Ford Taurus

I haven't done an auto review in months because there haven't been any new models really.  I've been wanting to rent a Ford Taurus for a long long time but there never were any until last week.

So I finally get one and I am so busy at work all I have time for mostly is driving to and from the office and hotel.  Nonetheless, I did get to enjoy this mid-size sedan for a bit.

The driver's seat is very much cockpit-like.  The center console is fairly high but no uncomfortable so you feel securely surrounded.  There are pleny of cup holders and slots and what have you in the console to satisfy the thirstiest driver and passenger.

The display is very much the same as the new Escort with options for showing fuel usage/mileage and other numerous statistics.  The controls for the radio are bit far away and there are so many buttons on the steering wheel that it leads to some confusion.

The most odd thing is the blinker.  As with most vehicles, you can push up or pull down slightly to single lane change and the blinker keeps blinking for a couple of extra blinks.  But to turn the blinker "on" you push up or pull down until there is a click and the stem returns to neutral.  There is a since that you would have to do the same when you are finished turning but it does turn itself off.  I'm not sure why it works this way other than perhaps it is electronic and not mechanical in the sense that it isn't tied to the stem position.

The Taurus is really fun to drive though I didn't get a chance to get out on the road too much.  It could stand to have a backup camera as the rear window is small.

2010 Ford Taurus

Rented from National again.  This time I kind of "shopped" for a vehicle.  National lets you choose your car unlike Hertz that assigns one to you.  I wanted something new or different. 

Saw a new Mazda3.  The trunk wasn't open so I got the key.  No key remote operation so rejected.  Saw a Volkswagen Beettle which I've had before and wasn't really interested in.  Then saw a new Ford Taurus parked in the Premium lane.  Figured I'd take it and see if they said anything.

I saw a bunch of these new Taurus's when I was in Bentonville.  The new model has a masculine, angular design.  You can tell a Ford when you in one.  The driver and passenger seating is cockpit-like with the high center console and substantial door trim.  GM's are generally more open and airy inside.

The new Ford Taurus is very fun to drive.  Dallas had the biggest snow storm ever on Thursday.  A co-worker and I went out for lunch and the Taurus had not problem with the snow and slush.

Some techno-features are indoor ambient lighting that is not only adjustable in intensity but also color -- 2 shades of blue, orange, red and green.  There is also a back camera which in itself is getting more standard but the display is actually in the rear view mirror.  It takes a bit to get used to the rear view image because I'm so used to using all the mirrors.  There is also proximity alarms when backing up.

The nicest feature is the simpliest.  The windshield wiper control simply requires turning the signal stem.  Intermittent is the first few turns and just keep turning to get continuous swipe and fast swipe.  Simply and intuitive.

The indoor trunk button is over on the passenger side which is kind of odd but at least there is an interior release.  The gear shift is in the center console and too close to the dash and cup holders.  In Park the shifter is too close to the dash.  In Drive it is tricky to use the cup holder.

Overall this is a great vehicle.  I was the first person to drive it.  There were only 5.1 miles on the odometer.  The fuel filler is a new design that doesn't require a cap.  The "Check Fuel Filler" info came on.  I opened the gas hatch door and accidently removed what ever the funnel thing is that fits outside the filler pipe.  I could not get it back on.  I'm thinking this design might need more work.