Goodbye Taurus, you saved ford and gave us 21 good years

[Brian_B]

I think I am the only person alive who never drove or even rode in one. Weird.

 

[Crankcase]

The rare Tauruses are the 90-91 Polce versions with slots in the grille...Kind of odd looking.

 

[RickOTR]

Ford had a lot of problems with the transmissions on the Taurus, even worse then they had on the Explorer.

 

[collkid]

Ready for the Ford 500? I know i am

 

[FROADER]

The picture in the first post by Stic-o is exactly what my mom's looked like that I took my driver's license test in.

 

[BeauJ]

I used to pass by the plant off of I-75/85 everyday for 2 years and had a few deliveries there too. HUGE is all I can say. And when you pass by on the interstate, all you see in the employee parking lot are Fords

 

[Stephen]

Yep. end of an era but its time for Ford to move on to bigger and better things. The 500 is a vast improvement over the Taurus.

 

[Flounder]

Ford can still thank my cousin Jack Telnack for his work on the Taurus. Jack retired as a VP of Design but had his hand in almost every part of the Taurus, among other Ford vehicles. I don't see him often anymore, since he moved to FL and designs yachts, but I'll never forget the day my dad was asked what he thought of the Taurus, not knowing who made it.

"I'm not impressed."

He liked it more, even owned two in the early 90's, after learning it was all in the family.

 

[CodePoet]

Ready for the Ford 500? I know i am

I saw a couple today...pretty nice little cars, look good. Even pointed it out to the wife as a possiblity for her next car

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

AdamCKach, Jack Telnack is your cousin?????? OMG, he is one of my top 10 engineering and design gods! you HAVE to give me his number!

 

[FordLover]

I'm surprised with the knowledge here about the car, SHO's tended to slip under the radar and most people have no clue what they are all about. I've owned 6 total and have been involved with the SHOclub for years. The SHO is a very unique vehicle because it was way ahead of it's time, and they can be had now for dirt cheap. I paid 650 for my 89, and 1000 bucks for my 92 I currently own. The 89 I threw a set of race tires on, and other than that a completely bone stock vehicle, and took it hot lapping on Texas World Speedway, managing to pass several BMW's, Miata's, Lancers, ETC... Admitidly some of that has to do with driving skill...
Back in 89 the SHO had a sticker price of ~20 grand, it had 220hp/200ft lbs. of torque, disc brakes at all 4 corners and was capable of a 0-60 around 6.6 seconds and a 1/4 mile of 15.2@94mph. The only other vehicle with the same performance was a BMW with a price nearly double the SHO, THAT is what made the SHO so unique.
Certainly 16 years later the competition has caught up, but the SHO to this day can still hold it's own, and they are nice cars to boot.
My 92 has a power moonroof, automatic climate control, all power options, JBL system with amp'd woofer, 8 way dual power seats with power bolster and lumbar, automatic headlights, keyless entry the list goes on and on. Most people can't believe a Taurus came with a 5 speed manual, and most stock 5.0 mustang drivers can't believe that a Taurus just showed them their taillights.
Eh, I'm a bit pasionate about the car, they are alot of fun, and the yamaha motor just sings and loves to rev to the 7,000RPM redline

 

[Co&Ca]

My first car was a Taurus.
R.I.P.

 

[racinjason68]

i have had friends that have owned SHO's but I have never rode in one or even sat in one.... I did know however that they had yamerhammer motors in them and for a v-6 was kinda ballsy..... Well lets see if the 500 tops it.....

 

[KPT]

Ford had a lot of problems with the transmissions on the Taurus, even worse then they had on the Explorer.

My parents had a Sable wagon back in the day, transmission died 1000 miles out of warranty.

 

[TJM623]

my mom's got one of the 500's, there fricking HUGE! i'm 6'5 about 245 and can sit in the back when my dad is driving who is 6'1 200 and still have enough room to sit more then comfortably, then trunk is a fricking truck bed it's massive as well Passenger seat also folds down flat for more room. I've driving it a few times, not the fastest car ever built obviously but it's got enough umph for the types of people I think that will be interested in them, We have the SEL model and it came with a lot of nice features 6 disc MP3 in dash, and such. Another thing there are cup holders coming out the wahzoo! One in each door, 2 in the armrest that folds out from the back and another 2 in the center console. lots of storage room, including a little space inside the dash. I love how high it sits almost feels like your in the Explorer, the only thing I don't like are some of the buttons look tacky, like the door lock button and window controls along with the dome lighting could use some re-designing. Haven't had a problem with it yet really a great car, I'd suggest it to anyone who needs a nice family sedan with some cargo room. I'd even dare to say u could substitute one of these for a mini-van for those long vacation drives, more then enough room to fit 4 peoples luggage and food and still be comfortable to sleep in the back. I'm done with my review now have a nice day!

 

[MartyD]

My last vehicle before my X was an '89 GL 5 seat. It ROCKED! If it hadn't been for having to replace the tranny twice (and it was ready to go again when I traded it in) and the lousy paint I'd probably still have it. My ex also had a '89 G wagon, and got her folks early 90's GL after the wagon finally died. She's got a Mountineer now. I always wanted a police grill for mine (just to make it look different) but never did it. I have always liked sport wagons. I wish Ford had produced an SHO wagon, it would have been killer. So long Taurus, and thanks.

 

[FordLover]

Actually Ford made two wagons that they built and considered going into production, they obviously didn't end up doing so, but there are a few people who've built there own, and they are definitely unique.

 

[Stephen]

I'd even dare to say u could substitute one of these for a mini-van for those long vacation drives, more then enough room to fit 4 peoples luggage and food and still be comfortable to sleep in the back. I'm done with my review now have a nice day!

I love how the big American sedan is making a comeback. The 500 and the 300 series Chrysler are pure American.

 

[TJM623]

yea those are the 2 we were looking between, I kinda like the 300 for a man it looks a little more manly to me for some reason (more boxy maybe) but the 500 is Ford...so it wasn't a hard choice in the end!

 

[Stephen]

If I were to get a 300 it would have to be a 300C, the other trims don't do much for me. I'd drive a 300C though.