Generation Gap: Ford Taurus Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 07/27/2016 at 21:55 • Filed to: Generation Gap, Ford Taurus

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Welcome to Generation Gap where we ask you about your favorite generation of a certain multi-generational car nameplate. Then, explain why your choice is right to the rest of us uneducated folks.

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The Ford Taurus caused a small revolution when it was first released; here was a FWD, economical, and futuristic American family sedan which wasn’t completely awful! (like the K car and Chevy Celebrity were) However, over the years, the once simple and compact D186 cars have ballooned into giants riding on a modified Volvo platform. Were these early cars with Yamaha SHOs the best, or does the new Ecoboosted version do it for you?

The options:

First Generation [1986 - 1991]

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Second Generation [1991 - 1995]

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Third Generation [1995 - 1999] and facelift

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Fourth Generation [2000 - 2007] and facelift

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Fifth Generation [2004 - 2009] formerly Five Hundred before facelift

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Sixth Generation [2010 - Present] and facelift

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Milky > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:01

1

No China?

fhrblig > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:03

1

First-gen for Taurus, second-gen for Sable.

gmctavish needs more space > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:05

2

Second gen, because a ‘94 wagon is the car I spent most of my childhood in, and has the best looking SHO

I do hope a nice one of these with the manual shows up when I can actually get a second car, I’m so curious how they drive, and I want that engine.

LongbowMkII > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:10

1

2nd gen was objectively better than the first but first has robocop... It was tough.

dogisbadob > gmctavish needs more space 07/27/2016 at 22:13

2

I totally agree on the best-looking sho. Especially a 94-95 in blue or white

dogisbadob > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:15

1

The first and second seem the same to me, and the 3rd and 4th seem like one generation to me, too.

The 2nd gen has the best-looking SHO, the 94-95 in blue or white.

I will say the the 500-gen is underrated.

The current gen is too big and bloated. Just give us the Falcon instead.

Taurass

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:16

1

2nd. Because SHO.

Amoore100 > Milky 07/27/2016 at 22:18

0

No.

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 07/27/2016 at 22:23

1

Second gen was completely different body although mechanicals carried over as they often do. Third-fourth is debatable, but I don’t think the fourth deserves to share the stigma of the hideous third gen so it gets recognized separately.

Dark green SHO is best in my book.

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Yeah, my dad’s old mechanic actually mentioned that the 500 would be interesting since it’s a P2 platform car and that a used one could be a safe bet for replacing my dad’s old 740. He’s about as stubborn as I am so he went out and bought a second gen V70 instead. Actual Volvo FTW!

The Fusion should have been the new Taurus and they should have brought the Falcon instead of the 500, definitely agree there.

BAM- Before Anything Melts > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/27/2016 at 22:23

0

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th all have SHO variants.

Amoore100 > LongbowMkII 07/27/2016 at 22:23

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Amoore100 > fhrblig 07/27/2016 at 22:24

0

Reasoning? Just appearance?

boredalways > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:27

1

First Gen.

Because RoboCop.

RT > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:28

4

My favourite is the 2nd gen, which is like an improved 1st gen.

It made the best SHO as well, available in manual and with the same unique grille-less look of the first.

fhrblig > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:28

1

The 1st gen Taurus just looked right from the start to me. The 1st gen Sable looked like it needed to be refined a bit, especially in the greenhouse. I think the 2nd gen Sable got it right.

dogisbadob > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:31

1

Green is ok, but meh. 93 still had the black door handles, which don’t look as cool as the 94-95 body-color ones :)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > BAM- Before Anything Melts 07/27/2016 at 22:32

0

Best looking one with that Yamaha V6.

Die-Trying > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:34

1

2nd gen........ S.H.O.........

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 07/27/2016 at 22:34

1

True, it was just the first GIS that came up ;)

I think it’s just awesome in any shade.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:36

2

My mom had a burgundy 1st gen when I was a kid. It was...decent. That said, I voted for the current one because I’m 30 going on 80. And EcoBoost.

