The New Taurus Is Great, But $46 Grand For A Loaded SHO! Too Much For A Good Thing?

If it had a bmw logo on it and came with what the loaded sho has, wouldn't it be too much? I say no.

Yes, but it would never drive like something with a BMW logo so whats your point?

The BMW logo was not invented in one day, but built on years of automotive excellence.

Ford logo has to pay for years of mediocrity.

Volume sales may not be the SHO, or even, loaded Taurus models. I would bet that they'll sale more of the trim levels b/c the standard 3.5L Duratec is a pretty descent engine to start with. As the SHO starts at $38k, most people are not going to be able (or want) to pay that much for the new Taurus just yet.

righhtt... cause the majority of bmw's sell on their magic feel alone *eyesroll*

Thanks for the quotes, but I am talking about everyday people who drive these cars not auto enthusiasts/car magazine critics.

I don't think it really matters how the old Taurus handled on the road. How does this new Taurus SHO stack up to the competition today? Probably fairly well.

The new Taurus indicates that Ford is now willing to take chances on modern designs instead of hiding behind "plain-jane" exteriors. I will admit, though modern, most of Ford's newest vehicles still have that "Ford-look" that says something about it is cheap. This new Taurus his a bit less of that "cheap" look.

Not even close.

American made cars: Made cheap, 0 reliability, 0 appeal, 0 quality, and cost more than its foreign competitors. Now, why buy American cars when the American companies ripped us apart and they're STILL producing the same junk that got them into the situation they're in today. Taurus SHO should cost ONLY $25k with all options in it.

They are not 0 reliability yum yum, and if you had any clue about how much steal costs these days, and expensive twin turbo's, plumbing and inter-coolers, this car is also not made cheap. In fact if you look at consumer reports MANY fords Exceed the reliability of every Mercedes not recommended! In fact Consumer reports recomends no mercedes, none zero, zip! Why is that? hmmmm

MMM I got me a car it's as big as a wale ;) We like Chrome and v8 engines and last time I checked Hyundai is bringing on some nice bling on its V8 Genesis sedan honey. ;)

Ford Taurus SHO. Technology that has most car companies wondering what the hell, why didn't we do this.Twin Turbo Direct Injection V6 365 HP (the engine alone has garnered 120 different patens) , 390 watt /Sony surround w/ 12 speakers. Voice Activated Nav, 10GB Hard drive, Heated and Cooling seats, power rear, aluminum trim, (not plastic covered to look like chrome) sunshade, rain-sensing wipers, radar based blind spot information system, Adaptive Cruise control, increased acoustic insulation, AWD.

Now it is totally ignorant to think a car with this much technology, that just years ago, an average Taurus would not even come close to have, now offers leading technology that its direct competitors, at this time, not dreaming somewhere in the future, doesn't even come close to. Ford has taken the lead in so many areas with the Taurus and isn't looking back. The problem is , Ford should have taken care of its products in the past. True the Taurus has a lot to live up to when comparing to its competition, but its putting out the goods. Give credit where its due. Is it worth $46K loaded? Depends who is purchasing it. For some, a Mitsusbishi EVO MR is worth loaded north of $49K.

by all accounts the SHO is a great car, but $40k+ is just too much for a Ford. if it was around $35 fully loaded they would have a different situation on their hands.

Can you imagine the depreciation owners will experience on a $45k Taurus?

Well how about a loaded BMW 7 Series after 3 years worth less than half for an S Series devalued almost as much. Why harping on the value of this car before it even makes it out in the real world.

When you've got Hyundai selling a $40k plus sedan with aspirations to compete directly with Lexus, a $45k Ford isn't very surprising.

I think everyone is forgetting that to compete with what the Japanese and Europeans have put forward, the US has to price their cars comprably.

And while the car rolling off the line might be comparable to the foreign automakers there is an automatic surcharge added to every domestic vehicle. Its called the Union Tax.

This car (sans the Unions fee for all Detroit vehicles) would end up under cutting its foreign competitors by a bunch. Unfortunatly it can't do that...especially in this economy.

I was wondering if you would show up.

I dont see any appeal in the exterior styling of the new Taurus. Althought the specs are great, for that price, There are a lot of cars I would consider over this one including a Genesis or a Fully loaded Maxima. Also, I could get a fully loaded G37 or base M37.

That seems like alot of money but considering the fact there honestly isnt really another car that you can get with that much power in a full size car without paying thousands more it just depends on how your looking at it. The Avalon, CC, and Maxima all either go over 40 grand or either loaded are right at $40 grand its hard not to argue that its alot car for the money. If the Taurus was fully optioned and was maybe a high 30 to a low 40 grand it would be just as much as these cars. The G37 wouldnt really be an alternative to a car thats bigger than a Q45, and neither would anything else in Infinitis lineup.

