500/taurus Comparo

3257 Views 34 Replies 15 Participants Last post by silvapain, Mar 28, 2004

kjw86ca

Discussion Starter · Mar 25, 2004

Ford has released the specs AND power ratings for the new Ford Five Hundred. The Five Hundred's Duratec according to Ford is the same power specs as in the Taurus but with the 6-speed automatic standard and Continuously Variable Transmission only available with the AWD models. No more extra HP until the 3.5L Duratec comes out which is supposedly rated at more than 250HP.

Some stuff that made me mad:

The Five Hundred according to Ford is only available with dual halogen head lamps. (One bulb for low beams, one for high, in separate housings.) The only way we can get HID is on the Mercury Montego sedan. This, they say, is a "world-class 'advanced high intensity discharge system' or "A-HID."

The only trim levels are: SE, SEL, and Limited. Leather isn't even standard until you get to the "Limited" level. (If this car starts around 25k for a base SE, I can't imagine how much the Limited will cost.)

The CVT Transmission is ONLY available if you get AWD.

The Taurus actually has MORE head room, more hip room in the front and back, and more leg room in the front than the Five Hundred! The other thing is that according to the specs the Taurus actually has MORE torque...(although not much more)

Some cool stuff:

Duratec is standard.

6-Speed Tranny Standard.

17 inch wheels standard. 18 inch wheels optional.

Full-LED Tail Lamps

So here are the specs: The Five Hundred is First and the Taurus specs follow the "/" symbol.

Five Hundred: Taurus:

Length
200.7in / 197.6in

Width
73.7in / 73.0in

Height
60.1in / 56.1in

Wheelbase
112.9in / 108.5in

Track width, front
64.6 / 61.6in

Track width, rear
65.0 / 62.1in

Fuel capacity
19.0 gallons / 18.0

Headroom

1st row
39.3 / 40.0

2nd row
38.6 / 38.1

Shoulder room

1st row
57.9 / 57.3

2nd row
57.6 / 56.6

Hip room

1st row
54.2 / 54.4

2nd row
54.1 / 55.7

Legroom

1st row
41.3 / 42.2

2nd row
40.9 / 38.9

Performance

Duratec Duratec

Five Hundred: Taurus:

Power
200 hp @ 5,500 rpm / 200 @ 5500 rpm

Torque
200 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm / 207 @ 4500 rpm

6-Speed w/ O/D / 4-Speed w/ O/D
(CVT Optional)

Brakes:

Five Hundred: Taurus:

Disc/Disc w/ ABS / Disc/Drum Optional ABS
Front/12.5 Rear 13.0 (in.) / 11.75Front w/ Electronic Brake Force Dist.
w/ Electronic Brake Force Dist.

Traction:

Traction Control:
Optional / Optional

AWD:

Optional / N/A

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silvapain

· #2 · Mar 25, 2004

The size differences make sense, because the 500 is designed to be smaller than the taurus. the Futura will be bigger than the taurus. They are, in effect, splitting the taurus up into two cars.

2FST4U2C

· #3 · Mar 25, 2004

Originally posted by silvapain@Mar 24 2004, 08:40 PM
The size differences make sense, because the 500 is designed to be smaller than the taurus. the Futura will be bigger than the taurus. They are, in effect, splitting the taurus up into two cars.

You have that backwards the 500 is supposed to be the larger taurus replacement based on the volvo s60/v70/s80 sedan and the futura is the smaller mazda 6 based Taurus replacement

kjw86ca

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 25, 2004

yeah, you have it back wards. If you look the Five Hundred is two inches longer than the Taurus. The Futura is smaller than the Taurus, 500 bigger.

93taurusSX

· #5 · Mar 25, 2004

Is it just me or does the front of the 500 make it look like a Crown Vic? Can't wait to see those performance numbers of the 500 with the Duratec being weighed down by the AWD system...

I'm still not impressed one bit by this "replacement" for our bulls. Even IF the 250hp 3.5 is put into it, it's still average when compared to everyone else. Ford needs to pull a miracle with the Futura or something because the 500 doesn't look like a winner to me.

silvapain

· #6 · Mar 25, 2004

D'oh! I get them mixed up sometimes.

One important thing they didn't comment on is the curb weight. That will be the determining factor when looking into how it's going to feel and handle.

Craddosk

· #7 · Mar 25, 2004

sorry in advance for my lack of knowledge, but is Ford going to discontinue the Taurus line in place of the 500/Futura?

kjw86ca

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 25, 2004

Well, some "sources" say it is.

