Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests My day with a Taurus

After having some issues with my brakes due to some error on the part of my local Ford dealer, I had to bring it back to have them straighten it out. They said it may take some time, so I insisted on a free rental car. Enter the 2003 Taurus SE Type R (for Rental!). It is seafoam green, has the 2v Vulcan engine that we've grown to know and love since 1986. It's not exactly a driver's car, that's for sure. It wallows like mad on an S-curve. Then again, I've grown overly accustomed to the Contour's handling. For an appliance family car, it's not terrible. I learned on my mother's Duratec Taurus wagon, and so far have yet to encounter this body style with a Vulcan in it. It certainly doesn't have the same high revving kick that the duratec does, but has decent torque, given what it has to work with. Here's to hoping that with the Futura (flashback to the Fairmont days I think) and the Five Hundred, we'll see Ford get something right on the first shot, unlike the Taurus that wasn't terribly appealing until the 2000 remodel.

- Ian in Tampa
99 SE Sport T-Red 63k 64k soon, Commodore 64 here we come!

The Taurus "isn't terribly appealing till 2000"? Why then was it THE American family car of the 90's? My family had several through the era (an 86, 87, 89 and 93).

I'll grant you the third generation '96-'99 was not terribly appealing to many people (though I do like it), but the first and second generations were what gave the Taurus its insane popularity.

At any rate, I haven't ever driven one but I must say I do love the looks of the current Sable sedan. It's a pleasant combination of curves and angles that create a wonderfully designed body style. If it had Contour handling and five-speed available, I would seriously consider one as a family hauler.

"I'll grant you the third generation '96-'99 was not terribly appealing to many people (though I do like it), but the first and second generations were what gave the Taurus its insane popularity." - 98 SE

That's what I meant to say, but left out the part about 96-99. My family has had a few over the years, all 1st gen Sables. That lightbar grille had such a strange appeal, that I really can't explain. I never cared much for the 96-99 Taurus the looks weren't there, and the back seat was about as bad as on my Contour.

This thing is huge, I managed to move everything except for my bed from my apartment with the car in two trips. I figured I'd take advantage of the larger car for my move, which is going on at the same time as everything else.

- Ian in Tampa
99 SE Sport T-Red MTX 63k (64k soon) how I miss her.

I'm still weighing the choices of a replacement for the Mystique. The local Ford dealer is selling 2003 Taurus SES sedans for $9995. They all are program vehicles, of course with around 15-20,000 miles, have CD, power seat, etc. My wife likes them alot and I could get used to it, I guess, but I'd like to explore some of the other vehicles out there. I doubt if I would buy new, since the taxes and registration are not kind to the wallet. I will be interested in what the Futura and Mercury cousin are like. I expect an M6 with waterfall grille with a Merc logo. When I think of Futura I always think of the ORIGINAL Falcon Futura, not the Fairmont thing.

BTW, in comparing the newer Taurus and Sable side to side, I think the visibility is a little less to the rear, and the trunk opening is smaller with the Sable than the Taurus. But the Sable reminds me of a Jag sedan, and a white one would look pretty good in my driveway...(things that make you go hmmmmmm.)