If I needed that much room, I would get an X5 5.0 used.

No way it'll go for $30k a year from now. Maybe $25k.

I actually was thinking about this two weeks ago and did the price comparison...you would be surprised.

A fully loaded comprable Lincoln costs $53,000. Thats about on par with Cadillac, its competitor. The CTS fully loaded is currently $48,000 with a $3000 rebate (so about 51K) and I see the engine of the Lincoln being worth the 2 grand difference since it has 2 turbochargers.

The only real question I have is, why does Ford have 2 nearly identical cars in its lineup, priced between 45-55K? This is one of those situations where the two brands within the company will be fighting themselves...and we all know how that turns out. If Lincoln is to truly be the competitor with the Reborn Cadillac...then it cannot just be a rehash of its parent car companys lineup. Time to start hiring some good designers and build your own platform.

Honestly...how can you be seirous in selling the Towncar with the same design since 2003(which really isnt that different from the cars built in 1990) and think you are going to compete with the Germans and Japanese...let alone your domestic competitor.

I think its time for Lincoln to show what it can do on its own.

Probably because Ford wants it to be considered more upmarket which I think it does a commendable job of doing. Stop looking at eBay and go drive it. Even in its advertisings they put it up against an Audi A6 so that should've been your first clue.

Nobody will pay $46K for a Ford with only 355hp. Even with all those features, even at that size. I bet those $46K cars will be the dealer owner's cars to drive around for 5000 miles or whatever. For $46K you could have a G8 GXP! Who would pick a Taurus over a G8 GXP??

someone who prefers luxury over performance?

Jeez I just priced out a Lincoln version and it was $54,600!! Are they smoking crack? Who's going to pay that for a Lincoln?? The problem there is they sold out to the limo fleets - and destroyed the brand image in the process.

I was working for a major Ford Lincoln Mercury Aston Martin network in Southern California, and believe me, they are not having any problems moving the Lincolns out of their showrooms.

Then again, with the amount of damage Bush and Obama have done to the dollar in the past couple years, $46k is the new $30k.

I think it is amazingly funny that the Ford commercials pronounce it "show".

That's like calling a GTO a "ghetto".

Dear Ford: It's a damn acronym. "S" "H" "O".

answer, it has always been known as the "show" even though its an acronym.

What would you rather own?

A "SHO"

or a "show"

Ford craptastic marketing at it's worst.

The previous generation was the S H O. I don't care if the moronic dealer staff referred to it as the "show".

It wasn't Ford that called the original SHO the "show" It's the iconic name giving in the 90's, like Nissan's GT-R is called Godzilla. You can't change that just because you don't like it.

Family had (4) of these between 1989 and 1993 (I was in high shcool & drove a black 1991 when I was 16). It was referred to as "S" "H" "O" and "SHOW". Just depends on who you talked to. Not worth having a pissin' contest over.

Way too much for a Taurus!

Way...way....way....too much for a Taurus. For $46K you could buy many much better cars, a decked out BMW 3-series, a Audi A6, A Lexus GS350, a BMW 5-series. Why a Taurus for $46K? This SHO is much better than the last but it's not THAT GOOD! First off, they made the thing way too big! The think looks as tall as some crossover SUVs.

What Ford should have done is bring on a "Affordable" SHO like the original one was. This new SHO you gotta have a over $100K income to afford, the original one, alot more could afford. Ford should have made a SHO version of the Fusion, which is pretty much the same size as the original Taurus. A Fusion SHO would have made for a much sportier and better handling car than the behemoth Taurus.

Amen.

I think the problem does not lie within the car, but rather, lies within its marketing.

Just follow this logic: You simply cannot try to put a car up against a competitor of higher value and make your car seem like it is great value (cheap, price-wise), and then charge more than what the car's percieved value is. Its like saying I can get you a bottle of water for $5, while the competitors charge $8 for the same bottle. Thats cheaper than the competitors, but it does not mean its a bargain.

So if Ford gave the Taurus a new name will we be having this conversation? It seems like the only reason we are discussing this is because of the name Taurus, obviously the last ten - fifteen years of the vehicle left the name undesirable. But this car is completely new and completely new technology that competes and sometimes (or for others, consistently) beats the same cars in the price range it is in. Ford is trying to expand its lineup from the Mustang, a couple economical cars and trucks obviously and that means taking it into the luxury car segment. It is very difficult to find another vehicle with the same features, power, and luxury the SHO has for under 35k.

Very true, with Ford on its luxury game again would it be hoping too much to see a new Thunderbird on the market?

maybe but no one can deny the "awesomeness" of the SHO