of these are Domestic cars. So guys, the why the Impala doesn't go after the Camry/Accord sales is a lame argument to say the least. Impala, Intrepid, Regal,etc,etc appeal to more traditional domestic buyers than for one reason or another don't have their tastes gravitating toward absolute 'Import' oriented autos.
The Impala has been selling close to 15,000 units per month, a figure that the old Luminas could only dream of. So not bad for a first year Chevy model in the market right there in the 10/11th sales spots.
Would the Impala brake the barrier and compete head to head with the Taurus?? May be, but GM needs to sell close to 200,000 cars per year to see those goals a reality. Remember that the "Impala" moniker has a much wider market recognition than the "Taurus" moniker, altough Ford has done a commendable job to boost the car's popularity. When t GM sold 1 million Impalas in 1965 (No other car or automaker has been able to beat this sales record)Ford didn't even dreamed about the "Taurus" then (21 years in the future)so,the Impala name carries much weight and automotive history with it. GM made a terrible mistake replacing such 'household' names as Impala and Malibu for the insipid "Corsica" and "Lumina" names. In the mid 1990's they realized about this mistake and the 94-96 Impala SS was reborn in more 'serious' caprice clothes. Ditto for the Malibu.
The first Impala was launched to market in 1959 and the Last run was made until 1979 or 1980. Then the car was 'revived' in the mid 1990's and re-relased for longer production run in 2000.
The upcoming Impala SS,Taurus SHO and Dodge Charger R/T should bring back the "Spice" in the high performance domestic sedan arena.
People that view cars as RICE BURNERS are more fond into bland and boring Accords and Camrys and strongly believe that reliability and resale value are the very end of automotive history. (Been there done that). People that value high fashion looks, good performance and the European flair associated with german cars fall for Passats, Jettas, BMW's, etc. People that like more substantial sedans, better performance, better looks, more room, more safety, and more value for the dollar, look for domestic nameplates such as Taurus, Regal, Impala, Grand Prix, Intrigue, Intrepid,etc.
So to put it in a more "Human" way:
Japanese cars = Chinese food take out or delivery Pizza, reliable, plain and plenty tasty.
European Cars = A good glass of Chardonnay with the best gourmet Salmon cut.
American cars = An Ice Cold beer (Pick your favorite brand) with a 14oz new York Strip prime cut steak and French fries.
Who doesn't like any of these choices?
:-)
A friend told me to give it to at least 5,000 miles, but should it take that long for the engine to loosen up?
moniker has a much wider market recognition than
the "Taurus" moniker, altough Ford has done a
commendable job to boost the car's popularity."
Yeah to anyone over age 45 or 50!
Ford since 1986 has probably sold 6 or 7 million Taurus'. Chevy since then has not registered the Impala name in big numbers although the Impala SS was successful (but not many copies).
Most of todays car buying public has a greater recognition of Accord, Camry, Taurus than Impala.
recognition of Accord, Camry, Taurus than Impala."
Not sure if that will be the case anymore. The fact is that the Impala, beign one of the lowest priced all new for 2000 GM Midsizers, it already has some strong recognition in the car market. Give it some more time in the marketplace (Although Chevy needs to market this car a lot better)and with the Upcoming SS model, the Impala will seriously upset the sales figures of its main rivals.
"Yeah to anyone over age 45 or 50!"
Absolutely false. I am 28 and my wife is 24. We are right in the "lucrative" age group that buys new Volkswagens, Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Acuras, Ford Focus and so forth. We both are professionals (Computer Engineer & technical Writer) Before we bought our Impala, we test drove a number of new "Hot and Trendy" cars...the Impala won in many respects of performance, value, quality and safety.
If you conduct a survey in the Impala VII topic here in Edmunds, you'll be surprised to find that the great majority of Impala owners in that forum are under 35 years old. There are handful of Generation X'ers between the ages of 20 to 30 that have bought new Impalas. None of them were even born yet to witness the heyday of this model in the 1960's. Great job done by Chevy to bring back potential import buyers into a midsize V-6 domestic car. This car has a great following among young buyers....it says a lot about the car and breaks the myth that 20 somethings and 30 somethings will always prefer imported or more "Popular appealing" new cars.
It is interesting to note that most "young" buyers see the Taurus fit more in the "45 or 50" age buyer group that you are talking about.