Return of the overly powerful family sedan: Ford Taurus SHO with 365hp Ecoboost V6

[HeilSvenska]

Ecoboost Twin Turbo direct injection V6
365hp @ 5500rpm
350lb ft @ 3500rpm
AWD
Overhauled suspension
Available SHO Performance Package

$37,995

[RC45]

I dread to think of the cost of routine maintenance on such a setup a year out of warranty.

The idea of technology from $70,000 cars in $30,000 cars is always "cool" - until the reality of maintaining such drivetrains is driven home (pun intended).

With the economyin the crapper, the sheer volume of sales taht used to drive the cost of the big 3 spares down will no longer apply.

You ever seen the look on the face of a 15 year old BMW owner when the repair bill of their $4000 car is the same as the bill on their cousins new $80,000 Bimmer?

[ViperASR]

Originally Posted by RC45 I dread to think of the cost of routine maintenance on such a setup a year out of warranty. The idea of technology from $70,000 cars in $30,000 cars is always "cool" - until the reality of maintaining such drivetrains is driven home (pun intended).

So your saying that because a car is "cheap" then the maitanance is going to be be bad, and the car is going to be unrelaible?

Under that idea, that would make the $100,000 ZR-1 super unreliable, right? Because it employs technology from $500,000 supercars.

Why not just give it a chance? Bench racing/driving/maintaining/whatever is so far away from reality.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by ViperASR So your saying that because a car is "cheap" then the maitanance is going to be be bad, and the car is going to be unrelaible?

No, thats what you just said.

What I am saying is that any car employing relatively expensive components costs more to repair/maintain when out of warranty.

When you buy a new $60,000 Lincoln Towncar, you ignore the $2500 cost of a replacement rear air suspension. The car is under warranty and working.

When you buy that same Towncar 6 years later for $15,000 (or you keep the car for 6 years) and you are faced with a $2500 rear air suspension repair that is a significnt cost.

By the same token, the $400 shocks and struts for a $18,000 econocar that still cost $400 6 years later refelect a lower cost.

Simple to understand really.

Now this new Ford has some great cutting edge technology and is flash with new tech. Until this same technlogy is shared by many more models across manufacturers the unt cost to owners for repairs soon after warranty expires is going to be higher than anticipated.

This is just the way it is.

When Audi introduced their unique clever flush-mount glue-on winshield, it was awesoem - until someone went to get their windshield repaired and were faced enormous cost. SOmetimes several thousand dolalrs.. for a family car???

Fast forward 15 years and every car uses the same stick on tchnology and repair costs have plummeted... but there were a a few lower priced cars tht egan using the same window mounting system early on and the cost of the window repair was disproportionatly costly compared to the price of the car - at first.

Same with this new Ford... repair and maintenance of this new model is going to be disproportionatly higher until more models across manufacturers switch to similar electronic, fuel and peripheral systems.

Originally Posted by ViperASR Under that idea, that would make the $100,000 ZR-1 super unreliable, right? Because it employs technology from $500,000 supercars.

Not unreliable, but quite expensive to maintain for certain systems - the shocks, brakes and carbon firbre body components represent a HUGE maintenance cost compared to their other stablemates.

In this case, the cost of brakes as an example have been reduced by a lot, because GM bought more brake rotors for the first year of ZR1 production, than Ferrari has bought in the last 5 years. But at $8,000 a new brakes system for the ZR1 is not cheap... until more vehicles begin to get CCB brakes... then eventually when CCB systems are on every car, rorots will eb as cheap as iron and there will be no debate.

Imagine the maintenance costs the buyer of a 150,000 mile 7 year old Prius might face

Originally Posted by ViperASR Why not just give it a chance? Bench racing/driving/maintaining/whatever is so far away from reality.

Then what the hell is the point of an auto enthusiast forum if discussion is not allowed?

Either way, in thisone I am correct - maintenance for this car when out of warranty will be appreciable higher than expected until the tech spreads further afield.

[pitfield]

Originally Posted by RC45 No, thats what you just said. What I am saying is that any car employing relatively expensive components costs more to repair/maintain when out of warranty. When you buy a new $60,000 Lincoln Towncar, you ignore the $2500 cost of a replacement rear air suspension. The car is under warranty and working. When you buy that same Towncar 6 years later for $15,000 (or you keep the car for 6 years) and you are faced with a $2500 rear air suspension repair that is a significnt cost. By the same token, the $400 shocks and struts for a $18,000 econocar that still cost $400 6 years later refelect a lower cost. Simple to understand really. Now this new Ford has some great cutting edge technology and is flash with new tech. Until this same technlogy is shared by many more models across manufacturers the unt cost to owners for repairs soon after warranty expires is going to be higher than anticipated. This is just the way it is. When Audi introduced their unique clever flush-mount glue-on winshield, it was awesoem - until someone went to get their windshield repaired and were faced enormous cost. SOmetimes several thousand dolalrs.. for a family car??? Fast forward 15 years and every car uses the same stick on tchnology and repair costs have plummeted... but there were a a few lower priced cars tht egan using the same window mounting system early on and the cost of the window repair was disproportionatly costly compared to the price of the car - at first. Same with this new Ford... repair and maintenance of this new model is going to be disproportionatly higher until more models across manufacturers switch to similar electronic, fuel and peripheral systems. Not unreliable, but quite expensive to maintain for certain systems - the shocks, brakes and carbon firbre body components represent a HUGE maintenance cost compared to their other stablemates. In this case, the cost of brakes as an example have been reduced by a lot, because GM bought more brake rotors for the first year of ZR1 production, than Ferrari has bought in the last 5 years. But at $8,000 a new brakes system for the ZR1 is not cheap... until more vehicles begin to get CCB brakes... then eventually when CCB systems are on every car, rorots will eb as cheap as iron and there will be no debate. Imagine the maintenance costs the buyer of a 150,000 mile 7 year old Prius might face Then what the hell is the point of an auto enthusiast forum if discussion is not allowed? Either way, in thisone I am correct - maintenance for this car when out of warranty will be appreciable higher than expected until the tech spreads further afield.

