ROUND THE BLOCK: 2OO8 FORD TAURUS LIMITED AWD
Categories: Round the Block
Written By: isaac
THE DRIVER: My, what a few ponies can do! The 500 was a decent effort, but the new 3.5-liter’s 250hp and extra torque are a major improvement. The loss of the CVT will be missed by no one: the new six-speed auto is a much better mate. Combined with a quiet and absorbent ride, decent handling, and upgraded interior (better materials and more audacious color choices)—that shame the Accord and Camry—and the Taurus starts to make a lot of sense.
THE BROKER: Just as long as you lease or buy used, that is! Second-hand Taurus prices (like almost all American vehicles) suffer drastically due to the Detroit 3’s reliance on rental and fleet sales. And the previous Taurus’ penchant for grenading its transmission doesn’t help.
THE (ROCKY) MOUNTAIN MAN: Here’s a terrific car for the person who wants out of an SUV but wants monster interior space (mafia-rated trunk, too), and the security of all-wheel drive, without even hitting $30k on a loaded example. If you need a hatch, the Taurus X is the one.