This is what Motor Trend says:

They say the Taurus will go it's own way in 2007 without the Mercury Sable. The Taurus will be freshened in 2007 and there are no plans for it after 2009. Ford previously had said they were commited to building the Taurus until 2009 and "have no plans to discontinue it." That was the last I heard.

-Kyle

jj57

· #9 · Mar 25, 2004

Well, Ford has taken something that worked for all of these years and F***ed it all up. The Taurus and Sable have come a long way since 1986 and there have been some good times, and some bad. But I think it is safe to say that the Gen 4's are the most reliable and people really do take them for granted.

You can't tell me that they couldn't put:

Dual Zone EATC
Rear Disc Brakes
Different Engine
Heated Seats
Improved Instrument Cluster
5/6 speed Auto Transmission
Rear LED brake lights
HID headlamps

In a Bull? It would be a hell of a lot cheaper than the S**T that they are trying to do now.

$25K for and SE
What about a SEL?
Limited AWD? That thing is going to be over 30K easily!!!

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Postmortem

· #10 · Mar 25, 2004

They need stronger engine. I'm not saying Duratec is bad, it is just not enough anymore.

ffvulcanpowah

· #11 · Mar 25, 2004

Originally posted by JJ57@Mar 25 2004, 01:18 AM
Well, Ford has taken something that worked for all of these years and F***ed it all up. The Taurus and Sable have come a long way since 1986 and there have been some good times, and some bad. But I think it is safe to say that the Gen 4's are the most reliable and people really do take them for granted.

You can't tell me that they couldn't put:

Dual Zone EATC
Rear Disc Brakes
Different Engine
Heated Seats
Improved Instrument Cluster
5/6 speed Auto Transmission
Rear LED brake lights
HID headlamps

In a Bull? It would be a hell of a lot cheaper than the S**T that they are trying to do now.

$25K for and SE
What about a SEL?
Limited AWD? That thing is going to be over 30K easily!!!

^^ I agree 100% ^^

The 500 doesnt appeal to me at all. If ford would put a few more "upscale" options in the Taurus, they would have a serious winner (not saying that the taurus isnt already a winner). *thumbs down* for the 500. *474,000 thumbs up for the Taurus.

Kermit

· #12 · Mar 25, 2004

I'm not sure if I understood that brake information. It has 12.5" rotors up front and 13" rotors in the back? That's useless.

Scatman

· #13 · Mar 25, 2004

The Five Hundred was suppose to be like the Lincoln LS. The top LS comes with a V8 is the Five Hundred?

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kjw86ca

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 25, 2004

Yes, the rotors are larger in the back. I don't know why, either.

The front is vented and the rear is solid w/ electronic brake force distrubution and ABS is standard.

Kermit

· #15 · Mar 25, 2004

Well the only good things I forsee is some of the parts being compatible with our late model taurus's.

majisto

· #16 · Mar 25, 2004

Guys...you have to look past the #s, and look at the actual structure and fit/finish of the car itself. The 500 is meant to go after the Maxima and other higher end sedans that have become popular. The Focus is going to be freshened up, and given a more "mature" look to go after the Altima and other small sedans (And hatches).

The 500 will definitely be better than the Taurus in a lot of ways. First of all, a 6-speed automatic will be great for fuel mileage. Imagine how much lower the Duratec can spin on the highway. It already gets great mileage with very short gearing, so imagine what it will be like with a very tall 6th gear. For those of you wondering about the increased curb weight cutting into speed...just remember the entire car will be geared differently. Don't knock it until you drive it.

HIDs are a luxury item not needed. Can you get HIDs on a Camry or Accord? Not to my knowledge. If you can, they are going to be a fairly high priced option. Mercury will offer HIDs if you really think you need them (You don't).

I am excited about the 500. I am excited that the piece of junk 4-speed auto will retire, excited about the increased legroom in the back, excited about the improved leather seats, excited about the AWD system...

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93taurusSX

· #17 · Mar 25, 2004

Originally posted by Majisto@Mar 25 2004, 04:18 PM
Guys...you have to look past the #s, and look at the actual structure and fit/finish of the car itself. The 500 is meant to go after the Maxima and other higher end sedans that have become popular. The Focus is going to be freshened up, and given a more "mature" look to go after the Altima and other small sedans (And hatches).

The 500 will definitely be better than the Taurus in a lot of ways. First of all, a 6-speed automatic will be great for fuel mileage. Imagine how much lower the Duratec can spin on the highway. It already gets great mileage with very short gearing, so imagine what it will be like with a very tall 6th gear. For those of you wondering about the increased curb weight cutting into speed...just remember the entire car will be geared differently. Don't knock it until you drive it.

