chromehorn

I had the pleasure (until it had around 90K on the odo...at which time numerous problems began to occur, none of which were related to that INCREDIBLE engine) of owning a 93 SHO. It was the first fwd car i had owned, and though the feel of driving a fwd car aggressively was way different than any rwd car I had owned, I did learn how to drive it at the limit and was really impressed how it could take a line in a corner and just stick. No fuss at all. Now I know that to purists, rwd is the only way to go when it comes to sports cars, but I must defend the 1st generation SHO as a car that did make its way to the track. The Ninja Turtle SHO's were pretty cool in their day...and performed pretty well, albeit with quite a few modifications. Ninja Turtle SHO I've now owned 3 Tauri: a 93 SHO, 00 SES, and my current one an 08 SEL FWD. As much as I enjoyed the 93 SHO (auto), the 08 (thanks to the 6 speed and 3.5 engine) is definitely quicker to 60 mph and seems to keep getting better as the miles run up on the odometer. It'll never run with the new SHO, or handle like the gen 1 or 2 models, but it sure is awful fun to surprise other drivers, who think it's just a big 'ol boat that is totally gutless. :shades:

:eek5: Dang! That is one friggen' BIG car. I thought my 08 was big but crap... Too bad it lost all of that rear seat leg room. I have alot of family members that are well over 6ft. tall and they all like the roominess in the back seat. Oh well...I guess that's what the trade off is for a better looking car (somewhat debatable for me anyway as I'm still not sure I like tail end yet...maybe it will grow on me). I wonder how much the extra size will bring along in a weight penalty and it's commensurate effects on fuel economy and performance in the normally aspirated versions?

Agreed. "Tora Sex" I can't remember who it was that posted this particular variation of the Taurus X name but it makes me laugh everytime I see one on the road...

Hmmm. I might just want to make this my next vehicle. That really is close to what I had hoped it was going to be, but was afraid it would end up closer to $50K. I was hoping someday to be able to buy a Baja Bronco, and to me, the Raptor is it's spiritual successor. I wonder how many Raptor's will end up never being used as intended? Kind of like all the Wranglers I see that are built up, and are never used for what they could do. I think it would be a shame to own a Raptor, and not take it off-road, whether through the desert, or on trails like the Rubicon. Come to think of it, I guess the Raptor isn't really built for Rubicon Trail (or similar trails) use but I would imagine it could handle it with little or no problem...unless it's width was an issue. Any ideas?

Oh I don't know about Matt not deserving to win. He did all the right things to get to the front when it counted. I believe the last 2 years the car leading at the white flag failed to win the race. IIRC, both Harvick and Newman "came out of nowhere" to win and I don't think anyone would say that either of them didn't deserve to win. Leading the most laps doesn't mean you deserve to win either. I can think of many races where Matt led the most laps and failed to win. So was he lucky? Yeah, I would say there was alot of luck involved in avoiding that last wreck. It seems like every year at Daytona, Matt ends up getting up towards the front late in the race only to be collected up in the "Big One". This year he managed to somehow avoid getting tangled up in a mess caused by someone else. Do you believe in fate? I'm not sure if I do or not, but here is something to chew on. Two years ago, at Daytona, Matt (despite having many on track incidents with Harvick) pushed Kevin Harvick to the win. Fast forward to this year and who was it that gave Matt the push to his 1st Daytona 500 victory? Kevin Harvick. Now I seriously doubt that either of them woke up the morning of the race thinking "I'm going to help Kevin/Matt win today", but that does make me believe that no good deed goes unpaid. Deserving or not, rain shortened or not, it was good to see Matt win, and put a Ford in victory lane at Daytona for the first time in nearly a decade. The added PR from winning at Daytona should only help Ford's image as well.

Ditto Any guesses as to the price? I'm thinking just shy of $50k. Every time I see this truck, especially in orange, I can't help but think "Baja Bronco".

I was thinking that might happen as well... I guess that Raptor just happened to be far enough along in development to make it into production before getting the axe?

