"X" Pros/Cons (mostly cons)

[R-WEST]

Just picked up an '08 AWD X last week. Was really looking for an '09 (because the missus wanted "Cinnamon" color ), but couldn't find one anywhere that had the features we needed. Actually, very few '09's are out there anywhere, it seems. Anyway, the color is "Merlot", which everyone seems to like, and we got a pretty good deal (invoice minus $5.1G in various rebates & stuff) -so it actually cost LESS than we paid for the equivalently equipped '05 Freestyle 4 years ago.

The CVT in the Freestyle is hands-down better, as far as performance. The X is supposed to have 60+ more HP, which might show up on a top-end run, but the Freestyle would run rings around it in real-world driving scenarios. The CVT kept the engine in the proper RPM range pretty much all the time; with the 6-speed tranny in the X, it spends most of its time trying to keep you in the highest gear possible, which means much throttle-playing, as you push down more and more to go up the hill, then it kicks down and takes off, etc... Bad, bad idea....

The low beams STINK. Bland, brownish looking beam. Fortunately, I can run the foglights at the same time, but I shouldn't have to. And, they're H11's, for which I cannot find a Silverstar or Nighthawk replacement. I'm looking into some Nokya's ($40) or PIAA's ($80.00!!), but, again, I shouldn't have to upgrade an OEM lighting system.

Looks like they fixed the dashboard glare issue that plagued the Freestyle. How something like that got out the door is a mystery to me.

It IS a nice handy vehicle, though, which suits my wife perfectly, and, as we all know, that's about 99% of the deal.

[theoldwizard]

Taurus X will be out of production in less than a year, maybe as short as 6 months.

The replacement will by the unibody Explorer, but don't expect it until 2011MY or 2012MY. Underneath, it will have a lot of similarities with the Taurus X (FWD or AWD) but the styling will definitely say "Explorer". It will also have a much higher trailer towing capacity than the X.

BTW, the CVT went out of production over 6 months ago. Gone. Dead. Buried. Your 6 speed may not be as smooth, but I'll bet it lasts longer.

[mark v]

The Taurus X seemed like a stupid idea from Ford to me right from the start. They were a very sharp looking vehicle though that I would not mind owning. They took a successful car that died and decided to bring it back as an SUV. It would have worked except they have the Escape and Explorer, how many more SUV's does Ford need.

Glad you like it.

Soon you will find replacement Silverstars for it, just be patient. I wouldnt hack any wiring on a new vehicle to install new lights and void the new car warranty.

[theoldwizard]

The Taurus X started life as the Freestyle. Of course at the same time Ford was selling the Freestar. No one could keep the two straight.

This was Ford's first attempt at a CUV, and was not a success. People wanted something "different". Enter the Edge and now the Flex.

Personally, I think not having a trailer tow package on the original Freestyle (because of the weak CVT) also hurt.

They took a successful car that died

It is built off of the 500/Taurus chassis which is basically a Volvo S80. Taking the "Taurus" name actually help sales a small amount.

['66 Country Squire]

What both Marcus Cinco and Ye Olde Wizarde fail to recognize is that many potential buyers of either FS or T-Rex see it as the logical successor to the original Taurus Station Wagon! Don't take my word for it: hop on over to Edmunds for verification on this. I owned a '93 Explorer Sport, and the body-on-frame driving experience isn't NEARLY as pleasant as with the unibody construction.
Secondly, Ford has created instant orphan$ of BOTH marques, by virtue of providing almost zero $$$ for advertising. Oh sure, I could get all Chip Foosey in a Flex and be down wit' my peeps in D' Troit, nahm say'n nahm mean? Yo, yo what it be bro? What it IS....is that I don't wan't to be driving something that screams "Low-Budget Pimp"! And, no, I DON'T want a grille that matches my Flave-O-Rite gangstah' rapper's front teeth! What I, and many others want is (hello!) maximum interior cu.ft. in a "compact" exterior package with decent gas mileage sans the obscene amount of chrome. Kustomized by K Mart? Pass.
A good example of how out of touch AND manipulative the Big Three are is available on a website that has the title: The Greatest Cars You Can't Buy (in the U.S.) Both the Honda Accord SW and the Toyota Camry SW continued to be manufactured for several years AFTER they became unavailable to us...U.S. Why? Mo' money, das why! The Big Three wanted to "accomodate" our collectively expanding posteriors with profitable "mini"van$....wansum fries wi' dat, yo? $tupor-$ize, anyone?
Another brilliant decision was when Saturn opted to import the Opel Astra bodystyle. Which configuration did GM elect to EXCLUDE from the lineup? Only the best-selling SW in Europe.....for the LAST 30 YEARS!
In the event that someone comes to the wrong conclusion about my selective use of phoenetic spelling, it is provided for emphasis: the only thing that upsets me more than stupid people, are stupid people with money and the Kulchah that worships them. Remember, TV doesn't make you stupid. People who make money turning your grey matter into jello make you stupid.

[mark v]

Uh... Yeah.... Whatever... I guess you just explained everything, I cant understand Jive but whatever.