HIDs are a luxury item not needed. Can you get HIDs on a Camry or Accord? Not to my knowledge. If you can, they are going to be a fairly high priced option. Mercury will offer HIDs if you really think you need them (You don't).

I am excited about the 500. I am excited that the piece of junk 4-speed auto will retire, excited about the increased legroom in the back, excited about the improved leather seats, excited about the AWD system...

But look at what the Maxima is packing... a 265 HP V6 with the posibility of hooking it up to a 5 spd (or was it 6 spd) Manual and a sport tuned suspension and chassis. Face it; no matter how good the 500 is compared to the Taurus, it wont a) have the same fit and finish as the latest near luxo imports

won't have the same king of integration with its gadgetry c) and will be utterly out-gunned in terms of power and performance. It's another one of those close-but-no-cigar deals.

Anything with the option of AWD will ultimately weigh more than a something that is specifically designed as a FWD. They need the extra mounting points, and other hardware already built in so that the AWD system can be easily added on the assembly line.

I'll give props to Ford however, for going ahead and putting a 6 spd CVT in there.

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kjw86ca

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 26, 2004

Originally posted by Majisto@Mar 25 2004, 04:18 PM
Guys...you have to look past the #s, and look at the actual structure and fit/finish of the car itself. The 500 is meant to go after the Maxima and other higher end sedans that have become popular. The Focus is going to be freshened up, and given a more "mature" look to go after the Altima and other small sedans (And hatches).

The 500 will definitely be better than the Taurus in a lot of ways. First of all, a 6-speed automatic will be great for fuel mileage. Imagine how much lower the Duratec can spin on the highway. It already gets great mileage with very short gearing, so imagine what it will be like with a very tall 6th gear. For those of you wondering about the increased curb weight cutting into speed...just remember the entire car will be geared differently. Don't knock it until you drive it.

HIDs are a luxury item not needed. Can you get HIDs on a Camry or Accord? Not to my knowledge. If you can, they are going to be a fairly high priced option. Mercury will offer HIDs if you really think you need them (You don't).

I am excited about the 500. I am excited that the piece of junk 4-speed auto will retire, excited about the increased legroom in the back, excited about the improved leather seats, excited about the AWD system...

I've had HID's on a car before...and trust me, they are worth it. You can never have enough lighting, and I live in the mountains so the roads are pretty dark. I think HID's are important. Who cares if Accord/Camry don't offer it?

This is supposed to be a luxury car. I mean, the Ford Focus has HID's as an option, and that is supposed to be an economy car.

Damon

· #19 · Mar 26, 2004

I gotta say I like the improvements. I think its a step in the right direction as far as Ford is concerned. The improvements make the 500/Taurus more competitive with the european and asian sedans, for sure.

I like it

-Damon

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Damon

· #20 · Mar 26, 2004

Originally posted by kjw86ca+Mar 25 2004, 07:53 PM-->QUOTE (kjw86ca @ Mar 25 2004, 07:53 PM)

<!--QuoteBegin-Majisto

Click to expand...

@Mar 25 2004, 04:18 PM
Guys...you have to look past the #s, and look at the actual structure and fit/finish of the car itself. The 500 is meant to go after the Maxima and other higher end sedans that have become popular. The Focus is going to be freshened up, and given a more "mature" look to go after the Altima and other small sedans (And hatches).

The 500 will definitely be better than the Taurus in a lot of ways. First of all, a 6-speed automatic will be great for fuel mileage. Imagine how much lower the Duratec can spin on the highway. It already gets great mileage with very short gearing, so imagine what it will be like with a very tall 6th gear. For those of you wondering about the increased curb weight cutting into speed...just remember the entire car will be geared differently. Don't knock it until you drive it.

HIDs are a luxury item not needed. Can you get HIDs on a Camry or Accord? Not to my knowledge. If you can, they are going to be a fairly high priced option. Mercury will offer HIDs if you really think you need them (You don't).

I am excited about the 500. I am excited that the piece of junk 4-speed auto will retire, excited about the increased legroom in the back, excited about the improved leather seats, excited about the AWD system...

Click to expand...

I've had HID's on a car before...and trust me, they are worth it. You can never have enough lighting, and I live in the mountains so the roads are pretty dark. I think HID's are important. Who cares if Accord/Camry don't offer it?

This is supposed to be a luxury car. I mean, the Ford Focus has HID's as an option, and that is supposed to be an economy car. [/b]

Mass97G has HIDs in his SHO. I have ridden in it and the lights are amazing.

-DC

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