I'm thinking '68 Fairlane also... interior gauges sorta remind me of this: back end kinda reminds me of this: Sad thing is, a couple of months after buying an '08, the earliest news started leaking out about what the '10 model might look like. When I saw the 1st pics a while later, I thought that I would probably like this version of the Taurus better than my '08 (which I do). I suppose that when you need to buy a car you buy what you can get at that time...waiting 2 years wasn't an option for me. :shrug: It will be interesting to see how long the '10 Taurus keeps this particular appearance before it is updated again. I hope that by the time I'm ready to pass our '08 Taurus on to our son as his transportation to school (in about 7 - 8 years) Ford will be making a new RWD performance sedan...although that looks kinda unlikely at this time based on some comments in other threads on that particular topic. :angry:

I thought there was going to be a Bronco based on the upcoming F-100 in 2011-12.

I don't know if the Taurus in it's current form was ever intended to be a premium sedan. It's worlds better than the previous model (traded a '00 model on the '08) but as nice as it is I wouldn't call it a premium sedan. A good all-around sedan with some nice features, safety and competitive if not class-leading perfomance (i.e. power and fuel economy), definitely! Now I can't say that I've driven a Fusion, but I have sat in a few of them, and have friends who own them, and they all have stated that my 08 Taurus is much nicer inside, rides better, quieter, roomier (duh!), and is all around much more car than their Fusion. The only thing that really limits the current Taurus IMO is the styling. It's not even one of those love-it or leave-it kind of things...it just kind of grows on you the more you look at them. One thing that is for sure, the '08 and '09's will be kind of a rare sight in the future as the big chrome 3-bar grille looks to be a thing of the past on the '10 Taurus. That suits me just fine as I don't like seeing 10 or more cars like mine on my everyday commute. Having said that, I hope the public can make the transition to a Taurus that might be positioned as a premium sedan. The name is certainly recognizable as that of a family car, or to some a sports sedan (my 93 SHO always got comments from those in the know), but it may be a stretch to call it a premium sedan. The Five Hundred name seemed to fit that role much better, but alas there is nothing we can do about that now. The funny thing is that for all the hand wringing and fussing over the name change to Taurus from the Five Hundred, most people who see a my '08 Taurus think it's a Five Hundred anyway. Or I get a reaction like I did today in a Best Buy parking lot. I was busy listening to the latest melt-down of the stock market on Sirius CNBC when I noticed in the rear-view and side mirrors a couple in their mid 40's walk behind / beside my car and stop. If it weren't for the fact I could read their lips as they were saying to each other, "what is that...a Ford...a Taurus?" I would think that they were looking at road kill hanging from under the rear bumper. The best part was watching them look over their shoulders a couple of times as they were walking into the store, just to get another look or two. Anyway I can't wait to see the real deal '10 Taurus and more importantly what is under the hood. Sounds like it's gonna be a killer ride in SHO trim. :burnout: :burnout: :burnout: :burnout:

Who knows for sure. Seems like we've seen this in the past (long before my time) with Studebaker and Packard...at least that is who comes to mind. Not sure of all the details in that situation but I imagine there are some similarities. Weren't their some other auto manufacturer mergers in the past that have ended with neither of them in existence today?

The sales are up because I bought one! :tease: Seriously though, the car really has to be driven to appreciate it. On paper, assuming people are even aware of it, it is pretty impressive. Great gas mileage, lots of room, more than respectable HP, great price point, and nice options like SYNC. I have had nothing but compliments about the car...most people shocked that it is a Taurus, and an one or two mistaking it for a Five Hundred. Can't blame them for it though. The only people who probably know the whole story behind the Five Hundred / Taurus renaming circus are losers like us that post on this website. :shades: Ford certainly hasn't done much to inform the general car buying public of the change. As far as it's looks are concerned, I think I'm going to enjoy having a car that is somewhat unique in the sense that it doesn't look like every other "Euro" / "Asian" sedan on the road. A couple of weeks ago when I purchased ours, I saw only 1 other '08 Taurus on my daily commute and in our part of town. This last week I've seen probably 5 or 6 different ones...I guess people are finally noticing them on the lots and I agree that many realize they fit needs of those who want to downsize from their SUV's that were used only for driving around town. Bottom line for me is that it is a large, safe car that gets more than respectable gas mileage, has enough poop under the hood to get out of its own way, and most importantly it only cost me $19,246 (x plan, rebates and stubborn price negotiating on my part) out the door for a nicely equipped SEL with Leather, SYNC, Sirius, and Reverse Sensors (and a full tank of gas).

