Jazzhead

First of all, kudos for wanting to buy domestic. That is so important for the future of our country, and its middle class. I don't care if someone's liberal or conservative, to me the ones who are the "good guys", from the standpoint of civic responsibility, are the ones who support American workers. Second, I've got to put in a good word for the quality of Chrysler products - I drive a 300C and my wife drives a Pacifica (we both also share a Ford Focus), and both Chrysler products have been completely satisfying and trouble free. Now the Pacifica bears some of the attributes of the MKT - a premium ride but the back row is suitable only for small children, with little usable headroom. That's okay for us, because we've gotten beyond our carpooling years. But why not consider the Town and Country? If a minivan is what you need, the T&C ought to hit the sweet spot, especially with the 4.0 engine, and has flexible interior options that none of the competition has. At least in a T&C, I can drive a minivan without the stigma of being seen in a vehicle that brands me as indifferent to my community.

The durability of leather is all in how you maintain it. I have an original '93 Grand Cherokee, with leather seats that are unique for that initial year. They still look and feel great - no split seams, still shiny - but that's because I give 'em the cream leather conditioner treatment every couple of months. Leather seats need care, just like good shoes and handbags.

Bottom line is these are two great American cars. I have a 2005 300C that I bought within the first month they went on sale, and have loved the beast ever since. Before that, I'd owned two Tauri, but never one, of course, with the capabilities of this new one. About the only drawback I see with the new SHO is the AWD that I really don't need, which adds weight. But having never driven a AWD vehicle, I could well be pleasantly surprised with the handling improvement. The 300C has been everything promised and more. Fast, comfortable, agile for its size, surprisingly fuel efficient and I still get complements on its looks even though it's five years old. While I wish the new Taurus had adhered more closely to the stunning Interceptor concept, it's still the best looking sedan out there today other than the C. Ford will do well with this car.

So I've since noticed. Unfortunately, this site has become significantly less useful in recent months as the administrator has turned off the search engine function. I typically review a site at which I'm a regular visitor by means of the "view new posts" function, and for some reason it's been turned off for a while now. How come?

Boy, links to spy pics of the new Taurus have been up on a Ford fan site since Christmas and no comments?!? Here's a link to Jalopnik's rendering of the new Taurus, based I assume on the camo-ed pics above. Rendering of 2010 Taurus It's both an improvement on the current Taurus and quite different from the new Lincoln. The side sculpting, which derives from the European Mondeo, together with the 300-like butt-end, give the car visual interest. I like the attempt to flatten the roof a bit, and to add a touch of character both at the C pillar and the hoodline. The wheels have got to go, though; they look no better here than on the upmarket Focus. I'm not sure it will get me to trade in my 300C, but I like it - and there's apparently a performance option to come.

The Flex should do fine as soon as everybody calms the f- down and decides they want a car for a range of attributes and features, not just gas mileage alone. Seriously, the best solution to higher gas prices is just to drive what you want, but drive less. Do what UPS does - learn about and practice logistics. A Flex is a marvelous combination of utility and, yes, relative economy. My '93 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with 220 horsepower, is EPA rated at 14/18. The Flex is what, 17/24? And has more power and usable space, and seating for seven. Now that gas prices are coming down, and people aren't so flippin' crazy, quality vehicles like the Flex should sell. I'm a Jeephead, and the Flex's looks remind me of the iconic Grand Wagoneer. If I needed a car that big, I'd certainly consider a Flex.

I used to have an Escort wagon (and a Vega wagon, too), and can see the need today to once again get an economical little hauler. There's one vehicle that suits me to a T - the Jeep Patriot. Perfectly sensible, prefectly space efficient, perfectly economical, and I can choose either a two or all wheel drive, auto or manual. Get one in Jeep green, dress it up with some fogs, now THAT's an Escort substitute AND my six-times-a-year blizzard car.

Glad to hear you like the Focus. Mine's an '01, but the thing's a blast to drive and BIG inside. Certainly the best compact car I've ever owned. Glad to hear, too, that you think of the larger community when you make as important a decision as a consumer as buying a new car. A tip of the hat to you, sir.

