Taurus SHO ad: Using the Genesis playbook?

[dataguy]

On the way into work today, I heard a radio ad for the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. A former Mercedes owner (I think it was an M55) gave a raving testimonial about the SHO, describing how he gets VIP treatment at valet, how Lexus owners give him a thumbs up, and how he gets unsolicited "Ford nailed it" comments.

Sounds alot like Genesis owners

As for the SHO itself, although it's got some pretty good numbers, the styling looks pretty derivative (sound familiar?). It's like a Lacrosse married to an Accord. At least the hideous Ford chrome grille has been toned down.

 

[PINGGOLF]

HA!

All I can say is...Its STILL a FORD!

Yes...you read it correctly. I am ANTI-Ford.

Here is why!

1987 Grand Marquis-Replaced Carb. 2 times
1989 Crown Vic-Only started when it wanted to and at times only 1 of the 4 brakes would work. Hence the reason for my first accident.
1994 Taurus-Cracked head at 28K, Main seal at 44K, Transmission around 60K...SOLD!
2002 Explorer Sport-DEATH TRAP! Horn blows for no reason. Cruise control FIRE hazard...and local Ford dealer never received the inline fuses for the recall so no Cruise control.

Toyota, on the other hand:

1987 Camry-300K+ miles and still a daily driver
1987 P/U (before they became Tacomas) 210K and sold to a friend in need.
1991 Camry-sold to brother in law...he never changed oil...BANG....dead!
2000 Tundra Supercharged...no problems
2002 4Runner Supercharged...no problems
2004 Camry-water pump
2005 Camry-water pump.

Now we have the RX400h and the Genny...NO PROBLEMS as of yet!

Sorry for the RANT!

 

[TJPark01]

HA!

All I can say is...Its STILL a FORD!

Yes...you read it correctly. I am ANTI-Ford.

I really want to like Ford, as it's really the last man standing of the big 3. I'm on my 3rd Expedition. In the past 10 years of leasing this SUV, I can't say that I would ever buy one. I lease the car through my work, but everytime I go to return the car, I'm really glad that I don't own it. The car starts falling apart right about the third year. Little things like, buttons, trim, seat leather, strange noises from the rear diff, and questionable HVAC issues.
The new SHO, while impressive on the track, and looks great, has to prove to me that a DI motor with dual blowers is not going to have issues. I'd wait a couple years. The BMW 335, with all the automotive press lining up to praise it, has had several issue with the fuel pump and oil cooler. They have ironed it out, but it took 2 years. And this was no new model, they have been making 3 series for 35 years. But then again, if you told me a year ago that I would spend 35k on a Hyundai, I would have laughed in your face.

 

[ctrcbob]

Ping,

Although my last purchase was not a FoMoCo product, (Genesis), I am not anti Ford. Of the American manufacturers (if there is such a thing) I like the FoMoCo products best. I would have a Lincoln MKS vice the Genesis if only it was not so dam ugly. I've had Ford only Ford products for the past twenty years, and have been happy with them. (but happier with the Genesis). I always buy Ford products using their "X-Plan" so I don't have to dicker.

Although I like my Ford products, and my Genesis, I am working on trading my Continental for a different non-Ford product, if I can make a deal.

 

[jwaters943]

HA!

All I can say is...Its STILL a FORD!

Yes...you read it correctly. I am ANTI-Ford.

Here is why!

1987 Grand Marquis-Replaced Carb. 2 times
1989 Crown Vic-Only started when it wanted to and at times only 1 of the 4 brakes would work. Hence the reason for my first accident.
1994 Taurus-Cracked head at 28K, Main seal at 44K, Transmission around 60K...SOLD!
2002 Explorer Sport-DEATH TRAP! Horn blows for no reason. Cruise control FIRE hazard...and local Ford dealer never received the inline fuses for the recall so no Cruise control.

Toyota, on the other hand:

1987 Camry-300K+ miles and still a daily driver
1987 P/U (before they became Tacomas) 210K and sold to a friend in need.
1991 Camry-sold to brother in law...he never changed oil...BANG....dead!
2000 Tundra Supercharged...no problems
2002 4Runner Supercharged...no problems
2004 Camry-water pump
2005 Camry-water pump.

Now we have the RX400h and the Genny...NO PROBLEMS as of yet!

Sorry for the RANT!

No offense, but you sound a bit like the anti-Hyundai guys who like to bring up their prior bad experience with the brand as evidence that they still build crap cars today. Ford has stumbled, but if JD Powers and Consumer Reports are to be believed, they have turned the ship in the other direction and can now compete head to head with the best from Japan. Much like Hyundai.


I personally love the Genesis......and the Taurus/SHO.

 

[dataguy]

While I question whether any company as large as Ford can turn the ship on a dime, especially given UAW contracts, I certainly believe that Ford has the best chance over the other domestics, since they've been working at it for a number of years and were starting to turn out better products before the whole bailout crisis started.

Their technology decisions are certainly more future-forward (Sync, blind spot/aisle warning, smart cruise control).

With that said, I think it was easier for Hyundai to make that transition with lower costs, a captive domestic market to trial their products, and a command-driven chaebol structure.