You know it's really interesting seeing how most everyone here has a negative view about the "Dave Taurus". When the 08 500 was renamed Taurus, for the most part everyone was thinking that the biggest issue that would hold it back would be the lack of advertising and thus would cause the lack of 08 Taurus sales...not necessarily the styling. I'd have to say that observation would be correct. I can think of only one 08 Taurus commercial I've seen on TV and only one I've heard on the radio...and I haven't seen/heard either for probably 5-6 months. I've been a fan of the 500/Taurus from the beginning, and had been waiting for the HP improvements to come out in 08 before buying one. The thing I like about the "Dave Taurus" is that I don't see myself driving down the road every day. I like my Escape, but their have to be million of those little suckers on the road around here... in addition to all the other little CUV's on the road. On many occasions, I'll find myself sitting at a stop light with 4 other Escapes, nose to tail. I don't have this problem in my Taurus. If I do see another 3-bar chrome grille coming from the other direction I immediately recognize it as a Ford product and most of the time it's a Fusion. Yeah, I agree it does look a little bit like an afterthought on the Taurus, and I'm not real thrilled about the ricer tail lights, but considering what you get for the money, it makes alot of sense to buy one of these. When I saw the pics of the 2010 Taurus, the thing the disappointed me the most was the front grille...reminded me of just about everything else on the road that is trying to look "euro". Sure, I suppose you could say that it sells well as practically every sedan on the road has some variation of that front end on it. To date I have had nothing but compliments on the new Taurus...most people refusing to believe that it actually was one. Had one 30 something couple in a Lexus turning their heads like a couple of owls trying to figure out what kind of car it was. I could read their lips on their astonished faces as they were saying "That's a FORD!". OK, I'll say it for some of you so you can save the post: They were astonished that someone would actually put their logo on something so ugly. or That must have been some dream...nobody in a Lexus would cast a second glance at an 08 Taurus, let alone strain their necks to get a better look. Bottom line for me is that it is a large, safe car that gets more than respectable gas mileage, has enough poop under the hood to get out of its own way, and most importantly it only cost me $19,246 out the door for a nicely equipped SEL with Leather, SYNC, Sirius, and Reverse Sensors (and a full tank of gas).

Yup, Just bought some more this evening. I've read that some say the time to sell is at $11 but I think it will go quite a bit higher. I guess time will tell.

I see that you (at least I suppose it's you) were the author of the article. So do you have some insider info on this. I know that you have posted alot of good reliable info in the past, so I hope this is accurate stuff. I can't stand the roller-coaster ride the Bronco has been on the last 12-18 mos. I was resigned to it being a car based CUV, but if it can and will be based on a new small truck platform then :happy feet: :hyper: I'll be thrilled to no end.

Igor, When is it coming? I've heard lots of rumors, etc... but the topic has kind of gone cold. I understand that it will be based on a FWD platform...and I guess I'm ok with that for this iteration of a Bronco. I'm going to need an economical work/play truck in the near future and am anxious to see what it will finally look like. Do you know if it will maintain the basic look and dimensions of the 2004 Bronco Concept, or will it be significantly smaller? Chromey

I believe that would be one pushrod at each cylinder for the intake valve and one for the exhaust valve. 6 cyl. engine would then have 12 pushrods...like the one in the picture.

I'm not sure how much it will help but there is mention of 16 in. Michelin tires on the 09 Escape which among other things is supposed to help shorten stopping distances. I know that the Michelin Cross Terrains I have on my 02 Escape are noticably quieter than the original tires but as far as imroving stopping distances are concerned...I have no idea. I'm pretty sure that all tires don't perform the same so maybe there is some hope of shorter braking distances to be achieved by changing the brand / compound of tire.

