2010 FORD TAURUS MYCARLADY REVIEW

 2010 FORD TAURUS MYCARLADY REVIEW I got up close with the newly redesigned Ford 2010 Taurus at this week Blog World and New Media Expo here in Vegas. Social media is all the rage and Ford’s Scotty Monty  leads the way in consumer engagement among the Auto and Blog world.  (Perhaps I’ll get to interview him at another time.) On the show floor sat the new Limited version in a striking black metallic flake, sporting a black leather interior. (If you wanted to test drive, you had your choice of the 2010 Ford Fiesta, Taurus SHO, Mustang, and Fusion Hybrid.)  I will save my Taurus test-drive review for tomorrow.  However, my first impression of the design was ah, a bit of the Audi A4/A6 bull-nose grill, cut into the hood line. The sharp Xenon recessed and wrap-around headlights, lower marker lights also bear a more European flair. As you walk down the side of the car from front to back your eye follows the (now standard on all wanna-be sporty-looking cars and trucks) vent accent as it raises the belt line in a familiar rake. What is unusual about this is a funky body panel ripple that hits the middle of the gas tank cover, giving you a “skip a heartbeat”  that someone backed into the rear quarter panel of your car.  The fit and finish on the show floor model was better inside than out.  Taking a page from the Chrysler 300, the windows shrunk as the back of the car went deep. The trunk and deck lid are off the Lincoln MKZ, which shares its platform and engine configuration, a 263 hp 3.5l v6 with the Ford Taurus for a few grand less. The Taurus SHO version adds 102 HP to the v6; upping it to 365hp.  Don’t expect exciting colors, the palette is a more traditional business suit wardrobe.      Ford is anxious to tout the new technology they have poured into this car, including a rock-chip resistant paint finish they feature in a Lexus challenge against a gravel truck. (Interesting to note the Ford is shown in silver, while the Lexus wears white. The contrast in the commercial reflects more light and visually more chips, which Ford then shows under black light, but you never really know if the same number of rocks hit both cars, at the same time, with the same velocity. A truer assessment would be a specific number of rocks fired at a set speed/angle and wind pattern. Hollywood makes the gravel truck a better story but give ME the controlled study for authenticity.)  Inside, the 2010 Taurus Limited edition offers up some choice luxury features you would normally pay five grand more for in any import model; AWD is standard, heated and cooled, memory leather seats, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, adjustable pedals, paddle-shifters, keyless start, 6cd player, wood steering wheel, 18″ chrome rims and SYNC® hard drive stereo technology. Navigation, side sensors and back-up camera are optional.  The MyKey technology offers parents an interesting alternative to the DRIVECAM® or GPSBUDDY® which monitor your teen driver behind the wheel habits.  MyKey allows mom and Dad to put the key in a USB port in the family computer, load up the software and set the speed of the car and the radio volume using the SMART key technology.  When the kids drive too fast or crank the volume, the car automatically slows to the pre-determined speed reduces the stereo volume and the teen driver is busted. All very cool if you are going to let your novice drive your new ride, but my book says the teen driver is the reason you bought yourself a new car and gave them the 10 year old beater to practice on.  The most aggressive stance on the new 2010 FORD TAURUS comes from the financing arm of the company. For a limited time you can grab a 0% interest rate for 36 months* AND $1,000 rebate on the SEL, Limited and SHO editions.  Prices start around $26,000 and top out over $38,000 with all the fixing’s.  *OAC. Given the competition, offering a huge buying motivation out of the gate, is why Ford tops GM and Chrysler in the US market, and may even grab some Camry, Maxima and Accord drivers this time around. Warranty is 3/3K6 standard and 5/60k powertrain and Roadside assistance. 17/24 fuel economy. ——————————————————————————————————– Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS NEED AUTO FINANCE HELP or CREDIT report repair go to tell them MY CARLADY: Sarah Lee sent you. It’s a free consult and they do the right thing by you, fast, easy, cheap. ]]>