If some of you are so caught up in the performance numbers remember that a turbo car is a boost controller away from raising the PSI. FI cars are cheap to modify.

In the long run the amenities offered on the Ford and potential of the car far outshine the G8. Also the SHO is well known in the mid level executive world and it will obviously have a much higher resale value due to the limited production.

 

I love the G8 GT. It's an excellent no-frills quality sports-sedan and a very good value. It's a shame its days are numbered because it is hands down one of the best sedan in its price range. But i just see the Taurus as being "different". I see it as a mix of Buick Lucerne and G8 GT. The options list pretty much says it all...heated and cooled front seats, heated back seats, 12speaker audio system, real aluminum trim, adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, messaging seats, voice-activated navigation system with rear-view camera, etc...

I think that pretty much gives us an idea of where Ford is going with the SHO and how it differs from the route GM took with the G8. Like Gloria said, it comes down to what you're looking for in a sports-sedan. Don't care for all the extra fluff and just want a quality value-oriented sports-sedan then the G8 is for you. If you want the extra luxury, tech features, larger size, and AWD and don't mind paying a premium then the SHO is for you.

 

Exactly................ and neither the SHO buyer, or the G8 buyer, is wrong in their purchase. Neither is stupid............. neither is accepting less.............. neither is a blind fanboy, or any of the other ridiculous reasons that people give, to put someone down for their choice of vehicle.

Frankly, I get kind of tired of the _________ car is better than _________ car. BS. It is just better for YOU.

Now.............. debating interior quality, or features, 0-60, or something that can be substantiated on a given car .............. well, thats what being an enthusiast. As we all are.

 

Personally, it's not so much that the SHO is a poor vehicle. More, the concept of an AWD luxury car (a la Cadillac STS AWD) hasn't won me over. I see no reason for the existence of such a vehicle when a RWD is just as capable in 99% of cases. Granted, the Taurus has FWD roots but therein lies the 'problem'.

There's no doubt for me that the Ecoboost V6 engine is very capable and tuned to deliver relaxed manners. It would be interesting to see this engine in a non-luxo barge. I'm sure it will win a lot more fans... and traffic light contests!

Each to their own but IMO the SHO lacks character compared to GXP (and 300C).

 

For myself, who lives in a place where we see snow............... and it is mountainous................ and rural.................. an AWD sporty/luxury car is exactly what I want.

I would not buy a RWD anything, unless it is a good weather only vehicle.

You think the SHO lacks character, and I think it is the epitome of understated elegance. On the other hand, I think the 300C SRT8, and G8 GT/GXP look way too "boy racer" for me. I don't need to shout that I have a performance car. Been there, done that. The only person I want to impress............... is me.

See, thats why there are so many great choices out there. This way, everyone can be happy.

 

After reading some more about the SHO, I'm a little less excited about it.

1. Price is too high.
2. Weight: OMG, what a pig!
3. No manual trans.
4. It's a Ford. [/thread]

 

Personally I'd be excited to see this powertrain in the smaller Fusion...

 

lol....

 

Now your talkin'....

 

The weight of new cars is amazing, for comparo the new Taurus SHO weighs 200 lbs. more than this Buick Roadmaster wagon.



This boat weighs 4,202 lbs.

 

Turbo engine + 4400lbs + Manual Trans = many blown transmissions. You'd want to drop the clutch at 4K+ rpm to get a little wheel slip. It would take a hell of an AWD system to take that abuse. You can smoke an Evo transfer case with just a couple hard launches, especially if you start adding power.

 

From a power and price perspective, I think a better comparison might be between the Genesis and the SHO.

Genesis... 375HP $41,250 max price. It has more creature comforts than the G8. It doesn't have AWD, like the SHO. Other than that, I think this is a good comparison.

 

And that was an "old tech" body on frame monster sized car.

It really is just about all cars these days, though. BMW's redesigned Z4 now includes a folding hardtop instead of the previous softtop, and it now weighs 3500 lbs. The bigger, far more competent, much much faster Corvette is nearly 300 lbs lighter (for very similar money).

The Camaro SS is only ~300 lbs lighter than that Buick! A Challenger weighs the same! For that matter, even the almighty Nissan GT-R is within 300-400 lbs of that wagon. Crazy. Thank you, overzealous government regs...

I've been toying lately with the idea of getting an older classic convertible (in "driver" condition), like a mid '60s to '72 Chevelle / Lemans / GTO / Cutlass / Skylark and swapping in an LSx / T56. Even those big boys (by today's standards) were in the 3200-3500 lb range (depending on body style, engine option, and other equipment of course) based on specs I've seen online, which seems pretty light compared to newer stuff. That's with iron small blocks and big blocks!

 

Fusion replaces the old Taurus. The new car is a fullsize, the old was midsize. Only thing they have in common is the name.

 

Go test drive both, with a friend who doesn't care about brand names. Let the friend drive. Then ask them which car they prefer.

Then go buy your Taurus anyway.