Try reading this thread completely. http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index...932&hl=puma Do you remember any of your own comments furious? Seems you posted a few times regarding your own disdain for a car based Bronco like many of the rest of us. Where is your proof that it is a real possibility? I agree that if it can't perform with a Wrangler why build it. However, just like the Mustang II, Ford built the best Mustang they could for the time. If Ford didn't build the Mustang II, we might not have the Mustang we have today. The self proclaimed people in the know on BON seem to have inside info that would indicate that the "next" Bronco will be based on the Fiesta, like it or not. That doesn't mean that some future iteration won't be a proper Bronco. I hope they have no idea what they are talking about, but I'm not so myopic to think that just because we want a Bronco that can perform better than a Wrangler that they are going to build it. Anyway, back to the picture, I like the 4-door Bronco. Nice work especially considering it was done in Paint. If they built it, it would definitely sell well. If the new Bronco could perform with an LR3 or Patriot, I might consider buying one. ...and by the way, that thread I was referencing started just over a month ago. I was "here" then. I believe my first post was on that thread. There have been many other threads over the years discussing the new Bronco concept since it was introduced in 2004. Just because a person hasn't posted on this site 1000 times doesn't preclude their ability to read others comments.

I think it has already been detemined that they are going to build it...just on a Fiesta platform. From what has been discussed on other threads, it will be about the size of a Suzuki Samurai, and not really intended to be any type of competition for the Wrangler. If they made it true to it's off-road roots, I would buy one. However, I'm resigned that the next iteration of the Bronco will look like a Bronco but really be a pretender.

So true! I had a 79 Pinto, a friend had a 74 Gremlin, and a neighbor had a 74 Vega. The Vega was always busted, looked okay though, it was a 3 door wagon IIRC. The Gremlin was, well, just plain funky looking...not as bad as a another friends Pacer though! The Gremlin moved along ok with a 6 cyl, and 3 on the floor. If we were to line them up and race (which we did many a time) the Pinto and Gremlin would be neck and neck and the Vega would be flat out sucking wind. If the road got curvy, or we were driving on the numerous dirt roads where I grew up, the Pinto was just too good for the others to touch. (amazing what you can do with a floor mounted parking brake on dirt roads) Today it seems the Pinto is pretty well liked in mini stock racing as is the Ford 2.3 4 cyl. engine. It may actually be one the rare classes of racing where a Ford engine is the engine of choice amongst racers because it's so durable and easy to work on.

This is proof that a person who knows how to drive can embarrass someone with better equipment. I've seen it time and time again... money can buy great equipment to race; be it a bicycle, rc car, motorcycle, truck, car, moped, wheelchair, stroller, you name it; but it can't make up for raw talent.

My 1st Ford was a 79 Pinto. My dad bought it for me after I graduated from High School in '83, and it served me quite well for almost 10 years. When I gave it to my brother-in-law it had 175,000 miles on it. Only internal engine work done was unbrella seals on the valve stems and a timing belt. I drove that little sucker as hard as I could pretty much everywhere I went. It would run about 30 mph in 1st, 60 in second, 75 in third, and topped out around 105mph. Not bad at all considering the thing had all of about 90 HP or something like that. I would regularly mash the throttle and side-step the clutch just to show people that a Pinto could turn it's right rear tire into smoke. Of course there were quite a few universal joints that needed replacement, I think 2 clutches, and one throw-out bearing as well. That little 2.3 four-pot was dang nearly indestructable. The lessons I learned driving that car on country dirt roads, ice/snow, etc... have served me well. All too often people today need FWD/AWD/4WD, traction control, ABS, Roll Stability Control and all kinds of other junk just to keep out of the ditch when the road becomes slick. Maybe everyone who wants to get a drivers license needs to spend some time behind the wheel of an average 60's or 70's car so they can understand what it really is like to be in control of a car.

My 6 yr. old son and I were at one of the local Ford dealerships the other day looking at Mustangs. They had 2 2007 GT's with the glass roofs. One even had a functional Shaker hood scoop as well as other mods. Both of these cars were Glassback conversions I think. The sales rep said that the glass is UV coated and the inside of the car wouldn't be any hotter than any other Mustang. W/O any kind of a shade offered on these conversions, I'm not so sure about that, but I gotta tell ya that glass roof is cool. It is second only to maybe the BAMR on the Edge as far as glass acreage is concerned. I know that three of the cars I've owned that had sunroofs would cook you if you didn't close the shade when it's 100 degrees in the summer. What would be interesting to see is a top like the early 70's Buick Skylark Sun-Coupe on a Mustang. It would add alot of weight for sure but it would give you another option for open air driving. :shades: