My Ford

C & A s Dad · March 4, 2009

With all the discussion about the 2010 F 150 HD, I thought I would offer an update on the 2009 Ford Taurus I drive as my company car.

After 20,000 miles and 4 months the car has been great, not a rattle, squeak or noise of any kind. It has been back for one warranty repair, the axle shaft seal was leaking slightly. They said the seal had been cut when the shaft was installed at the factory.

The car is averaging 29.6 MPG using the Driver Info Center and 28.4 using actual miles driven compared to gallons used. Not bad for a car this size with a 265 HP engine.

The car is extremely comfortable and quiet and with almost 20K miles in just over 4 months, I think I have enough time in the seat to get a good read on it.

Although I have never been a Ford guy, I also never had anything against them. If I were in the market for a new Pick Up today, I would seriously look at a new F 150. I looked at one at a recent car show and although I was not crazy about the dash, the interior room, the exterior and the overall build quality was impressive. Not saying I would buy one, but I would have to drive one and give it some consideration. I looked at a Ram at the same show and I just do not think it would make my "short list". I also looked at a Tundra and ..... yea right. I looked over at it when I walked past and I made sure nobody saw me doing that.

Nick The Great · March 4, 2009

With all the discussion about the 2010 F 150 HD, I thought I would offer an update on the 2009 Ford Taurus I drive as my company car.

After 20,000 miles and 4 months the car has been great, not a rattle, squeak or noise of any kind. It has been back for one warranty repair, the axle shaft seal was leaking slightly. They said the seal had been cut when the shaft was installed at the factory.

The car is averaging 29.6 MPG using the Driver Info Center and 28.4 using actual miles driven compared to gallons used. Not bad for a car this size with a 265 HP engine.

The car is extremely comfortable and quiet and with almost 20K miles in just over 4 months, I think I have enough time in the seat to get a good read on it.

Although I have never been a Ford guy, I also never had anything against them. If I were in the market for a new Pick Up today, I would seriously look at a new F 150. I looked at one at a recent car show and although I was not crazy about the dash, the interior room, the exterior and the overall build quality was impressive. Not saying I would buy one, but I would have to drive one and give it some consideration. I looked at a Ram at the same show and I just do not think it would make my "short list". I also looked at a Tundra and ..... yea right. I looked over at it when I walked past and I made sure nobody saw me doing that.

Sure you did . . . sure you did . . .

The American car companies got a bad rep and have some really nice cars now. The car you rent at the airport isn't a great representation of Ford (or GM) as a whole. The Tauruses and Fusions are nice cars. (And the Impalas and Malibu's are nice too)

I just wish the general public would realize this. I think if the average Camry driver drove a Malibu and didn't know it was a GM, they'd buy it in a heartbeat.

C & A s Dad · March 4, 2009

You are correct about the Malibu. At the same car show I mentioned in the original post, I had a chance to look over a new fully loaded Camry. Of course I am not a fan and I was looking for faults but the interior of this car is nothing close to the interior on my Taurus. The leather seating was so bad that it looked like it had been taken to a local shop and had leather covers installed.

I have also spent some time in one that one of my peers drives. Nice car, very smooth acceleration but the road noise is unacceptable and the back seat is so cramped it is unbelievable. When he calls me from his mobile phone and he has it on his blue tooth connection, I have to ask him to pick up the phone becasue I cannot hear him over the road noise. "Oh what a feeling!!!"

Draenor · March 4, 2009

Was it a car show in B.R. ? I would love to go see it. I wish Lafayette would hold one.

As for Dodge, those Rams are selling nicely over here. Not alot mind you, but I am seeing more and more giving the discounts over here. I am not sure of the fine print, but the local comercials have them going for $12K(laramie 1500, quad cab, Hemi).

Nick, You are correct. The general public thinks economy, it thinks foriegn. They do not see that the GM and Furd can make great economizers, while having good quality with them.

(I still hate FORD and their lack of service)

DofD · March 4, 2009

Yes, the whole public preception that imports > domestics is one of the many road blocks facing the big 3. Of course they created this themselves decades ago.

The big 3 have many really great cars of all sizes with quality as good or better and fuel efficiency as good or better than the imports. If more people would shed their now ill conceived misconceptions I think most would be very please with the vehicles that the big 3 offer. Of course as the saying goes once burned twice shy.

Z71Adrenaline · March 4, 2009

I can't say I disagree with you on the new Tauruses, Trey. I think they're good looking cars and have suggested to my mom to check them out. I'm not crazy about the Impalas, so in that size range I'd definitely check out the Taurus. Midsize--I'm all over the Malibu, though!

I have to admit that I've checked out the latest generation of Escapes, myself. I've thought about picking one up for a run-around rig and I've been impressed with the couple that I've test driven. The latest have high-200s HP numbers and get 28-30 on the highway with lots of room, features, and quality. I'm hoping the 2010 Equinoxes can compete with them so that if I buy a rig similar to that, it'll be a Chevy!

C & A s Dad · March 4, 2009

Was it a car show in B.R. ? I would love to go see it. I wish Lafayette would hold one.

The show was tagged as an International Car Show and was held in a new Convention Center in Jackson, MS.