Amoore100 > interstate366, now In The Industry 07/27/2016 at 22:39

0

No third gen SHO V8 love?

RT > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:39

1

The 3rd gen was hideous, but the 4th was just bland - which is arguably a worse offence. Then again I have a bad personal experience with a rental 4th gen anyway, so I may be biased.

They really should’ve brought the Falcon over though, great car. Shame Ford are going to kill it by the end of the year

Amoore100 > RT 07/27/2016 at 22:40

1

Yeah, the second gen basically worked out all the kinks with the first before they just went and screwed it all up with the third. Still, that Yama V8 in the third gen SHO is an interestingly esoteric motor.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:44

2

The engine, yes. The ovoid body, not so much.

dogisbadob > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:46

1

Oh yeah that blue SHO is awesome as FUCK!!!

Here’s a better white SHO :)

RT > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:46

2

It was a very interesting motor, though sadly the auto box and cam sprocket failures let it down.

Chasaboo > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:51

1

Our family had one of the 1st generation, and regrettably it was crap.

Under_Score > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 22:57

1

The first and second gen look so much alike, I can’t believe they’re classified as different generations.

Spridget > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 23:09

1

One of my friends says the third generation Taurus is his favorite car ever.

fintail > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 23:14

2

Second gen had a rounded angularity that worked, it looked very modern and aged well, design wise. The first one still doesn’t look like a 30 year old car. The ovoid ones amuse me now.

My mom had a 2nd gen, a 93. It was pretty decent up until around 80K miles, then, you know, 3.8.

wiffleballtony > Amoore100 07/27/2016 at 23:48

1

I’ve had three Tauri from that list. Second gen was my favorite.

Amoore100 > fintail 07/27/2016 at 23:54

0

80K is not a lot. Shows either how far quality has come in the past 20 years or just how shitty that engine was.

Amoore100 > Spridget 07/27/2016 at 23:55

0

It’s a bit shite if we’re honest...all SHO and no go...

Amoore100 > Under_Score 07/27/2016 at 23:55

0

Apparently “Every body panel, except for the doors, was redesigned” though. Must just be ‘90s styling.

shop-teacher > Amoore100 07/28/2016 at 00:17

1

2nd gen, in SHO form, in green

Amoore100 > shop-teacher 07/28/2016 at 00:31

0

Yep.

shop-teacher > Amoore100 07/28/2016 at 00:39

1

Yeeeessssss!!!

That was the first fast car I ever got a ride in. It made quite an impression on 15 year old me.

Birddog > Under_Score 07/28/2016 at 00:59

1

Ford was very conservative with the Gen2 Taurus. When you hit a Grand Slam on your first at bat you don’t gamble it away.

Birddog > Amoore100 07/28/2016 at 01:10

1

2nd gen SHO 100%.

“crap - like the K car and Chevy Celebrity were”

Now that isn’t exactly fair. The A body and K cars weren’t exactly crap. They sold well against their actual Ford competition which would have been the Fox based Fairmont and LTD. The 86 Taurus caught GM sleeping at the wheel and proved that Iacocca was losing touch in one fell swoop.

The Lumina should have been a Taurus competitor but too little too late.

And Iacocca? In a conversation with Bob Lutz, Lido let his opinions be known. “You picked a good time to leave Ford, lemme tell ya! Those potato cars (Taurus and Sable) they’re coming out with are gonna bomb.

M54B30 > shop-teacher 07/28/2016 at 01:24

1

Had one. Loved it. Miss it.

M54B30 > Amoore100 07/28/2016 at 01:26

1

I owned a gen 1 and gen 2 SHO (both manuals) and absolutely loved them. I STILL poke around CL for another.

The 4th gen was great looking and has aged well - still looks good today.

Amoore100 > M54B30 07/28/2016 at 01:56

0

Wow! That sounds super awesome! I guess the lack of a manual (and the vomit inducing looks) turned you off the third gen V8 SHO...

Personally I think the 4th gen is a bit anonymous but I also think the current gen looks quite good so I’m not sure how relevant my opinion is on the matter...