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Jul 5, 2012 | 2:31 pm

#1381

QBK

Join Date: Dec 2010

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Quote:

Originally Posted by IAHtraveler

I know the 3-series will out-handle the Taurus in extreme situations but I don't usually push rentals that hard (usually... anymore

), but why I'd pick the Taurus:
-Heated/Cooled seats
-Sirius
-SYNC
-Size
-Seat comfort
-Touch screen display
-Trunk size
-Looks

We're all different and have different needs/preferences but that's my 2 cents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldoggolfer05

Plus the 3 series is just WAY too common. In fairness, the Taurus is pretty common as well, but I've had a number of people ask me over the past two weeks if it was the new Taurus and compliment on how they liked it/how nice it is. It definitely has a bold presence that I feel that 3-series just lacks anymore...

Okay, fair 'nuff. I officially retract my under-informed prejudice against the Taurus, at least until I get a chance to evaluate it more thoroughly. Given how short a time I had the car for, my only real observation was that I felt isolated from the road -- I'd look down at the map for 5 seconds and look up to find myself halfway across the lane. I normally drive a Mazda 3, so I'm used to (and value) road feel more than cush. But maybe with a bit more practice I'll come to love the Taurus.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drzoidberg

I'd rather take a Ford Focus over a 2011/12 BMW 3-series, much more comfortable seats.

Wow. That's an impressive criticism. Now I'm almost more curious to drive a 3-series, just to see if it's really all not that!

Jul 5, 2012 | 6:54 pm

#1382

IAHtraveler

Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars

Join Date: Oct 2006

Posts: 8,070

Quote:

Originally Posted by QBK

Okay, fair 'nuff. I officially retract my under-informed prejudice against the Taurus, at least until I get a chance to evaluate it more thoroughly.

Give it a shot and let us know what you think! Personally, I really like what Ford/Lincoln has done lately..

Quote:

Originally Posted by QBK

I'd look down at the map for 5 seconds and look up to find myself halfway across the lane.

I hope it's not a full 5 seconds (unless you're stopped at a light)

. That's a lot of time!! At highway speeds (~70 mph), you've gone 500 ft in 5 seconds. Even at 35 mph, you've gone far enough to do a lot of damage off the shoulder.

Jul 5, 2012 | 7:37 pm

#1383

QBK

Join Date: Dec 2010

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Posts: 1,343

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAHtraveler

I hope it's not a full 5 seconds (unless you're stopped at a light)

. That's a lot of time!! At highway speeds (~70 mph), you've gone 500 ft in 5 seconds. Even at 35 mph, you've gone far enough to do a lot of damage off the shoulder.

Well, the standard figure is that if you sneeze while driving 70mph, you go about 300 feet with your eyes closed.

Which happens to me more often than I'd like. Plus, when I sneeze, I get fairly discombobulated for a few more seconds. So 5 seconds of looking down feels -- to me -- roughly equivalent to a sneeze.

I'm not sure how long it takes me to glance at the map and see that I've missed my exit, but 5 seconds is a rough estimate. It's not the safest thing -- but it's something that I usually feel safe doing in a tight-handling car on an open stretch of freeway (note: not in heavy traffic and/or twisty roads or narrow lanes!). On the other hand, I'm not advocating the practice (I also climb mountains for entertainment, so I clearly have (a) excessive risk tolerance, and (b) irrational faith in my own abilities)!

Jul 6, 2012 | 5:26 pm

#1384

drzoidberg

Join Date: May 2008

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Jul 7, 2012 | 12:48 pm

#1385

QBK

Join Date: Dec 2010

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Quote:

Originally Posted by QBK

I'd look down at the map for 5 seconds and look up to find myself halfway across the lane...

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAHtraveler

I hope it's not a full 5 seconds (unless you're stopped at a light)

. That's a lot of time!! At highway speeds (~70 mph), you've gone 500 ft in 5 seconds. Even at 35 mph, you've gone far enough to do a lot of damage off the shoulder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QBK

Well, the standard figure is that if you sneeze while driving 70mph, you go about 300 feet with your eyes closed. ... I'm not sure how long it takes me to glance at the map and see that I've missed my exit, but 5 seconds is a rough estimate.

With sincere apologies for the off-topic digression (which is worse? failure to followup, or prolonging an OT?)... Out of curiosity, I just timed myself driving my own car. Apparently I only look away from the road for about 3 seconds maximum. After that, whatever I'm doing (map, stopwatch, etc.) some self-preservation instinct yanks my eyes back to the road.

So map glance = sneeze, roughly speaking. And apparently my subconscious agrees with IAHTraveler that 5 seconds is a lot of time at highway speeds!

Jul 8, 2012 | 11:41 am

#1386

ayodeji13

Join Date: Sep 2011

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LAS
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Jul 13, 2012 | 6:06 pm

#1387

stimpy

FlyerTalk Evangelist

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Got loaded BMW X5 with 14 miles on the odo. This is way, way, better than the BMW 328i I rented last time.

Jul 18, 2012 | 9:45 pm

#1388

Teamstone

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Jul 19, 2012 | 5:15 pm

#1389

Quip

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Jul 20, 2012 | 4:41 pm

#1390

ayodeji13

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Jul 20, 2012 | 10:56 pm

#1391

drzoidberg

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Jul 23, 2012 | 1:20 pm

#1392

Teamstone

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17000 miles

Jul 24, 2012 | 3:40 pm

#1393

corky7981

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Jul 24, 2012 | 9:48 pm

#1394

born sleepy

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I recoil in horror at the Impalas or Merc Marquis I always get as an alleged upgrade and I always refuse them. These cars were designed 10-20 years ago. No. So this was nice. Someday maybe I'll get a VW CC or a Volvo XC.