I think the important message that was captured by the ad campaign is that companies are seeing a business opportunity in targeting the top-tier manufacturers by building luxury cars at a lower price.

 

[scottdk]

Well, I'm almost anti "The Big 3" due to all the problems and expense of all the american cars I've owned. But if I had to here is my order:

GM-at least I can fix it myself, reasonable parts prices
Ford-Parts are way too expensive compared to GM.
Chrysler-you kidding???

 

[Sayantsi]

I think to give Ford a fair shake, you have to look at the product its released that finally is on par with the quality we expect. If you asked me if I'd consider buying a Ford in 2002, I would have laughed in your face, but the same goes for Hyundai - no way I imagined owning a Hyundai in 2002 - the product was crap imo, same with Ford.

Fast forward to today, and I know more than a few people that have trouble free, high mileage 2004+ Hyundais. As well, the product speaks for itself. I'd say any 2004+ Hyundai marks the transition where Hyundai became above average, and 2006 for Ford. The new Fusion, Focus, Mustang, Taurus - they all are exceptional cars that blow away their predecessors. That said, I've always found a better option to a Ford, which is why I own a Genesis sedan, for example. Maybe if Ford had rwd and a better warranty...

Hyundai modeled Toyota's QA processes, and its showing in initial quality and as time goes on, long term reliability studies. Ford doesn't have consistent QA, but its much larger and quality varies by plant, so where a car is made is important. Some cars hold up well, some have build issues.

 

[PINGGOLF]

No offense, but you sound a bit like the anti-Hyundai guys who like to bring up their prior bad experience with the brand as evidence that they still build crap cars today. Ford has stumbled, but if JD Powers and Consumer Reports are to be believed, they have turned the ship in the other direction and can now compete head to head with the best from Japan. Much like Hyundai.


I personally love the Genesis......and the Taurus/SHO.

None taken! I kinda DO sound like those guys...HA! I apologize to all.

It's amazing how quickly people come to conclusions before we ever even give them A chance. However...if you only knew the amount of frustration that "FoMoCo" has given me!

 

[jwaters943]

None taken! I kinda DO sound like those guys...HA! I apologize to all.

It's amazing how quickly people come to conclusions before we ever even give them A chance. However...if you only knew the amount of frustration that "FoMoCo" has given me!

No apology necessary. Just trying to provide perspective. I can't say your complaints have fallen on deaf ears. I have similar complaints with VW and my prior negative experiences with the brand has kept me from buying another vehicle from them.

Maybe one day I'll be able to look past my prior bad experience and realize they've made improvements, but not today. I just heard the other day they were recalling more cars for coilpacks (the same issue they had nearly a decade ago).

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[TJPark01]

No apology necessary. Just trying to provide perspective. I can't say your complaints have fallen on deaf ears. I have similar complaints with VW and my prior negative experiences with the brand has kept me from buying another vehicle from them.

I just drove 2 VW's. The Jetta TDI, very impressed and the CC, not impressed. The CC was the same price as a V6 genesis and didn't even come close to power,size,handeling, refinement, etc...
My mechanic is a Mercedes specialist, he has told me a few things repeatedly. Never buy a big german car, S class or 7 series, unless you plan on getting rid of it before warranty. They are too expensive to fix for the average guy. Never buy an Audi (basically VW's), they look nice, but they're horrible cars. He drives an Infiniti Q45 with over 200k miles on it.

 

[jailer]

He drives an Infiniti Q45 with over 200k miles on it.

I bet you can't even notice the miles when you drive it.

 

[TJPark01]

I bet you can't even notice the miles when you drive it.

I let him drive the V8 Genesis around the block, and here's what he said.
1. He pushed the throttle and the car lurched forward, and he said, dear God. I told him 375 HP.
2. Steering feel was good not too light not too heavy.
3. Some of the plastics around the shifter weren't that great. I agreed.
4. Asked me how much more heated seats were, I said it came with the base model.

Popped the hood open, and he said, whoa, that is a big engine. Was surprised that only 1 strut was used to hold the hood, usually there's two. (later learned that the hood is aluminum to save weight.)
Few things that surprised him.
1. 4 piston brakes upfront.
2. Uses regular gas.
3. Costs 35k
He said he couldn't think of another car for that price range that was better than this.

 

[jailer]

I bet you can't even notice the miles when you drive it.

I mean his Q45 TJ. The miles. I bet he/whomever does'nt even notice the miles.

 

[TJPark01]

I mean his Q45 TJ. The miles. I bet he/whomever does'nt even notice the miles.

Yeah, it's a 1994 Q45 mechanically is solid. The seats are tore up and the interior has taken a bit of a beating, but he just keeps changing the oil,plugs and driving the thing. For someone who works on 100k cars all day. I'm surprised he doesn't really care to drive one himself.
I think it's like working at fancy steakhouse all your life. Sometimes you just want chicken.

 

[ajls09873]

That's the reason that why hyundai seperate luxury brand.
Taurus SHO is maybe technically good car, but it never treat as Lexus level. Because it is still under Ford brand.