Maybe you could use cheaper parts on an older car... And more expensive fords from 20 years ago can be seen running in the UK XR3i/RST while the lesser models haven't been so well looked after.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by pitfield Maybe you could use cheaper parts on an older car... And more expensive fords from 20 years ago can be seen running in the UK XR3i/RST while the lesser models haven't been so well looked after.

Sure, you can use cheaper parts.. as long as the components used stay in vogu long enough to be picked u pby many manufacturers which in turn attracts aftermaerket replacement cheaper options.

At the moment direct injection super efficient specialist component setups can't exactly be serviced with parts bought at the local O'Reilly parts shop... they just order them from the dealeship

As always technology moves on and the early adopters pay a premium.

[5vz-fe]

38k for a Taurus??....I think it's enough to driver potential buyer elsewhere.

When rumours began circulating that Ford was bringing back the Taurus SHO name enthusiasts of the blue oval got pretty excited. Later the car was spied with the SHO badge on its dashboard, further heightening the anticipation. Now the wait is over as Ford finally releases details of the 2010 Taurus SHO performance saloon. The new car's engine is a 3.5-litre Ford EcoBoost twin turbo V6 that makes 365hp (268kW) and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque. The torque is available from a broad band of between 1,500rpm to 5,500rpm. It comes fitted with a SelectShift 6-speed automatic gearbox that can be shifted via paddles behind the steering wheel for drivers wanting a bit more involvement and enthusiasm from their Taurus SHO. A 4WD system ensures good grip at all times through the 19-inch Goodyear tyres. Optional 20-inchers from Michelin can be bought. Exterior features include a decklid mounted spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips and a three-bar Ford signature grille. The car is also available in a range of colours. The interior has a lot more drama. The MyKey system allows for speed restrictions as specified by the driver, an earlier low-fuel warning and audio system volume limits. The Ford SYNC system connects to MP3 players, iPods, memory sticks and PDAs. Optional extras include front seats that have a massage function, a rear view camera for incident-free reversing and adaptive cruise control. Other safety features include Blind Spot Information System with Traffic Alert which warns the driver of a vehicle that enters a defined blind spot zone or "sense" oncoming traffic as it reverses out of a parking space. Production of the 2010 Taurus SHO will be at Ford's Chicago plant with sales commencing this summer. A base price of US$37,995, including destination has been set.

[nthfinity]

This will attract a lot of former BMW 550 buyers IMHO. As to RC's point, the repair costs won't be akin to 80k BMW costs for maintainence, and repairs. Remember, the GTDI is a new modular engine; not a limited production event.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by nthfinity This will attract a lot of former BMW 550 buyers IMHO. As to RC's point, the repair costs won't be akin to 80k BMW costs for maintainence, and repairs. Remember, the GTDI is a new modular engine; not a limited production event.

I have a $100 PayPal that says the maintenance costs for this new motor will far exceed the "value" maintenance we have come to associate with domestics until now

Seen the maintanance costs of a Volvo or VW or Audi recently?

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by RC45 I have a $100 PayPal that says the maintenance costs for this new motor will far exceed the "value" maintenance we have come to associate with domestics until now Seen the maintanance costs of a Volvo or VW or Audi recently?

Ford reduced the cost of certain OEM parts by as much as 40%. They also have the lowest warranty receipts and claims for 2008 of any manufacturer.

dutch, why wouldn't a BMW shopper look at the next Gen Taurus? Over the last few years, much of Ford's efforts have been aimed at reminding people that Ford make the best cars in the world. The data supports this as well. Buying a BMW has become nothing more than buying a poorly put together and expensive car.

I'm currently unsure where the AWD was developed; likely in-house with PAG. The most advanced AWD system that will be available for 2010 cars actually belongs to GM... not Audi, not Mitsu, not Subaru.

Finally, the great thing about GTDI is that it is VERY aftermarket friendly... ulnike the Bimmers

It is too heavy; however, there is a "Track-pack" option; with more aggressive rubber, and a tighter gear ratio of 3.17 instead of 2.77; as well as bigger brakes. 2011 should be registered at 415 hp, which will move the 4000-ish lb. car a bit better.

[dutchmasterflex]

Originally Posted by nthfinity Buying a BMW has become nothing more than buying a poorly put together and expensive car.

Exactly. They are buying the badge, not the car.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by nthfinity Ford reduced the cost of certain OEM parts by as much as 40%. They also have the lowest warranty receipts and claims for 2008 of any manufacturer.

That was last year... this year profits will have to come from some where

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by RC45 That was last year... this year profits will have to come from some where

Warranty work only dishes out profits to repair shops; most/ all are not owned by Ford. Ford finally realized that you cannot rob Paul to pay Paul.

[enzoferrari]

Thats a nice car,it looks great IMO.

[dutchmasterflex]

turbo AWD camry look a like? Definitely could look worse. BMW 550 buyers will not even think twice about this car.... think of the typical BMW owner.