You are correct about Rams in South LA in general. Nowhere I travel do I see more Dodge trucks than in South LA.

BTW, I came back through Lafayette last week and made another quick stop by Don's. A pound of boudin, a pack of crackers, 1/4 lb of craklins and a big Barq's Root Beer and I was on my way again, with a smile on my face.

It does not take much to make me happy.

VMax2007 · March 4, 2009

Yes, the whole public preception that imports > domestics is one of the many road blocks facing the big 3. Of course they created this themselves decades ago.

The big 3 have many really great cars of all sizes with quality as good or better and fuel efficiency as good or better than the imports. If more people would shed their now ill conceived misconceptions I think most would be very please with the vehicles that the big 3 offer. Of course as the saying goes; "Once bitten, twice shy".

Fixed.

Draenor · March 4, 2009

Was it a car show in B.R. ? I would love to go see it. I wish Lafayette would hold one.

The show was tagged as an International Car Show and was held in a new Convention Center in Jackson, MS.

You are correct about Rams in South LA in general. Nowhere I travel do I see more Dodge trucks than in South LA.

BTW, I came back through Lafayette last week and made another quick stop by Don's. A pound of boudin, a pack of crackers, 1/4 lb of craklins and a big Barq's Root Beer and I was on my way again, with a smile on my face.

It does not take much to make me happy.

Damn, I was just up with the 'ol lady in Meridian Friday to pick up two mustangs. Horses that is.

...mmmmmm.......Dons.......

rvsahs · March 4, 2009

Yes, the whole public preception that imports > domestics is one of the many road blocks facing the big 3. Of course they created this themselves decades ago.

The big 3 have many really great cars of all sizes with quality as good or better and fuel efficiency as good or better than the imports. If more people would shed their now ill conceived misconceptions I think most would be very please with the vehicles that the big 3 offer. Of course as the saying goes; "Once bitten, twice shy".

Fixed.

That was a kick-ass song from Great White too!

jaslo · March 4, 2009

I bought a 08 Ford Fusion, after looking at the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Chevy Malibu. It seemed like you got more for your money with a Ford and have had no problem with it either after 23,000 miles in a year. It has a little bit of pep for a 4 cyl but I still miss the V-8.

onac255 · March 4, 2009

Are the new Taurus cars rear wheel drive or front wheel drive? Also are they just rebadged 500s?

C & A s Dad · March 4, 2009

Was it a car show in B.R. ? I would love to go see it. I wish Lafayette would hold one.

The show was tagged as an International Car Show and was held in a new Convention Center in Jackson, MS.

You are correct about Rams in South LA in general. Nowhere I travel do I see more Dodge trucks than in South LA.

BTW, I came back through Lafayette last week and made another quick stop by Don's. A pound of boudin, a pack of crackers, 1/4 lb of craklins and a big Barq's Root Beer and I was on my way again, with a smile on my face.

It does not take much to make me happy.

Damn, I was just up with the 'ol lady in Meridian Friday to pick up two mustangs. Horses that is.

...mmmmmm.......Dons.......

You are on the money about Don's. I am not a local as you are but they have the best boudin that I have tried.

Mustangs in Meridian. We have a Customer in Meridian that has a very nice personal car collection. I was fortunate enough to get to see it about 4 years ago. One of the cars in his collection is a 100% original including the paint, 69 or 70 Boss 429. It has about 14,000 original miles on it. He also has an original (it has been painted) Galaxy light weight. One of about 85 built. This was a factory race car that Ford produced and it is my understanding they gave them to Ford Dealerships and told them to take them to the track. 428 Cobra Jet, aluminum bumpers, fiberglass front clip, no heater, no radio, rubber mats. Bare bones and bad to the bone 2 door Galaxy. This car is worth some big $s. It is in the class with the Scat Pac Dart Hemis of the late 60s. If I had to guess, it could possibly be more valuable than the Boss 429 Mustang.

C & A s Dad · March 4, 2009

Are the new Taurus cars rear wheel drive or front wheel drive? Also are they just rebadged 500s?

Unfortunatly, they are front wheel drive and other than a little larger engine and a 6 spd trans, they are rebadged 500s. They changed the interior some and of course made some sheet metal changes as well but it is really a 500 warmed over.

I am not a FWD car fan but because every vehicle my co. offers me to drive is a FWD, I selected the Taurus due to the interior and trunk space.

onac255 · March 4, 2009

According to my Mom, when I was under 2 years old I would take some massive dumps that would slide up the diaper and end up all over my back. Just thought I'd share.

Are the new Taurus cars rear wheel drive or front wheel drive? Also are they just rebadged 500s?

Unfortunatly, they are front wheel drive and other than a little larger engine and a 6 spd trans, they are rebadged 500s. They changed the interior some and of course made some sheet metal changes as well but it is really a 500 warmed over.

I am not a FWD car fan but because every vehicle my co. offers me to drive is a FWD, I selected the Taurus due to the interior and trunk space.

Oh okay. I was curious because when I saw the 500 I thought Ford was going back to it roots and making a big nice rwd car ( a la Crown Vic)

The only Taurus that I have ever been in was a 2003 that my dad picked up on the cheap as a daily driver. And actually it was a nice roomy car to travel in. Better than a 2001 malibu we had.