Hi there... just curious...
I notice the Ford Taurus seems to be the one to avoid, and I'm wondering what the problem with it is?
Is it uncomfortable? Does it break down alot? Just not a "cool" car?
Poor little Tauras...

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Where do you see things that say the Taurus is the one to avoid? I'd say that the OLD Taurus (stopped production with the 2006 model) was one to definitely avoid and isn't in any rental fleets any longer: Poor handling, uncomfortable seats, VERY basic, no updates in years, etc. The newer one (from 2008 on, what was the Ford Five Hundred from 2005-2007) isn't that bad. It's roomy, the seats are comfortable and it isn't too bad to drive. However, I'd take the Fusion anyday over the Taurus if you like something a bit zippy. I don't see many Tauruses on lots lately, though, so you might not even have it as a choice.

I agree, the Fusion is a great rental car. Haven't driven the Taurus, but can't imagine it would be too bad either. Certainly no worse then the Impalla.

I've been at a few major US location in the last week, and they're starting to get 2010 Taurus' in for the rental fleets. Massive improvement over previous models.

The one to get is the new Taurus SHO EcoBoost. (Although I doubt the rental folks will pick them up, maaaybe as a specialty class)

The Taurus is a pretty basic full-sized car: Roomy, barca-lounger comfy, and a massive trunk. If you have 4 people and a bunch of bags, it's a pretty decent car. You certainly won't enjoy the driving dynamics like you would in a smaller, more nimble car, but it serves its purpose fairly well.

I've had 2 or 3 of them in the last year, and they are waaaaay better than the Impala, which is about as bad as the old Taurus.

Today's Ford Taurus is a perfectly acceptable car. Some people's memories are long. The Ford Taurus of the early/mid 90s was an execrable automobile. A friend's broke down on approximately 1 out of every 3 trips. It got so bad that he was fired as a customer by AAA, because of all the tows, back in those days before AAA made a habit of limiting how many free tows you got on the "plus" plan. Here's a funny: My friend and I asked one of the tow truck drivers if any car got towed more than the Taurus. He scratched his head and finally came up with Dodge Caravan. That was my friend's next vehicle. Maybe he had a death wish.

Thanks for the replies guys...
It just seems in reading some of the threads, there've been a few comments about getting stuck with a Taurus.
I even read in a Hertz thread where a Hertz rep admitted to giving out Tauruses to folks who rubbed them the wrong way, or something of that nature!

Oh well... though now it sounds like I have to worry more about getting an Impala, which seems like the sample "full car" given on Alamo's web site! Yikes! Ha ha!

The Ford to dread these days seems to be the Crown Victoria, reason being it's a bit of a relic from the past. Rear wheel drive, massive V8 engine, fuel economy on par with most SUVs, handles like a walrus on rollerskates, and makes Donald Trump's biggest yacht look like a Smart Fortwo. Some people like it for the room, in fact I have a Premium car booked at YVR for when my family and I return from Europe and I'm hoping to get one for the trunk space. Personally when I book Premium I'm looking for something fun and sporty, but everyone's tastes are different.

Not sure if Avis has received any of the brand-spankin'-new 2010 Tauruses, but that would be a great car!

The new Taurus is based on the Lincoln MKS platform, and has a killer interior and trunk space. Should be plenty powerful with a 3.5L V6. Grab one if you have a chance!

The basic Impala isn't too bad, IMO. And if you get it with a few options (leather, steering wheel controls for the radio, etc), it's a fine car to drive for a few days. Sure, there are tons that I'd rather have, but it's not nearly as bad as some (Crown Vic, Grandma Rquis, Dodge Nitro, any minivan, the Kias that Avis has a lot of lately, Saturn Vue, Trailblazer, the list goes on).

[QUOTE=IAHtraveler;12245298]The basic Impala isn't too bad, IMO. And if you get it with a few options (leather, steering wheel controls for the radio, etc), it's a fine car to drive for a few days.
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We're going to need a car to drive all over the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this fall for 10 days. I'd love to get an Outback or a Forester if possible... the weather shouldn't be bad as a general rule, but I'd feel safer in a bigger car in case of any morning slickness on the road or the infamous deer darting through.

Looks like I'll sign up for a midsize then maybe see what they have? Dang internet! Too much information!! LOL!
I remember the good ol' days just turning up at a car rental counter and getting in one and driving off!

"handles like a walrus on rollerskates"

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LOL!!!
I just read this to my husband, then said that describes me at work, ('cause I run around at my waitress job and I'm slightly chubby )
He just about spit out his coffee! Ha ha!

Glad you liked it

A Taurus on a bad day is much better than one of those PT Cruisers or an HHR on any good day.

The new 2010 Taurus is a phenominal vehicle. Ford did a great job with it. Unfortunatley people associate the nameplate with the old clunkers that were discontinued 3 yrs ago.