Don't knock the Hemi 'til you've tried it. I just drove over 800 miles this weekend, from Philadelphia to Charlotte and back. The average MPG for the entire trip, including some local excursions away from the highway, was 24.3. That's remarkable, I say, for a car that has so much power in reserve and is so damn much fun to drive as the 300C. For highway cruising, this beast is a blessing, with cylinder deactivation that WORKS to make this remarkable car downright efficient. I don't like $3.50 a gallon fuel any more than anyone else, but I'd still rather drive this car than anything else.

May I predict with better than usual confidence that this will be my next car. Just beautiful. I especially love the rear side character line reminiscent of the Buick boattail. If it looks like the concept, it's won't smack of a clone with the Malibu or Aura; it will be of a piece and a landmark Buick.

Now THAT's the F-150 I'd buy. But can you get the reg. cab with leather and console? I don't think you could last year. Now that the shortie doors are gone, there shouldn't be any obstacle to getting a reg. bed with the primo interior. Should there?

The 2010 looks good, with a more creased and contemporary appearance. The current Taurus' worst angle is the rear, so the photo doesn't reveal much about changes there. But if the back end is chiselled like the current 300, this could be a fine looking car.

I had a good time at the Philly show. The Focus coupe, which was fully loaded with a nice leather interior for the class, felt very comfortable. My '01 ZX3 is still going strong, but I could definitely see myself in the new one. The Interceptor concept was at the show, and all I can say is that Ford should find some way to build it. The Lincoln MKS looked good and should sell, but it didn't appeal to me personally. Looks too Japanese. The Intercepter, by contrast, would have me lining up with open checkbook. Also the MKR concept, which was also at the show. I know both the Interceptor and MKR concepts are yesterday's news in terms of the show circuit, but they are spot-on design directions, and as nice as any I've seen from any manufacturer. Ford consistently has the best concepts - so build them already! The new Malibu was mobbed. Very nice. Surprisingly, I liked the G6 GXP better. The G8 didn't do a thing for me. Then again, I drive a 300C, which like the Interceptor has a very different design aesthetic. Speaking of the 300C, the new one is mostly unchanged except the interior is improved , with softer pieces on the armrests, a more upscale console and some trim to break up the monotony of the dash. Still not enough to justify trading in my '05, but that doesn't mean my dealer couldn't entice me with the SRT appearance package and some no-interest financing. The Challenger, though, could well make me break out the wallet. Unfortunately, there wasn't one at the show. The Dodge rep said there'd be one arriving on Wednesday. Maybe I'll make a return trip this weekend. Another car I love is the new Jeep Liberty. I saw one for the first time with the Skyslider roof - what a cool feature! The Philly show usually doesn't match the bigger shows, but's its in a nice venue and (mostly) all the new stuff is there. The program had a good article about the way the Philadelphia dealership scene has changed since the fifties. Some great Concours cars down on the first level, too, including a gorgeous Cord and a Daimler roadster.

If the Democrats run against Bush rather the actual GOP nominee, they'll lose. If the Democrats run to restore the Clinton presidency, they'll lose. If the Democrats keeping hinting that the voters are too racist to elect Obama, they'll lose, too. If the Democrats keeping hinting that neither Clinton nor Obama is electible in order to boost Edwards, they'll lose too. The Democrats can win if they stick to the issues and promote an agenda that is skewed toward the middle, not the extremist fringes. Unfortunately, the nutroots are more firmly in control of the Democratic party than they are on the GOP side. GOP voters appear to recognize the race is for the independent middle; just look at the surge for McCain in the latest Rasmussen polls. Those same polls both show McCain beating Clinton or Obama by about ten percentage points. The GOP will win in '08 if they wise up before the Democrats do. That looks like it's shaping up to be the case.

The Taurus does look better than the Sable, but the two vehicles are basically similar looking, a classic case of badge engineering. If I were the King o' Ford, I'd take the new MKS sheetmetal, put the Sable grille on it, and decontent the vehicle appropriate so it can be sold on a volume basis as a Mercury. The MKS has the style that the Sable lacks, but its priced beyond the reach of the middle class. It would help both the Sable and the Taurus for the two to have distinctly different silouettes.